Move my parent's used Kawai cross-country or buy locally (new?)?

[athena67]

Hello everyone,
My parents have a Kawai, small grand (5'2"-ish?) which we bought in, i think 1985 or so. I played on it a bit, but it hasn't been used too regularly in the past 15 years. It is tuned semi-regularly. I live across the country (east coast). My mom wants to send us the piano-- my daughter has been studying for a few years and we just moved to the U.S and we have no piano yet. Should we take it? Alternatively, we are looking at Boston pianos, and starting to look at others too. I'm not able to inspect the piano myself-- what should I try to find out? I do believe the Kawai is in good condition, but I haven't seen it in over a year, and I wasn't a discriminating piano buyer last time I saw it.

Moving quotes are 1200-1800 so far.

All replies are most appreciated, thank you!

[athena67]

p.s. The piano was bought new (back in the 80s)

[pianolive]

You will not get a Boston for the transport costs.
You could have a pianotech to check the Kawai before you decide what to do.

[athena67]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I should have made it clear that we're willing to pay for the Boston, but it sure would be nicer to get a free piano. The Boston would be at least 19K, which we could pay, but if the Kawai is good, I would much rather save that money. The tuner told my mom the piano is fine, but perhaps I need to get someone out there to look at it for me, as you suggest.