To make a long story short, I’m looking at shipping a car from Pennsylvania to New Mexico. Has anyone shipped a car long-distance and have any advice, suggestions, and so on?
I just had two cars transported from the San Francisco Bay Area to Philadelphia as part of a move. They literally drove both cars into the moving van after loading the rest of our belongings and then drove the van across the country. This was part of a corporate relocation and I never even saw the bill. I’m sure it was expensive – I would guess about $1,500 per car. I’m sure any interstate moving company would be happy to give you a quote.
I was told there are car transport companies who will use a car transport like the ones used to deliver cars to dealers. You’ve probably seen them. These tend to operate like moving companies and are the middle cost option. I was also told that because the transports are open the cars do show wear and having your car on top is best. The cars on the bottom can and do get fluid leaked on them from the cars above. A Google search should turn up a few companies who would be happy to give you a quote.
The lowest cost is to hire a person/company to drive your car. This puts the wear and tear on your car and you’re trusting a stranger to take care of your car. There are some fly-by-night operators in this business and others are reliable. If you decide to go this route, do your homework.
TINSTAAFL having your car on top exposes it to damage from debris especially if it is the first one at the front of the truck. Also since sometimes they load the cars backward, you trunk might be what gets sandblasted.
Not to mention if the driver tries to go though too low an overpass.
How soon do you need it done? If the car is reliable (not going to break down on I-40 in the middle of nowhere, TX), and the rate of pay is right, I might drive it there for you. I’m in PA, now, have a brother in Abq, and wouldn’t mind a brief visit with him. No clue what 1 way rentals to get back to PA would cost. IM me if you want to discuss.
We moved from Michigan to California and used a car shipper that was recommended by our moving company. Also, we used a major brand name moving company. Apparently there are lots and lots of shysters in these businesses (moving company and car movers). So, if you do want to go with a car shipper I would suggest calling one of the major name moving companies and asking them about it. Don’t stop there, go online and research the company. There is an abundance of online ‘consumer beware’ sites that will steer you away from ‘Soprano’s Car Movers, Inc.’
When we moved from NJ to California, we shipped both cars on a car carrier, and were very happy. They arrived on time and in good shape. I didn’t pay for it, so I have no idea what it cost.
When we moved from Louisiana to NJ we shipped my car (a Pinto) in the van. That didn’t work out so well. The idiot mover (this wasn’t the only issue) didn’t have the right ramp and put a hole in the bottom of the gas tank. He wanted me to authorize having it patched and was very pissed because I insisted on a new one. (this was a Pinto!) The only good thing is that insurance coverage is by weight, so you get a lot for a car - but it went over his deductible.
When my father gave us his old car we used a driveaway service, but they guy took a lot longer than promised. IIRC, the first guy decided to ditch the car halfway through (at a location of the service, at least) and they had to find someone else to finish the trip. Definitely the least of the options.
I’d do the car carrier again.
How about across the Atlantic on a ship? I have this fantasy of bringing my SI over to Europe, mainly to drive on the Autobahn but also to wow the locals a bit. I believe I’d have to install some stuff to make her legal over there first.
I’ll repeat a suggestion I made on a similar thread several months ago.
Ebay Motors uses a car-moving company. I suggest contacting them. They move A LOT of cars, and Ebay probably wouldn’t use / recommend them if they weren’t reliable and reasonable.
J.
I had a car shipped from Virginia to So Cal 3 years ago. It cost me around $1,000 and that was door to door. You can pay less if you drop the car off at their site, or if you pick up at their site on the other end. Mine sat out in the elements, but it was not a brand new car, so I was not concerned.
I don’t recall who I used, just found what seemed to be a national organization.
I bought a kit car and had it shipped to me. It cost about $400 from NJ to PA. Even though the car wasn’t in what I would call running condition, it was able to drive under its own power onto the truck. It costs you extra if it can’t. It also costs you extra if you want the car covered. I didn’t pay to have the car covered, since it had been sitting in a garage for 20 years and had rust and dirt all over it anyway.
These companies have trucks that constantly go around picking up cars and dropping them off. You have to work to their schedule. They don’t work to yours. You give them an approximate date of when you want it shipped, and as the time gets closer they will tell you when a truck will be in your area. If you want it on a particular date they may charge you extra. If you are going from one major city to another you can pretty much pick your day. If you live out in the boonties where they don’t often have trucks, you may have a bit more difficulty getting the day you want.
Given the distance of PA to AZ, I would say Ex_Chemist’s guess of $1500 is in the right ballpark.
If it were me, I’d probably take danceswithcats up on his offer, but then I also know him personally (he lives right across town from me) and would trust him with my car.
Mr J and I have shipped several cars on open and enclosed trailers. We’ve had 2 cars shipped from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma for about $700 each.
Another (a pristine 93 RX-7) was shipped from New Hampshire to Oklahoma in an enclosed trailer for about $1500.00.
It’s convenient and usually quick (4-5 days).
Okay, I guess I should have given a bit more info. It’s going from the middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania (I think the closest town is Altoona) to down here in Las Cruces. It’s a 1993 Mazda MX-3 and I’m told everything but the transmission has been replaced at this point, so it’s definitely running. I’ve seen estimates ranging from about $600 to about $1200, depending on whether or not it’s door-to-door. The cheapest, Dependable Auto Shipping, wants to pick it up at their depot in Pittsburgh (not a problem) and drop it off in Anthony, TX (again, not a problem.) What might be a problem is the reviews that say your car can just sit there for days or weeks. So I guess I’m also looking for recommendations for a specific shipper.
And I believe I’ve met danceswithcats, but I’d have to ask the actual owner of the car if she’s comfortable having someone drive it. How are the professional companies for that sort of thing?
A big name company is reliable. Check out a copy of Hemmings Motor News for listings of companies that offer the service (FedEx is in the business, BTW).
IMHO, I’d go with dwcs as he’d be cheaper, and you’d get an idea of what kind of shape the car’s in from a cross country shakedown cruise.