Customer Reviews

Buy a Car Online, Have it Delivered to Your Doorstep!

Posted on 02/20/2018

Jump to section:
Buying a car from out of state
Do your homework
Don’t make the trip there and back – ship your new car
What you need to do once you ship your new car
 
buying a car from out of state

 

Buying a car from out of state

Purchasing a new vehicle can be a very time consuming and stressful experience. There are actually several advantages when you buy a car online and/or from out of state. It may seem like an odd purchase to make online but online car buying has become a trusted and popular transaction. Follow this guide to ensure an easy purchase and delivery.
The first step to take is coming up with reasonable a budget for your new vehicle. Come up with a realistic number that you can afford while also considering the price range that the type of car you want falls in.
Next, you will want to find a couple of cars online that you like but that also fall within the means of your budget.
 

Do your homework

After that, make sure you do your research. Websites like Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds are great tools to use to receive information about possible car choices. These sties can tell you the perceived values of cars from auctions & independent dealers. These values are unbiased and quite accurate because they are determined by experts who analyze tons of data about millions of car transactions.
If everything checks out with your online research, you can then ask for a pre-purchase inspection of the car that you are considering buying. This will cost you some money but it is worth it to avoid being taken advantage of. These inspections can range in price from $50 or so dollars to a couple of hundred bucks. You can use a nationwide car inspection service like Lemon Squad for this.
Once you have found a car that you like, that also fits into your budget and passes all the checks you did research on & the pre-purchase inspection, you can go ahead and buy it.
 

Buy a Car Online

 

Don’t make the trip there and back – ship your new car!

After you have gone through the car buying process, your final step is to have your new car delivered to your home.  We can assist you in your final step whether your vehicle is from out of state or even if you just can’t find the time to pick it up.
We have a few options for you to choose from depending on your preference. For example, you can opt for enclosed or open transport. Enclosed transport would be a good option for luxury, exotic or classic cars because it provides extra protection during shipping by providing extra cover for the cars being transported which prevents any damage from weather elements or small road debris. Open transport is the more affordable option but it is still extremely safe to ship your car using this method.  We provide full service pickup and doorstep delivery for both options as well as insurance coverage.  
We suggest that you book your shipment about a month in advanced of the date you would like to ship so we can coordinate the pickup and have your car delivered within your desired time frame. You can obviously book your shipment closer to your shipping date than a month out but you might have to be a little more flexible on the date you choose. You can give us a call at (888)777-2123 to set up a reservation or even book directly online by clicking here.
 

What you need to do once you ship your new car

After you have bought your new car and have had it delivered, you still unfortunately have work to do. You will now need to get the title transferred, register and insure the car in your state, and pay any applicable taxes.
That sounds like a lot and it is, but it does not have to be complicated. It is also best to get all of these things done as soon as you can so that you do not need to worry about doing them later but also so that you do not forget and get into any legal trouble when you are driving your new car.
Insuring your new car will require that you just call your insurer and tell them the information regarding the new car over the phone. You can usually get proof of the insurance transfer online or they can send it to you in the mail.
As far as taxes, you can expect that some states enact a personal property tax on these sorts of transactions. You will also need to pay sales tax in the state where you buy the car. Then, you will need to pay the difference in your new state. This means, if you buy a car from a state where sales tax is 6% then you transfer it to a state where sales tax is 8.5%, you will need to pay the extra 2.5% to the new state. Thankfully, you will not need to pay the full sales tax to both states.
To have the title transferred you will need to get the seller to sign the title transfer and send it to you. Then, you will need to take it to the DMV where you will get a new title of ownership for the car as well as registration. However, on top of the title you will need the bill of sale, your license, proof of insurance and proof of the tax payment.
You will also need new plates for your car, so we recommend getting this done in the same trip. However, if that is what you want to do, you will also need to have an inspection done before your trip to the DMV and bring the inspection certificate to the DMV as well.
As far as getting your car to a mechanic for an inspection without plates or a registration, you can get temporary tags or an in-transit permit. It varies by state. In fact, some states will let you drive the car with just the bill of ownership. Be aware, that these temporary driving allowances are exactly that, temporary. These temporary tags/measures only last between 15 days and a month (this also varies by state). So, act quickly once you receive any temporary tags. You can see the individual allowances for temporary driving by state here.

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Buy a Car Online, Have it Delivered to Your Doorstep!

Posted on 02/20/2018

Jump to section:
Buying a car from out of state
Do your homework
Don’t make the trip there and back – ship your new car
What you need to do once you ship your new car
 
buying a car from out of state

 

Buying a car from out of state

Purchasing a new vehicle can be a very time consuming and stressful experience. There are actually several advantages when you buy a car online and/or from out of state. It may seem like an odd purchase to make online but online car buying has become a trusted and popular transaction. Follow this guide to ensure an easy purchase and delivery.
The first step to take is coming up with reasonable a budget for your new vehicle. Come up with a realistic number that you can afford while also considering the price range that the type of car you want falls in.
Next, you will want to find a couple of cars online that you like but that also fall within the means of your budget.
 

Do your homework

After that, make sure you do your research. Websites like Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds are great tools to use to receive information about possible car choices. These sties can tell you the perceived values of cars from auctions & independent dealers. These values are unbiased and quite accurate because they are determined by experts who analyze tons of data about millions of car transactions.
If everything checks out with your online research, you can then ask for a pre-purchase inspection of the car that you are considering buying. This will cost you some money but it is worth it to avoid being taken advantage of. These inspections can range in price from $50 or so dollars to a couple of hundred bucks. You can use a nationwide car inspection service like Lemon Squad for this.
Once you have found a car that you like, that also fits into your budget and passes all the checks you did research on & the pre-purchase inspection, you can go ahead and buy it.
 

Buy a Car Online

 

Don’t make the trip there and back – ship your new car!

After you have gone through the car buying process, your final step is to have your new car delivered to your home.  We can assist you in your final step whether your vehicle is from out of state or even if you just can’t find the time to pick it up.
We have a few options for you to choose from depending on your preference. For example, you can opt for enclosed or open transport. Enclosed transport would be a good option for luxury, exotic or classic cars because it provides extra protection during shipping by providing extra cover for the cars being transported which prevents any damage from weather elements or small road debris. Open transport is the more affordable option but it is still extremely safe to ship your car using this method.  We provide full service pickup and doorstep delivery for both options as well as insurance coverage.  
We suggest that you book your shipment about a month in advanced of the date you would like to ship so we can coordinate the pickup and have your car delivered within your desired time frame. You can obviously book your shipment closer to your shipping date than a month out but you might have to be a little more flexible on the date you choose. You can give us a call at (888)777-2123 to set up a reservation or even book directly online by clicking here.
 

What you need to do once you ship your new car

After you have bought your new car and have had it delivered, you still unfortunately have work to do. You will now need to get the title transferred, register and insure the car in your state, and pay any applicable taxes.
That sounds like a lot and it is, but it does not have to be complicated. It is also best to get all of these things done as soon as you can so that you do not need to worry about doing them later but also so that you do not forget and get into any legal trouble when you are driving your new car.
Insuring your new car will require that you just call your insurer and tell them the information regarding the new car over the phone. You can usually get proof of the insurance transfer online or they can send it to you in the mail.
As far as taxes, you can expect that some states enact a personal property tax on these sorts of transactions. You will also need to pay sales tax in the state where you buy the car. Then, you will need to pay the difference in your new state. This means, if you buy a car from a state where sales tax is 6% then you transfer it to a state where sales tax is 8.5%, you will need to pay the extra 2.5% to the new state. Thankfully, you will not need to pay the full sales tax to both states.
To have the title transferred you will need to get the seller to sign the title transfer and send it to you. Then, you will need to take it to the DMV where you will get a new title of ownership for the car as well as registration. However, on top of the title you will need the bill of sale, your license, proof of insurance and proof of the tax payment.
You will also need new plates for your car, so we recommend getting this done in the same trip. However, if that is what you want to do, you will also need to have an inspection done before your trip to the DMV and bring the inspection certificate to the DMV as well.
As far as getting your car to a mechanic for an inspection without plates or a registration, you can get temporary tags or an in-transit permit. It varies by state. In fact, some states will let you drive the car with just the bill of ownership. Be aware, that these temporary driving allowances are exactly that, temporary. These temporary tags/measures only last between 15 days and a month (this also varies by state). So, act quickly once you receive any temporary tags. You can see the individual allowances for temporary driving by state here.

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"Save time looking and just call Roadrunner Auto Transport - they truly helped make my move easier!"

Trish A.

Miami, FL

5 stars
google reviews

"Very easy to book and great with answering my questions. The shipping agent I spoke with was very friendly and helpful."

Susan K.

Dallas, TX

5 stars
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"Everything with RoadRunner went smooth and seamless. They gave me a great rate and provided excellent service!"

Owen A.

Hartford, CT

5 stars
transport reviews

"From the time of quote to the pick up of my vehicle and the delivery there was a very good communication."

Andres M.

Oakland, CA

5 stars
better business bureau reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle shipping process.


When determining your car shipping cost, there are a few factors that we take into account in order to provide you with an accurate price quote. The mileage between the origin and destination is the biggest factor that contributes to your total rate. In addition to the distance of your relocation, another factor is the type and condition of the vehicle being shipped. The final factor is the date that your vehicle will be ready for transport. There are also additional options, such as enclosed carrier and top-load service that can be added to your shipment at the time of booking for a higher level of service. Read more about how much it costs to ship a car.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The transit time for your shipment is based mostly on the mileage between the pickup and delivery location. Generally, every five hundred miles will add one day to the transit time - so for a 1,000 mile transport, the transit time would be 2-3 days. Check out our estimated transit times for a detailed view of approximate delivery times.

Yes, online tracking is available to you 24 hours a day and is updated in real time. Upon scheduling your shipment, you will receive a unique booking number that will allow you to track the status of your shipment online. Your tracking portal will also give you the ability to live chat with a shipping agent that can answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your shipment.

All shipments include basic liability coverage during transit. Comprehensive insurance options are available for an elevated level of shipment coverage during transit. You will be able to select a level of coverage during the booking process. If you have further questions regarding insurance options give us a call.

We accept all major credit cards, electronic transfer, postal money order, and bank/certified check for the deposit or full pre-payment of your shipment. If a balance is due upon delivery, it can be paid directly to the driver and can be paid in either cash, bank/certified check, or postal money order.

Yes, there must be someone present to release and accept the vehicle, provide keys to the driver and sign the initial and final inspection reports. This person can be anyone over the age of 18 that you trust with releasing or accepting your vehicle.

You may transport personal belongings in your car, as long as their total weight does not exceed 100 pounds and they are stored in the trunk or back seat (below the window line). Please keep in mind that personal belongings are not covered by insurance if they are reported as damaged or missing.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator above or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The further in advance you schedule your shipment, the more likely we will be able to meet the time requirements you desire. For best results, we suggest scheduling your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Expedited shipping options are available in order to accomodate shipments that require . You can always give us a call and ask one of our car shipping experts what your options are in terms of the schedule for your car transport.

The driver will get the car transporter as close to your door as he can legally and safely get. In most cases, the driver will be able to pickup and deliver directly at your door. Some cities may have restrictions on large trucks that prohibit them from driving into residential areas. Auto transport trucks are large and need lots of room to maneuver and turn around, so if access to the pickup or delivery location is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet at a location nearby with a large parking lot, such as a grocery store.

Open transport is the most common car shipping method. There are two types of open-air transporters. The Majority of shipments are be made with 8-10 car carriers. Smaller carriers which hold 2-3 cars are used for shorter more local moves. There is broader network of carrier availability for open-air carriers since they are used more often. We suggest choosing enclosed shipping methods when shipping classic, luxury or exotic vehicles. Enclosed transporters guarantee maximum protection from exposure to any open-air elements on the road. We suggest booking your enclosed transport in advance since there is limited carrier availability. Read more about the difference between open and enclosed transport

RoadRunner Auto Transport specializes in shipping all types of vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, oversized vehicles, antiques, classic cars, motorcycles, construction vehicles, inoperable cars and boats. If you are not sure whether or not we can ship your vehicle, you can give us a call to find out what we can do for you.

You should have about a quarter of a tank of gas in your car at the time of shipment. This leaves enough for the car to be loaded and unloaded but doesn't add much additional weight.

The Bill of Lading is a very important document used by car shipping companies that documents any pre-existing damage on the vehicle during the time of pickup. It also serves as a record of your contact info and the official agreement for transport. If you want to file any insurance claim regarding your shipment you will need the Bill of Lading.

Top load service is when your car is placed on the higher deck or level of an open auto transport trailer. This is considered to be preferable to the bottom load because the cars on the lower deck are at risk of possibly having fluid from the cars above leak on them.

Make sure your car has been completely cleaned, both inside and outside. This is particularly important because this will help the driver conduct their inspection in order to assess any pre-existing damage on your vehicle. You will also want to make there are no additional personal items in the vehicle unless you intend to ship those with the vehicle (remember those items must total less than 100 pounds combined and be kept below the window-line of the vehicle). Be sure to inform the driver of any special circumstances concerning the vehicle. Finally, make sure there is a quarter tank of gas in the car at the time it is picked up for shipment. Visit our car shipping checklist to make sure you are prepared for your vehicle shipment.

Yes, we can ship vehicles that are in non-running/inoperable condition. When inoperable cars are shipped, a special auto carrier is required that makes use of a winch which is connected to your car and slowly and safely pulls your vehicle onto the carrier. There is an additional fee for inpoerable vehicles because of the special equipment and extra work involved with securing the vehicle onto the transporter. You can select the inoperable option on the online booking form or inform your shipping agent if you make your reservation by phone so that the proper arrangements can be made to accomodate a non-running vehicle.

We offer open car shipping and enclosed car shipping services. Open car shipping is used much more frequently and is the type of auto transport that you see on the highway where carriers are hauling vehicles on two decks that are exposed. Enclosed car shipping is when your vehicle is shipped in a trailer which has walls and a roof, they look like a larger version of a regular eighteen-wheeler. This method is recommended for luxury, exotic or classic cars.

Door-to-door car transport is the full service delivery of your vehicle directly from the door at the pickup location to the door at the delivery location. Our drivers do their best to get as close as physically and legally possible to the pickup and delivery locations, but in certain instances there may be restrictions preventing them from being able to safely reach your door. Our transporters need ample space to maneuver and load/unload your vehicle. If your street is too narrow, or if there are hazards such as low lining trees or power lines, drivers may ask that you meet them at a location nearby where they can safely load or unload your vehicle, such as a large parking lot or shopping center nearby.