wow is it really worth picing up a machine when ur over 4 hours away! Is it really cheaper than paying transport?

I reckon it would be worth it, though the furthest i've gone is about a 7 hour round trip. Picking up the pins yourself would be cheaper (and safer IMO) coz you know the pin will arrive home in one piece  you'd only have the cost of fuel (and maybe something to eat along the way). I own a V6 Camry s/wagon which is pretty cheap to run on a trip, and have brought home many pins in it