has anyone actually regretted choosing open transport for a nice car?

Posted by proposal_in_wind@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 25 comments

i’m shipping a 2022 mercedes e-class from los angeles to chicago and leaning toward open transport since it’s the standard option. i did look into enclosed too, and even got a quote from navi auto transport, but the price jump made me pause a bit.

for people who’ve shipped newer or nicer cars, did anyone actually regret going with open? or did it end up being totally fine in real life?

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driftsignal01@reddit

I went with open transport again after checking a Top Auto Transport Insurance Chart — it confirmed open is the smart choice for a normal daily driver. Both times my car arrived a bit dusty but perfectly fine, so I’ll keep using open unless the car’s rare, freshly painted, or worth stressing over; most horror stories are about bad carriers, not open trailers.

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driftsignal01@reddit

I used open transport twice and did not regret it. Car arrived dusty but totally fine both times. If it is a normal daily driver, open is usually the smart move. I would only pay for enclosed if the car is rare, freshly painted, or worth stressing over. Most of the horror stories are really about bad carriers, not open trailers.

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TopInstruction875@reddit

I transported a vintage muscle car on an open trailer. fall weather was very nice where I started but I ended up driving THROUGH a tornado at my destination. didn’t flip the trailer or anything but flying debris did a good bit of damage (dents, scrapes, dented trim, broken date-coded windshield, etc.) that took a fair bit of cash and work to correct.

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Squash__head@reddit

Having a vehicle shipped is like letting your girlfriend go out with her ex for dinner.

Don’t ask questions. Just be glad when she arrives back.

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PerformanceDouble924@reddit

Check the weather forecasts. It's one thing to put it on an open car from L.A. to SF, but it's something else to go from L.A. to Chicago.

Seriously though, you should just take leave from work and do Route 66 from L.A. to Chicago in it.

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proposal_in_wind@reddit (OP)

thanks for the tips!

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PerformanceDouble924@reddit

Good luck!

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LSBm5@reddit

I’ve done open Transport for cars and it’s been just fine. Please don’t take this the wrong way, it’s a nice car but it’s not special. It’s not an F 40 or something like that that you would just be gutted if it was covered in salt when it showed up. Yours is a modern car that’ll be just fine out in the elements.

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proposal_in_wind@reddit (OP)

haha, no worries thanks for the honesty!

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That_Cartoonist_9459@reddit

I've done it, other than arriving dirty it was fine.

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CactusSkies@reddit

Not trying to be rude, but a 2022 E class isn't worth it.

You don't pay for closed until you are sports car level 100k min.

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brandonct@reddit

I've had a few cars shipped, couple of used lexuses and an mr2. never had any issues. part of the joy of used cars is not sweating over every little ding n' scrape.

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Serious_Safety4001@reddit

Never had issues with open transport. Moved quite often with work and shipped my wife’s car. Houston to Denver with a 2022 Acura in 2022. Denver to Jacksonville with a 2023 Tiguan in 2024. No chips or dents. Just needed to be washed. It was covered through work, so that’s what we used lol.

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Ok-Friendship-3509@reddit

I've seen just as many enclosed transporters mess up cars (maybe more) than open transporters. My opinion after shipping hundreds of cars is the only shipper worth a damn is Reliable Carriers. Personally I would rather drive it from LA to Chicago than give it to any other company.

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SarcasticHour@reddit

A 4 year old e-class is not a nice car... do open transport and save your money.

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Anxious_Sector_6310@reddit

Mine showed up with front bumper ripped off. They paid to fix it but I ended up renting a car for six weeks until the repair was finished .

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TealSapphire@reddit

The grandpa E-Class???? Yeah, send it open transport.

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HighGroundIsOP@reddit

I would be more concerned that you are getting a reputable shipper than open vs closed for that car. Most shipping companies sub contract so quality can vary wildly, including having your car stolen.

I’ve shipped plenty of cars, always open, and only had an issue one time where a wrecked car was above mine and leaked its guts out all over my S4. Still a detail cleaned it all up.

Closed transport is for precious cars. If you plan to drive your car regularly, it isn’t precious.

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MagnusAlbusPater@reddit

Almost all cars are transported open from the rail yards or ports to the dealers.

Depending where it is on the truck you may get a bunch of bug splatter on it, potentially brake dust, but nothing that can’t be washed off when it arrives.

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bradland@reddit

My BIL shipped an M3 from LA to Western Virginia, and it was a real mess when it showed up. The bitch is, he paid for enclosed. He nearly had to sue the transport company. What ultimately saved him was the dealer pushing the transport company. Basically, “We’re never gonna use you again and tell everyone how shitty you are,” situation. Car spent some time in the body shop for sure.

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