I am weighing my options for picking up my new 2023 coupe in Wichita and driving 560 miles home (Austin), where I'll be getting Xpel, ceramic and tint from my chosen installer.

All the relevant posts on the forums are old. Does anyone have experience with Xpel TracWrap? Seen lots of YouTubes, etc. and my local installer suggested I spend the hour or so it would take to at least do the front bumper and some of the hood. Seems like it goes on fairly easily and comes off without a problem. I won't drive it if the in any weather (will just wait or get it shipped), but still want to try to prevent any damage during the trip.

Thanks for any advice!

 

Id say just get it shipped if your concerned. Driving 500+ miles isnt good anyways because its not fully broken in yet and you're not suppose to do prolonged highway runs before breaking it in properly.

 

I was gonna suggest a removable "bra", but I searched and couldn't find anyone who made one for the LC500. I would weigh what it cost to flatbed vs the time and trouble to apply a temporary film. You could go real cheap and use painters tape and newspaper to cover the vulnerable areas as you are just gonna pull the stuff off when you get to wherever you're going.

 

Was leaning towards getting it shipped. Given the fact that it's gonna be winter, lots of variables up in the middle of Kansas to consider.

 

I shipped mine 850 miles. Best decision I made. Enclosed. No way would I have driven it. Took it to Xpel installer 2 miles away and did Xpel PPF plus Xpel Ceramic. Good luck just don’t try to save a dollar and end up with damage. If buying new from a dealer see if they will coordinate the transport and let you write them (the Dealrer) a check for the transporter. That way the Dealer is responsible for anything that goes wrong.

 

I drove mine from Nebraska to Arizona. Wasn't in winter though, it was in September. Kept back from traffic and it turned out alright.

 

--

Or, if you have a pick up, you may want to consider hauling it back on a front protected trailer yourself.

--

 

Something else you might consider installing first-thing:

https://www.scrapearmor.com/products/lexus-lc500-2017

The bottom of the front bumper on the LC is painted plastic. Damage it significantly and it's a full bumper repaint to fix. I ordered this before the car came in, drove it home and immediately installed it.

Honda was smart enough to put a plastic lip protector (that can be removed / replaced when damaged) on the front bumper of the NSX, it's strange that nobody at Toyota thought of this for the LC.

 

I picked mine up from my dealer in Albuquerque, drove 200 miles home to spend the night then 850 miles the next day to my project in the Los Angeles area. As Lou mentions, just don't follow closely and pay attention to your surroundings. 500 miles should be a piece of cake for a one-day drive. On the freeway I fluctuated my cruising speed between 65 and 80 at random intervals to avoid constant speed for the entire trip and was careful to avoid heavy braking.

I say drive it, that's what your LC is best at - Grand Touring!

 

Had our last vehicle Xpel wrapped at dealer and drove home 650 miles in middle of night to ensure less traffic and debris.


you’ll be ok

 

Purchased mine through Lexus of North Miami. I had them send it off to an XPEL installer of my choice nearby and got the full-frontal coverage. Once it was done, I flew down 2 days later and drove her 230 miles back to Orlando....Incredibly happy I did that!

 

Once you get it back to ATX, take it to Atomic Auto Spa for correction, PPF and ceramic. They are the best. Located in Round Rock.

I’d use the Xpel track wrap and drive it….but you never know what you’ll run into driving it through Kansas. May be better off shipping it.

Steve

 

Thanks for reminding me! Spotted this on the site a few weeks ago, and put it on my mental checklist. I’m sure I can get the Xpel installer to put it on.

 

Try this with your car as a temp solution.

 

They stole my idea! 😂