Cars-ever buy one from out of state and have it shipped to you?

[anonymouse1]

So we've decided on a a new car (Prius V 2015) and the prices at dealers hundreds of miles away are cheaper than the prices within 50 miles or so. I've never done the car shipping thing (if it's a new car from a dealer, I'm assuming it's probably ok to buy it sight unseen), so if you have any tips about buying a car at a distance and having it shipped, please educamate me.

Thanks.

[mrlynn]

Never had one shipped, but bought our '98 Glaval-conversion Luxury Utility Van (the LUVboat, as we called it) from a Chevy dealer on Long Island. I had called around looking for a Fold-and-Tumble rear seat, and finally contacted the New England Chevy distributor, who found one for me on Long Island. We drove down to get it, taking the ferry from New London.

I suppose we could have had it shipped, but we were going down to Maryland anyway, and the advantage was we could check out the vehicle before actually signing the papers.

Turned out it had a faulty alternator, as we discovered en route, but we were able to get that replaced in Maryland.

/Mr Lynn

[onthedownlow]

I've flown out to get car before and drive it back - same reasons (price). If I didn't like it after I after I checked it out and buy it, then I'd just fly back. Dealership will pick you up, etc. from the airport.

I always look into shipping options, but with the cost, always felt it would be more fun to just have a little road trip back home.

[Ombligo]

If you have state sales tax, you will have to pay it in lump to the state - can not be rolled into the financing.

Do your local dealers toss in extras like lifetime oil changes, roadside assistance or anything?

Have you seen if your local dealer will match the delivered price? (include the shipping cost)

Finally, look at the price on Carsdirect.com - I've used them as bargaining chips in the past. I just did a price comparison on a base 2015 Prius V with a local dealer's internet price and cars direct was $1000 under the dealer, including delivery.

[C(-)ris]

I wouldn't worry about it if it is a brand new car. You can't get the local dealers to match the price from afar+shipping? I'd be surprised if they won't.

[mrlynn]

C(-)ris wrote:
I wouldn't worry about it if it is a brand new car. You can't get the local dealers to match the price from afar+shipping? I'd be surprised if they won't.

Also, dealers routinely swap cars with other dealers in order to satisfy customer desires. Is this one too far away?

/Mr Lynn

[testcase]

I had a 2010, Mercedes Benz 3500 Series, Long Wheel Base Sprinter Van shipped from Chicago, IL to me on Long Island, NY in 2012. There were no serious problems but, if I were to do it again, I'll fly to Chicago, pick the vehicle up and, drive it home myself. Other than taking two days of my time, it would have been the same (or very possibly less expensive) that paying a shipper.

As already mentioned, for a new vehicle, I'd be surprised if a local dealer would not be willing to match (or come very close) to the out of state dealer. I know that most dealers do NOT "deal" on the Prius (I have a 2012 Prius C, Trim Level Two). Dealers can generally sell all the Prius models Toyota will send them so, there's really no incentive to discount a Prius. The dealer with the significantly better price might be in a different sales district; one where special incentives are being offered that your local dealers are not getting and therefore, cannot match.

That said, the selling dealership should know of a reputable car shipper. Car shippers aggregate vehicles so, you might have to wait several days ~ a week before the shipper has a full load going your way.

Inspect the vehicle VERY carefully upon arrival and before you sign. The driver will probably be in a hurry; that's his problem. Look at EVERYTHING because once you sign the delivery receipt, the shipper is off the hook and any problems found, will be considered to have occurred while in your custody. List even the most minor discrepancy on the shipping paper before you sign (my Sprinter had a cracked tail lens). The selling dealer will take LOTS of photos to document the vehicle's condition to cover his a$$. Ask that those pix be emailed to you; it will give you a good point of reference.

I've been VERY happy with my Prius C. Its' only real drawback (for me) is that the Prius cannot be towed with all four wheels on the ground. Now that I'm RVing, if I want to bring the Prius (so as to have local transportation), I have to get the front wheels up on a tow dolly (or put in / on a trailer).

[Bill in NC]

Bought a used car off ebay and had it shipped - would not do it again.

Car was in worse cosmetic shape than pictured - had to send it to a body shop & that ate most of the 'savings' from buying online.

Seller was not a private individual as represented, but a dealer.

Said they had the title in hand - the loan company had the title, took months to get it released.

In the future I'll look to _local_, private sellers (craigslist, etc.).

[davester]

I've done it both ways, once buying a new car shipped from a dealer, and the other time buying a car and flying up to get it and drive it back. Both worked out fine. Cars are shipped all the time (how do you think they get to the dealer in the first place?). Just be sure to have the time to do a thorough inspection when it arrives and before signing the receipt.

[Speedy]

No.

I'm in the 'go get it' crowd. Drove 401 miles for my new '03 Jetta Diesel and trailered it back, flew 1248 miles for my used '04 Passat Diesel.