Ship or Drive

furley · #1 (**permalink**)

Hello everyone.
I'm looking to purchase a new Crossfire but I live on the West Coast and most likely, my car will come from the Midwest. So, does anyone have an opinion on whether I should drive it back home (2000 miles) or ship it($1000)? I figure if I put 2000 miles on it right away, I might as well purchase a used one $5000 less so right now, I'm leaning towards getting it shipped.

oledoc2u · #2 (**permalink**)

I would have to see what I bought in person, then I would prolly drive it home. Now if it were an exotic of some kind, I might ship it...I would never buy sight unseen...

VALKRYDERGUY · #3 (**permalink**)

Drive it home.
It will be the best 2000 miles you ever traveled.

itsky · #4 (**permalink**)

I can't think of a better way to "initiate" yourself than driving it home.

+fireamx · #5 (**permalink**)

I purchased my brand new 04 off EBAY sight unseen and spent 9 hours "bonding" with it on the way home. I had a great time.
There's no sense in worrying about putting miles on the car, their resale value is so low, a couple extra 1000 miles on the odometer isn't going to make that much difference in its resale value down the road.
Besides, the Bargain Basement prices on brand new ones is so incredible, it's almost a crime not to purchase one of these cars.
Pay me a few hundred $$$, and I'll gladly deliver it to your front door.

John Webster · #6 (**permalink**)

You live on the left coast and are buying in the midwest. Take the opportunity to spend a week or more driving the "mother road" Route 66. A couple of my friends did it last year and they had a great time. Stood on the corner in Winslow, Arizona and did all the tourist spots including the Grand Canyon.

Fred developed an addiction to panoramas taken on his digital camera but we're getting him into a 12 step program.

Jerry now has over 1000 images of neon signs along 66. Do NOT ask to see his vacation photos.

RickZ · #7 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Webster

You live on the left coast and are buying in the midwest. Take the opportunity to spend a week or more driving the "mother road" Route 66. A couple of my friends did it last year and they had a great time. Stood on the corner in Winslow, Arizona and did all the tourist spots including the Grand Canyon.

Fred developed an addiction to panoramas taken on his digital camera but we're getting him into a 12 step program.

Jerry now has over 1000 images of neon signs along 66. Do NOT ask to see his vacation photos.

This is a great idea, one I have been toying with since I got my Crossfire, this would be a fabulous trip in a new Crossfire. the perfect way to get to know her

6knuts · #8 (**permalink**)

Furley
Is this car gonna be a daily driver(or driven alot/often)??? Or is it going to be a "sunday" driver/fair weather car-one that you look at more than drive???
If a daily driver-Drive it home and enjoy the trip.If its a sunday car-ship it.
I know when I bought my 6 it was about a 700 mile trip home. I drove it home but my biggest concern was road construction/ loose stones causing abraisions/chips/scratches in the finish.The 6 I bought only had 8600 miles on it when I bought it and was 99% perfect.It did get a couple chips on the way home but at the time it was the only way to take it home. My car is not a daily driver-more of a sunday type car so it does get extra special treatment and attention. Good Luck and enjoy!!!!!------------Dave

James1549 · #9 (**permalink**)

DRIVE IT!

As with everything in life, we are only the temporary care-taker of things we have in our possesion. At some time, someone else will take over for you.

It won't matter about mileage, Enjoy it while you have it.

No I am not a religious person, but I heard a co-worker say that once and it stuck.

James

Stogey · #10 (**permalink**)

Drive It !!!

texas t · #11 (**permalink**)

Drive it if you can. Drove mine 1200 miles just stopped for gas etc. I had to stop and buy a pillow well 2 for my rump. Also remember that the car has telescoping steering wheel helps driving postion. I suggest you stop at walmart and get a seat wedge got one when i got back, then drove 1800 mi round trip next weekend to the Dragon. love the xf.

Moparrbust · #12 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by furley

Hello everyone.
I'm looking to purchase a new Crossfire but I live on the West Coast and most likely, my car will come from the Midwest. So, does anyone have an opinion on whether I should drive it back home (2000 miles) or ship it($1000)? I figure if I put 2000 miles on it right away, I might as well purchase a used one $5000 less so right now, I'm leaning towards getting it shipped.

If it were me I would have it shipped as it would be the more cost effective route. Once you add up your time, hotels, food, gas, speeding tickets, etc you would be much better off throwing the $1,000 down to have it professionally delivered without 2,000 miles of highway rock chips and bug splatters all over the car.

Veloce · #13 (**permalink**)

I'm with Moparbust. Ship it.

Winter is not a good time to drive from the Midwest to the West.
And, all things considered, it will cost less in the long run.

OTH, I'd probably fly out on SW Air. Check it out and then ship it home. Still less than driving and you can make sure the seller puts all the correct bits in the car: manuals, tools, etc.

IRSmurf · #14 (**permalink**)

Drive it. No question.

This isn't a high-end exotic car.

This is about as exotic as a Evo or 350Z. (I wouldn't say better or worse... just on the level with these vehicles)

This is a car you won't feel guilty about USING everyday

mika33 · #15 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by furley

Hello everyone.
I'm looking to purchase a new Crossfire but I live on the West Coast and most likely, my car will come from the Midwest. So, does anyone have an opinion on whether I should drive it back home (2000 miles) or ship it($1000)? I figure if I put 2000 miles on it right away, I might as well purchase a used one $5000 less so right now, I'm leaning towards getting it shipped.

I would drive it. It sounds like you do not drive very much, maybe this will be a weekend car? I just cannot understand people who buy a car and then not drive it! You should go buy a brand new Crossfire... and then drive her through snow storms, mud, dirt, rain, waterfalls and maybe an earthquake (just do not damage her)... then when you get back to the west... you can have some fun cleaning her up and detailing her. Now that would be a fun trip. Drive it, baby!

GB'sXFire · #16 (**permalink**)

Furley, I don't know what part of the WC you are located, but I checked out a 05 SRT6 'Vert this morning, (Huntington Beach), listed at $22k, 9000 miles with warranty. Charcoal grey, with NAV. Was a one ower lease return from Arizona. Needed a detailing, but was very nice. Again, I don't know your budget or location, but if looking for a 6, this would be a good choice. I just can't pull the trigger on this 6 because they only come in the AT, which was a deal breaker, but for the price, had to go look at it. PM me if you need more info, or check out autotrader.com. Good luck!

Blaiseshimmer · #17 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moparrbust

If it were me I would have it shipped as it would be the more cost effective route. Once you add up your time, hotels, food, gas, speeding tickets, etc you would be much better off throwing the $1,000 down to have it professionally delivered without 2,000 miles of highway rock chips and bug splatters all over the car.

I second Moparrbust's reasoning. Plus, I recently had my new (to me) XF shipped to me from FL to TX. As much as I love to drive this car, I could not afford to take the time off of work, fly to FL, drive, take care of gas, hotels, any tolls, food, etc. Plus, since the car had been sitting for a while at a dealership, I did not want to risk any mechanical issue, nor a flat tire on the way home.

If you decide to have the car shipped, do your homework, get several quotes, then check the companies against sites like transportreviews.com and the BBB. It cost me a little over $450 to ship my car over 900 miles.

And now that my car is here, I drive her everywhere.

patpur · #18 (**permalink**)

If it was summer I'd say drive it, but winter, going through the mountains? Snow? Not a great idea.
Especially if you are from the part of California where you never have the pleasure of driving in that white crap.
Be safe whatever you decide and enjoy the car.
Pat

ZAHANMA · #19 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VALKRYDERGUY

Drive it home.
It will be the best 2000 miles you ever traveled.

I completely agree with Gary.

The biggest upside to buying a new one is that you will know exactly what has (or rather has not been improperly) done to the car. It is wholly yours. Which is a huge upside.

Take a friend, girlfriend, or relative. Fly out there and take your time on the way back. It will be well worth it.

furley · #20 (**permalink**)

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
This car will be lightly used. Right now, I work mostly from home so my commute is zero. As many of you suggested, I thought about driving it home and making a vacation out of it but I'll have to wait until spring to avoid the snow.
I've had my eye on the Crossfire since it first came out but I had and still have a perfectly good car that works well. But at these prices, I don't think I can keep myself from getting one.