Highly considering buying a Corvette located in California and having it shipped to Memphis, TN. I wonder if anyone has had such an experience and would share the good and bad and estimated costs and what shipping company is forum respected. I am certain the cost of flying there and driving it back would be expensive and driving there and back with a pickup and car trailer would be tedious and costly as well. I'm believing shipping would be the best idea, but that means buying an expensive and valuable car sight unseen.

From all known factors, the seller is genuine, honest and trustworthy. I would also try to find a forum member who might be willing to take a look at the car and give me an unbiased report on condition.

Please let me know if you have insight in this process and thanks in advance.

 

I would make it a vacation. Fly out and drive it back. Might be your best vacation ever. Several members here have done that.

 

I did this twice. I bought a car from Vancouver Canada, had it picked up in Washington and had it shipped to Pennsylvania. I elected to bring it in a covered truck which cost more than a flatbed. The charge was around $1500.00 and it took about 4 days. You can actually track it. The car arrived with no damage and was unloaded in front of my home. I used Reliable.

The second car I bought was through the Model A Club of America online with photos only. I was definitely nervous doing this, but like you I found the seller to be genuine and honest.
He was a school teacher in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This time I used FEDEX which picked up the car at the seller's home and dropped it in front of my home. Took three days and cost $600.00. The driver, when he arrived, said to me "man you have a honey here". I felt like a thousand pounds was lifted from my shoulders. It was a 1931 Ford Deluxe Roadster that looked like new... Now I'm quite sure that not all transactions such as these work out perfectly, and I think you're on the right track to get someone out there in California to take a look at the car and report it to you. Have them take a load of photos... Then make the call. I recently did this very thing for a buddy in Florida who wanted a Benz for sale up here in SE Pennsylvania. Was a widow with her husband's Benz roadster. The door panels were dry rotted along with the tires, scratches all over, things missing, a real project car.
My buddy didn't buy it. Not everybody is dishonest but they are out there and one must be aware. GOOD LUCK

 

 

Agree. Done it 4 times, twice with Vettes!

 

That may be a fun trip, but if the OP is looking to buy very soon, driving back to TN could be a problem given the weather conditions he could encounter. Going to look at the car will give him a good idea of the overall condition of the car, but if some type of maintenance is necessary for the trip, that can add to the overall price. For example, if tires are needed, that can add hundreds of dollars to the cost.

Finding someone to look at the car for you is a good idea. Maybe ask someone if they know a a reputable auto repair shop that can perform a used vehicle inspection. Most shops will charge around $150-ish but you would get a written report of the car's condition along with a list of any repairs that need to be done right away and other repairs that aren't critical.

But given the time of year, I would think that a transportation company would be the best deal. Maybe contact Barret-Jackson or Mecum's auctions to see who they use or recommend.

 

I've shipped cars from CA to GA twice via enclosed transport, and the prices are $1500-ish, depending on fuel. Might be a bit cheaper now. However, I have also done the fly-n-drive on many occasions, most recently the week before Thanksgiving when I flew with a friend to Phoenix, bought a Land Cruiser, and then drove it back home to GA over a long weekend. If you can do the drive home, I highly recommend it. Road trips are awesome.

 

 

I used a website called uship.com. You basically create an ad explaining what you want shipped and when in auction form. Sellers bid for your job. I ended up paying $510 to ship the Vette from FL to MI. Was cheaper to do that than to fly down, start driving back, paying for gas and food plus hotels. I highly recommend.

 

I've also done many fly and drive backs that were fun. Where in CA is car? I'm in Sacramento, so if it's not too far I could help and I'm borderline OCD with every car I've ever purchased, so I know what to look for.

Steve

 

Sorry this isn't what you're asking for, but the fly-n-drive is my pick too. I bought my FRC from a dealer in Houston, flew there from Atlanta to get it, and stopped at the beach in Biloxi on the way back. Now I have pics and memories from a road trip and the beach! The flight would have been maybe $200 but I used miles so it was free, and the dealer picked me up from the airport so there was no cost on that end. I basically paid for gas and a one night hotel stay at a casino on the beach.

 

I purchased my 02 Z06 from a member on the forum and had it shipped from VA to MI. I posted up my shipping needs on UShip.com, within 2 days I had an offer from a company that had an enclosed trailer that I accepted. After that it was another 4 days before I received my car. I did all of this sight unseen, and could not have been happier with the entire process. I would strongly suggest using a forum member who is local to the car to give an unbiased opinion, take photos, videos, etc. That is what I did, anyway.

It was around 850 to ship the car. After doing the math for a trip for 2 plane tickets (fiance wanted to go) a hotel, and gas, plus 2 missed days of work it came out to 750 without losing 2 days wages.


For me, it worked out, however, I have seen people get burned by purchasing cars unseen.

YMMV

John

 

I would recommend going with one of the big name shippers like Reliable, avoiding the online brokers that use low bidder drivers.

 

Fly out there & drive it back & save $1,500 or so

 

Another vote for fly out and drive it back. I did it when I bought my '69 Vette...picked it up in Pittsburgh and drove to SoCal in February 2005. Made my way south and stopped at the Corvette Museum before heading west.