I need to move my car (Subaru) from Sacramento, CA to Cincinnati OH in the next few weeks. What do we like as far as auto transport companies? I've gotten a few quotes already and they are all over the place (the range is from just over 1k to 2500+). Covered or not? Is there really that much of a difference?

thanks fellas

I would check with your local auto auction company, I did a quick google search : https://www.adesa.com/Sacramento

They move a lot of cars, and may have a better price due to a empty return run.

I come back from Jamaica Sunday. Don't have to be back to work til the next Monday

How much is a 1 way ticket from Charlotte and a 1 way back? Add in some expenses and a couple of bills for a wedding gift and we're good lol.

I'm only half joking

Just looked...too much damn logistics in keeping the price down.

A one way flight from Charlotte to Sacramento, and a rental car from Ohio to Charlotte...that'd be below your 1k number...

I bought a car from a member in FL and had it shipped to Sacramento several years ago.

I used DAS http://www.dasautoshippers.com/ because they did a lot of shipping for ebay. I liked it that they were actually a shipping company and not a broker.

There is a difference between Covered and Enclosed. Covered just means that the car is on the lower level of the trailer and the canvas covers have been dropped...the car is still exposed to the car above it.

A few things to keep in mind:
1. Take the insurance
1a. Inspect the car carefully when you receive it
1b. If they don't inspect before they take it, any damage is on them

2. Have it delivered to you, don't take delivery at their "yard". It will be dark and the car will be dirty...you won't be able to see everything...most yards are not in nice places. When they deliver it, they wash it first.

3. The suspension will need to be aligned when you get it

If you're still looking, shoot me an email with year make and model, as well as zip it's coming from and going to, as well as if you want it enclosed or open.

I ship cars around the country every week and can help you navigate it. Some of the cheaper carriers will pick your car up and put it in storage until they have enough cars going to the same place.. it's annoying as hell.

In 2014 I had to get a Subaru from Philly to Phoenix. The car transport company started wiggling the numbers, delaying pick-up date. Finally, I cancelled, jumped in the car, and drove the 2400 miles in about 42 hours (10 hours of "breaks"). The flight back was about $400.

If you have a relationship with a local dealer, check with them.

There's some bidding process out there for shipping cars where folks put in car, origin and destination and a preferred price and folks can pick it up. Dealers use them all the time, and in my case shipped a car in enclosed trailer from Phoenix to DFW for $700.

There are several options - you might also check with a moving company - they may have a partial load going and could load you on the back end

go enclosed - not exposed to the elements, take the insurance and do a good pre- and post inspection.

I've shipped my cars from Summerfield NC to Merrimack, NH twice, and once from Merrimack to Tucson

DAS was used to move my Mustang. Believe me I was not comfortable. They had someone come to the house to pick up the car with a flatbed wrecker and take it to the yard - it was moved between states on a covered carrier (9mmepiphany explained), once it got here they had someone deliver it to me on a flatbed wrecker. The pick up/delivery people were very knowledgeable about cars and what they were doing. They used extra long ramps to ensure the car cleared. Car was fine. I instructed them to NOT wash it - I would take as is and clean it myself. In all I was very happy with everything DAS provided. As 9mme advised, insurance and inspections.

I cannot remenber the website but about 4 years ago I had a car shipped from Twentynine Palms, CA to Hyannis, MA. I was giving my nephew my '07 Ford Fusion for his 21st birthday. It was $932 bucks door to door, which I don't think is too bad considering that's a haul. I believe I found the carrier on one of the sites where you put the 'to' and 'from' and get offers. There were no issues. The driver did need to be paid in cash on the recieving end though, so I just sent my sis a check to cash to pay the driver.

Reliable

If you want to really take the sweat out of it, use a service like this. They haul all sorts of collectibles and exotics. Maybe a little more $$$, but professionals in every way.

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
I used DAS

Me too. Three cars, shipped cross country. Went very well - delivered a bit ahead of schedule, even.