Car Transporter thread?: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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May 17, 2011 7:17 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Someone had questions a while back and I can't find the thread.

I'm leaning toward buying a truck near Atlanta, or 1000 mile or 17 hours of driving away. Buy a plane ticket, drive from ATL to the small town, plate the truck and drive it back = two days of doinking around and some out of pocket expenses.

When I shipped a car from Texas to NY it cost $700, but that was some years ago. Still, I think shipping would be overall cheaper without the investment of time.

If you're the person that had questions or did some homework on shipping, I'd like to hear from you.

Any other thoughts on how to get this thing North?

Thanx Dan
May 17, 2011 7:39 a.m. pilotbraden HalfDork

I have used Allied Moving to bring cars from CA to MI. It has always been cheaper than flying out and paying for the fuel to drive home.
May 17, 2011 8:01 a.m. iceracer Dork

300 hundred dollars for gas plus air fair plus? How much is your time worth ?
May 17, 2011 9:23 a.m. curtis73 Dork

Cheapest shipping I found on the van I wanted (Philly to Austin) was about $1200.

I found a one-way flight for $139 and fuel for the return trip would have been about $300. Add in $200 for sodas, meals, maybe a motel 6 and it was still a HUGE bargain to fly in and drive it home. Plus, I love road trips.
May 17, 2011 9:48 a.m. Klayfish Reader

I've shipped several cars, both as buyer and seller. I tried DAS, which was "OK" at best. Personally, my favorites were: Express Auto Transport - http://www.theexpressauto.com/

I also really liked U-Ship.com. It's kind of cool in that it's an Ebay style auction for bidding. You can read other reviews of the shipper and talk to them directly. Last car we had shipped was my wife's Fit. Shipped it from Atlanta up here (I live an hour outside Philly). Found the guy through U-Ship. He was a real car guy, loved what he did, and brought the car in an enclosed trailer. I think it was $500 or something. Not only that, he delivered it on Christmas Day. Really. I can probably dig out his info if you'd like. He was top notch.
May 17, 2011 9:53 a.m. Mazdax605 Dork

I am going through this right now. I have had a few cars shipped to me in the past,and it has been pleseant. Now I just bought a car in CA,and I am in MA. I have a friend that wants to fly out to CA and then drive it home to me in MA. This sounds like a fun trip,and one I wouldn't mind making myself,but there is no way I can do it with my family,and career. The shipping quotes I have received so far have all been in the $1200-$1300 range(car cost $2600),and that isn't terrible,but my friend says he will foot the bill for his ,and another friends airfare,and I pay the fuel,and hotel stays along the way. It seems to him that he can do it a lot cheaper than the shipping quote,but my worry is what happens if he breaks down on the way,and then I am stuck with repair bills as well. Mind you this car is one that the seller bought from a salvage yard,and ressurected a year or so ago. It is a clean car,and he isn't really sure why it was at the salvage yard,but still it was there,and he did need to fix a few things before driving it now. My friend who wants to do this is not worried as it is a pretty simple car,but I am. What should I do?

Chris
May 17, 2011 10:01 a.m. Mental SuperDork

You like to engineer things, becuase well, you're an engineer. But you are missing the adventure. You have a whole crew of Hongers that would love to have a beer with you, a former GRM Ninja Babe in the 'Nooga that knows all the cool places for lunch and a bevey of friends up the east coast that would offer food and shelter. I think you should fly in and drive it. Take Ms 914driver and have another fun trip.

Cheaper to ship? Perhaps. More fun? no way.
May 17, 2011 10:06 a.m. Mazdax605 Dork

curtis73 wrote:

Cheapest shipping I found on the van I wanted (Philly to Austin) was about $1200.

I found a one-way flight for $139 and fuel for the return trip would have been about $300. Add in $200 for sodas, meals, maybe a motel 6 and it was still a HUGE bargain to fly in and drive it home. Plus, I love road trips.

Next time you find a van you want in the Northeast PM me,and maybe we can work out a deal. I have a friend that moved to Austin 5-6 years ago,and I have yet to visit him. I could possibly get your vehicle to you,and fit in a visit with him as well.
May 17, 2011 11:23 a.m. Klayfish Reader

Mazdax605 wrote:

I am going through this right now. I have had a few cars shipped to me in the past,and it has been pleseant. Now I just bought a car in CA,and I am in MA. I have a friend that wants to fly out to CA and then drive it home to me in MA.

What should I do?

Chris

If you want to let your friend and his buddy have a road adventure in your car, then that's a different story. Otherwise, to me it's a no brainer. Ship it. Pulling a $2600 car out of a salvage yard and asking a friend and his buddy to drive cross country with it sounds like trouble...or the start of the next Cannonball run series.
May 17, 2011 11:43 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Mental, I'm not an engineer. Spending a few nights in a college dorm room doesn't make you a student. I'm a multi-faceted technician.

Quotes I've gotten so far run from $875 to $1150. Yeah, the snowbirds are moving their stuff back so it's busy, but when that dies off and if the price of fuel goes down, it may be less. Probably not.

If I can cop this for $1500 + shipping then it's good. Mrs. 914 and I have been together long enough to recognize that road trips up I-95, me driving and on a tight schedule, doesn't provide the first-date giggles that once would.

I'll keep you posted.

Dan
May 17, 2011 1:56 p.m. Cotton Dork

I generally post up what I'm trying to get shipped on uship.com and see what bids I get. It has worked well for me in the past.
May 23, 2011 5:07 p.m. Mazdax605 Dork

So I decided to use the Uship website after reading about it on this thread. So far my bids have fallen from a high of $1210 to a low $1143. My friend still wants to fly out,and drive it home for me,but I think at the point the prices for shipping now it is pretty close to what I would pay for him to cover fuel,and hotel stays along the way across the country. He is covering airfare,but I cover the rest. I wish I knew what sort of mileage the car gets on the freeway so I could calculate the fuel consumption cost,but I really am not sure driving it is that much cheaper at this point as well as the potential risk of breakdown,and such. WHat would you guys do?

Chris
May 23, 2011 6:49 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

I got the truck for $2k and a shipper named Webster (link later) for $600.

Pictures upon delivery.

Anyone need a Ranger?
May 24, 2011 6:37 a.m. Klayfish Reader

Ship it. No worries about break downs, your buddy going just a little too fast for the cops liking, or heaven forbid it gets wrecked.
May 24, 2011 8:49 a.m. cwh SuperDork

A cross country trip in a car you got from a salvage yard. Hmmm. No.
May 24, 2011 8:53 a.m. JThw8 SuperDork

cwh wrote:

A cross country trip in a car you got from a salvage yard. Hmmm. No.

You've never heard of the BABE rally? (www.baberally.com)