So the deal is done on a '13 SL550 Diamond White/Red leather. Car is located in the Boston area and I live in Miami. Any positive, would use again recommendations for shippers?

I’ve used Passport Transport three times in the past with great results. Prices are high now due to diesel fuel and they run trucks full all the time skipping around the country picking up and delivering as they go so sometimes you have to be patient with the changing schedule.

I found Sherpa Transport for $875 open carrier. 4.8 out or 5 stars, over 2500 reviews. Trying to arrange for Friday pickup, but have to hear from the dealership first to make sure car is ready.

Congrats on your purchase. Hope all goes well and it's everything you want it to be.

Thank you Jetta!

Intercity or Reliable.

Ernie with 5 Star Transportation handles all of my out of state deals. All of my customers have been very happy.

(786) 506-6628.

I live in Florida and bought mine in the Boston area (Alpha Cars): I flew up and drove it back myself. It's not a difficult drive and, frankly, can be done over two days with an overnight stop. It was cheaper and FAR less stressful than arranging and awaiting the transporters to arrive.

In the interests of full disclosure and influences on my decision, I had a 370Z shipped from San Diego and it was seriously damaged in several places. The litigation with the carrier(s) and insurance was a nightmare and, regardless, ruined the entire thrill of taking possession of the car.

I am originally from NY and have done the drive 4-5 times. I swore I would never do it again if at all possible. Between the flight, gas prices, hotel etc it is almost the same price and I don't have to do the 22hr drive. I am ok with waiting a few extra days and the company I am using has 1000's of positive reviews so I am not too concerned. I actually would have more stress having to do the drive than having it shipped. I do appreciate the suggestion though.

I can understand that! Best of luck and congrats on the new wheels!

Thank you! I see you have a Mars Red. My E550 coupe was mars and the first SL I looked at was Mars. Unfortunately it had some issues so I had to move on. Mars is by far my favorite color that MB offers/offered. Post a pic or two if you don't mind.

Thanks for asking! Always happy to show it. I think it's absolutely gorgeous. YMMV :-D



...complete with youngest son being "ironically stoic".

Several of the names already mentioned - Reliable, Intercity, Sherpa - are the big guys in the business and will provide good service. In particular, Intercity is based in Massachusetts and a lot of their business comes from the Florida snowbird route, so you may get better pricing and/or scheduling from them.

I've shipped several cars with PLYCAR (https://plycargroup.com). They have there own transports. There's a photo below of my GTS being unloaded from the enclosed transport that shipped it from Long Island to Utah in 2015. As I recall the cost was about $900.

If you go to a generic shipper, the may just act as a broker that posts the desired route on the internet for many shippers to consider. They look to see if it fits with a route that they already have booked and if they have room on their transporter. Then someone who bids on this shipment wins and contacts you.

Absolutely true. Reliable and Intercity operate their own trucks; I will make a mental note of Plycar for future reference. When I bought my C4 ZR1 in 2020 it arrived on a Reliable transporter; my most recent purchase being my R129 SL500 showed up with a random dude pulling a trailer with a pickup. I wouldn’t do or recommend the latter again.

(BTW I have nothing against random dudes making an honest living; but in terms of traceability, communications, etc. Reliable were much better.)