Planning to drive from Southern California to Idaho in my LS which has 112K miles. Original water pump and radiator. There are no signs of water pump issues currently and I have had the radiator flushed and filled with new coolant previously. The car was serviced and inspected in December. It will be over 1,600 miles in some fairly desolate and hot desert areas, all likely to be without cell service. Will I be fine with the LS or should I take my new car? Your thoughts?

 

I have the upmost faith in my 07 to do a long road trip. My car currently has 175k with mostly all fixes done plus up to date maintenance all around. I recently did the water pump and radiator as there was signs of pink dried coolant around the small plastic radiator return nipple which is notorious for getting brittle. Water pump was still good but why not since radiator was coming out. Now it all depends on if you want to save your mileage on your older car and drive the newer one. Hope this helps you to make a decision.

 

You probably would be fine with either vehicle, but I'd opt for the new car if it was me.

I've made 5 trips to the West from Ohio. Only the first was in an older car. The later 4 were all in what was then a new car. Only that first trip was hampered by mechanical issues.

 

Idaho, yay!

 

Thanks for the information. It definitely helps!

 

I'm looking to get out of California for good. Going to look at properties and neighborhoods to relocate to in the very near future. Any tips?

 

I drove mine from KS to Seattle and to Phoenix and lastly to North Carolina. Not all in same year but 3 different one. No issues what so ever. If its all in good running shape and you keep up with maintenance than its all good to go. I have never seen a broken down Lexus on the highway. Fingers crossed.

 

My wife and I have taken extension road trips in our 2010 LS460L.
Put a small cooler chest behind the driver's seat and a sack of snacks behind the passenger seat.
The only problem is staying out of the throttle. These cars can easily run 100mph all day long.
Check under the car for any leaks, check the oil and coolant, air pressure and condition of tire, and brake wear.
We live in Oregon and traveled all over in the western US. The interstates were built for these cars.
A decent radar detector and laser jammer would be a luxury. I do not support speeding. Drive smart.
These cars for some reason are not ticket getters. We were traveling between Albuquerque and Santa Fe at 95 mph.
A state police officer pulled up on my left and I nodded at him and he nodded back and drove on by.
I think two gray haired people had something to do with not getting ticketed.

Enjoy your trip.

 

I would have the LS looked over well and serviced beforehand, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I love it! Thank you.

 

You might want to have the Safety Connect/SOS service activated if you don't have an active subscription. There's no guarantee it will have a connection where you will be driving but I've noticed that it has always worked in rural areas where we have no service on our handheld phones. The annual fee was reduced several years ago to only $80.

 

Thats still an option on the older LS? I wondered about that.

 

Any Lexus 2010 and newer

 

plus one on the 100 mph interstate traveler. 27 mpg at 90 plus

 

Tires aired up properly and roadside service registered, you should be ready to go.

make sure the roadside is at least 20-50 miles service.