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Too big to fail
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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  
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs Last edited by widebody911; 01-26-2007 at 07:00 AM.. |
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01-26-2007, 06:54 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,844
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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. |
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01-26-2007, 07:10 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 53,400
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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 |
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01-26-2007, 07:18 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,339
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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....
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“IN MY EXPERIENCE, SUSAN, WITHIN THEIR HEADS TOO MANY HUMANS SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF WARS THAT HAPPENED CENTURIES AGO.” |
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01-26-2007, 07:18 AM
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Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,183
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I used DAS to ship my 911 from Minnesota to Washington. Very happy.
They were not cheap. I paid for extra insurance, top loading.
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2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor. 2012 Harley Davidson Road King 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100. 2014 Cayman S, PDK. Mercedes E350 family truckster. |
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01-26-2007, 07:38 AM
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Registered abUser
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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.
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01-26-2007, 07:56 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 5,733
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I think it would take 19 miles for the vw to get to 105.
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01-26-2007, 08:03 AM
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Registered
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Quote:
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Bill MID9 #4 if i cant play with it ,,i dont want to own it |
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01-26-2007, 08:03 AM
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You do not have permissi
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 39,910
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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. |
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01-26-2007, 08:26 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brooklyn, USA
Posts: 1,908
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Transporter-shmansporter.
What about the resoration? Are you going to build up a 2.0 flat six?? |
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01-26-2007, 08:30 AM
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I'm with Bill
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Jensen Beach, FL
Posts: 13,028
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Quote:
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.
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1978 Mini Cooper Pickup 1991 BMW 318i M50 2.8 swap 2005 Mini Cooper S 2014 BMW i3 Giga World - For sale in late March |
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01-26-2007, 09:44 AM
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sweet bus..
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01-26-2007, 09:59 AM
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Too big to fail
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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.
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
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01-26-2007, 01:24 PM
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Double Trouble
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Posts: 11,705
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I used fedex when I shipped from FL to PA. $600.00 no problems and on time.
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I used to be addicted to the hokey pokey..........but I turned myself around.. 75 914 1.8 2010 Cayenne base |
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01-26-2007, 01:46 PM
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up-fixing der car(ma)
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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)
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Scott Kinder kindersport @ gmail.com |
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01-26-2007, 01:55 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Petaluma - San Francisco Area
Posts: 555
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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.
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PorschePilot 74 911S Targa - High Quality 2.7 Rebuild and Full Body Restoration MID9 Member Beechcraft V-Tail Bonanza (Fly'n high and low) |
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01-26-2007, 03:09 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,647
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das i did the la area to chicago with top load, dock to dock was 750 its more door to door, Kevin
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01-26-2007, 03:20 PM
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MBruns for President
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I go intercity
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Current Whip: - 2003 996 Twin Turbo - 39K miles - Lapis Blue/Grey Past: 1974 IROC (3.6) , 1987 Cabriolet (3.4) , 1990 C2 Targa, 1989 S2 |
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01-26-2007, 04:34 PM
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Registered abUser
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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? |
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01-26-2007, 04:47 PM
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Too big to fail
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Quote:
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
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01-26-2007, 04:52 PM
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1981 Porsche 911SC 3.0L
1976 Porsche 911S Targa 2.7
Gone to California
Turbo
