Selecting an auto transporter
 

I need to get a car from Oregon to California. I did some searching online and on Pelican about car transport companies, got a few quotes, and now I have a case of analysis paralysis. I even found a site that has reviews of auto transport companies ( http://www.transportreviews.com/ ) , but the top few spots have so many effusive positive entries that it makes me suspicious.

The prices range from $400 to $1200, with the FedEx auto shipping guys at the top end. The low end guys had some negative reviews, and from my research it would seem that it's a bad idea to go really low-bid, as the broker won't be able to find a carrier to do it that cheap and you're assed out. I haven't heard from Intercity Lines yet, but I expect them to be > $1100.

Most of the quotes were in the $600-$800 range.

Any ideas on how to separate the wheat from the chaff?

Here's what I bought: a 1959 VW ambulance

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1169826767.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1169826793.jpg

just did this on a cheezzzzzze bay buy on a ghia. total cluster FUCH. bought 74 ghia coupe. arrived as 11/71 mfged coupe. to make long story short...........hit autotransporters online. same as you had quotes flying at me. finally one guy said he was dead heading back from bay area to tucson. no load on trailer. 425bucks. not bad. look for guys who are empty and hardup to bring something back.

if you come across a green '74 coupe or vert. w/tan or black interior. runs w/no rust yell my way. thanks.

Well,

I was going to recommend Fedex/Passport, as I have used them numerous times with success, after getting hosed by the jerks at Horseless Carriage.

However, given what condition the bus is in at present, I'd say it would be hard to get seriously hurt by anybody. Most of the damage I'm familiar with is quite minor and that thing is going to need a full restoration anyway. Since you don't have far to go, I'd suggest a smaller company and save your money. I wouldn't even be afraid to use an open trailer, provided they didn't haul it through a typhoon en route. A grand or so usually is enough to get one of mine halfway across the country or more, on one of the top companies' enclosed trailers. You should spend way less than that. It helps to be flexible about pickup and delivery times. Right now, every truck in the industry is busy hauling stuff from Scottsdale.

JR

Will it fit in the back of the biggest truck uhaul/ryder/etc rents? If so, put it on flat bed tow truck, raise up, roll into rental truck, secure, drive home. Reverse process at home. I've read about someone who has done this a few times to move a 356....

I used DAS to ship my 911 from Minnesota to Washington. Very happy.

They were not cheap. I paid for extra insurance, top loading.

A good friend moved from Lancaster, CA to Jacksonville, FL last month. He transported two cars, one of which is a 2006 Saleen Mustang. He zeroed his GPS before they loaded it. When the car arrived at his new home, the car had 19 miles and 105 mph top speed logged since he lost possession.

I think it would take 19 miles for the vw to get to 105. :)

I too just used DAS to get my new too me 2door/2wd barn door Tahoe. From Indy to Vegas, insured, Top Loaded, $1295.00

My experience with DAS was not a good one: delivery was late, very dirty(supposed to be enclosed), paint chipped, etc..
Basically it sat in a desert transfer lot and cooked before it was "found" again, after many calls.

I'd go with 'el cheapo transportation for that one thom and have the roof light and VW emblem sent seperately.

Transporter-shmansporter.

What about the resoration?

Are you going to build up a 2.0 flat six??

Nice, when I bought a 500RWHP, 2300 lb RX7 drag car from Texas, I had the PO hook his laptop up to the ECU (Haltech) and set the rev limiter to 3000RPM and then I had him loosen the intercooler line and move it so the car would not boost.


I was so paranoid they would joy drive the car before I got it.

I ended up selling it 6 months later and shipping it to a buyer in, yeah, Texas, same town as the guy I bought from. Go figure.

sweet bus..

Intercity came back with a quote of $800, which given that they seem to have a very good rep, seems like it would be worth it.

I used fedex when I shipped from FL to PA. $600.00 no problems and on time.

cosmosautotransport.com --$240 from Phoenix to L.A. on my 911. Did not damage anything, took 1 or 2 days from when I called (may have been lucky, but it was about this time last year)

I used Intercity to transport a car from CA to FL. They were very professional and knew what they were doing. Nice people too, the driver showed me a photo album of some of the cars he has hauled, very cool stuff, including several Carrera GT's. Nice piece of mind shipping in an enclosed trailer.

das i did the la area to chicago with top load, dock to dock was 750 its more door to door, Kevin

I go intercity

If you do go with Intercity, and this is not a recommendation, tell them you are a member of bimmerforums and get an immediate discount. You may want to sign up first so you aren't lying! :)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/index.php?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/member.php?u=27292