With all the MINI owners here that have shipped their cars. I figure I would get some recommendations as well as some "stay away froms" here. I need to ship a car to another state and have no idea where to even begin. Well. Besides here. I don't want one of those that drives the car. Rather, one that carries it on a truck to its destination, good recommendations and not over the top expensive.

Thanks in advance.

 

I checked into having a carrier ship my MGB from Sacramento to Manteca. 60 miles. They wanted $350 to add my car to a car carrier full of other cars.

 

www.ableautotransport.com I've shipped with them 3 times (actually, they are a broker that coordinates the shipping). Dallas TX to Ohio and Ohio to Las Vegas and California to Ohio. Prices were better than any other quote I could find on the net, also.

 

Under 100 miles just take advantage of AAA. Free and just put a cover on the car after its on the flat bed.

 

Check this site out, Steve.

 

Up to 100 is free? Time I re-read my policy! Used to be just five miles were free.

 

Yes, I think that's true, but you have to be a "gold card" member to get the 100 free miles. The regular membership only allows 5 or 10 miles. I broke down once 60 miles from home. I called AAA and tried to get a tow, but they said that with my regular membership, I'd still have to pay for the flatbed. Then, she asked if I'd like to upgrade my membership for 30 bucks or something like that. I gave her my credit card number and became a gold card member. I immediately became eligible for the 100 mile freet tow. Best $30 I ever spent...

By the way, stay away from Dependable Auto Shippers. They completely wrecked my car's rear bumper and scratched my rocker panels when I shipped my Alfa from Boston to Cleveland.

 

I always see fine autos shipped using:

http://www.horselesscarriage.com/

 

Might have to do that!

 

I think if you upgrade your AAA to "Premier" status, the towing is up to 100 miles, Gromit801. I gladly pay for that every year. There is also an even higher-level membership that extends it a bit further, and I believe you get up to $750 for lodging and car rental expenses. Don't quote me on that, but do look up the various options when you renew or upgrade your AAA membership.

 

Unless the program titles vary by region, what I think you are both referring to is AAA Plus, versus AAA Basic.

I just checked the rates, at least in my area, it's $59/year for Basic and $96/year for Plus.

 

http://www.dasautoshippers.com/
moved my 1954 jaguar cross the usa with no problems
and
http://www.intercitylines.com/
moved my 1961 jaguar from AZ to OH

both were flawless

 

Those sound like the two rate plans to me. I called it the gold card b/c you get a gold credit card sized ID instead of a blue cardboard one.

 

Thanks for all the information. A lot more than I ever expected.

I'll sift through these and see what is the best option for a 550 mile trip in my area.

 

Check out http://www.transportreviews.com/. They have hundreds of carriers listed and customer reviews.

We've used http://www.1stcallautohaul.com/ twice now this year for our MINIs, and received both cars early and in perfect condition. They were on the lower end of the price scale, and great quality.

 

Can I ask why you want to use a shipper to transport your car 500 miles? Other than a quick drive myself, a reliable nephew or brother-in-law and a return trip bus ticket would seem like a good way to go, they'd probably enjoy it as well.

 

The only person I would trust can't do it (work) and my wife was due yesterday to have a baby. Trust me. If I could take it myself I would.

 

What are you looking to ship? If you don't want to say on here PM me....i am interested....I have shipped a few if you need help.....Newdl@aol.com