Hi, As the title states I'm looking to buy a car on the west coast and have it shipped to the east coast. Since this is my first time to do this, I need some advice from people who have actually done this. Here is my scenario. First let me start by saying I have a brother who lives in Long Beach to help me make this happen on his end. The car of interest is located in LA (plated but not currently insured). If I purchase this car I would like to have my brother drive it to his place and hold it there until a transporter can pick it up to head to New York. So, here are my questions: -Easiest form of payment or transfer of funds? -Easiest way to move the car from LA to Long Beach if (plated but not currently insured). -Does California issue temporary plates to drive a car for 30 days or so and how do we get these? -Insurance???? Do I get my own insurance on this end? Is there some sort of short term coverage with temp. tags? Does the car transporter require I have insurance or do they carry insurance while my car is in their possession? -Suggested transport companies??? I'm looking for the best enclosed service I can get. I've looked into Reliable only so far. I was quoted $2250 with a 3-5 week delivery time. This seems like a long time to be in transit. -Any other good advise would be appreciated. Thanks, David "Shifter"
As far as transport goes, there are 3 Quality transporters here on the Hamb: BenD, Racinman Rick & Myself. We all have ads in the Hamb O Dex section where you can see references/feedbacks from hundreds of other Hambers that have used our services. Our prices would be a little higher because we are 1 or 2 car transporters, but the vehicle will only be on the road for a few of days. I am currently booked well ahead. Do a Google search of any shipper you choose & stay away from brokers if possible.
They take your info and then take bids from transporters with no direct connection.....and take your money. When something happens you only have the brokers number, and he is not the transporter.......so you are stuck in the middle........there are horror stories on here about brokers. Check in HAMB-O-DEX (home page) to find a transporter.
I used Intercity Lines shipping from Michigan to Washington, top notch service. None of the hambers were available for that trip.
Also the vast majority of brokers have no idea who the transporter will be or if they will do a good job getting your vehicle to you. most of them take your deposit & put your request on the commercial board, the lowest bid to the broker gets it... the transporter might not even speak english!
Yikes!!!! So, staying away from a broker is a must... I'm looking to move a restored car, not a project car.
I used Intercity very professional people very fair on price and try to stick to scheduled dates.California to mass was under what reliable quoted you but may have gone up since its been 3 years since i used them. Give them try.
so it has plates but is it currently registered? legally if its past registration due it will have to be paid or you can get a temp registration paper that you tape in the window for driving. I've personally driven cars without insurance or current registration when I bought them and moved them to my house but that's my risk. talk to your insurance company and see if they will insure the car when your brother buys it for you. hopefully they will. no you don't need special plates for that. just need to show a proof of insurance out here. I would have your brother drive it to his place at night (less people on the road) if he can help it. I used a onlinebroker back in 2004 to ship my 48 Buick from Florida to California. filled out the info and it was sent out to different companies. less than an hour I got a call from a company that had a shipping truck out there and they picked it up and delivered it in 7 days and it cost around $500. an open car hauler pulled up with about 6 cars and the driver was cool enough to put my car behind the truck cab. he was a little redneck from W virginia. and his "comoany" name was "Triple K towing"......yeah, no BS. I'm sure there are way more scams out there than 10yrs ago so do your homework.
My brother and I did almost the same thing last year. He lives in the San Francisco area and I live near Louisville, Ky. He found a '78 Firebird Formula in Dayton, Ohio (about 130 miles from me) that he liked so I went over and checked it out for him. We agreed on a price so I went back a week later with $17k in cash and drove it home. I gave him the names of some auto transport companies and he made the arrangements with Thomas Sunday Transport. I met the guy near my house a few days later and made a video of him loading the car on his truck (below). He got the car a week later with no problems. The guy arranged his stops so he wouldn't have to move the Firebird around at all on the way there. I think the price was around $1800. He was very happy with their service. Good luck....
do a transfer of funds from your bank to your brothers, since he is picking it up. your brother can get a bank draft (not cashiers check) made out to seller if he does not want to carry that much cash around. brother needs to trailer your car, do not ever drive without insurance. to get temp transportation tag have to have proof of ownership to take to DMV. contact your insurance rep, things different for different companies. likely need to get full coverage, including theft. as stated, check here for someone to transport in a enclosed trailer. if not available when you need transport check with local businesses that sell classic cars or restore them for recommendations. may take longer to line up enclosed rig, and will cost more than standard broker transport.
A lot of good info here. I moved 2 cars from LA to Vancouver, WA a few years ago. I called around and kept getting brokers. As stated above, you don't know what you will get. I had specified closed trailer and kept getting guys with open carriers calling me for a ship date. You HAVE to be sure they know what kind of trailer you want. And as far as insurance, I would recommend you get in touch with your insurance co. You should insure it before your brother hits the LA streets and insure it for the full trip home. My $.02.
I would only ship a restored car across the country via enclosed transport. Open transporters will limit liability for any damage during transportation. Much protection and piece of mind sending it across country in an enclosed trailer. I sent an OT car from FL to CA with these guys: http://www.exoticcartransport.com/ . I think it took a week or so. Completely happy and they were reasonable compared to others.
I bought a 50 chevy fleetline in LA a few years ago. I flew out to check the car out. It was worth the couple hundred dollar plane ticket to make sure the car was right. I brought a cashiers check with me in case i bought it (which i did) and came home with the title. For you its easy cause of your brother. As far as shipping it, i highly recommend Thomas sunday. I used them a few times and thought they were very professional. Plus they're in PA.
The only thing is your idea of "totally bitchin'" may be different than your brother's idea of "totally bitchin'". That happened to me when a friend (who is like a brother) looked at a car for me in across where he lived. The car was good, but not as good as I thought it would be. Just beware.
Shifter : It's 3106 miles to Long Beach, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses. Mrs. Shifter : Hit it. VR&C.
How are these things priced by the mile I would think,what is a fair rate I am in the same situation maybee..... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I work at a car auction and have seen some weird stuff happen to cars on those open transporters. Sometimes the hydraulic lines rupture and spray the cars, seen some top loaded cars where the hood or rear hatch have opened and gotten mangled etc…etc...
Several things I suggest once you have decided to buy the car: 1) Just get the VIN, and your insurance company will provide coverage 2) Send your brother the money and have him pay cash or go with seller to bank and have the check drawn up with him there so he knows it is good. Make sure title VIN matches car VIN. 3) Why not drive it back? 4) If no drive, then the enclosed transport, or one of the HAMB guys is good idea. 5) You can get a temp tag from your state, for 30 days or so. Just go to your DMV and with VIN and insurance (in case they need that) and get the 30 day temp tag from NY. No need to screw with CA DMV. 6) Once car is in NY, take CA title and car to NY DMV and title and reg the car in NY. Probably will require at minimum a VIN inspection, so drive car to DMV.
Dave I used Intercity Lines when I bought my Roadster in SoCal in 08 they are very good and have a million dollars of insurance for your car. Top notch service. If you have any questions give me a call my cell is 315-200-4916. Anytime between 9am and 9pm. Mike K Dick told me you were looking for a transport this morning when we were having coffee today.
Hi Mike, Just saw your post. You and several others have mentioned Intercity Lines. I have a quote from them and I've been emailing with them. I've also looked into Reliable Carriers Inc. Both similar in price. Car has not been purchased yet, but a decision will be made soon. Thanks!
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