Taking Your Car on Holiday to the USA
Discussion
Anyone got any experience in shipping their own personal car over to the US for a driving holiday and then shipping it back.
Think this would be quite a fun thing to do but have no idea on costs, time to allow for shipping, getting insurance, cheapest ports in Europe or the US to use etc
Think this would be quite a fun thing to do but have no idea on costs, time to allow for shipping, getting insurance, cheapest ports in Europe or the US to use etc
It's a ten day transit time. There's actually a roll-on roll-off ship from Liverpool, although I understand it's probably better to get the car into a container rather than doing that because of the risk of scratches and dents.
Here's what the US customs say about bringing the car into the country.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/287/
Insurance is always the big issue. Lots of vague information, here's the best link I could find.
http://www.goannatracks.com/Home/USA___Shipping_a_...
A quick check around that website says that the information should be around 12 months old so won't be too far out of date.
Here's what the US customs say about bringing the car into the country.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/287/
Insurance is always the big issue. Lots of vague information, here's the best link I could find.
http://www.goannatracks.com/Home/USA___Shipping_a_...
A quick check around that website says that the information should be around 12 months old so won't be too far out of date.
Not car, but I did ship my motorbike over to the US for a riding holiday a few years back. Used these guys - www.claridon.com/ - they may be able to help, sorted insurance for me as part of the package.
What car do you have OP? Unless its say, an Enzo or Zonda, surely you can rent something special for cheaper than shipping? I think I read somewhere that shipping a car is around £2k one way all in?
There are exotic rentals (Ferrari/Lambo etc) in the USA and even Hertz and the big boys do Corvettes/AMG/Porsche....
There are exotic rentals (Ferrari/Lambo etc) in the USA and even Hertz and the big boys do Corvettes/AMG/Porsche....
Taking your car to the US. Expensive, time consuming, the steering wheel will be on the wrong side. Will you be able to get spare parts if it goes wrong-your problem. You have an accident and trash it-your problem. It gets nicked-your problem. You add hundreds of miles on the clock-your problem.
As others have said, use the money you'd spend on shipping it to drive a top of the range billy b
ks hire car with zero excesses.
As others have said, use the money you'd spend on shipping it to drive a top of the range billy b
ks hire car with zero excesses.HOGEPH said:
Taking your car to the US. Expensive, time consuming, the steering wheel will be on the wrong side. Will you be able to get spare parts if it goes wrong-your problem. You have an accident and trash it-your problem. It gets nicked-your problem. You add hundreds of miles on the clock-your problem.
All very true and a totally logical point of view BUT - The Chim would be great fun Stateside.I don't think there's many people who'd like to see a Chim on our roads more than I would.
However... Spares for that car are no existent here, as is any mechanical know how should it go wrong. Distances between major cities can be hundreds and hundreds of miles. Driving conditions are another concern, are you going in the summer? Does that car have air con? It can get hellishly hot here.
However... Spares for that car are no existent here, as is any mechanical know how should it go wrong. Distances between major cities can be hundreds and hundreds of miles. Driving conditions are another concern, are you going in the summer? Does that car have air con? It can get hellishly hot here.
Captain Cadillac said:
I don't think there's many people who'd like to see a Chim on our roads more than I would.
However... Spares for that car are no existent here, as is any mechanical know how should it go wrong. Distances between major cities can be hundreds and hundreds of miles. Driving conditions are another concern, are you going in the summer? Does that car have air con? It can get hellishly hot here.
Hi Captain C - Yes we are very familiar with driving in the USA. We took over 4 weeks to drive Route 66 in May\June this year and returned from California just yesterday.However... Spares for that car are no existent here, as is any mechanical know how should it go wrong. Distances between major cities can be hundreds and hundreds of miles. Driving conditions are another concern, are you going in the summer? Does that car have air con? It can get hellishly hot here.
Yes we know it can get very hot and yes we do have air con. I'm not sure the air con would be able to cope with the hotest parts of America but a drive accross to California in winter should be ok.
I can see the appeal.
MOST US rental cars are bland vehicles.
If you own a good driver's car (like a TVR) you're not likely to get anything comparable (OK, you might find a Vette for rental, but it won't be cheap and most rental places don't just have them sitting around, so you might not get one when you're going if it's an event).
M.
MOST US rental cars are bland vehicles.
If you own a good driver's car (like a TVR) you're not likely to get anything comparable (OK, you might find a Vette for rental, but it won't be cheap and most rental places don't just have them sitting around, so you might not get one when you're going if it's an event).
M.
marcosgt said:
most rental places don't just have them sitting around, so you might not get one when you're going if it's an event.
The lead-in time for shipping a car from Europe is likely to be longer than any pre-booking for a rental car. It's not as if you can just go to Heathrow and chuck it on as excess baggage.Crossflow Kid said:
marcosgt said:
most rental places don't just have them sitting around, so you might not get one when you're going if it's an event.
The lead-in time for shipping a car from Europe is likely to be longer than any pre-booking for a rental car. It's not as if you can just go to Heathrow and chuck it on as excess baggage.Ive been contemplating doing this with my Capri one day,about £1500-£2000 each way was what I had it as.
Those that say rent our missing the point,anyone can rent but doing it in your car makes it special.
Was contemplating leaving it in the states and getting 2 holidays in a year out of it.
I have U.S/U.K duel nationality so if I ever emigrate the Capris definitely coming with me.
Those that say rent our missing the point,anyone can rent but doing it in your car makes it special.
Was contemplating leaving it in the states and getting 2 holidays in a year out of it.
I have U.S/U.K duel nationality so if I ever emigrate the Capris definitely coming with me.
nagsheadwarrior said:
I have U.S/U.K duel nationality so if I ever emigrate the Capris definitely coming with me.
Do you fight yourself? 
I can't see this as being financially viable. Yes, some rental cars are bland - or beyond bland - but the cost of shipping for a few weeks holiday can not be financially viable. I would always plump for a local rental and at least you have the greater peace of mind in case of breakdown, crash, theft, etc.
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