Hi Guys, Just a quick survey, has anyone used Autotrans (www.autotrans.com.au) when transporting their Zed. I'm relocating to Adelaide and want to transport my car. Would appreciate feedback from anyone who has had experience transporting their cars Cheers N
I cant speak for them sorry but TNT are pretty good, you wont get much change from $1,000 though... bigbaz brings up a good point, you could always drive it! I drove from Tassie to Brisbane in two days and that includes 12 hours on a damn boat lol It was 7 hours driving the first day, 13 hours the next. It's not as bad as it sounds, you'll learn to really appreciate your cruise control put it that way!
a little autotrans experience [ Qld to NSW ] The importer in Brisbane claimed he delivered it to them in QLD with no damage it arrived to me in this condition Front lip[ fibreglass] in three pieces on back seat exhaust resonators hit and ripped in two rear tyres shredded down to belts passenger window totally down and and door window frame covered with cardboard battery totally flat the next day autotrans said as I had signed for it the night before [ at 7.30pm , pitch black at property in Blue mountains, driver said if I did not take it now, I would have to pay for the trip back to the depot and its return trip in daylight] - all damage must have occured after I got it :bash: :bash: I figure one of the cowboys damaged the exhausts and the front lip when loading, did a few burnouts, and then decided to re-load, and leave the lights on so the next "handler" would not be able to start the car and thus no one would prove exactly when the damage occurred. I suggest that you take MANY photos of the car actually at the depot you drop it off at, and refuse to take delivery of the car without a daylight inspection.
Holding up todays newspaper in the photos would help too lol That sounds like a nightmare! Ready for a long, fun drive?
I work in the transport industry and would never put my car to be transported on the back of a truck, let alone a train. You are better of driving the car yourself. I'll give you an example of some of the stuff I've seen in many places transporting vehicles: Vehicle being sideloaded with forklifts, oil and brake fluid dripping from the top loaded cars on cars below (we all know what brake fluid does to the paint), stone chips, straps/chains letting go, cars with fauly brakes rear ending car in front when being loaded, doors slammed into trailer...
Vehicle Transport by Carrier Hi Nav, I would be very careful with this option if I was you... I agree with the previous comments by Henpecked and sleepwalker, if you must transport your vehicle by this method be extra carefull in reading all of the 'fine print' in the brochures and take lots of photos just before the car is loaded and advise the carrier you are doing this for proof of condition! My experience: As I had some hassles when transporting my Zed via the train from Adelaide to here. The car arrives, the missus receives a very late call from them just before they are about to close suggesting we come and collect the car as they are not happy to leave it overnight in the lot, considering it is an 'expensive' sports car!!!. So the missus goes to collect it on my behald as I'm at work. Signs for it and drives it home. The next day I check it out and there is a huge scratch from the top of the passenger fender going down the fender - as if something sharp and heavy had been dropped onto the top of the fender and scratched all the way down the side. This is no ordinary scratch as the implement that would have done it was not smooth as the scratch is about 5mm wide and ragged down to the undercoat! Now, since the car has been signed for and driven off - there is NO come back. So, do you reckon I was happy:bash: Always, Always inspect all aspects of the car inside and out and only sign when all checked out - by you only. Do not trust others as they are not aware of the original condition. (Well, of course if they delivered it then cancel the last bit ) Words from people who have been there before. Cheers.
drive down yourself, it will take about 2 days around 20 hours on the speed limits. Head out to Goondiwindi down to Coonabarabran to Duboo probably over night in Dubboo, Parks, or Forbes Turn off at Balranald and head down through Tooleybuc and across to Ouyen then to Pinaroo, Tailem Bend and into Adelaide. Have down the trip many times from Rockhampton. Grab a cheap UHF handheld CB radio and put it on channel 40 and listen / talk to the trucks they will give you info on road conditions and other road control persons.
the above route Syd-Adel I have done many many times over the years and the current state of these roads are very good. Note , there is a very good motel on the main street of Hay, that is a good rate and has UNLIMITED broadband [LAN connection] included in the price, its on the right at the far end of the mainstreet [ from the highway/river ] next to the last pub on the main street corner. Adelaide is just an easy 1 day [ 6-8 hours] drive from there. cheers
thanks mate, Thanks for your feedback. its much appreciated. I'll take note of the additional pics. Its really rich of them to palm the car off to you at night and not allow for a proper inspection in daylight
Thanks Hi guys, Thanks for your respective inputs and suggestions. I guess its a bit of a hit and miss with these sort of things. If you end up getting a couple of loose canons handling your car, it can end up for the worse. The issue on my end is, I have two cars, so either way one car has to go on transport : ( I guess i'll have to decide what I'm going to do. Nevertheless thanks again for all your suggestions Cheers N
Feedback Hi guys, Just a quick line to let you know how I went. Because I had 2 cars I decided to transport them over to SA. The cars took 7 days to get here. My Zed picked up a scratch on the front bumper. After a little negotiation and follow up, Autotrans have agreed to pay for the repair Cheers N
