Thank oBUMa for his moronic Cash for Clunkers program. Though part of the problem might be Craigslist and friends. Why trade-in a used car when you can get more $$$ selling it online, and listing fees range from cheap to free. Thus the dearth of used cars available to dealers at auction.

I've never bought from a dealer, only in private sales. Not sure how necessary middlemen are in 2014.