Auto Transport Tips

10 Classic Cars People Overlook

Classic cars are great! No way around it, you love to drive them, people love to see them, and we love to ship them. But having an awesome classic car often comes with a hefty price tag on it. Few can afford most high-priced classic cars, so we did some hunting around and found 10 of the most undervalued classic cars, and because of this they are often priced very affordably. Start your collection with a classic that won’t break the bank, and no matter where in the country you find it remember Suncoast Auto Transport is here to ship it right to your doorstep.

Top 10 Overlooked Classic Cars

For more information about shipping Classic cars give us a call or feel free to read our other blog article we wrote about it here. We look forward to helping you get your first classic car home safe and sound!

JonG10 Classic Cars People Overlook
read more

Port St. Lucie Used Car Auctions

Do you live in Port Saint Lucie, FL, and wish there was a better way to buy or sell a car? Most people go the route we are use too, you drive over to the car dealership and start to walk the lots. When you go to a dealer to buy a new car, you can see a few cars have a high price tag on them. We all want that dream car or a luxury car but often we just don’t have the means to afford one, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get that dream car at a good price!

Car auctions are the best places if you want cheap cars.

The cars in the used car auctions are priced low for various reasons. You can find your luxury car in one of these auctions and you can buy the car at a low price. Many people sell their used cars when they relocate to a different place. You can find these cars in good conditions and you are allowed to inspect the car in the live auction.

Cheap cars can also be found in the repo auctions where repossessed cars are sold. The financial institutions and banks seize the cars from the debtors who defy credit payments. These repossessed cars are then sold in auctions to recover the debts. You may even find a brand new car in these auctions. Since the main aim of the auctioneers is to recover the debts, you can find a car for 10% of its market price a lot of the time.

Many people know that they can buy cheap cars from police auctions and government auctions. But you might want to be a bit more weary of these as a lot of the time dealerships will swoop in and buy up all the good ones making it hard to compete for them. It’s safest to find smaller used auctions and repo auctions as it tends to be more people looking for a car, than businesses looking to fill up their used car stock.

You can watch the local newspaper and websites to know about the live auctions happening in Port Saint Lucie, FL. Every week, a number of auctions are conducted in the suburbs. Before taking part in the local auctions, you have to register as a bidder. On the day of auction, you have to go to the auction site in advance to inspect the car. Wisely, you can ask your mechanic to inspect the car because he knows more about it. After the inspection decide your bid amount and start bidding.

Used car auctions are the best places if you want to buy a car for your teen. Without compromising the wishes of your kid, you can also save money by buying the cars from the auctions in Port Saint Lucie, FL. Though the cars might have already run a few miles, it will function well if you do the necessary repair before driving it. Whether you live in Port St. Lucie or somewhere else in the country if you see a car you like and win it at an auction, auto transport is a great way to get it shipped from the auction to your house without having to make plans to drive it out of state or cross country as online used car auctions have opened up a whole new way to buy and sell cars. Don’t be afraid to think creatively and look outside of where you live, an auto transport company can get a car to you just as easily as the local used car lot can!

JonGPort St. Lucie Used Car Auctions
read more

Technology and Auto Transport

17393387_l

Technology is all around us and is changing the way we live our lives. You no longer have to be home to use your computer; you can simply pull out your smart phone that is capable of doing everything a computer can do. This has changed, not only, how we look at and use technology, but how we live our lives as a whole. More and more auto transport companies are switching to web-based management systems, particularly brokerages, as they are able to work in an office.

But it’s not just brokers that are benefiting from all this; auto transport carriers, more and more, are utilizing tablets and smartphones to find new loads or update the status of a current load. With most of the legwork in the auto transport industry now being handled by web-based servers and the like, things move fairly quickly for brokers and customers. But, until recently, carriers have been stuck pulling over at truck stops to find new loads or update their customers, which was very time-consuming and frustrating when they’re trying to arrange pickup or delivery. Tablets and smartphones have allowed them access to load boards from virtually anywhere, and for team drivers (i.e. two drivers in one truck), it’s easy for the passenger to check-up on new loads without having to stop. This keeps them on the road, which is where carriers want to be.

So, what does this mean for you, the car shipper? It means you will spend less time waiting and more time doing the things you need to get done in your life. Being able to find loads faster and arrange pick-ups and drop-offs, all while on the go, leads to faster pick-up times and better service across the board for you. This also could lead to areas where prices were a bit higher seeing a price drop. As information is updated in real-time and can be accessed from anywhere, we could start to see mid-route pick-ups and deliveries in pass through places happen more often. This will lead to a price drop as the driver won’t be going out of his way, but will be able to simply stop during their current route and get your car since they would be going through that area anyway.

Another area of technology to keep your eye on is fuel. As new fuels come into the market and new ways to process old fuels, this will cut costs via new processes that become available because of technology and will only help in the cost and operation of the Auto Transport industry. Fuel price is a major factor in how much your transport will cost you. And with diesel still being on the high end, it has to be factored into the price of the load that is being pulled. Prices for auto transport frequently fluctuate due to the constantly changing fuel prices in order to keep trucks moving and routes profitable.

All this adds up to the fact that technology is having a major impact on the world of auto transport and likely will continue to do so in the years to come. Though prices may not drop too drastically, and will always continue to fluctuate, the fact that things such as tablets, smartphones, lighter alloys and better engines are helping to ease the financial burdens of auto transporters means that prices should drop a bit, and at the very least, make transporting a car that much cheaper. But it is something to watch, as it’s always exciting to see how technology is changing an industry. If you’re looking to have your car transported anywhere in the country, feel to request a quote from Suncoast Auto Transport as they are always ready to help you get your car where you need it to be!

JonGTechnology and Auto Transport
read more

Dependable Auto Transport From Miami Florida to LA California

Dependable Auto Transport from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California

There are a lot of reasons why you might need to get a car across the country. A new job, a new home, a car auction, or a car show are all great reasons to be looking for auto transport service to the other coast. One of the more popular routes for auto transportation is from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California. So, if the time has come where you need a car shipped from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California, then Suncoast Auto Transport is your dependable auto transport company to work with.

Our industry experience and commitment to being a dependable auto transport company is at the forefront of every car we transport. Suncoast Auto Transport specializes in boat shipping services, classic car, motorcycle shipping, truck and SUV transport and more. So, whether it is a move to get your boat out of the Atlantic and over to the Pacific Ocean or to get your motorcycle to Miami, so you can ride along the east coast, Suncoast Auto Transport is here to help!

We are committed to getting your vehicle from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California in the same condition as you gave it to us and provide tracking so you can keep up-to-date with your auto throughout the car transport process. We offer both open and enclosed transport, so if you’re shipping a vintage or classic car we know how to keep it safe and out of the harmful elements as it is taken across the country. We work hard to tailor the shipping experience to your needs, so you can rest easy as your car is moved.

If you have recently purchased a vehicle, looking to sell one at an auction, or are an auto dealer wishing to transport a car/cars from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California, Suncoast Auto Transport offers dependable auto shipping for private buyers, auto dealership transport, auto auction shipping and for people who have or want to buy a car online.

Car transportation services that’s perfect for any situation

For Corporate Relocation

If you work in the business world and are relocating or looking to relocate a new hire from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California, we specialize in employee relocation and also love to work with professional companies to meet all their current and future transport needs.

For Military Auto Transport

Are you a member of the military? Suncoast Auto Transport would be proud to lend a hand in shipping your vehicle, that’s why we offer military auto transport from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California and nationwide. No matter what base you’re being shifted to or from, we want to help you transport your car, or if you’re being deployed we don’t want you to have to worry about your loved ones getting your car moved somewhere else. Suncoast Auto Transport is here to make sure it gets done and is ready for you when you get back!

College Car Movers

For students who are moving from Miami, Florida to the West Coast, there is no need to stress about moving your car. Suncoast Auto Transport is your dependable auto transport company who is ready and experienced in moving your car from your home to the college campus.

The Easy Way to Ship a Car

Shipping your car is simple; don’t let other companies make your experience a complicated one. Is it really worth the time and money to be unsatisfied with the job they do? The answer is no, make sure the job gets done right the first time and with the dependable auto transport service from Suncoast Auto Transport.

JonGDependable Auto Transport From Miami Florida to LA California
read more

Getting your car to and from college

If your son or daughter is preparing to go away to college for the first time, an extended, eventful, drive across your state or across the country probably sounds like an alluring adventure to them. Face it; most teenagers are actually looking forward to packing their cars with everything they own and driving off to their new school in a blaze of glory. They’ve almost certainly even spent a dream or two traveling the nation’s highways and byways having the kinds of “road trip” experiences they’ve seen in so many films.

But as parents, you know better. You know how beautiful the drive can be, but you also know the risks they will face. As your teenager heads out, say from New York or Miami, for one of the big schools in Texas or California, they may encounter things the average urban or suburban driver has yet to experience. From mountains, to open plains, to changing weather, having lots of other drivers around them, and often times they will pass through long stretches where the cell phone they have come to rely on just won’t work.

Getting ready for college and moving out of home for the first time have enough stress and worry attached to them, there is no reason for moving a car to be one of them. The best plan of action is to look into a company like Suncoast Auto Transport and see how easy it is to work with a professional auto transporter to get their car moved to college, whether it’s the start of a new school year, or just a new semester after a break. Look at all of the costs involved with a trip across the country from gas, tolls, trailers, or cargo holds for the roof of your car. After all these costs are added up, you will find that hiring a dependable auto transport company will save you money in the long run.

How To Protect A College Student’s Move With A Car Shipper

A great place to start your search for a dependable auto transporter is to ask your friends and family. If you know a car collector or anyone in the military, they would be great people to ask as there is a very good chance they would have used an auto transport company at some point to move a car. If you don’t know anyone who has used a car transport company, start looking on google and find reputable review sites like transportreviews.com, auto-transport-reviews.net or yelp. See what people are saying and see who seems to offer the best service for what you need and looks to be on the up and up.

Preparing Your College Student-To-Be’s Car For Shipping

Before your child’s car is picked up, there are a couple of things you’ll want to do or have them do. Tell them to grab the nearest smartphone and have them capture the condition of their car on video, record the mileage, the fluid levels, etc., and have them remove all of their possessions. If your child’s car has an alarm, make sure it’s disabled. Make sure there are copies (and only copies) of the car’s registration and insurance in its glove compartment. And only leave about quarter of a tank of gas in its tank for transport.

Once The Auto Transporter Delivers Your College Student’s Car

When it’s all over and your son or daughter receives his or her car, be sure they know to compare it to the video they made when it was picked up by the auto transport company to see that it’s in the same condition. That quick car check-up will do wonders for their peace of mind, and protect them from any issues that were caused in the transport of their car, if there was any. Call today to get your free transport quote from Suncoast Auto Transport and see what it is like to work with a dependable auto transport company.

JonGGetting your car to and from college
read more

How To Ship A Sports Car

Sports cars, classic cars, and antique cars need special accommodations in order to be shipped properly. Repairing damages for these cars can be very costly and end up creating a bigger headache than it’s supposed to. Auto transport should take the headaches out of moving your car, not make more. This is why it is important to make sure the auto transport company you are working with knows how to handle these special cars.

Racing next to the greats is the feeling we all want from our sports car, to feel like we could take to the track and hang with the pros. The sound of the engine when you start it and the vibrations it sends out every time you step on the gas is a feeling that is hard to compare to anything else. The luxury and power a sports car possesses is a catch that is very hard to get away from and many will die to have. Because of this, sports cars are transported from all over the globe to hundreds of lucky drivers every year, but special care and prep needs to be taken to make sure that these drivers get their dream car without the addition of scratches, dents, or unnecessary repairs needed.

Here are some things you need to consider in order to have a smooth transport experience and have your engine roar down the streets as soon as possible.

Put it away! Sports cars are considered a luxury, and therefore require more care than a normal car does. This is why people refer to their sports cars as their baby. We strongly suggest you ship any sports car, classic car, or antique car in enclosed carriers, as these offer the proper protection from outside environments, insects and dust. Enclosed carriers offer single car transportation; this means your “baby” will be alone in the carrier with no chance of being scratched by other vehicles during loading and unloading.

But it should be noted that some models just won’t fit inside an enclosed carrier. In these cases, you need to work with the auto transport company to make sure they know how to handle it and take special precautions to make sure your car is properly cared for. Make sure you describe your car as much as possible to your agent, so they can get you the proper carrier. Although these carriers are big, they are smaller than regular open carriers. Due to this, cars have more security harnesses tied to them in order to keep the car in place during transport.

Locations. Due to the fact that enclosed carriers occupy a large space and in order to load your car properly, make sure your pick up location is in an open area, away from tree branches, crowded streets, low clearance cables and other obstacles. The less secluded the area, the faster and better opportunity the driver has to properly load your car.

Minor Details. Sports cars and classic cars have unique models that need to be taken into account in order to offer proper accommodations while transporting. The more details you provide about your car, the better knowledge an agent has to protect your car from damages that can be avoided due to incorrect or missing information.

Get it ready for Transport. Many sports cars have modifications to alter its model to make it unique. Most of these alterations go out of the usual size, so in order to have the car properly secured please make sure to note any of these with your agent up front so they can make sure the driver is able to handle the uniqueness of your car. If these alterations can be removed easily, go ahead and have them off the car before it is picked up in order to avoid any damage while transporting.

Make sure you take into account all these details in order to have your sports car shipped properly and avoid any inconveniences.

NOTE: If your sports car is lower than 5 inches from the ground, please mention it when booking your sports car transport, since the majority of trucks cannot load cars that are less than 5 inches from the ground.

JonGHow To Ship A Sports Car
read more

Open Truck Auto Transport to Florida

As you prepare to move your car to Florida for the winter, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you are planning to use an open transport. In this post we’ll cover some basic steps you can take to better prepare your vehicle for open auto transport & shipping.

Can I Pack Personal Items In My Car?

It is best not to leave any personal belongings in the car during transportation. In fact, most auto transport companies won’t ship cars with personal items in them. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most basic is that there are D.O.T. regulations against many personal items being transported in cars. Most carriers are not licensed or insured to transport household items. Also, the additional weight can put carriers over their weight limit, delaying the cars arrival and possibly increasing the shipping cost. Also, there is the risk of items of value being stolen from your vehicle.

    Here is a brief list of prohibited items:

  • No live items, including pets and plants. No perishable products can be packed.
  • No personal or valuable items, including watches, personal paperwork, cash, jewelry, precious metals or other personal items.
  • No dangerous items, this includes items that can cause a fire or explosion, ranging from ammunition to aerosols, matches, fireworks, gasoline and propane. This is certainly not an all-inclusive list, but a bit of common sense should help you know what to avoid leaving in your car if you want a smooth and quick auto transport to Florida or anywhere else in the country.
  • No illegal items. This is pretty obvious, but needs to be mentioned. You may not have drugs or contraband in your car during the auto transportation process. What may not be obvious to everyone, is that you are also not allowed to transport anything that could be considered illegal without the proper paperwork, including guns (in some states), certain prescription medication, and needles. Keep in mind that anything you plan on packing in your car needs to be legal in all states that your car will be transported through.

You will want to be sure that your car has ¼ tank of fuel or less. This will help ensure you will receive your vehicle without delay. That way the carrier won’t face delays stemming from being over their weight limit.

Also keep in mind that anything left inside your car is not generally covered by auto shipping insurance. Because of this, anything you leave in your car while it is being transported on an open transport will not be replaced if stolen or damaged. Also, make sure if you have anything that comes loose on the outside of your car that it is secured or removed, as it will be exposed to all the elements outside and damage could happen even though it is rare. If you have any questions about what can and can’t be left in a car for transport, please call one of our transport professionals today and we will be glad to answer any questions you have and help you prep for your open truck transport to Florida!

JonGOpen Truck Auto Transport to Florida
read more

Enclosed Auto Transport to Florida Check List

It’s that time of year again! The snow is coming in a few months, the north is prepping to ice over, and you’re looking to the sunny beaches of Florida for your winter getaway. But you need to get your car there so you can fully enjoy all that Florida has to offer you. What’s the best way to do that? Hire one of the top auto transport companies in Florida!

We know your car is your baby, and that’s why we offer options on how we can transport it for you. If you’re looking to bring your car with you and don’t want to expose it to weather conditions along the way, and decrease the risk of damage, then our enclosed auto transport option is perfect for you! In this post we will talk about some things you should do when prepping your car for auto transport.

Can I Pack Personal Items In My Car?

It is best not to leave any personal belongings in the car during transportation. In fact, most auto transport companies won’t ship cars with personal items in them. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most basic is that there are D.O.T. regulations against many personal items being transported in cars. Most carriers are not licensed or insured to transport household items. Also, the additional weight can put carriers over their weight limit, delaying the cars arrival and possibly increasing the shipping cost. Also, items of value could be stolen from your vehicle.

Here is a brief list of prohibited items:

  • No live items, including pets and plants. No perishable products can be packed.
  • No personal or valuable items, including watches, personal paperwork, cash, jewelry, precious metals or other personal items.
  • No dangerous items, this includes items that can cause a fire or explosion, ranging from ammunition to aerosols, matches, fireworks, gasoline and propane. This is certainly not an all-inclusive list, but a bit of common sense should help you know what to avoid leaving in your car if you want a smooth and quick auto transport to Florida or anywhere else in the country.
  • No illegal items. This is pretty obvious, but needs to be mentioned. You may not have drugs or contraband in your car during the auto transportation process. What may not be obvious to everyone, is that you are also not allowed to transport anything that could be considered illegal without the proper paperwork, including guns (in some states), certain prescription medication, and needles. Keep in mind that anything you plan on packing in your car needs to be legal in all states that your car will be transported through.
  • Vehicle Preparation Checklist
    • Wash your vehicle and inspect and describe any damages with your auto transport company.
    • Remove all personal items from the car (don’t forget the trunk).
    • Turn off your car alarm system.
    • Make sure your gas tank is no more than 1/8 to 1/4 full.
    • Check the battery, fluids, and tire pressure.
    • Patch any holes or open seams on convertible tops to prevent debris from entering the car.

    Also keep in mind that anything left inside your car is generally not covered by auto shipping insurance, because of this anything you leave in your car while it is being transported on an enclosed auto transport truck will not be replaced if damaged. If you have any questions about what can and can’t be left in a car for transport, please call one of our transport professionals today and we will be glad to answer any questions you have and help you prep for your open truck transport to Florida!

    JonGEnclosed Auto Transport to Florida Check List
    read more

    Auto Transport from New York to Florida

    Get your car from New York to Florida with the most dependable auto transport company!

    Convenience and efficiency is what drives the auto transport & car shipping business. It’s somewhat ironic that cars are transported since they themselves are designed and built to provide transportation. Millions of cars, however, must be carried by truck every year for a variety of reasons.

    New cars can’t be driven to their respective dealerships because consumers would consider them used vehicles. New cars, moving, college, and job relocation are the biggest reasons people need their cars moved across the country.

    Why would these reasons be the most often for a person or company to use an auto transporter? Well, new cars as mentioned, can be driven cross country, but then they would become a used car which will sell for much less. When people are moving, they may have to drive a moving truck and not have someone to drive their car, so it’s just easier to have it shipped or they need to move quickly and a drive would take too long, so having an auto transporter move the car for them is much easier and offers them a way to have their car where they need it. In the case of college, every fall and summer students move in and out of their dorms. Some are not going to school close to home and don’t want to make the long drive home, but still need their cars for the off time. So in these cases, hiring an auto transporter makes sure they have their car where they need it, both at school and when at home.

    Methods of Auto Transport

    Vehicles can be transported in a number of ways. But most people don’t need expensive methods like air transport to get their car to Florida from New York, a simple open or enclosed carrier will do the trick!

    When a person is looking into moving their car they have a number of choices: open transport, enclosed transport, and door-to-door.

    Open Auto Transport

    In this type of car transport, your vehicle(s) will be shipped to its destination with the help of an open carrier. The only drawback associated to this type of transportation is that the vehicles are more likely to experience environmental damages during transportation. But, the damages happen very rarely. This type of transportation service is what most people see when driving and pass by a truck transporting cars that are all piled on the back of it. This is the cheapest mode of car transportation.

    Enclosed Auto Transport

    Enclosed car transport is just opposite to the open mode of car transportation. Here, the vehicles are vigilantly shipped with the use of an enclosed carrier, thus the level of safety in this type of transportation is quite higher compared to open mode. The enclosed transportation is basically used for moving expensive and delicate cars from one location to another and it is the most expensive mode of transportation because of the quality and safety provided to vehicles while in transportation.

    Door-to-Door Auto Transport

    Suncoast Auto Transport also offers door-to-door vehicle transport services where your car is picked up from your address and delivered to the actual destination safely and securely. This helps you to save lots of time and energy. Due to hectic schedules and shortage of time, most people today opt for door-to-door auto transport services.

    Terminal-to-Terminal Auto Transport

    This is another method of car transportation where the company is responsible for shipping the car from one terminal to another. When the car reaches the target terminal it is locked in the storage facility and the owners of the cars are responsible for collecting the vehicles from the storage facility and driving them to their final destination. Or the owner of the car can arrange for it to be picked up and shipped a second time from where it is dropped off.

    As you can see, there are a number of ways to get your car where you want it to be! And Suncoast Auto Transport is here to help you with all of them. Over the next few posts we will be talking about how to prep your car for all these different forms of Auto Transport so you will be ready for whatever trip you have lined up next.

    JonGAuto Transport from New York to Florida
    read more

    Online Auto Transport Reviews

    The internet is an amazing thing – it has revolutionized how we do business, how we interact with one another, how we socialize and how we get our news. It’s completely changed how we shop and how we see the marketplace; whereas before, shopping was almost a social exercise, today it’s about getting the most bang for your buck. And with the internet you’re able to research and find the company that is the best fit for you and for your budget.

    Online reviews today are a huge part of any company; and these can be a great way to see what actual customers have thought of their experience with an auto transporter as well as seeing how good the customer service for an auto transporter is. Customers can see how other customers fared using the services, and if they have a bad reputation as a car shipper they are going to have a harder time finding paying customers.

    It’s become more about customer retention in the auto transport industry, which is great news for customers like you, because it means finding a dependable auto transporter is easier than ever. Everyone’s trying to one-up each other to be the best in the business, and this is why as a customer you really should read as many auto transport reviews of prospective shippers as you can. One of the best websites for this is www.transportreviews.com, the leading auto transport review website on the internet. Any shipper who considers themselves worth their weight in salt will be a member of Transport Reviews, and it is often one of the first things a new company does when setting themselves up to ship vehicles.

    Since all auto shipping companies should be on the website, if you find a shipper that isn’t, you should do your homework to figure out why. Maybe they’re brand new and haven’t had a chance yet, but if they’ve been around a while and aren’t on Transport Reviews you should probably find another company. Transport Reviews is unique in that they have a system for kicking out fake reviews – only real customers can post reviews on their website and they also allow shippers to respond to disputes, so you can read both sides of a bad review and determine for yourself who was wrong and who was right and whether or not the review is indicative of that company’s overall services.

    Reputation is important, and with reading online reviews you will be able to judge very quickly which auto transporters are worth working with and which ones are not. Please take some time to read our reviews and give us a call if you have any concerns as we want you to feel safe and secure with shipping your car here at Suncoast Auto Transport.

    JonGOnline Auto Transport Reviews
    read more