Having a car shipped/transported

21 years ago

Hi Gang,

We are giving my Moms car, a '91 Pontiac 6000, to our daughter. It's still in great shape, 91,000 'soft' miles on it. We have had it checked out by two different places, had some work done on it, it seems to be sound.

The car is on Cape Cod in Mass and our daughter is a Grad Student at U of IL, Champaign/Urbana...1,000 miles away. We have come up with the idea of having it shipped out. We have contacted several companies that transport cars for quotes. We have found out that it can be done for less or, just a little bit more, than it would cost to drive it out and fly back, plus, it saves the added miles on the car and our time.

My question is...have any of you had any experiences with this type of company? If so, any problems? questions we should be asking? It seems like a good solution.

Thanks for any help/info.

Sooey

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Comments (7)

gooseberry_guy
21 years ago
Sooey,

Just an opinion, why don't you buy air fare for your daughter to Cape Cod, and let her drive the car back, when she gets some break time? Assuming 25 mpg, and 3.00/gallon, that's 40 gallons or 120 bucks to get home, also only a couple days for drive time.

What kind of numbers do you have for other options?

GG
sooey
Original Author
21 years ago
Hey Goose,

Thanks for your response to my question.

We had not considered that option. I'm not sure if she would have the time at this point, one month into classes, to make such a trip. The one way air-fair is a killer. she would also have at least one night in a motel. We were also thinking of saving those 1,000 trip miles on the car. Also, and this is a mother talking...not crazy about her making that long of a trip on her own.

We have gotten quotes from shippers of between $625 and $825. When you add in the cost of our time, wear and tear, that's not bad.

Another option is, I could make the drive myself....but then you have 1,000 miles on the car, me driving the distance alone and the cost of the flight back. But, it is something to think about...I will check out the cost of a one way ticket. I'll let you know.

Thanks again, goose. I appreciate your input.

sooey
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sooey
Original Author
21 years ago
OK, I just checked out one way tickets. It looks like I would have to spend between $375. and $475. for a one way ticket home. Plus the hotel for the trip.

So...If I drive it out or if we fly her here, it would be: about $120 - $150. for gas, $75. for motel while on the road, and 1 one way ticket, let's call that $400. We are at between $595. & $625. When you add in the time and miles on the car...the scales are tipped in favor of transport. Oops...I forgot about food...gotta have snacks on the road...

Yep...looks like transport is the way to go...
gooseberry_guy
21 years ago
Sooey,

Wow, that's pretty pricey for air fare. Of course I have no idea what high or low prices for air fare may be. No wonder that guy shipped himself to Texas a few months ago. LOL... But hey, the evening TV news tonight, reported our Pres flew again flew out to the hurricane disaster area, burning some 20,000 gallons of fuel, while he was telling everyone else, they must conserve fuel. What his purpose for going there again is beyond me.

Anyway, since you're looking at a shipping rate of $625 to $825, that is money you're just throwing away to get a 14 year old car delivered to your daughter. These days, if the body is basically rust free and clean, 91K miles is low mileage compared to what cars of many years past would be retired at, although major repair costs could occur at any mileage. You do know the cars history, and you said you've had the car checked out, so that's a plus. My thought now, would be to sell the car locally, and use that money, plus the money you would have paid for shipping, to use on a car that she could buy where she is living, possibly getting one newer and with fewer miles, and also with better fuel mileage. Good luck to ya.

GG
sooey
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanks goose,

I've also had another thought...shipping by rail. I've just been told that it is cheaper and faster...I'll look into it tomorrow.

The same wwwhhhaaaa??? thought went through my mind re: the Bush request about 'conserving'. It's about freaking time! 20,000 gallons of fuel? holy crap!

Thanks again for your help.

Sooey
photobob
21 years ago
Sooey,

Instead of buying a one-way airfare, shop around for a cheap round trip ticket. Then just toss the unused ticket, you might save money.

Just be sure that you use the "outbound" ticket and toss the return trip. If you don't use the the first, the airline will void the return trip. So whether you take the car to her or she comes to get it, book the trip from IN to the Cape, returning to IN.

Just a thought that may save you some bucks...
sooey
Original Author
21 years ago
OK...an update to my question.

The car has been delivered to our Daughter in Champaine, IL.
Total cost was $650 for door to door service. I placed the 'order' on October 1st with B&T Transport. The car was picked up here on the Cape at 5:00 P.M. on Thrusday the 6th. It was delivered to our Daughter at her house in Champaign this morning, the 8th, at just a little after 8:00 A.M.

Having it shipped was the best way to go. Not only was it less money and time,we also saved adding 1,000 miles to the car.

Whew...job well done. Thanks for your help in this. We think it worked out for the best.

Sooey

Having a car shipped/transported

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Having a car shipped/transported

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