Just got my G35 few days back and am very happy. I will have to ship it from east coast to west. In the interest of saving money, I will ship using a conventional open carrier, and have been told to try to get the car put in the top back. Reason being that if other cars are leaking oil, etc, I should be spared. However my question and worry is any pebbles/rocks hitting the car and causing chipping of paint. What should I do? Is there a temp/cheap car cover I can use? Can I just use nothing? Am I over reacting??
I don't think you're over-reacting...it's a brand new car, you want to take every precaution. I guess there's no chance you could fly out and drive it yourself? That would probably be cheaper than shipping it, and you could be in charge of its safety.
"struan87 you are way better than Google!" --BCole Pictures.
I doubt a car cover is going to help you. I've shipped cars cross country five times (Michigan to California). Your car does not remain on one truck from start to finish. Even if it did, and your car is not the closest to the cab, he'd have to unload it to unload someone else's car. The driver is not going to take the time to put the car cover on every time he needs to move it.
I've never had a problem with car damage in transit. The worst that happens is it gets a bit dirty. Remember there's a truck out in front taking hits for you. If something does happen, they are responsible. If you're not there for loading though, you can't prove that the car wasn't like that before they loaded it. Do you trust the seller enough to let him/her do the pre-loading inspection?
I was in your same boat when I had to ship my car from Grubbs in Texas. If you are that worried about getting it dinged looked for an enclosed carrier but as is life, they are more expensive.
As for flying out and driving back it would probably cost you the same if not more. Plus you would have a greater chance of getting a ding driving your new car cross country than shipping it.
My car had a few waterspots and dirt but no dings and I saved the mileage of driving.
Thanks for the advice all. As it is, we (bunch of us are students going back to cali) have sercured a truck that will pick up all cars in one spot in the east, and drop all call in one spot in the west coast. In that case, I am not worried about the truck driver loading and unloading the cars. I hear you guys though about driving it and dinging the bumper, I guess if I could put the car in the top back, I should hopefully be ok
Thanks again, I feel better about shipping it (although I drool at the thought of driving this car across the country.
Just got my G35 few days back and am very happy. I will have to ship it from east coast to west. In the interest of saving money, I will ship using a conventional open carrier, and have been told to try to get the car put in the top back. Reason being that if other cars are leaking oil, etc, I should be spared. However my question and worry is any pebbles/rocks hitting the car and causing chipping of paint. What should I do? Is there a temp/cheap car cover I can use? Can I just use nothing? Am I over reacting??
Grubbs will detail the car and then put Auto Wrap over the entire vehicle (the white film put on at the factory. It allows it to be driven on / off the truck, and protects the car. It also makes it easy to inspect for damage. Ask the seller to do this.
Now: '99 328i | Silver / Black
Wanted: 6MT |DG / Willow |Premium, Aero Pkg | waiting to see the '05 spec - hope they fix the driver seat controls!!!
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Grubbs will detail the car and then put Auto Wrap over the entire vehicle (the white film put on at the factory. It allows it to be driven on / off the truck, and protects the car. It also makes it easy to inspect for damage. Ask the seller to do this.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
I'm in the process of relocating and my company is providing me with all the resources to move. United Van Lines is our mover and they are going to be moving both my vehicles. I'm going to ask them how they move them and all that. My cars won't be moved till end of June.
Be careful with moving companies. They pack the car right in with your household goods. No real problems when I did it but they put a deep rub/scratch in my 93 Explorer. Cost about $200 for repair. Had my other car shipped by one of the cross country auto carriers. I shipped a 94 Lexus GS300 for about $750 from my dropoff to Jersey City. Then I found out about Horseless Carriage! [] Wish I had known sooner. I think it would have been about $1400 with them because of the closed truck they ship in.
thanks for the info. I'm meeting with my moving coordinator next week. I will ask him those questions...and see what they say. I will make a request for a closed truck since Im well below my "moving expense allowance"
Nat.,[] several years ago I had a just-painted car shipped by Passport. Don't know their whereabouts but they're one of the top three or so (Passport, Horseless C. and Intercity), and they've still got these big, British racing green with yellow letter trucks. Excellent job done, DC to San Antonio. My lawyer-cousin on the other end accepting the car and you know how picky lawyers can be...
At the time, it wasn't so much about cost as it was that Passport was one of the few that could track where the truck was at all times. Now, with global positioning, Nextel intercom, etc., I'd suspect they all can. Still, given my choice, I'd look at Passport first. I was amazed at the high cost cars already in the truck when the guy carefully, loaded mine [which was prob the least expensive!]. Not a scratch, nothing wrong, great job done by Passport.
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Shipping cross country
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] Wish I had known sooner. I think it would have been about $1400 with them because of the closed truck they ship in.
] several years ago I had a just-painted car shipped by Passport. Don't know their whereabouts but they're one of the top three or so (Passport, Horseless C. and Intercity), and they've still got these big, British racing green with yellow letter trucks. Excellent job done, DC to San Antonio. My lawyer-cousin on the other end accepting the car and you know how picky lawyers can be...
