Hi guys,
As you may or may not know, I am selling my '69 Cutlass and buying a '70 W31, anyway the buyer and seller are close enough to me and close enough together to consider driving, amazing to me is that driving is close to having them shipped, I thought it would be cheaper to drive, but not so, especially when considering renting a trailer.

 

Why you rent a trailer if you are driving ?

 

I'd drive Pa to Ct is only 4-5 hrs...the only caveat might be the new car is an unknown qty. if your getting a trailer rather than driving the cars I'd still do it just bring a buddy or the wife and get it all done in one long day.

 

Enclosed shipping is about 12-1500. Well worth it to me for several reasons. Biggest one being enclosed.
If it's damaged or destroyed the shipper pays. Check on those fine print details. Add in your time and road expense. That will easily be a K. Whichever avenue you choose be sure the car(s) are fully insured for agreed replacement value.

 

Prior to my 442 I bought a '79 Trans Am from the Boston area. Shipping Boston to Long Island was higher than I thought it should be ($850 open trailer). A friend of mine had seen the car in person & heard it run. Even though it had been off the road for about two years, I got it registered, got a cheap flight (under $100), flew up with my plates and drove it home the same day.

 

I would also include that even though it's only 4-5 hours. It is (most likely) in car that you have not completely had a chance to go through yet. Do you really want to drive a relatively unknown 48 year old car for 4-5 hours?

If you have the time and AAA, go for it. If not, I'd say ship it.

 

Rubber brake lines, coolant system belts n hoses tires more than 10 years old...the list goes on.

 

u-haul trailer and a friend or your pick up. My last car i bought drove fine.......like said its 40 yld. Somethings going to break and cost more money/ trouble. Maybee not but a 160 bucks to rent a trailer isnt worth the trouble

 

Well, the reason for a trailer is the extra parts that come with the car I'm buying. It has several large parts included, front fenders, and core support at least. Right now I'm looking at driving my car to the buyer in CT (about 7 hrs), then go to the closest Uhaul rent a truck and trailer, drive to MA (about 2 hrs), get the new to me '70 W31 and parts and head for home (about 8 hrs). The problem is the Uhaul truck and trailer rental + gas + a night in a hotel is as much if not more than I could have it shipped. I've had quotes around $400, but I won't be able to see/drive the car beforehand, but neither has my buyer seen my car in person.

 

Ehh sounds like 6 to 1 half dozen to the other. Its the 8 hrs thing that would suck. Do get a whole car trailer, not a dolly. Really test the Uhaul when you pick it up. Lock the brakes up and make sure the trailer brakes work if it has them. Make sure the trucks big enough. 3/4 ton or larger.
Oh and pictures pictures pictures!

 

You could save on this by doing it all in one day. Then you wouldn't need a hotel. Yes, driving for 17 hours would SUCK but it's been done. You would need coffee, lots of coffee.

 

Actually most of the savings would come from not renting a Uhaul truck, which according to the seller I wouldn't have to do, so I may risk it. All I have to lose is time.

 

Ship it.

A lot less hassle.

 

when I bought my 68 years ago I drove my truck to Chicago ( 8 hour drive ), picked up my car the next morning and drove it back to Minn with my GF following in the truck that I had full of tools and misc common sense parts. Made it home no problem with several stops along the way to check and add oil to the tired old 350. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and take it as it comes.

 

boese1978, I may just do what you explained, drive my car to the buyer in CT with my wife following in our truck, drive it to MA and drive the new to me '70 home with her following, just in case. Or I may rent a Uhaul trailer and haul both cars, that isn't too expensive, but a Uhaul truck and trailer is about the same as shipping at least one.

 

I have wooden sides for my pickup so I can load it up over the bed and tarp/ratchet strap to. Most car loads are more bulky than heavy. Rent the Uhaul trailer locally is cheapest. Be loaded up, leave earlier, return home by evening/night. Return trailer next morning. Piece of cake. I did a similar trip. Got off work at 7AM. Left N.E.Ohio at noon. Made it to Kansas (they had the worst ice storm in decades). A lot of hassles with communication due to power outage. I pulled over and took naps. I made it back in time for the Super Bowl game, even though I slept through it. This was in 2002 or 2003 when I was in my 50s.

 

I drove 1100 miles one way to get my 442. From West Texas to N. Iowa.
Could of had it shipped (open trailer) cheaper for sure but I could not buy without seeing the car in person.
I have a truck so we rented a Uhaul trailer in Iowa. Looks like you don't have a truck of your own but if there is any way you can drive and tow do it.

 

If you have a 1/2 ton truck then just get a uhaul trailer tow your car to new owner and then drive down to pick up your new car and tow it home. The trailers are alot cheaper if you return it to the same location. When I go to pickup a new car I use a uhaul trailer. They are made well(alittle heavy) and I've had no issues. I tow with my 1/2 Z71 and it pulls just fine. I don't go over 60 because no need to rush plus the mpgs dont go to crap. I'd do what you are thinking about in one day with some naps at rest stops. core support and fenders will fit no problem plus more. Moving blankets from HF and good ratchet straps are your friend. Or do you have a buddy with a truck you can borrow if yours isnt a 1/2 ton or 3/4ton? They problem you have is the buyer of your car willing to pay shipping for it or come get it? If so and the costs or hassle are too much pay the $400 to have it yours and the parts shipped. I had my 66 shipped because it was actually cheaper to ship it then me driving to get it and wasting my wknd.

 

Did you ever bring your new toy home?