View Poll Results: Should I drive cross country in my 2005 LS430?
YES! Do it because I'm hoping you'll get lost so you never post on Club Lexus again!
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cross country trip, AND BACK in the LS430
03-08-10, 12:57 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
cross country trip, AND BACK in the LS430
So..I learned this weekend that I will be attending C-17 crew chief school with the Air Force Reserves. It is a 3 month long school, with the 1st school located at Sheppard AFB, TX (located in Wichita Falls). After that 5 week school, I have 6 days to report to McChord AFB, WA (located near Tacoma).
After 2 months of schooling in Washington state, I would be on my way to becoming a C-17 Crew Chief, and driving back to Delaware.
My question and poll to you is the following---
Should I DRIVE for this evolution of training? The first leg (without stops) takes ~23 hours (1,500 miles). The second leg (without stops) takes ~ 30 hours (2,000 miles). The last and final leg back home, literally driving cross country takes ~41 hours (2,800 miles).
So, again...should I drive the 2005 LS430 (I'd be using/relying on the LS's navigation exclusively, for this monumental voyage)...or should I just fly and get a rental car in the cities? I will be authorized a rental car for the 2 months school in Washington state, but probably not for the first school. If I wanted a rental car, it would come out of my pocket.
Again...my LS has ~56,000 miles on her. All 4 tires have at least 10,000? miles left on them. I plan on changing my oil+filter w/synthetic and replacing the engine air filter a couple days before departing, if I elect to drive. I haven't had any reliability problems with the LS since owning her for almost a year...knock on wood.
My thoughts are on the final leg home, my girlfriend would fly out and meet me in Tacoma, and then we would take our good ole time and drive cross country, back to the east coast, and back home to Delaware.
I am including 3 screenshots of the 3 legs of travel so you can get a feel for the significance of the undertaking. They are in PDF format. Take a look at the undertaking before you vote!
I could probably tolerate driving 12 hours a day..as I've driven many times from Memphis, TN to Delaware (stopping only several times for food/gas.)
Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the cross country voyage (2x!) and how the LS would tolerate it.........
PS...this departing (Leg1) trip would be late April...and the return (Leg3) trip would be late July. Just when is TORNADO season again? lol.
PPS...I don't mind about the accumulation of miles on the vehicle. Also, age factor----I am turning 39 this year.
After 2 months of schooling in Washington state, I would be on my way to becoming a C-17 Crew Chief, and driving back to Delaware.
My question and poll to you is the following---
Should I DRIVE for this evolution of training? The first leg (without stops) takes ~23 hours (1,500 miles). The second leg (without stops) takes ~ 30 hours (2,000 miles). The last and final leg back home, literally driving cross country takes ~41 hours (2,800 miles).
So, again...should I drive the 2005 LS430 (I'd be using/relying on the LS's navigation exclusively, for this monumental voyage)...or should I just fly and get a rental car in the cities? I will be authorized a rental car for the 2 months school in Washington state, but probably not for the first school. If I wanted a rental car, it would come out of my pocket.
Again...my LS has ~56,000 miles on her. All 4 tires have at least 10,000? miles left on them. I plan on changing my oil+filter w/synthetic and replacing the engine air filter a couple days before departing, if I elect to drive. I haven't had any reliability problems with the LS since owning her for almost a year...knock on wood.
My thoughts are on the final leg home, my girlfriend would fly out and meet me in Tacoma, and then we would take our good ole time and drive cross country, back to the east coast, and back home to Delaware.
I am including 3 screenshots of the 3 legs of travel so you can get a feel for the significance of the undertaking. They are in PDF format. Take a look at the undertaking before you vote!
I could probably tolerate driving 12 hours a day..as I've driven many times from Memphis, TN to Delaware (stopping only several times for food/gas.)
Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the cross country voyage (2x!) and how the LS would tolerate it.........
PS...this departing (Leg1) trip would be late April...and the return (Leg3) trip would be late July. Just when is TORNADO season again? lol.
PPS...I don't mind about the accumulation of miles on the vehicle. Also, age factor----I am turning 39 this year.
Last edited by LS430inDE.; 03-08-10 at 01:30 PM.
03-08-10, 01:24 PM
#3
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if they can swing a rental for you or if you can get one for a small amount of $$$ at each location i would prolly go that route so as to not put so many miles on the LS.
i voted to fly and get the rental, but i don't think you'll run into problems just that it would be easier to rent and fly then drive,,, plus the above statement ^ ^ ^.
i voted to fly and get the rental, but i don't think you'll run into problems just that it would be easier to rent and fly then drive,,, plus the above statement ^ ^ ^.
Last edited by sojah; 03-08-10 at 01:27 PM.
03-08-10, 01:27 PM
#4
Moderator
I think deciding whether to do long distance road trips one important factor is how old you are - I'm 55 and would not think about doing all those miles in any car. My back just can't take multiple 8-10 hrs drives in a row. But when I was 30-35 it would have been no problem. You should relook your estimates its very tough to average better than 60mph (including stops) over long distances.
Another factor is the general crappy-ness of visiting all those rest stops, nasty restaurants, and interstate motels. The days of finding cool or even semi-clean places to stop and eat and stay in America are pretty much long gone.
Final factor is cost - you can count on approx .50 mile just to drive the LS, not counting food, hotels, incidentals. It might be cheaper and a lot easier to fly.
And all that's assuming you don't have an accident or blowout, hit a deer etc. And that no one steals, vandalizes, or breaks into your car while on the road. A 2005 LS430 will stand out like a sore thumb.
Another factor is the general crappy-ness of visiting all those rest stops, nasty restaurants, and interstate motels. The days of finding cool or even semi-clean places to stop and eat and stay in America are pretty much long gone.
Final factor is cost - you can count on approx .50 mile just to drive the LS, not counting food, hotels, incidentals. It might be cheaper and a lot easier to fly.
And all that's assuming you don't have an accident or blowout, hit a deer etc. And that no one steals, vandalizes, or breaks into your car while on the road. A 2005 LS430 will stand out like a sore thumb.
Last edited by Jabberwock; 03-08-10 at 01:30 PM.
03-08-10, 01:29 PM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
if they can swing a rental for you or if you can get one for a small amount of $$$ at each location i would prolly go that route so as to not put so many miles on the LS.
i voted to fly and get the rental, but i don't think you'll run into problems just that it would be easier to rent and fly then drive,,, plus the above statement ^ ^ ^.
i voted to fly and get the rental, but i don't think you'll run into problems just that it would be easier to rent and fly then drive,,, plus the above statement ^ ^ ^.
03-08-10, 01:32 PM
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
I think deciding whether to do long distance road trips one important factor is how old you are - I'm 55 and would not think about doing all those miles in any car. My back just can't take multiple 8-10 hrs drives in a row. But when I was 30-35 it would have been no problem. You should relook your estimates its very tough to average better than 60mph (including stops) over long distances.
Another factor is the general crappy-ness of visiting all those rest stops, nasty restaurants, and interstate motels. The days of finding cool or even semi-clean places to stop and eat and stay in America are pretty much long gone.
Final factor is cost - you can count on approx .50 mile just to drive the LS, not counting food, hotels, incidentals. It might be cheaper and a lot easier to fly.
And all that's assuming you don't have an accident or blowout, hit a deer etc. And that no one steals, vandalizes, or breaks into your car while on the road. A 2005 LS430 will stand out like a sore thumb.
Another factor is the general crappy-ness of visiting all those rest stops, nasty restaurants, and interstate motels. The days of finding cool or even semi-clean places to stop and eat and stay in America are pretty much long gone.
Final factor is cost - you can count on approx .50 mile just to drive the LS, not counting food, hotels, incidentals. It might be cheaper and a lot easier to fly.
And all that's assuming you don't have an accident or blowout, hit a deer etc. And that no one steals, vandalizes, or breaks into your car while on the road. A 2005 LS430 will stand out like a sore thumb.
03-08-10, 01:34 PM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Very interesting! Sounds like you've been there and I may be following in your footsteps? I will PM you...
Trending Topics
03-08-10, 01:54 PM
#8
Moderator
Slightly off topic ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpYVfHTajOg
For those of us in the USA - don't forget to support our troops.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpYVfHTajOg
For those of us in the USA - don't forget to support our troops.
03-08-10, 04:50 PM
#10
Recovering Lexus Addict
If you can estimate the number of miles left on your tires like that, replace them. (Or maybe do it in Texas.) Then, drive the LS430. Advantages:
- You can take whatever you want and however much you want without regard to airline regulations. With the car you can take guns, ammo, golf clubs, extra clothes, a gallon of shampoo, whatever floats your boat.
- You have your own car to drive and enjoy at each location rather than a crappy rental car.
- The travel will not be during the winter months, so weather should not be a big deal.
- If you don't have one already, it's a good reason to get a Vaistech system or whatever to be able to listen to lots of tunes or books.
I'm sure I could think of a bunch of other reasons. I know if I was going away for multiple months anywhere in North America, I'd drive there.
- You can take whatever you want and however much you want without regard to airline regulations. With the car you can take guns, ammo, golf clubs, extra clothes, a gallon of shampoo, whatever floats your boat.
- You have your own car to drive and enjoy at each location rather than a crappy rental car.
- The travel will not be during the winter months, so weather should not be a big deal.
- If you don't have one already, it's a good reason to get a Vaistech system or whatever to be able to listen to lots of tunes or books.
I'm sure I could think of a bunch of other reasons. I know if I was going away for multiple months anywhere in North America, I'd drive there.
03-08-10, 05:06 PM
#11
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I drove cross-country 3 times in the GTI I used to have. I loved it - road trips are fun. The LS seems like a dream for long distance trips - comfortable, smooth, quiet, and reliable. Can you imagine getting a rental car that you'd be happier with? The only thing that would make me think otherwise would be if you don't get reimbursed for miles - taking your own car could end up being a significantly more expensive proposition. If you don't mind the cost, I'd say do it.
03-08-10, 05:17 PM
#12
Too bad you can't take the C-17.
Anyhow, I hope you have satellite radio - That will make the trip a lot more bearable. I'll be leaving on a long trip soon in the 04 LS on a big loop to Kansas City, then Dallas, then NOLA, and then home. Not as long as your trip, but I'll probably deposit about a thousand farts in the drivers seat by the time I get back.
Anyhow, I hope you have satellite radio - That will make the trip a lot more bearable. I'll be leaving on a long trip soon in the 04 LS on a big loop to Kansas City, then Dallas, then NOLA, and then home. Not as long as your trip, but I'll probably deposit about a thousand farts in the drivers seat by the time I get back.
03-08-10, 05:21 PM
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
Too bad you can't take the C-17.
Anyhow, I hope you have satellite radio - That will make the trip a lot more bearable. I'll be leaving on a long trip soon in the 04 LS on a big loop to Kansas City, then Dallas, then NOLA, and then home. Not as long as your trip, but I'll probably deposit about a thousand farts in the drivers seat by the time I get back.
Anyhow, I hope you have satellite radio - That will make the trip a lot more bearable. I'll be leaving on a long trip soon in the 04 LS on a big loop to Kansas City, then Dallas, then NOLA, and then home. Not as long as your trip, but I'll probably deposit about a thousand farts in the drivers seat by the time I get back.
03-08-10, 05:38 PM
#14
Racer
Thread Starter