We're off to California next week, and deciding if we should take the new NX (750 miles), or our RX. I'm guessing about 2500 miles round trip. I'm a little worried about break in, because it'll be about 2500 miles round trip, all interstate, with constant speed and expecting high temps.

is there any reason I should avoid taking the NX?

 

See pg 168 of the manual for tips...

My personal preference would be "no".

 

i agree no for this trip, as the mental turmoil would be too great to vary the speed, etc. However I just looked you already have 750 miles, so maybe you can baby the next 250 miles if you are anxious to try.
Maybe deciding factor would be amount of luggage/passengers to influencing use of RX

 

I've taken new cars on road trips several times with no ill effects. With 750 miles on it just remember to adjust the cruise control now and then or better yet, drive for stretches without it and vary the speed. Personally I'd want to take the new car, but as kent2174 said, if the RX is every bit a comfortable/reliable, it might give you more peace of mind to take it.

 

I wouldn't give it a second thought.

 

Thank you for the responses! I am a bit worried about break in, but I honestly have no doubt it would be fine. By the time I got through the mountains, I'd have enough miles with varied engine speeds and load to not have to worry. Still, 8 or 10 hours at 75 MPH across Utah and Nevada is a lot.

Does anyone think I should change the oil before we leave?

 

While having RX issue repaired yesterday at an independent Lexus/Toyota shop (owner/mechanic and exmechanic at Cerritos Lexus), I asked him about my NX oil change, since it has low miles. I really want to change oil at 6 months (which is 2 more months). He said absolutely no need since it is synthetic. And not a special oil for breakin at factory.
I explained what I have been reading on the forum about your all's opinions.
He again said one year or 10k miles-- just wasting money.
I will again obtain service advisor opinion when I take it in in 2 months.

 

There's be reason to change the oil early. If it makes you feel better to do it, then go for it but you don't have to.

When someone who gets paid to change your oil says not to change the oil, I would listen

 

I would take the RX for comfort. I would get an oil change for the NX at around 1k miles.

-Josh

 

when i drove to las vegas from anaheim, i found the NX to be much more comfortable than RX due to the F sport seat support..

 

If you decide to take the NX (which I would with the mileage you have already and with varying speeds as suggested), plan for the 1K mile service. They will perform any custom settings but most importantly, they will check vitals including the engine oil. In my case, they had to top it off at that mileage.

Enjoy your trip! I just came back today from mine today, east coast, with the NX.

 

Thank you all again for the replies! We decided to take the RX because I still think it's he best road trip car ever. I also decided there was no need to rush the break in period, or miss tha 1000 mile oil change I like to do even though a lot of folks say there's no need.

i think we'll do a long day trip through the mountains sometime soon, and see how the NX does then.

 

Have fun and post pics of the trip in the RX forum!

 

Isn't the engine break in 621 miles?

The RX will treat you very well on the road trip.

 

Not the OP but my addition to the thread:

I took my new (about 300 miles) NX on a road trip last weekend. I was a little bit worried about it, but since it's my only car I didn't really have any choice (the not-so-often discussed decision factor for people who only own one car). The trip was about 800 miles all around (car now has 1188 miles) and was mostly highway with some two-lane highway. I did my best to not drive at a constant speed the entire time, but since it's west Texas I really couldn't avoid driving at high speed. The car seemed fine for the trip, but I'll definitely take it in for the (suggested) 5000 mile service (though that's another 120 miles from me) at the Lexus dealer rather than the local Toyota when it comes up.

At least I didn't have too many hills to contend with!