Car ferry/shipping STX to STT

I sold a car to someone on STJ a few months ago (I'm on STX). I wish I could remember the whole process (getting old) but I'll tell you what I remember!

The Norma H is a vessel that will take vehicles between STX & STT. Go to the website and select the FAQ's, there is a selection to click if you want to ship vehicles between the islands. Follow all those steps (I was selling the car to her so I got the letters from the LT. Gov in my name then we went together to the BMV to transfer ownership). In addition, there was a form required from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that we were not given when we went to change ownership and had to go back again to get it. I can not remember what it was called - sorry.

As for price, I believe it was between $250 & $300 (cheaper than I thought it would be!)

Thanks for the info 🙂

The Web address for the Norma H II is http://www.normahfreight.com/.

Considering all the costs -- people ferry/flight to check out the car in the first place in addition to shipping costs -- as well as the hassle factor, it doesn't seem like a worthwhile endeavor unless you have a lot more time than money, or you want a very specific kind of vehicle. br1k, I would think the car rental agencies would have what you're looking for on STT or STJ -- have you tried calling them?

I am on a budget, so I probably do have more time than money 🙂 To a point anyway.

I am thinking of car rental agencies. The thing is - normally a car from a rental is a "bad thing" because people that drive them don't treat them too well (I know I don't care nearly as much to avoid potholes or save the transmission when it's a rental as opposed to my own).

But I am starting to think that here rental may be a good idea. That said, I have a feeling they will also want top dollar. One thing I don't want to do is pay more than a blue book - and so far everyone was asking at a very top or above for cars that needed new breaks and tires right away, and often more work. I don't know that rental agencies would be much better. I guess trying is the only way to find out.

Good morning br1k -- what is your price range?

Pricing in this market is all about supply and demand; the Blue Book values assume buyers have comparable vehicles available to choose from, which you probably will not have here within the span of a couple of weeks. You're not necessarily getting ripped off just because some online calculation says X and the seller says Y. You are also searching during a higher-demand time of the year; try looking in May and you'll find lower prices and more selection.

The basics are, according to my mechanic: if it runs, it's automatically worth at least $1,000; if it runs and has 4WD, it's worth at least $1,500; runs and is a 4WD Jeep, $2,000 minimum. That doesn't take into account need for tires, brakes, leak repairs of all kinds, etc.

Rental vehicles here are often better maintained than single-owner vehicles (especially, washed more frequently). You could probably get a small SUV like you're looking for, a couple years old, for around $6-$7K. If that is too much, then you may need to resign yourself to buying something that needs attention and paying for repairs over time.

Rental vehicles here are often better maintained than single-owner vehicles (especially, washed more frequently). You could probably get a small SUV like you're looking for, a couple years old, for around $6-$7K. If that is too much, then you may need to resign yourself to buying something that needs attention and paying for repairs over time.

That's well within my price range, but unfortunately so far I've seen small 4x4 suvs more than a "couple" years old (i.e. 2002-2003) with asking prices almost twice that much and no one felt like negotiating either, not even a little. Paying significantly more than 10K for a fairly old small car in a marginal shape (that instantly needs new tires and breaks and may be more) seems not particularly right even here. So clearly something is not connecting the dots - I just don't know what.

must be a carma thing 🙂 a car in today's Island Trader that would work great for me - and the ad has no phone number or contact info! 🙂 I called the classifieds dept. but they don't have any more information (why did they print it then?). That's just bizarre.

br1k, did you click the add for more info?

There does not seem to be any more info - the Island Trader online is essentially a photo copy of the real paper. They printed it in real paper that way too - I guess the seller isn't too happy either unless he simply wanted to show what a fine car he has 🙂