Yes, my s2000 is my baby, and it wouldn't be odd for some to say I treat my cars like they are ferraris.

I need to transport my s2000 from the east coast to west coast. Has anyone done this and have any recommedations on who to use and closed vs open carrier?

 

Where are you going from and to?

I've shipped using an open truck from New York City to San Francisco, and it costed me ~1650 (give or take 200 for different carriers?). The car didn't have any extra miles when delivered (I think it was 0.1 mile higher when I took delivery), nor was there any dings/dents/scratches anywhere on the car (even the front, which has somewhat of a lip). I believe most shippers are reliable (I couldn't find the company name I used now ...).

The only drawback of having an open carrier is that, your car will look like it went through the Sahara dessert when you pick it up on the other side of the country -- doesn't exactly help when you have a black paint job ...

Unfortunately, I believe closed carriers run for quite a lot higher in price (like over 2400 or something when I was quoted!?!)

 

I have shipped open and closed and found that the only difference is a 30 minute car wash after delivery (which will save you $1000).

 

Drive it

 

I've shipped about 5 cars now from Chicago / East coast all to CALI at various points.

A few things to keep in mind before I recommend who I use:

1) Cost of transport is HIGHLY dependent on season so at certain times of the year it's expensive since some people move east to west during warm weather, and back to east during the summer, etc.....I shipped my S4 from chicago to san jose for only $1200 fully enclosed one time but a few months later that exact same move would have costed me $2200!

2) Check with each carrier on insurance waivers since many will charge extra for insurance or they expect you to use your own.

3) Port to Port shipping is a lot cheaper than door to door so if you have the ability to do port, by all means go for it.

4) If you are car is heavily modded or super low (like my s4 at the time) check with each carrier since some have to drag your car up an incline while high end ones like Horseless Carriage use a total flat bad that drops FLAT for loading of exotics, etc. My s4 arrived in CALI with an Aston Martin, Ferrari 360, and SLR keeping it company...haha

5) Make sure you compare apples to apples in terms of pricing from various transport companies.


Ok with all that said above here's my recommendations:

Only go with open transport during safe weather season. The worst is if you encounter a hail storm while your car is exposed!

I shipped my S4, m3 and a few other cars using Horseless Carriage. They are top notch fully enclosed transport of high end cars but they naturally cost more.

DAS is my choice for shipping basic cars and I went with them for my recent 05 s2000 from the east coast using open transport since it was spring.


good luck,
rick

 

These guys sound like they know what they are talking about, I would take their advice.

 

I have used Horseless Carriage 3 times for my 71 Cuda. They took excellent care of my car every time. I recommend them. They are very professional at what they do.

 

DAS charged me $1400 enclosed carrier from Boston to Gardena, CA. Dealer picked up $500 of that though.

 

When we moved from Santa Fe to Boca, we used DAS for our other car and drove the S (this was last September). Best road trip ever! Highly recommended if you can manage it at all. HPH

 

I've transported five cars from various points in the eastern US out here to the bay area in the past 12 years: two via DAS, two via Clark & Reid, and one via Intercity. All were done with enclosed transport--my decision based on time of year/weather/locations/etc. My s2k (an eBay purchase) was Houston->San Jose with DAS.

I second all of s4play's recommendations (5 posts above). He covered the decision factors perfectly.

Scott