2013 LS460L in for a ton of miles.... Costs, maintenance, additions and problems.....
12-12-16, 05:18 AM
#18
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Nice post and pics, very interesting read. One request, lol:
Can you sum up in layman's terms what exactly this radar thing is you bought and what it does (especially that makes it worth over $2k)? I have no doubt it's worth the money but I honestly don't know what it does and how it does it, lol. I always figure one of those Valentine radar detectors is all you need.
Can you sum up in layman's terms what exactly this radar thing is you bought and what it does (especially that makes it worth over $2k)? I have no doubt it's worth the money but I honestly don't know what it does and how it does it, lol. I always figure one of those Valentine radar detectors is all you need.
Hello Sir. In layman's terms, this setup will not allow a cop to get a reading on my car if I get shot with laser.... It will give them nothing the entire time so in essence, I'm invisible to laser shots. Laser is the one thing a radar detector can't do anything for you other than tell you, you've been shot with it.... At that point, I've already realized I was getting pulled over. It's illegal to own this system in many states NOT including mine. Having a built in radar system is clean, the laser heads are separate and give a better reading front to back than the one on your windshield.
Having a rear radar head has saved me because I've been driving on side roads and a cop approaches me from behind. It picks them up with plenty of warning.
This is the only laser defense that can stop all laser guns to date.... When a new gun comes out, the company releases the software to update my setup. It'll never be outdated like the K-40!
Here is a video on how the laser defense actually works.
My words exactly! I was very surprised myself but it is what it is.... Instead of costing me 40 bucks an oil change, it now cost 60
I had the Escort 9500XI for years... I still have it in my truck and it has saved me more times than I can count. I almost bought a 9500CI to intergrade in the car and add the Laser Priority to it but the radar antenna on those are old and outdated. Todays cars with the radar cruise, BSM, Lane assist, etc. has created havoc on false K band readings in radar detectors. The NET-Radar is fantastic at keeping this problem to a minimum. I was sold on that alone!
Last edited by mmade22; 12-12-16 at 05:29 AM.
12-12-16, 05:27 AM
#19
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Great story, fun read and great pics! Thank you. Love the cop photos! Do you go well over the limit (15+) ? I never exceed +10, except when passing when I have occasionally gone at 85-90. I will probably have to wait to drive in Wyoming or Montana to drive faster than that 
More power to you doing all this work yourself. If you had the set up installed at a shop, that could push your bill another $500! Two questions:
1) What is the purpose of the rear radar? If you have already passed a cop over the limit, isn't it too late?
2) Why dump the old set up in the trash
It might work for someone else. You could get at least a few hundred bucks on eBay, may be more.
More power to you doing all this work yourself. If you had the set up installed at a shop, that could push your bill another $500! Two questions:
1) What is the purpose of the rear radar? If you have already passed a cop over the limit, isn't it too late?
2) Why dump the old set up in the trash
It might work for someone else. You could get at least a few hundred bucks on eBay, may be more.The rear radar head is good when you are on a road and a cop is way behind you shooting people who pass him going the opposite way on a two lane road. It has given me plenty of time to see which direction its coming from and also slow down before he gets a reading on me,
I was thinking about selling the old K-40 setup on ebay but after looking them up, its not selling well. After talking with the dealer for K-40, they admitted that particular setup wasn't very good and it had its issues. I figured I didn't want to pass the problems to someone else. I did save the remote for it and I will be able to sell that to an existing owner for some return.
Thanks everyone for checking in....
I already did the 40k oil change and I'll post it up soon!
12-12-16, 07:11 AM
#20
Pole Position
I am guessing with your high miles, your job takes you to other states. Just curious, what's your job?? Could you be ticketed for owning this system if they somehow caught you speeding or just decided to stop you? Same question about your 15% tint all around. It's not as big a deal probably, but that is also illegal in many states. Clearly, you have driven this way for many years now, so you seem to like living on the edge 
Be well and enjoy your car. She's a beauty.
Be well and enjoy your car. She's a beauty.
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PHOUND5 (10-22-22)
12-12-16, 10:19 AM
#22
12-12-16, 11:25 AM
#23
Pole Position
I'll wager he's a sales rep that covers a state or region. That's my gig and I put somewhere between 35k and 55k on my LS per year.
On a side note, as a guy who can't DHAM (Do Hardly Anything Myself), I am really impressed at the pics you posted installing the radar system. Rear bumper off, wires everywhere, etc. would give me a panic attack knowing I'd never get it back together and wouldn't be able to drive my car until someone could figure out how to put it all back together!!
Also, as someone waiting for the '13 and beyond body style to come down in price, I'm anxious to follow your thread to see how things go with the car over the next 6-9 months as you rack up the miles.
On a side note, as a guy who can't DHAM (Do Hardly Anything Myself), I am really impressed at the pics you posted installing the radar system. Rear bumper off, wires everywhere, etc. would give me a panic attack knowing I'd never get it back together and wouldn't be able to drive my car until someone could figure out how to put it all back together!!
Also, as someone waiting for the '13 and beyond body style to come down in price, I'm anxious to follow your thread to see how things go with the car over the next 6-9 months as you rack up the miles.
12-12-16, 02:53 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
Welcome to the LS forum!
I'm thrilled you're here, I followed your GS ownership in the 3GS forum. You will be an amazing addition to our community here.
I don't drive nearly as much as you do, but I'm also in sales and consider my car my office and it truly is a wonderful car to have when you have to spend a lot of time in a car. It really does de-stress you, its nice and quiet for when you're talking on the phone, etc. Can't ask for a more comfortable, refined, or reliable car to put a ton of miles on.
I'm thrilled you're here, I followed your GS ownership in the 3GS forum. You will be an amazing addition to our community here.
I don't drive nearly as much as you do, but I'm also in sales and consider my car my office and it truly is a wonderful car to have when you have to spend a lot of time in a car. It really does de-stress you, its nice and quiet for when you're talking on the phone, etc. Can't ask for a more comfortable, refined, or reliable car to put a ton of miles on.
12-12-16, 05:31 PM
#26
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
I am guessing with your high miles, your job takes you to other states. Just curious, what's your job?? Could you be ticketed for owning this system if they somehow caught you speeding or just decided to stop you? Same question about your 15% tint all around. It's not as big a deal probably, but that is also illegal in many states. Clearly, you have driven this way for many years now, so you seem to like living on the edge Be well and enjoy your car. She's a beauty.
Be well and enjoy your car. She's a beauty.States around me that are illegal to use the laser diffuser like SC and TN I do have it on but its setup to deactivate after 4 seconds of blocking it....
What that does is... It warns me I'm being shot with laser so I can slew the hell down quick and then the cop gets a reading on my car when I'm close or at the speeding limit. Pretty slick and they have no idea of it as I've been reading guns can sometimes not get a reading. I also can bypass it instantly so the cop gets a reading and I'm doing no wrong. The company of ALP has this all figured out. Very smart!
My job is truly a Lexus driver..... That's most of it but it is an interesting one and its one that not many have in the states. In a way it is related to sales as I do go into companies and corporations and install a machine before the sale and finalize the deal after the sale is made but I don't actually sell anything.
I have been with my company for the past 20 years installing, repairing, rebuilding and figuring out the issues everyone else cant fix. I'm a Certified technician on computerized multi-head embroidery machines distributed from Japan. We are the leaders in the industry and I am the companies "go to guy" installing the machines in companies that have a competitors machine to make them a believer in our equipment and make the switch. If my name is on the job, I will promise you, they will be signing the deal. I love what I do and simply put..... I'm the best at what I do! It comes naturally to me and I've been at it since I was 21..... Life is good!
Here are a few examples of the money makers.....
Rebuilding this older one:
The Boy Scouts Of America ordered our Flagship machine. 20 head!
It's a very niche market and it has kept me running all over the USA! I've accumulated over 1 million miles of driving doing it.
I'll wager he's a sales rep that covers a state or region. That's my gig and I put somewhere between 35k and 55k on my LS per year.
On a side note, as a guy who can't DHAM (Do Hardly Anything Myself), I am really impressed at the pics you posted installing the radar system. Rear bumper off, wires everywhere, etc. would give me a panic attack knowing I'd never get it back together and wouldn't be able to drive my car until someone could figure out how to put it all back together!!
Also, as someone waiting for the '13 and beyond body style to come down in price, I'm anxious to follow your thread to see how things go with the car over the next 6-9 months as you rack up the miles.
On a side note, as a guy who can't DHAM (Do Hardly Anything Myself), I am really impressed at the pics you posted installing the radar system. Rear bumper off, wires everywhere, etc. would give me a panic attack knowing I'd never get it back together and wouldn't be able to drive my car until someone could figure out how to put it all back together!!
Also, as someone waiting for the '13 and beyond body style to come down in price, I'm anxious to follow your thread to see how things go with the car over the next 6-9 months as you rack up the miles.
I use to install remote starts and car alarms back in the 90's when I was going to college so I'm no stranger to this kind of work.
Welcome to the LS forum!
I'm thrilled you're here, I followed your GS ownership in the 3GS forum. You will be an amazing addition to our community here.
I don't drive nearly as much as you do, but I'm also in sales and consider my car my office and it truly is a wonderful car to have when you have to spend a lot of time in a car. It really does de-stress you, its nice and quiet for when you're talking on the phone, etc. Can't ask for a more comfortable, refined, or reliable car to put a ton of miles on.
I'm thrilled you're here, I followed your GS ownership in the 3GS forum. You will be an amazing addition to our community here.
I don't drive nearly as much as you do, but I'm also in sales and consider my car my office and it truly is a wonderful car to have when you have to spend a lot of time in a car. It really does de-stress you, its nice and quiet for when you're talking on the phone, etc. Can't ask for a more comfortable, refined, or reliable car to put a ton of miles on.
Thank you my good man! I am in the car all day taking phone calls and fixing problems all the time. My customers can't even hear the car when I'm running at 80 on the hwy. It is the best car to do long trips in. Today I did 552 and it felt like 50.
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Chaos236 (04-11-17)
12-13-16, 01:07 AM
#27
Pole Position
You are correct! I am always in another state. I have been with my company for the past 20 years installing, repairing, rebuilding and figuring out the issues everyone else cant fix. I'm a Certified technician on computerized multi-head embroidery machines distributed from Japan. It's a very niche market and it has kept me running all over the USA! I've accumulated over 1 million miles of driving doing it.
. I will PM you with a couple of questions for a mod on my car. Thanks in advance.With so much driving every day, your back must get pretty sore. Of course, you are only 41, so maybe you don't have to worry about such trifles! What are your tricks for avoiding fatigue? Have you rigged up a front seat massager? Someone like you would really appreciate having front seat massagers and HUD that have been around in the S class and 7 series for a while (even the Equus has it) but not available in the LS.
12-13-16, 02:41 AM
#28
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
That's awesome. I have great respect for machinery made in Japan as I have used some in my work (water pumps) that are quiet and reliable and run "forever". And what better Japanese machinery to consider than our own cars! I can see now where your comfort with taking apart your GS and now your LS comes from.
I happened to read some of your mods in the GS where you made your own Nav bypass system and installed various switches on the console etc. Very impressive indeed, sensei. I will PM you with a couple of questions for a mod on my car. Thanks in advance.
With so much driving every day, your back must get pretty sore. Of course, you are only 41, so maybe you don't have to worry about such trifles! What are your tricks for avoiding fatigue? Have you rigged up a front seat massager? Someone like you would really appreciate having front seat massagers and HUD that have been around in the S class and 7 series for a while (even the Equus has it) but not available in the LS.
I happened to read some of your mods in the GS where you made your own Nav bypass system and installed various switches on the console etc. Very impressive indeed, sensei
. I will PM you with a couple of questions for a mod on my car. Thanks in advance.With so much driving every day, your back must get pretty sore. Of course, you are only 41, so maybe you don't have to worry about such trifles! What are your tricks for avoiding fatigue? Have you rigged up a front seat massager? Someone like you would really appreciate having front seat massagers and HUD that have been around in the S class and 7 series for a while (even the Equus has it) but not available in the LS.
I'm glad you were able to get over to my other post as you can see, I loved that car and we had a great run together. As far as the mod I did for the GPS system, that won't work with our current cars. The GPS system is different and goes off more than just the speed sensor. You can get a module which I will be getting in the near future to bypass all of the greyed out areas when driving. It will be as if you are parked.... Full use of all GPS, phone commands etc. The company who makes it is called Vais Technology.
Here is the link to what you need if you want to go that route:
http://www.vaistech.com/product-cate...-460600h-lexus
It's a 140 dollars which is worth it but I'm not sure yet what is involved in the install. I'm sure the dash has to come apart in order to get to the harness.
I am young and yes that helps with my back but the key to this traveling thing is to hit the gym in the mornings. Getting a good workout and getting the blood flowing has kept me out of the doctors offices and pain free so the traveling is just part of my routine. Trust me, most people would get sick of doing what I do and the driving would wear them down. It isn't exactly a blast to drive this much but its part of the job so I make the most of it.
Take care!
If anyone wants to check out my old thread I started back in 2010 with my previous GS350, the link is below. It'll give you an idea just what my LS is in for over the next few years:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ml#post9705578
12-13-16, 08:28 AM
#29
Lexus Test Driver
This is absolutely awesome!
I too was a follower of your GS thread and indeed it was a sincere joy to follow and read!
Now, to have you here and providing the same detailed, honest and informative information is priceless.
I just wanted to say thanks again, wlecome and continue to enjoy your new LS!
I too was a follower of your GS thread and indeed it was a sincere joy to follow and read!
Now, to have you here and providing the same detailed, honest and informative information is priceless.
I just wanted to say thanks again, wlecome and continue to enjoy your new LS!
12-13-16, 08:44 AM
#30
Lead Lap
Ya ain't frakking around! I like that. Mighty nice LS and as I live in the TN and you seem to be a road warrior, will keep my eyes out for you (and then speed behind you with you're AEGIS spec radar setup)
Well done. Really makes me sad that seemingly so much of highway patrol (state and county) seems/is about revenue. Especially in the less developed parts of the South.
Best case in point has got to be Georgia where South of Atlanta, enforcement and the price of speeding tickets is nothing short of extortion. I attended UGA and remember as a freshmen going to a KA rush event held at Sea Island (St. Simons Island) and getting a $400 ticket for going 80 and this was in the mid 90's!
Well done. Really makes me sad that seemingly so much of highway patrol (state and county) seems/is about revenue. Especially in the less developed parts of the South.
Best case in point has got to be Georgia where South of Atlanta, enforcement and the price of speeding tickets is nothing short of extortion. I attended UGA and remember as a freshmen going to a KA rush event held at Sea Island (St. Simons Island) and getting a $400 ticket for going 80 and this was in the mid 90's!