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Transporting Elise from east 2 west

3363 Views 25 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  adamant
i will be getting my elise from the east and want to transport it to southern cali, does anyone have any experience in this or have any advice? should i get a closed container or would it be safe to have it transported on an open rig? has anyone had a car transported by an open rig? TIA!
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intercity lines comes highly recommended

they ship enclosed
what was the cost of your shipping and where was the pick-up and drop-off destonations? thanks.
Horseless Carriage transports most of the Esprits from Lcu, I've used them a couple times, good people, you might call for a quote, should be able find by websearch.
Chris
I brought my Lotus Elan from Fl. To Ma. via an open carrier and had very good luck. I understand enclosed carriers are about double in price. On the other hand a neighbor of mine had his car wrecked on an open carrier. I think for the long trip an enclosed carrier is the way to go.
majorbonr

what's the name and location of the shop that powdercoated your black rims? There are four or five of us that want to all go and get our rims and diffuser powdercoated together in hopes of getting a group discount.
thanks!
You could fly to the east coast and then drive back to Cali (I'm sure you could get back in under 12 hours, and if you got enough people to do it, you could use that to protest the high petrol prices).
Recomendations for transport>>

absolutely... have transported several nice cars with them...very professional and sealed transports..
http://www.horselesscarriage.com/
I bought a 1974 Elite in Texas and had it shipped to my home near Philadelphia. It was shipped by open carrier and was picked up 1 week late, got here 2 days early (based on the number of days shipping I was quoted, not the orignal delivery date), and the idiots left the driver side window open so, in short, I'm happy the car is made out of fiberglass. It took a couple of days to dry out the carpets and seats but hey it did get here. Esspecially with a 40k Elise, use an enclosed carrier.
zvezdah1,
do you know if lotus uses an open or enclosed carrier to ship their cars? thanks.

shay2nak,
i posted all the info on that thread your reffering too. i've been bugg'n you about the navy blue and bronze wheel thing, do you think you can photoshop it for me when you have the chance. thanks.
originally posted by majorbonr
i've been bugg'n you about the navy blue and bronze wheel thing, do you think you can photoshop it for me when you have the chance. thanks.
Damn, I totally forgot, sorry!! I'll work on it. Thanks for the info, I'll check the thread.
As Chris mentioned, LCU has been using Horseless for years. Trailers are enclosed.

If you care about the car you'll go with enclosed. I've heard too many horror stories about the condition of a car when carried on an open rig for any sort of distance.
Which ever you use be certain that the company is reputable. The industry has been de-regulated and there are NO consumer protections. I had a miserable time getting a car shipped from Dallas to Reno. I learned that there are a lot of phoney transporters. Some simply steal your car, others do not perform as they represent. They are supposed to provide insurance for any damage while transporting but if they don't you are screwed. The dealer's insurance won't cover it and neither will yours (but check with your agent to be sure). Don't try saving bucks or saving time, go with a reputable carrier.
khamai said:
As Chris mentioned, LCU has been using Horseless for years. Trailers are enclosed.

If you care about the car you'll go with enclosed. I've heard too many horror stories about the condition of a car when carried on an open rig for any sort of distance.
[/QUOTE

Just make sure that if your car is on the bottom section, that the car on top doesnt have an oil leak.
Major:

I had an Esprit shipped from LA to St. Louis via Passport Transport in an enclosed trailer. Car arrived spotless. Passport Transport offers Lotus Ltd. members a discoutn on shipping as well.

Mark Pfeffer

Passport Transport
How would the car buying transaction work then if you are shipping your car?
I would be more then glad to bring your new Elise too you :D and airfair home would cost nothing :clap:
ccb056 said:
You could fly to the east coast and then drive back to Cali (I'm sure you could get back in under 12 hours, and if you got enough people to do it, you could use that to protest the high petrol prices).
12 hours?! maybe if you're doing 150.
About how much

I am curious as to a ballpark price for a carrier. The distance to the dealer is about 200 miles. I hate to get a quote until I lock the deal in.
buck,
I think the price has a lot to do with distance and direction. As it was explained to me originally, depends on to/from vehicle goes.

It's no problem getting a quote, probably give horseless,passport a call, they can tell you immediately.


et al,

I would never consider an open carrier. My caterham came from texas that way and the cockpit was thoroughly soaked by the time it got here.
Chris
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