Auto Transporter Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 16
From: Oceanside, CA
Auto Transporter Question
I recently got a bunch of quotes to transport a 2007 Z06 that I plan on purchasing this weekend. The majority of the quotes that I received for open transport were very close to each other in price $765-$875(Wisconsin to California).
I called a few of these companies and requested a quote for enclosed transport and they were all generally $300-$400 dollars more than the open transport.
Then I had a relative that works for a moving company get a quote and the closed transport came up to $1700.
I searched the Better Business Bureau and found mixed results for some of these Transporters. Some of them didn't even register on the BBB as having a business.
Please pass along any advice and experiences you had with transporting your vehicle cross country.
Thanks in advance for any information you provide.
Yes, I have done a search already regarding my subject.
I called a few of these companies and requested a quote for enclosed transport and they were all generally $300-$400 dollars more than the open transport.
Then I had a relative that works for a moving company get a quote and the closed transport came up to $1700.
I searched the Better Business Bureau and found mixed results for some of these Transporters. Some of them didn't even register on the BBB as having a business.
Please pass along any advice and experiences you had with transporting your vehicle cross country.
Thanks in advance for any information you provide.
Yes, I have done a search already regarding my subject.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
In 05 I had my new 05 C6 transported by the Thomas Sunday Company from Atlantic City, NJ to Salinas, Ca. Sunday was very professional using an enclosed truck. They delivered my car to a predetermined spot near my home ahead of schedule. There were no scratches or problems of any kind. I don't recall the cost, but since it was 3 years ago I'm sure the cost has changed. I was VERY satisfied with their service and prompt delivery.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Ca.
Transport
I had my car shipped from Chicago to Anaheim in 2005, prices were inline with what you found. I had no problems with the open transport other than the car was dirty from the trip. Be aware that many shippers are actually just "brokers" who will farm the shipment out to the independent truckers. Also check that the insurance is truly current at the time that you ship.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island British Columbia
Mine was shipped in March.'07 from Plainfield, In. to Lakewood, Wa. by DAS. It was shipped "enclosed" and the cost was about $1400. DAS supplied a tracking number so I was able to monitor the car's progress anytime I wanted to ("why is the truck stopped outside Chicago for two days? Why is the truck in North Dakota? He's probably unloaded it and letting his relative takes turns doing burn-outs!").
My fears were imaginary. The car arrived in Lakewood, Washington in immaculate condition. It even had a paper floor mat in the driver's footwell so that the trucker's boots didn't soil the floormats. I had no complaints.
My fears were imaginary. The car arrived in Lakewood, Washington in immaculate condition. It even had a paper floor mat in the driver's footwell so that the trucker's boots didn't soil the floormats. I had no complaints.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: milton florida
i used rite out of nc terry at910-6905174. first class rig. used him twice. put my new vert on top behind wind break.from indiana to fl.550dollars.he could be anywhere in us he is 68yr old best person you could meet will take care of your vette. tell him tommy in milton florida told you.you will not go wrong good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 10
From: Columbus OH
I used Pilot Transport when I bought my '08 Z06 from MacMulkin. This company was recommended by a friend of mine who works for Honda. Apparently, Honda uses this company to transport race cars/prototypes along with production cars. They charged my friend $750 to transport his Honda Fit from CA to OH (enclosed). They charged me $800 to transport my Z06 from NH to OH (enclosed). That $800 is at least $200 cheaper (most of them wanted $400 to $600 more) than the quotes that I got. My friend got a special "Honda employee" rate 
Whatever company that you will choose, watch out for brokers. I would rather not deal with any of them but directly with the transport company. PM/email me for the contact person at Pilot.
Whatever company that you will choose, watch out for brokers. I would rather not deal with any of them but directly with the transport company. PM/email me for the contact person at Pilot.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: ROANOKE VA
Transport
Whatever you decide dont use a broker they dont care about anything but there comm..i used mazury transportation llc driver pawel naslonski 201-232-5096 pick up date driver was on time said i could call him any time on his cell picked up car in az to va 600 dollars 4 days open transporta eyerything was as good as they said
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 679
Likes: 279
From: Charlotte NC
Three years ago when I moved from PA to AZ I commissioned DAS to haul my cars. I had enough to fill an entire truck and what did they do, they brokered it out and I didn't find out until the day before I was closing on my house and the guy they hired backed out. It was a real pita trying to make other arrangements and I had to end up using one of their company trucks at a much later date that turned out to be junk. I wouldn't move a car if they were the only one available. I recently had my restored GTO moved the same distance and used Reliable. Difference was day and night. Car was to be deilvered door to door and the Reliable driver was so picky he was unsure about driving the last block because he was concerned about the trees scaping his immaculate trailer. I'd use those guys again in heart beat even though it may be a bit more costly. There are a number of good high end movers and they are the ones to use. Stay away from the guys moving the regular daily driver vehicles like DAS.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 740
Likes: 99
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '08
I previously used DAS to have a car shipped from the U.S. to the Middle East. No problems, car arrived unscathed. It did take longer than originally claimed. That was in 2005.
Again, I'm using DAS to have a car shipped to the ME. They originally claimed the car would be boarded on a ship the 24th of Nov. The car is still sitting there at the port, exposed to the sleet, rain and snow. Nice. They're now saying it'll ship Dec 16. Here's hopin!
Hopefully, the car gets here and it isn't taken by Somali pirates!
Gerry.
Again, I'm using DAS to have a car shipped to the ME. They originally claimed the car would be boarded on a ship the 24th of Nov. The car is still sitting there at the port, exposed to the sleet, rain and snow. Nice. They're now saying it'll ship Dec 16. Here's hopin!
Hopefully, the car gets here and it isn't taken by Somali pirates!
Gerry.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: DETROIT MI
call reliable. they might be cheap because of the LA autoshow (they could be heading that way with a empy slot to fill)
http://www.reliable-carriers.com/default.cfm
http://www.reliable-carriers.com/default.cfm
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 16
From: Oceanside, CA
Thank you to everyone that provided input. I'm down to a few of the carriers listed above.
Some of these carriers really made me feel like they knew what they were doing and even gave me a feeling like they were going to take care of the car.
Pilot explained exactly how the move would be done and even made recommendations in the event that I didn't plan to use them as a carrier. He also gave reassurance by explaining what type of vehicles they are used to moving. They are a couple hundred higher though.
Reliable was on top of things as well. Apparently, they are contracted to ship Vipers for Dodge.? They also mentioned Bowling Green and their experience shipping vetts from there.
The carrier that is able to get there first among the the ones I listed and a couple others listed above will probably determine who I use. Either way, you guys kept me from using a broker and got me the names of carriers that all check out in the Better Business bureau.
Thank you!
Nick
Some of these carriers really made me feel like they knew what they were doing and even gave me a feeling like they were going to take care of the car.
Pilot explained exactly how the move would be done and even made recommendations in the event that I didn't plan to use them as a carrier. He also gave reassurance by explaining what type of vehicles they are used to moving. They are a couple hundred higher though.
Reliable was on top of things as well. Apparently, they are contracted to ship Vipers for Dodge.? They also mentioned Bowling Green and their experience shipping vetts from there.
The carrier that is able to get there first among the the ones I listed and a couple others listed above will probably determine who I use. Either way, you guys kept me from using a broker and got me the names of carriers that all check out in the Better Business bureau.
Thank you!
Nick
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: NC
I transported a Ferrari once using the same vendor Ferrari uses.
The driver was a round guy who could barely get out of the car when loaded. He bent the window frame on the car getting out. He had a huge belt buckle which he promptly dragged down the side of the car.
It was a bad day...
Make sure the guy can fit in the truck. Make sure he has a cotton jump suit on. Make sure he has removed all jewelry. Take pictures before and after. You may even want an appraiser document the condition prior to moving to support any potential claims.
Here is a well known guy that moves alot of high end cars.
Gary Almond
240 994-1343
galmond@almondexotictransports.com
The driver was a round guy who could barely get out of the car when loaded. He bent the window frame on the car getting out. He had a huge belt buckle which he promptly dragged down the side of the car.
It was a bad day...
Make sure the guy can fit in the truck. Make sure he has a cotton jump suit on. Make sure he has removed all jewelry. Take pictures before and after. You may even want an appraiser document the condition prior to moving to support any potential claims.
Here is a well known guy that moves alot of high end cars.
Gary Almond
240 994-1343
galmond@almondexotictransports.com
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 17,681
Likes: 11
From: Central Jersey
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
You will pay a bit more for some of the better carriers like Horseless carriage, Reliable, Intercity but their service is very good and they have a lot of experience handling high end cars. Be very careful using a Moving Company to transport cars. Just more chance of damage, thats all.. Good luck..
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Three years ago when I moved from PA to AZ I commissioned DAS to haul my cars. I had enough to fill an entire truck and what did they do, they brokered it out and I didn't find out until the day before I was closing on my house and the guy they hired backed out. It was a real pita trying to make other arrangements and I had to end up using one of their company trucks at a much later date that turned out to be junk. I wouldn't move a car if they were the only one available. I recently had my restored GTO moved the same distance and used Reliable. Difference was day and night. Car was to be deilvered door to door and the Reliable driver was so picky he was unsure about driving the last block because he was concerned about the trees scaping his immaculate trailer. I'd use those guys again in heart beat even though it may be a bit more costly. There are a number of good high end movers and they are the ones to use. Stay away from the guys moving the regular daily driver vehicles like DAS.
The two oldest in the biz from what I know are Horseless Carriage, and Intercity. Sometimes, it pays to keep looking depending on what you want and how much you're willing to spend.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37,583
Likes: 5
These guys http://paulrussell.com/ use Intercity. Check out their site, and you will see that they handle some of the most expensive cars in the world.
Open transport is unacceptable in the winter. Would you drive your Corvette through salt spray on a snowy interstate? The salt gets into every nook and cranny.
Open transport is unacceptable in the winter. Would you drive your Corvette through salt spray on a snowy interstate? The salt gets into every nook and cranny.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 16
From: Oceanside, CA
I bought a 2007 LMB Z06 with 57 miles this weekend in Greenbay, WI. The car got picked up today by Thomas L Sunday auto carriers. I went with them because they had a truck going that way this week and they seemed to have their $hit together when I talked to them on the phone. The price was actually pretty good too. One of the cheaper offers of the Carriers that have their own enclosed trucks too.
Apparently they did a really professional job. Lift gate pick up and the driver put bags over the seat and even removed his shoes to get into the car. I'm sure that was intersting in the Wisconsin snow. They even picked it up on schedule. Anyway, so far so good. I don't have to pay until the driver delivers the car so he better take care of it!
Apparently they did a really professional job. Lift gate pick up and the driver put bags over the seat and even removed his shoes to get into the car. I'm sure that was intersting in the Wisconsin snow. They even picked it up on schedule. Anyway, so far so good. I don't have to pay until the driver delivers the car so he better take care of it!