I bought a Miata off Ebay and need to get it shipped to me (1200 miles away). What is the best way to do it?

 

https://www.miataturbo.net/insert-bs...ped-car-66597/

That being said, if it were a parts car or one I didn't care too much about I would probably try uship.

 

I had a buddy use UShip without issue.

Actually, the delivering driver tried to shake him down for cash because he had not yet been paid by the brokering agency. But it doesn't work that way and a phone call cleared it up.

 

I used dependable auto shipers (DAS) and they were not very good. The car hadn't even left the port of origin on the day they estimated it to arrive at my house. I eventually got it, and I'm pretty sure they fucked with it a bit. I would never give them another car to ship. It cost me $1300 to ship from NC to AZ. Took about a month.

 

+1

 

If it is only 1200 miles it will probably be easier and quicker to buy a one way ticket to fly out to it and drive the car home.

 

Or pay someone who lives close by to fly out and pick it up for me. Hmmmm...

Wanna drive this home for me? I'm guessing you'll have to fill up with fuel at least 10 times to get it here.

 

Oh, as far as I know, the closest airport only gets you within 2.5 hours of where the car is. We are talking about Iowa here...

Greyhound bus will take two days and will only get me within 1.5 hours of the place.

 

If I had the time off from work I would gladly do it. Assuming that the car gets 15mpg on the interstate I am calculating about $280 in gas at $3.50 a gallon to drive the 1200 miles. Throw in 1 night hotel stay somewhere for $100. Plane ticket $250-$400, and $50 on a rental. That seems a hell of a lot cheaper then $1300 shipping a car, and waiting for whenever they decide to actually ship it.

So the real question is what all has been done to the car besides motor swap, and what made you decide to buy it?

 

Assuming your numbers are correct that is $830+. The + is what concerns me because taking an unknown modified car on the road doesn't always work out right. Driving a new Cadillac 1200 miles would be ok but boring. Driving a Miata with a 383 stroker 1200 miles could possibly be a nightmare. Anyway, I'm thinking I can get it delivered for $830 or less (I am in no hurry at all). Not sure if it will get here in one piece or not but everything can be fixed.

Why did I buy it? Not sure. I don't need it, I don't have a place to keep it, I'm not really sure I want to drive it. It looked like it was put together nicely and seemed like a fair deal. I'll probably keep it for a year, get tired of it being in the way and sell it (maybe for a loss?). The PO has not been very forthcoming with info on the car but I don't think it is because he is hiding anything, I think it is because he is an older guy who just doesn't get this new internet thing. The car is an automatic so that will quite possibly be swapped out at some point (maybe). We will find out when I take possession of the car.

 

I sold my miata to a guy who lives in NM. He had a company named B&L pick it up and drop it off near his town at a local depot (cheaper than home).

They didn't care much about modifications or contents in the trunk. The driver also didn't want to be photographed loading it on the rig.

 

I sold a small Ford Ranger pickup about 3 yrs ago and the buyer had it shipped from NH to MI (about 700 miles). It was around $550 and that was because the trailer had 4 other cars on it. Being in the middle of IA you may be the only car pickup for several hundred miles so some deadhead mileage for the hauler. Believe it or not.... they do like to make a profit.

Took about 4 weeks for the truck to show up

Good luck!

 

Their profit should be from shipping something from Chaleston (a major port) to BF Egypt, IA and instead of carrying an empty truck back they could fill it with my Miata for $50. In my world this would be reality.

 

Where in Iowa is this car again?

Also, I think most trucking companies are good at making sure their trucks are never doing return trips empty. But, honestly, I like your world better too.

 

Charles City

 

I have also heard of at least one other person was not happy with DAS. In fact, he made it his mission to make sure anyone asking about transporters knew he was unhappy with DAS.

I had my 3-series shipped from Portland to central FL in a covered hauler with Exotic Car Transport for less than $2k.

It arrived in about 4 days as I recall.

Great communication, excellent care of the vehicle, etc. For me, the premium was worth it.

 

Dudes pants look like they are backwards.

 

Waterloo, IA has a regional airport, and is about 45 minutes from Charles City. That might be an option.

Also, Cedar Rapids (Eastern Iowa Regional Airport) would also be an option that's less than 2.5 hours away, it would be about 1 hour 45 mins.


Anyway, I know you aren't really considering the flying-driving option, but there are regional airports you could fly into that are closer than 2.5 hours.

 

Well, for the most part they don't go directly to/from point A to point B but I understand your point.

Having spent time at customers in that part of IA and MN I'd fly into Minneapolis and take a regional bus (think Greyhound or similar) down to Clear Lake or Mason City and ask the PO if he could pick me up and take me to the car (assuming you want to drive it).

It'll take you about 10hrs to Cincinnati then another 9 +/- to Charleston

 

I understand why he wants to get the car shipped rather than fly and pick it up, I really wouldn't want to drive a swapped vehicle 1200 miles in a City I've never been to...But then again, I am a noob to the site