Shipping a car

We did and from everything I have been told and read about I have to say it was (some of) the best $150 we spent 🙂

My wife and I shipped over two cars. In retrospect, we probably should not have shipped either of them, even though one is a convertible. One car we had an agent take care of titling, registration, inspection, etc,. The other car, I took care of those things. While it was great to have the agent do it, I found that all of the activities could be done by myself. The people at Tropical Shipping were very helpful and pleasant, and the Bureau of MV wasn't too bad, although I suppose I could have just caught them on a "good day". Going back to my original point, about not shipping a car, unless you have some sort of special reason you want to keep a particluar vehicle, it just isn't worth it, in my opinion. We have learned to view our cars here in the VI as just "appliances" , things you use to get from one point to another. That really wasn't the way we viewed them on the mainland, but for a number of reasons that is the way we view them here. There are plenty of used vehicles for sale here, and I am not real sure the VI needs mpore vehicles on the islands than they have already.

Hi Piaa and Bnk1227,

Thanks for the feedback :)!

Does anyone mind sharing how much it cost you to ship your cars? We are in the process of deciding to ship or not to ship...depending on costs.

Also, can you lease a car on STT?

Hi TK,

Here is a very detailed post from this board outlining the various costs involved in shipping a car. Based on the rate quotes I have obtained, the shipping/freight portion of this cost seems to have gone up approximately 30% to 40%

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/what_to_expect/movingstory11.php

Hello TK,

I am currently working with Managed Freight to ship my vehicle. Managed Freight makes all the arrangements for the vehicle, including licensing and registration once on island.

The most recent quote that I received is $1,100.00, Shipping the vehicle from South Florida to St. Croix.

Local taxes, fees, and processing, depends on vehicle’s value and weight, but expect to pay just under $2,00.00 in fees.

Regards,
Dante

Not to beat a point to death here, but if Dante's numbers are accurate (my experience tells me they are, that is making a $3,000 investment in your current vehicle. Would you make such an investment in that same vehicle if you were to stay in the US mainland?? When you run the numbers, shipping a car here rarely makes sense. Just my .02 cents.

Your question about just how many cars need to be on the island is a good one. I was going to ship my car, but now have decided against it. Especially since I've seen that used cars can be bought at a pretty reasonable price. If I'm just buying an appliance, I don't need a fancy one, just one that works or if it should get banged up, I won't flinch.

I shipped my car and two years later am very happy I did. I also had someone take care of all the registration so I never saw the port. My vehicle was delievered right to my home.
My .02 cents is if you have a nice vehicle that is dependable and don't mind the shipping cost bring it. My logic is you know your vehicle and it's history. On island vehicles get pretty banged up and finding a dependable mechanic is an adventure to itself. The new car prices are over inflated because of shipping and the used cars in my opinion are put under more stress then any state side car would be.
If you are just looking fot a beater while on island then by all means sell your car and buy one here. God knows there are plenty of beaters for sale. If you have a nice vehicle and want to continue to have a nice vehicle then definitely ship.
On a side bar not, I never understood the logic on this board that if you bring your vehicle you are adding to the car population. It seems to me that when people move here whether they bring their vehicle or purchase one here the result is the same, one more car on the road. The laws of supply and demand determine the amount of vehicles on the V.I. roads not who ships and who doesent.
I brought my vehicle and when I leave I will take it with me

we decided early on to sell our trucks here and buy more there. I'm so glad because I read the angst and expense it causes and look daily in the paper for cars priced roughly the same there as here and think, "one less thing to do". :-] See ya tomorrow!

I truly do enjoy having access to the excellent advice and variety of opinions expressed on this board and am always happy to hear what other people have to say. Often my initial opinion has even been changed (or at the very least shaped) by what I have read.

But in this case I must say a hearty AMEN to David. You have really summed up my feelings about this issue better than I could have :)!

I don't think there is any right or wrong answer with respect to this issue. What is right for one person might not be for another.

The reliability and mechanical condition of my car is the most important thing to me. I know the history of my stateside car and how I have maintained it. This gives me a peace of mind that I am willing to pay a few extra $$$ for. Also the way I see it, in the long-run, bringing a reliable, well-maintained car with me might more than make up for the initial, upfront freight costs.

I must agree with David as well. We are setting up for our move to STX in May and our first big decision was concerning our cars. Right of the top I knew my 4x4 truck was coming. Its an extension of my .....arm.

Now, the wife's minivan was a different issue. Its a 89 caravan that we bought brand new. Althou its blue book value may not be high, I know every sqeek, jeep and banging it has. Would I invest $3000.00 on it? I think so. Atleast I would know who the original owner was and how it was maintained. I think it would be a good trade for a peace of mind knowing its not going to break down on my wife in the middle of the night on the same day I get it here.

We shipped two vehicles. Both were paid for.

The Chrysler minivan was a good investment. It was well maintained and about 8 years old. We knew all its idiosyncracies(sp) and there is both a dealership and mechanics who can work on it. We've spent only a normal amount on upkeep and could sell it in a heartbeat, if we wanted.

The other car was a vintage (1980) Triumph. We thought it would be fun to have it on island -- WRONG! It's a convertible, good? No. It's rarely comfortable to ride in an open car here. Either it's too hot, or you get rained on. And putting the top up means getting out and manually raising the roof. And it's too low. This is the greater problem. Between potholes, low shoulders and switchbacks, we've had to do major work to the undercarriage twice. This cute little car now sits in our back yard most of the time. Anyone want to buy a really cute car?

We also bought a used jeep on island. No problems with it.

In hindsight, we'd have sold the Triumph in the states.

Hello there! I moved to STX in August ( and have loved every minute!). I went to DMV myself and had no problem at all. I was out in 1/2 hour. I have heard a couple of stories like mine, but a lot of disaster stories also.

It may have been that I speak Spanish fluently and have a pronounced limp. They sort of "pushed me right through".

Based on the general consensus, it sounds like $150 per day UP TO A POINT (it really should not take more than 2 days to do several cars) is not a bad deal. If they say it will take seven days, I would go ahead, bring a book, and do it myself.

Hope this is helpful,

Dan

LindaJ:
What model Triumph did you bring? I was considering bringing my TR7 with me-it has a short wheelbase, big rubber bumpers, and decent front and rear overhang clearance as far as cars go. Is there a mechanic on island that will work on British cars?