I'm Curious, How Many People Are Considering Not Taking Delivery?

[Halbach]

Also, the warranty on the battery should be read that the ability to be charged at the end of the 8 year period is 80% - not 0%. The Lightning will need to be charged more often, and that is similar to getting lower mpg on an ICE - you had to buy fuel more often.

If I had a dollar for every time I had to explain this to someone I wouldn't have even bothered fighting with my dealer about the price protection on the Pro.

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[RickLightning]

I believe it will come down to a basic economic decision - similar for ICE vehicles. I will consider the cost of repair versus the cost of replacement of the vehicle at the time. Replacement of the battery is indeed very costly now, but should adjust over time with expansion of options etc. Anyone who faced a major drivetrain repair/replacement on a 10 year old F-150 has made this choice before.

Also, the warranty on the battery should be read that the ability to be charged at the end of the 8 year period is 80% - not 0%. The Lightning will need to be charged more often, and that is similar to getting lower mpg on an ICE - you had to buy fuel more often.

I'm taking delivery unless my wife says ABSOLUTELY SHE WILL NOT drive it.

I don't understand what you're saying regarding the battery warranty. At the end of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, Ford guarantees that the battery will have a capacity of 70% or greater. Don't know what the 80% means.

Whether the battery has lost 5%, 10%, 20%, or 30% of its capacity, the customer will be clueless except by comparing range against history. In other words, the display will still say the state of charge of the usable battery, so you can charge to 90 or 100%. But given that the battery has less capacity, you won't go as far. So, if you went 250 miles on 100% the first summer in 90 degree weather with no wind on a flat road, this year (end of warranty) you might only be able to get as low as 175 miles on a full charge (70%). Of course the dealers can pull battery health at any point.

 

[Sealevel]

I don't understand what you're saying regarding the battery warranty. At the end of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, Ford guarantees that the battery will have a capacity of 70% or greater. Don't know what the 80% means.

Whether the battery has lost 5%, 10%, 20%, or 30% of its capacity, the customer will be clueless except by comparing range against history. In other words, the display will still say the state of charge of the usable battery, so you can charge to 90 or 100%. But given that the battery has less capacity, you won't go as far. So, if you went 250 miles on 100% the first summer in 90 degree weather with no wind on a flat road, this year (end of warranty) you might only be able to get as low as 175 miles on a full charge (70%). Of course the dealers can pull battery health at any point.

The warranty states at least 70%, so I'm generously saying 80%. The range at SOC will adjust (as it does now) on the historical data collected - note this includes environmental, topological and emotional input to each of our driving habits. Since I'll be using it as a daily commuter with rare large loads and I charge at home with Solar Cells, I don't have much concern on how many KWs are available at a give time.

 

[Strangatang]

Love this truck. I get people have had some issues as have I but it’s a fantastic automobile

 

[carrillj]

I’m going to chat with the dealer this week and ask if cancelling and getting a full deposit refund is an option. Depending on what he says, will determine the route I’ll go. If I cancel, I’ll most likely wait a couple of years for EV tech to improve.

 

[lightspeed]

Love this truck. I get people have had some issues as have I but it’s a fantastic automobile

Yeah, I was on the fence because it is quite expensive, but now that I have it, I'm a fan. It's very good.

I'm not worried about the battery. I think less than 10% loss over 250K miles is most likely if you take reasonable care of it (based on Tesla data). The 70% warranty has to account for extreme abuse of the battery. Plus, even if it did lose 30%, a 100kWh battery is still HUGE and will have value. Plus, the Lightning battery is modular, so if a specific module is bringing down the pack, it can be replaced individually.

I'm not worried about resale, but I also expect it to depreciate like any other vehicle. I don't think there is anything on the horizon that will change the value proposition radically. The upcoming competitors might have better specs but they will cost more for them.

 

[Flashy McLightning]

I really hope to take delivery this week. If it doesn’t work out, I will trade it for something else. The test drove I took in the summer was fantastic. Can’t wait to show it off

 

[Solar_EE]

Yeah, I was on the fence because it is quite expensive, but now that I have it, I'm a fan. It's very good.

I'm not worried about the battery. I think less than 10% loss over 250K miles is most likely if you take reasonable care of it (based on Tesla data). The 70% warranty has to account for extreme abuse of the battery. Plus, even if it did lose 30%, a 100kWh battery is still HUGE and will have value. Plus, the Lightning battery is modular, so if a specific module is bringing down the pack, it can be replaced individually.

I'm not worried about resale, but I also expect it to depreciate like any other vehicle. I don't think there is anything on the horizon that will change the value proposition radically. The upcoming competitors might have better specs but they will cost more for them.

My truck has been great so far- just a few minor issues with the frunk- but smooth power and a great driving experience. With the XLT SR I don't have all the tech of a platinum but the price of $55K was reasonable and I traded my 2016 F150 in for $23.6 so really only about $25K out of pocket after the $7,500 tax credit. It is really nice never going to a gas station again! My truck is not quite as advanced as my Ioniq 5 but it can haul, drive on the beach, carry five people and all their gear comfortably. No point in waiting for the "future trucks" when this is a great vehicle now.

 

[jb56]

I think the lightning would be perfect for me, but the pricing is nuts. If I can't take delivery before year end, then I won't be taking delivery because I won't get any tax credit at that point. Even with the $7500 tax credit, the price is hard to swallow for a Lariat ER.
My blend date was 10/27 and it still hasn't been listed as "built" yet, so it looks like I won't be getting it.

 

[Kirk]

I finally got an opportunity to order, but have chosen to pass. As a Minnesotan I can’t justify $90k for a ER Lariat that doesn’t even have a heated steering wheel.

 

[Maxx]

I have Rivian, CT and Silverado reservations. It is too early for GM but the others did not have a smooth operation either. I think some headache should be expected with any reservation for a vehicle that does not exist. Tesla has been going wild with taking stuff out too. I really wanted the scale and disappointed but if the choice was waiting another year for it, I wouldn’t. And to be honest from reveal to delivery, Ford has done better than most so I would give them a little bit of break.

That said, I am already losing on 2022 tax credit. If the 22 pricing is not honored as promised, and I have to lose even more, I am out and dealer can have my truck. It took 40 years for me to consider Ford as an option. If this does not work out, I will not be around to try again. I am only interested in Pro because it minimizes my expectations and therefore chance of regret. I have purchased vehicles I loved and some that were simply practical. At $80K, if you are not in love with it and are not excited about it after reading positive reviews from owners, I would pass. If it feels like an obligation, and you don’t need something now, I would wait for something you are excited about. Think about it this way, if you didn’t get this, what would you get instead (regardless of when you get it). Now imagine you driving the lightning and also driving the alternative when they break. Which one you regret more?

I can live with the other 5% of imperfection.

Dying to know about that 5%

I’ve had two batteries in two makes repaired now. $5-$10k repair bills. Car is gone for months.

A concern for me as well. It seems like it is not just use, age has an impact on battery performance too. My current truck is 20 years old and is running like a champ with minimal ownership cost. Despite the ads for EVs, I have no confidence any EV I buy today will cost me as little over two decades but chances are I won’t be around that long anyway. The way I am thinking; some idiot has to buy these so the tech can improve for smart consumers later. That idiot may as well be me.

 

[slojim]

The other 5% is little things like the goofy software and getting the “charger” set up. Nothing major. I do love driving it!

 

[Ostrichsak]

Yup, the Lightning battery is modular so if one of the sub-packs goes out it can be replaced.

In Tesla's case, you can only replace the entire battery as it's one big glued together battery. The good news is that they seem to be lasting hundreds of thousands of miles with no issues on the average.

Point of clarification: current Tesla battery packs are modular.

 

[lightspeed]

Point of clarification: current Tesla battery packs are modular.

Hmmm I guess that's true based on today's models, but the structural battery pack that they are moving to is not modular. It's one big glued together pack.

I agree that there are a variety of different kinds of 'modules' across current Tesla products. I don't know how serviceable those modules are.

 

[Ostrichsak]

Hmmm I guess that's true based on today's models, but the structural battery pack that they are moving to is not modular. It's one big glued together pack.

Speculation at this point. This thread about refusing delivery hardly seems like the right place for this conversation either way.

I agree that there are a variety of different kinds of 'modules' across current Tesla products. I don't know how serviceable those modules are.

Quite serviceable. There's many 3rd party shops all across the country that will service Tesla battery packs. I've seen people talk about getting a quote of $20k (give or take) for a total battery pack replacement from Tesla out-of-warranty who then took it to one of these shops and were back in business for a few grand. Some even offer battery & performance upgrades as well.

Again though, not really the right place for this conversation. I just didn't want misinformation presented as fact & have others believe it. Ford didn't revolutionize the modular battery back.

Bringing it back on topic... I'm about 91% I'm not taking delivery of my Lightning. Our Model S cars have been great for us so I'm comfortable staying where we are. If we we're driving an ICE F150 right now I feel like this might be a tougher decision than it is. I just hope Ford gets it together because how the legacy manufacturers handle this transition to EV will affect the overall adoption rate if lots of people have a bad experience.

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