Shipping a car?
02-16-2011, 09:32 PM
#1
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,799
Total Cats: 1
Shipping a car?
I got alot going on in my head with the whole move to Cali thing (im bad about planning things out way ahead of time) so im trying to give my self plenty of options.
My thought right now is, pack all my cloths that i wear on a regular basis and donate the ones i dont wear anymore to goodwill or something. I could probly easily fit all my cloths into 2 decent size luggage bags, possibly pack my ps3 to bring with me
and ship my flatscreen tv to myself. 
and ship my car to me when I have means of parking it.
who on here has some experience with shipping a car? If you will would you lay down some advice on me?
like things to consider, prep (like removing certain things), things to look out for. Anything and everything you can think of....
EDIT: I know that is pricey, but im just thinking about options....
My thought right now is, pack all my cloths that i wear on a regular basis and donate the ones i dont wear anymore to goodwill or something. I could probly easily fit all my cloths into 2 decent size luggage bags, possibly pack my ps3 to bring with me
and ship my flatscreen tv to myself. and ship my car to me when I have means of parking it.who on here has some experience with shipping a car? If you will would you lay down some advice on me?
like things to consider, prep (like removing certain things), things to look out for. Anything and everything you can think of....
EDIT: I know that is pricey, but im just thinking about options....
Last edited by WonTon; 02-16-2011 at 09:46 PM.
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 09:58 PM
#2
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,020
Total Cats: 6,588
I've done this a couple of times. Expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1,000.
No favorite carrier- I've always just hit Google and searched for auto transport brokers. You'll be dealing with a middleman who will post your shipment need into some kind of huge database, and then individual transport drivers who are already planning to go from the general vicinity of where you are to the general vicinity of where you are going can submit bids on your car. These guys have a busy schedule, so don't expect to wait 3 or 4 days and then accept a bit- the truck will have already passed you by.
Expect at least a week in transit, possibly more. Depends on how many cars they have to pick up after yours and how many they drop off before yours. Pickup and dropoff dates are usually given within a margin of error of a day or two.
If you care whether or not your car will arrive covered in engine oil, inquire as to the fee to be on the top of the carrier rather than the bottom.
Does your car have cruise control? How tall are you?
No favorite carrier- I've always just hit Google and searched for auto transport brokers. You'll be dealing with a middleman who will post your shipment need into some kind of huge database, and then individual transport drivers who are already planning to go from the general vicinity of where you are to the general vicinity of where you are going can submit bids on your car. These guys have a busy schedule, so don't expect to wait 3 or 4 days and then accept a bit- the truck will have already passed you by.
Expect at least a week in transit, possibly more. Depends on how many cars they have to pick up after yours and how many they drop off before yours. Pickup and dropoff dates are usually given within a margin of error of a day or two.
If you care whether or not your car will arrive covered in engine oil, inquire as to the fee to be on the top of the carrier rather than the bottom.
Does your car have cruise control? How tall are you?
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 10:20 PM
#3
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,799
Total Cats: 1
yeah, I did a quick google search before making this thread. the average price is about $850.
Im just shy of 6 foot, the car has no cruise, no AC, and a sparco sprint mounted to the floor. its gonna be a rough ride! One of the things i was worried about the most is stopping at a hotel to get some sleep and the car getting broken in too. (im not sure how many times i should do that) the longest drive i have done was from Georgia to Ohio.
Im just shy of 6 foot, the car has no cruise, no AC, and a sparco sprint mounted to the floor.
its gonna be a rough ride! One of the things i was worried about the most is stopping at a hotel to get some sleep and the car getting broken in too. (im not sure how many times i should do that) the longest drive i have done was from Georgia to Ohio.
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 10:23 PM
#4
Want fries with that?
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
Posts: 2,011
Total Cats: 2
When I drove mine 500 miles I got 2 *** pillows - one for my back and one for lumbar.
Made it infinitely better.
Have you thought about putting in cruise control for the journey? There's tried and tested aftermarket systems that can be picked up for around a hundred bucks, it's probably worth it.
Made it infinitely better.
Have you thought about putting in cruise control for the journey? There's tried and tested aftermarket systems that can be picked up for around a hundred bucks, it's probably worth it.
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 10:48 PM
#6
Don't be a puusy about driving. I did 5,500mi in under two weeks...did one day of 1,000miles....you shouldn't have a problem if you think the car is reliable. I never had much worry about my car getting broken into....even staying in Amarillo TX. I alternated between using CC and driving manually....used CC when I was wide awake and taking in the scenery....drove in manual mode when things got boring.
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 10:54 PM
#7
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,020
Total Cats: 6,588
Hmm.
I've driven from Cincinnati to southern FL and back a number of times- always nonstop. It's about 1,100 miles; call it 18 hours including gas and pee breaks.
Now, granted, that was always in either a Grand Am or an Integra, both with cruise control.
On the other hand, I've also done several coast-to-coast trips in moving vans w/o cruise control, and while it is a tad more tiresome, it's not horrible. Typically 4-5 days, averaging 14-16 hours behind the wheel each day. Actually, I think these have been my favorite trips, as I tend to go a little slower and enjoy the huge diversity of America.
On the gripping hand, San Diego to Phoenix and back in my Miata was pretty hard.
The seat would be the killer. A/C is irrelevant. Cruise is very nice to have, but not essential. Do you still have a stock driver's seat?
I really just enjoy driving long distances, though. There have honestly been times when I've wanted to put the whole engineering gig on hiatus and become an OTR driver.
I've driven from Cincinnati to southern FL and back a number of times- always nonstop. It's about 1,100 miles; call it 18 hours including gas and pee breaks.
Now, granted, that was always in either a Grand Am or an Integra, both with cruise control.
On the other hand, I've also done several coast-to-coast trips in moving vans w/o cruise control, and while it is a tad more tiresome, it's not horrible. Typically 4-5 days, averaging 14-16 hours behind the wheel each day. Actually, I think these have been my favorite trips, as I tend to go a little slower and enjoy the huge diversity of America.
On the gripping hand, San Diego to Phoenix and back in my Miata was pretty hard.
The seat would be the killer. A/C is irrelevant. Cruise is very nice to have, but not essential. Do you still have a stock driver's seat?
I really just enjoy driving long distances, though. There have honestly been times when I've wanted to put the whole engineering gig on hiatus and become an OTR driver.
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 10:55 PM
#8
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,799
Total Cats: 1
im gonna be like 10lbs lighter when i show up! How many overnight stop do you think i may have to make? Im thinkin 2.....
i have always wanted to do a long distance roadtrip! unfortunately i dont have a stock seat, just the sparco. and the pass seat wont be in the car either (if i had one) my TV an bigger items will be there.
How many overnight stop do you think i may have to make? Im thinkin 2.....i have always wanted to do a long distance roadtrip! unfortunately i dont have a stock seat, just the sparco. and the pass seat wont be in the car either (if i had one) my TV an bigger items will be there.
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 11:01 PM
#9
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,020
Total Cats: 6,588
Ok, In all seriousness then: Buy and install a stock driver's seat. Also, buy one of those fluffy things that Iranian cab drivers use to sit on. Ship the ***-master to wherever you're going seperately.
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 11:09 PM
#11
Ship the car loaded with your stuff, but leaving room for the driver when he needs to move it. Ship the rest of your stuff on a pallet and rent a Penske or U-junk truck to get it off the dock. If you don't care about the scenery (it gets boring..... even the mountains get old after the first 10 minutes), its far cheaper this way and then you don't have to worry about car troubles in the middle of BFE with a modded car that no hill jack corner mechanic knows how to work on or has the parts for.
Being stuck on the side of the road with a bunk aftermarket part 600+ miles away from home BLOWS!!!!!!!!!!
Being stuck on the side of the road with a bunk aftermarket part 600+ miles away from home BLOWS!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
0
0
02-16-2011, 11:20 PM
#12
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,799
Total Cats: 1
i feel inclined to agree with you, shipping the car is going to cost around $850.
ship car: 850
one way ticket: 150
grand total = 1000 bucks
or
Gas: 500-600 (based on 20-25mpg)
2 nights at hotel $250: (i am not staying in a hotel that cost less than 100 a night! Food: idk 75 bucks
so grand total for road trip is 925 dollars
HMMMMMMMMM!
ship car: 850
one way ticket: 150
grand total = 1000 bucks
or
Gas: 500-600 (based on 20-25mpg)
2 nights at hotel $250: (i am not staying in a hotel that cost less than 100 a night! Food: idk 75 bucks
so grand total for road trip is 925 dollars
HMMMMMMMMM!
Reply
0
0
02-27-2011, 12:08 PM
#14
I have both shipped and driven across the country. I HIGHLY recommend this drive (ATL to CA). Go a little bit North and hit the Rockies and Sierras. You'll never forget it.
If you ship, you should expect a bit of rash. Fortunately, the Miata is so small that the chances of this are minimized (biggest problem is low ground clearance). Definitely remove that front license plate bracket. That will mess up your nose for sure.
Also, remember that CA is super-strict on car modifications. That could spell trouble for a turbo Miata.
Good luck!
If you ship, you should expect a bit of rash. Fortunately, the Miata is so small that the chances of this are minimized (biggest problem is low ground clearance). Definitely remove that front license plate bracket. That will mess up your nose for sure.
Also, remember that CA is super-strict on car modifications. That could spell trouble for a turbo Miata.
Good luck!
Reply
0
0
02-27-2011, 06:59 PM
#16
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,799
Total Cats: 1
im probly going to end up driving, i might be working out a deal and trading my car for a lightly modded NB (it might also come with a MSM turbo set up on the side! )
)
Reply
0
0
02-27-2011, 08:58 PM
#17
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7,930
Total Cats: 45
Don't be a puusy about driving. I did 5,500mi in under two weeks...did one day of 1,000miles....you shouldn't have a problem if you think the car is reliable. I never had much worry about my car getting broken into....even staying in Amarillo TX. I alternated between using CC and driving manually....used CC when I was wide awake and taking in the scenery....drove in manual mode when things got boring.
Reply
0
0
02-27-2011, 09:35 PM
#18
Done both, Driven my old SRT-4 from Tucson to Jacksonville, had the Miata shipped from Augusta to Monterey, Drove the Miata from Monterey to Texas, then Texas to Jacksonville and up to Fayetteville.
How comfortable are you with the reliability of your car?
FWIW shipping my car ran around $680 IIRC. I cranked up the coils and they didn't *make* me pay to ride on top since I argued that the hardtop made their convertibles on top policy unnecessary. To ship the car lowered and with a soft top would have run $19XX. I went with DASautoshippers.
How comfortable are you with the reliability of your car?
FWIW shipping my car ran around $680 IIRC. I cranked up the coils and they didn't *make* me pay to ride on top since I argued that the hardtop made their convertibles on top policy unnecessary. To ship the car lowered and with a soft top would have run $19XX. I went with DASautoshippers.
Reply
0
0
02-27-2011, 09:49 PM
#19
Reply
0
0
02-27-2011, 10:44 PM
#20
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,799
Total Cats: 1
Done both, Driven my old SRT-4 from Tucson to Jacksonville, had the Miata shipped from Augusta to Monterey, Drove the Miata from Monterey to Texas, then Texas to Jacksonville and up to Fayetteville.
How comfortable are you with the reliability of your car?
FWIW shipping my car ran around $680 IIRC. I cranked up the coils and they didn't *make* me pay to ride on top since I argued that the hardtop made their convertibles on top policy unnecessary. To ship the car lowered and with a soft top would have run $19XX. I went with DASautoshippers.
How comfortable are you with the reliability of your car?
FWIW shipping my car ran around $680 IIRC. I cranked up the coils and they didn't *make* me pay to ride on top since I argued that the hardtop made their convertibles on top policy unnecessary. To ship the car lowered and with a soft top would have run $19XX. I went with DASautoshippers.
I know for a fact you only need 31 hours and 4 minutes to get from New York to L.A. So you shouldn't need to stop fo for sleep assuming you can stay awake for 30ish hours. So, I'd say figure in gas mileage @ an average of around 90mph + the cost of a Valentine 1 radar & laser detector or 2.
Reply
0
0
