Would You Buy A Lightning Again?

[Smokewagun]

I think my biggest concern is resale and batteries with high mileage in a short term.
Really, if the truck fits my daily mileage needs today, it will in three years. The range will still be good. BUT, if the batteries start to degrade by 100,000 miles (for me at 3 years) who’s gonna want a three year old Lightning with 100k on it? I’ll be forced to drive it into the ground. These trucks are new. Has anyone witnessed 25% degradation in 100k? That’s SR territory, which will NOT work for me, as I proved with my 2022 Lightning. I guess I just need a little push from overthinking. I think I recall a guy footing the freight got a couple cell replacements, and it was over $10k. I doubt Ford will offer new replacement batteries with updated tech to us early adopters, like inserting energizer lithium batteries in a flashlight over the old Rayovac’s.

Sponsored

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I've owned many vehicles including a new F-150 ICE. This is still the best vehicle and truck I've ever owned. I would absolutely buy one again. I'll own this one until significant battery technology advancements are made. Today, you'd buy the same tech as my 2022, but for 75% of the cost I paid.

We're so glad you're loving it, Gideon! That's a stunning F-150 Lightning!

 

[ZSLC]

Nope. Don't get me wrong. I love the truck, It's fun to drive and practical for around town and interstate trips. That said between the poor service / communication from Ford, having to give up on software updates (been over a year and a half for me and Ford and the dealers just point fingers at each other) and living out west where EV's don't have the range / infrastructure for much of what I like to do it is just not there for me.

 

[ChrisC]

Yes! I love this truck and my favorite activity is to load my Costco boxes in the frunk where I get so many looks and questions It stops the stuff from rolling around. I use the bed for yard waste and hauling large dirty items so the frunk keeps my food clean

 

[PrimeRisk]

I'll answer this in two ways. I have a 2024 Lariat ER.

If I had it all to do over again, no, I wouldn't have bought it knowing what I know now. I love the truck itself, but the technology side of the vehicle is a complete excrement-show and I have spent more time messing around with technology issues than I have on my last 3 vehicles combined. I have also had to take it to the dealership for technology issues more times than the last 2 vehicles combined and I've owned it less than 3 months. Exacerbating the technical issues, the dealers do not have many educated technicians (my closest dealership has none and will not touch a Lightning or Mach-e) and every visit is a long wait for an appointment due to their loading. The Ford Lightning is not ready for prime time and that is very disappointing on a $80k+ vehicle.

In the future, 6-8 years from now, when I'm ready to replace my Lightning I will absolutely have it on the list, but if the technology issues persist, it will be an absolute no-go and I will buy a different brand.

 

[HaroldCal]

I did already, actually I bought my first one, a 23 Platinum, from my original pre-order in the fall of 22. I bought my second one, a 23 Lariat, fall of 23.

They have served me well. A joy to drive, decent features, and has saved me a ton in fuel.

With that said, I also had a preorder on the Cybertruck. The Lightning just became available first, and I needed a truck right then (same for the second one).

If I were shopping today, I would be seriously considering that Cybertruck (now that it's readily available). The appearance doesn't bother me. I actually like it. And FSD is way more mature and capable than BluesClues. I like the built-in roll-up tonneau. I like the oversimplified interior. Way more charging infrastructure. And with a much larger installed base, accessories and community knowledge is a real thing.

I would really have to think about it. Pros and Cons on both sides. I really like the huge frunk on the Lightning. And I kinda like the stealth aspect of it. If you don't know any better, it looks like any other F150 (ish). I like the fact that many F150 accessories just work. But the Lightning also hasn't been supported quite as well, and certainly had some teething issues. I really WANT the Lightning (and Ford's EV push in general) to succeed. It's important that Tesla have strong competition, lest they just run away with it. I say this as a shareholder of both Ford and Tesla. I want them both to succeed.

At this point, I already have my 2 Lightnings, and that will hold me over until something comparable to a SuperDuty comes along to replace my old F350. At this point, it only gets driven a couple times per year to tow my toy hauler. I look forward to heavy towing becoming a thing in the EV world. If I could just buy the Tesla Semi with a bed on it, I would have already done it.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Yes! I love this truck and my favorite activity is to load my Costco boxes in the frunk where I get so many looks and questions It stops the stuff from rolling around. I use the bed for yard waste and hauling large dirty items so the frunk keeps my food clean

We love to hear that, Chris! The mega power frunk is the perfect clean space to easily transport whatever you need.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I am interested as well please

I am very happy with my truck. After nearly 12k miles in 8 months, I'd buy it again!

We love to hear that, Keanen! We'd love to see a pic!

 

[River Rat]

23 Lariat EX, 30,00km no major issues. Love the ride and performance so YES.

 

[Tdub]

I love this truck! This is my 5th Ford pickup and by far the best truck I have ever owned. I would definitely buy another Lightning!

I just love the fact, I am no longer having to stop and pay the high prices of gas!

Keep up the great work!

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

I was gonna reply, but then noticed the intern over at Ford started commenting in the thread with all sorts of self-congratulatory BS. Lets see if their dumb enough to quote me.

*clears throat* HECK Yeah I'd buy it again! I was on the fence but then they released Careoke which takes it over the top and makes this a prefect vehicle. Between the lagging infotainment system, no Dog Mode, and rapid rollout of BlueCruise 7.0, this is far and above my old car; a 1992 Volkswagen Fox.

Nice job Ford.

 

[MickeyAO]

Let’s be truthful. No BS, no sugar. Would you buy another?
I ask because I still maintain my 2022 Lightning was the best Ford truck I can remember in 40 years. Solid. Yes, teething, but it was new technology. I had issues, but the biggest was range. The standard just didn’t cut it for me. I had to bail after trying to get an ER. Then the bottom fell out 2 weeks later after I got out.
Now, I’m in a position to get back into an ER Flash. Just wondering what you owners have to say.
I an upside down in my current truck, and have enough incentives, tax rebate, and a PCO to right me up. I could save an easy $5,000 plus a year driving a Lightning again. But I’d want to just run it. I’m on the fence. In 5 years, I’d have between 150-200k on it. I don’t think the batteries are an issue. The service intervals thru 200k are literally tiring. Nothing. I think a coolant change at 160k if I recall. The ER would fit my daily driving without issue. Vacations? Eh, maybe. I have concerns at 150-200k, who would want a used EV? New tech with better batteries, quicker charging, longer range would have to kill a used Lightning, right? Am I concerned about these things for nothing? I can’t imagine my 2023 STX will return $20k in five years with 150 on the clock, after its $15k depreciation in six months. So what’s the likelihood a 2024 Lightning will return $20k in five years with all the other tech advancement strikes against it? I can’t find my crystal ball. Thoughts appreciated.

Torn. I love the truck and have so much fun driving it, but after testing the SKE805A cells in my lab, I question the quality of these cells. Fortunately, I know the weaknesses of the cells and how to still make them last forever (and have posted hints about this in the past).

With that said, I already bought the extended warranty and will keep this truck longer than any other of the last 15 years (average, the previous trucks never got out of the manufactures 3 year warranty period, with the Ford F150 Limited being the exception and sold after 2 years.)

BTW, retirement is just around the corner and I might post more specific information after that date! Mostly normalized graphs that we publish in other papers.

 

[Maquis]

Torn. I love the truck and have so much fun driving it, but after testing the SKE805A cells in my lab, I question the quality of these cells. Fortunately, I know the weaknesses of the cells and how to still make them last forever (and have posted hints about this in the past).

With that said, I already bought the extended warranty and will keep this truck longer than any other of the last 15 years (average, the previous trucks never got out of the manufactures 3 year warranty period, with the Ford F150 Limited being the exception and sold after 2 years.)

BTW, retirement is just around the corner and I might post more specific information after that date! Mostly normalized graphs that we publish in other papers.

Mickey, I really appreciate your “hints.“ Gives me confidence that keeping the truck long-term is the right decision.

 

[Lightningwaiter]

Let’s be truthful. No BS, no sugar. Would you buy another?
I ask because I still maintain my 2022 Lightning was the best Ford truck I can remember in 40 years. Solid. Yes, teething, but it was new technology. I had issues, but the biggest was range. The standard just didn’t cut it for me. I had to bail after trying to get an ER. Then the bottom fell out 2 weeks later after I got out.
Now, I’m in a position to get back into an ER Flash. Just wondering what you owners have to say.
I an upside down in my current truck, and have enough incentives, tax rebate, and a PCO to right me up. I could save an easy $5,000 plus a year driving a Lightning again. But I’d want to just run it. I’m on the fence. In 5 years, I’d have between 150-200k on it. I don’t think the batteries are an issue. The service intervals thru 200k are literally tiring. Nothing. I think a coolant change at 160k if I recall. The ER would fit my daily driving without issue. Vacations? Eh, maybe. I have concerns at 150-200k, who would want a used EV? New tech with better batteries, quicker charging, longer range would have to kill a used Lightning, right? Am I concerned about these things for nothing? I can’t imagine my 2023 STX will return $20k in five years with 150 on the clock, after its $15k depreciation in six months. So what’s the likelihood a 2024 Lightning will return $20k in five years with all the other tech advancement strikes against it? I can’t find my crystal ball. Thoughts appreciated.

I have had my lighting for almost a year. I would give a solid yes if I had to get a new vehicle.

 

[sw-lightning23]

Emphatically, no. And I can’t honestly recommend it given the constant software issues. As a pure truck, it’s great. But so is the ICE F-150. As a connected, software defined vehicle that Ford claims it is, it’s pretty bad.

For example, the truck and app suddenly won’t share current vehicle data, such as SOC or charging information. I’m a pretty techy guy so I double checked all of the data sharing and associated settings, reset the app, checked all the vehicle connection settings, and nothing. Unfortunately, this is one of countless things. It’s death by a thousand paper cuts.

@Ford Motor Company, any thoughts or suggestions?

Sponsored