[Chris]

Does anyone on here know of any good Cheap Auto Transports, as I have bought a Insight, but need to get it transported?

 

[masscommuter]

I have some experience with this.
Best route: ask a local car dealer, in person - altho I've called & gotten good advice.

They ship cars and know who serves your area best and who's reliable and won't damager your car.

Online places are distinctly overpriced, like min. 2x.

 

[Chris]

Okay, thanks!!

 

[bretthans]

I've said this before and I'll say it again: be very careful. I got a recommendation from my moving company for a auto transport company to move my previous vehicle. It turns out that company was a broker that arranges for various regional haulers to keep handing off your car until it gets to your destination. My car arrived on an open car trailer covered in chemicals, dirt, and grime so it was impossible to inspect upon arrival. Once I washed it I found the paint had been etched almost completely through in a giant splatter mark. All but one body panel required repainting. I suspect a car above it let loose with brake fluid or something highly corrosive, then the wind spread it alll over my car. The transport broker refused to even acknowledge the pre-transport inspection sheet and claimed my car was in that condition prior to the move. They insisted I would have to take them to court to get any reimbursement. The scamming ability of these places has been well-documented on various news shows since then. My lawyer said I would need pictures and a witness at the time of pick-up and delivery if I had any hope of going to court.

After that experience I was loathe to use another auto transport company. When I bought my Insight I bought a one-way plane ticket and drove the Insight the 1150 miles back home. Total cost of the trip: $150, including the plane ticket, fuel, and a hotel room halfway home, plus using up a weekend.

Good luck!

 

[masscommuter]

Right - the moving company referred you to *** a broker **.
That's a red flag.

Car dealers know the reliable transporters -
who don't resort to dealing w/ brokers.

2 tips:
Cheaper price: ask for delivery to a regional depot (e.g. auction place),
not your driveway
... and try to meet the truck when it arrives

Ask for "top load", where you'll get fewer dings etc.
I had no problem calling Honda Dealers saying "I have a Honda to transport from your area" and asking for referrals.

 

[Chris]

I found a transport that will cost me $550 and is fully insured.

 

[buyer?]

take lots of pictures - and be aware that the insurance might not cover damage under 500 bucks. I moved my golf using caronatruck.com and it worked great but they dinged both rocker panels pretty good - like they drove it off a 2ft curb.

I missed this because I was sleepy when the car was unloaded.

I'd say the important thing is to be there with a digital camera for the unloading and be thorough.

 

[bretthans]

Right - the moving company referred you to *** a broker **.
That's a red flag

Yes, if only I'd known then what I know now..... :roll:

I found a transport that ... is fully insured

The transport company I used was fully insured. The only problem was I couldn't collect. Take lots of pictures at pickup and at delivery and have a witness if possible. Otherwise it's your word against theirs.

Some transporters use enclosed trailers which would protect the car from road debris, but costs more. Otherwise, the manufacturers use white sheets of some material to protect the finish on open trailers. Maybe find out from the dealer what that is and where to get it.