Driving across country in the Z or just ship it?
 

I am about to move from the right coast to the left coast. Based on what I am reading in the relocation package, I am only allow to drive my own personal car across country rather than getting a Hertz one way rental ($550+gas). Since my wife's Lexus is more expensive and has higher miles, I am probably not going to use that car. I am going to get reimbursed 55 cents per mile and I can take 6-7 days to do this trip via I-80 or I can just say to hack with it and ship both cars. I don't want to fly over since I have 2 dogs that I have to bring over too. My Z has lower miles, so doing the 3000 miles shouldn't be too bad and I do have worn tires so I probably don't have to do much other than an oil change once I get to CA. The only issue I do have with the Z is that it is very small and cramp, I am going to have a tough time carrying anything. Outside of the dogs and personal items, I am going to have to bring a lot of valuerable and baby stuff with me. I don't know if a stroller, pack and play and a jumper will fit in the Z. I do have an aluminum cargo carrier that I can use in the back to expand my cargo capacity, but that means I am exposing whatever out there in the element. WHat do you guys think? Good or bad idea?

I am really doing this for my dogs, I don't want them to fly on the belly or trap under the seat in a crate for 6 hours.

Oh yeah I will need jumbo ear plugs as the car is so uncomfortable to drive!

Driven from CA to Arizona and back, I thought it was the most uncomfortable 5 hours in my life. The last 2 hours made me want to be cramp in a plane instead. Fact that my stuff block the rear view just made the whole experiencr clostrophobic.

I drove mine back from Vegas, wasn't uncomfortable at all. Though, it was a brand new car at the time (< 10mi). :icon17:

I still drive long distances in this car and it's not bad at all.

Based on your situation, I'd probably just ship it since you've got a ton of stuff to take with you, but I dunno with the dogs. Maybe rent a U-Haul and trailer to transfer your car and carry your stuff?

I dunno, I drove from Dallas to LA in 2 days and thought it was one of the most comfortable drives, lol. I'd redo it in a heartbeat. And I really didn't get out to stretch or anything, AND I'm very prone to back pain.
That being said
Touring seats FTW!!!

I took a crapload of guns and ammo, blanket, books, computer, cooler in the passenger seat, car stuff, a crap load of shoes and clothes and I maybe, MAYBE had one inch of visible rear view.

Honestly, if your 2 dogs can fit, JUST take that, as well as things that are SUPER valuable.
THEN pack all your other crap into the Lexus and ship that. Hell, if you had to ship both you wouldn't be making much more space by filling the Z, and/or how did you assume to take all that crap anyways.


All that being said, I still say go for it. And if your tires are really shot, MAYBE get a rear tire flip flop (if your camber is bad) just because tires get REALLY hot on the drive, or do as the cheap bastards (namely me) do, and do a front/rear tire rotation (I had a 20mm spacer on the back though). It looks REALLY dumb, but it'll prolong the life of the more expensive rear tires!

OP, you think the Z is uncomfortable, or just noisy?
You'd be surprised as how well some of the roads are paved, and just fill the rear with blankets to absorb noise if that's an issue... (Then again I was listening to music during 95% of the drive as well)

I've driven from PA to WA, will never do it again and that was in my Explorer. I drove the Nismo from CA to central TX, once again I'll never do that again. I would just ship it. I had Allied Transport ship my Nismo from TX to WA in March in an enclosed trailer for 1700.
OP, which company do you work for? I work for General Dynamics and when I did a relocation, they paid to ship one of my vehicles, along with 56cents a mile to drive another one. I know every company is different but you may want to double check that.

With your situation i'd prob recommend you trailer the vehicle. That way you have adequate space and keep less wear n tear on the z.

I drove to NY and back. 22hours each way. No issues. I would do it again.

Do you think your doing your dogs a favour by taking them on a 7 day road trip in a Z? Fly the dogs out. They'll get over their jet lag soon enough.

What year is your lexus? If its properly maintained, having higher miles won't matter. My suggestion, since you have to take a bunch with you is to drive the Lexus. You'll have more room and the ride will be much more comfortable.

I'm about to do a similar move, FL to CA. I've been looking online, but since I'm still in Korea i have been hesitant to stay up late to talk to any of the companies on the phone.

I drove straight back to Houston after buying my Z in St. Louis. Wasn't the worst drive ever, but I was a little loopy by the time I got home. It was about 18 hours with hourly stops to get out and walk around to get the blood flowing again. The worst part was the lack of cruise control since the car was brand new. It wasn't too claustrophobic, but all I had with me was a backpack. At least most of the break in period was over the day I got the car. If I was moving cross country I'd either load up the other car and ship the Z, or move everything and fly back to drive the Z out.

What kind of dogs? I'm assuming little ones that would sit in a doggie container on the passenger seat.

I always have someone move mine on a tractor trailor. I refuse to rack up miles. I have used a moving company 3 different times and its pretty cheap. Now if you had a older car I would say drive it.

I did a PCS/Dity move myself biggest mistake of my life. Never again.