Enclosed car shipping recommendations?
 

Hello All,
I'm looking at a '71 Buick Skylark for sale on a Buick specific forum, nice car at a solid price but I would need to ship from NH to Northern CA. (3,100 miles) I got a quote from Reliable Carriers for $3,950 with Hagerty discount and another from Montway Auto Transport for $2,619 cash price for enclosed shipping. Any experience or advice on this task?
I know it's not going to be cheap, but its a good price on the car so I'm just looking to weigh all the pros/cons quickly.
I'm sure somebody on here has some valuable advice or recommendations?
Thanks in advance,
Jerry

I know the cheap price is attractive, but to me, CASH means no paperwork, which might make it impossible to get compensation if it's damaged, stolen or parts taken during transport.

You may find a better price than Reliable, but I would want a full contract and proof of full cost insurance coverage while in the carriers possession.

I have used Inter-City, Horseless Carriage, and Reliable. Have you tried the other two I mention?
You need to find a carrier that focuses on East/West Transport. Coming out of NH is probably going to take some time for the carrier to load out of that area. You did not mention how much time it will take for the car to get to CA.

I Had a corvette shipped by Montway from FL to NC and was happy with them. I payed $1100. for about 550 mile trip, I also requested one or two car hauler and got a two car hauler. If it helps they haul for the Corvette museum.

Passport has done the last couple moves for me including my 69 L89 Corvette and clients 69 CJ Mustang. They were outstanding to work with.

Dan

Montway was an absolute train wreck for me. I would stick with Reliable, Pilot, or another top ranked carrier.

FWIW, My vote would be Passport as well. We used them to ship my 1953 Corvette #100 from the Chicago area to Long Island New York when I sold it to the Guy who had #101, and they were Fantastic to deal with.

Bill

All my stuff. Bought or Sold gets the nod to Passport!

Great information- very much appreciated!
I will make some inquiries and get some quotes. I'm not in a huge hurry, but you figure the shorter travel time means less car shuffling on truck, plus less time for something bad to happen.
Thanks again!

I've had great luck with Midnight Movers, based out of Chicago. They're my first choice with anything enclosed. Please let Michelle know that Jeff from Madison, WI recommended them.

Michelle: 773-341-6033

You're rolling the dice no matter who you choose. Any one of the drivers can damage your vehicle. You can ship 17 cars, and they could damage the 18th. I used Passport once, they did great. Used them again for a motorcycle and they broke a mirror and one turn signal lens was crunched. The ONLY way to ensure that you get a safe no damage haul, is to do it yourself. I was told by a WELL KNOWN carrier that they could go get my cars I purchased. But that they would have to sit in a warehouse for 3 months in Arizona before they could bring them to me. Due to them losing many of their drivers to Walmart. Did I want a 1/4 of a MILLION dollars in cars sitting in a warehouse for months... UH... No Thanx. The cost was going to be about 5K. I did it myself in a few days for $2,700. It JUST doesn't matter who you use. Maybe I should go get your car... ha ha Good Luck ... Danny

I use Plycar . Ask to speak to Nick.

I used intercity twice in the past year when we shipped a few Ferrari cars. I have been very happy. Good communication and care.

Diesel in our town is $6.45 per gallon. I can’t see how these folks can make any money. Probably 300 gallons or more in fuel.

I've shipped 6 cars this year all using Montway, with no issues with pick-up or delivery. I'm shipping a new Raptor from FL to CA for $2,700 in 2 weeks using Montway. FWIW.

Thanks for all the great input, I spoke to Passport Transport late last week and got a solid quote and sounding like they knew what I was looking for. I'm going to follow-up tomorrow and confirm pick-up & delivery time-frames. New England area pick-up might be a delay. The seller loses storage after the 4th of July weekend, so that is a factor as well. Thanks again, looking forward to making this happen!

3,100 miles divided by 5mpg is 620 gallons...at 5.5mpg is still 563 gallons and that 5.5 is about all a loaded truck is going to get. 563 gallons at $5.75/gallon, more the national average, is $3,237. You can bet they aren't going to roll with less than a truckload.
For any trucking company to figure a firm quote even a week from now is a big gamble.
At this rate, there may be a few less long distance cars at MCACN in November.

I wish you needed one hauled from the other coast. I might be making a trip to Portland and would be coming back to Minnesota empty. If anyone needs anything hauled from out west

Matt

Good opportunity for someone around here to buy the '64 2 dr wagon.....:dunno:

Hello All,
Just a quick update- I ended up going with Montway, as they seemed able to pick up the car the quickest and they seemed confident about the whole process. They picked the car up on a Friday in NH and had it to me in San Jose in exactly a week. communication was excellent and the driver was pretty cool about everything. I live on a dead-end street, so we literally unloaded out in middle of cross street with 2 lanes going in each direction. It was a little dicey but luckily traffic was lite on a Friday mid-morning. The car looked fine, a little dusty but I knew that when it was picked up. I'm really happy how it turned out with a total cost on CC of $2,819. The car condition was a pleasant surprise, buying a life-long East Coast car sight-unseen. It was stored really well over the years, with no rust signs anywhere i can see, just minor surface rust in a few spots underneath. The interior is all original, Sandalwood and near mint condition. The car has a nasty 455, built by Jim Wiese in MN., that was a huge selling point. Thanks for all the help getting this car out west!
Jerry

Cool car.

I have used montway a few times now (all recent as well) and had good experiences. Their prices were always competitive and I think they outsource to local companies. The drivers you can tell cared as well. Congrats on your new ride.

Put some correct Bias-Ply tires on that Buick Skylark.. :burnout: