Talk me out of getting this Lariat

[Calfire]

I currently daily drive a 2022 Honda Accord, im thinking of selling it and getting the 2024 F150 Lighnting - Lariat. I've been wanting a bigger car for a while but this one is BIG. TBH my only use for a truck is hauling bigger items every now and then and home improvement store runs. I dont work a trade and I wont be towing anything. How is this deal and is it worth moving on from my Accord that has treated me really well and close to paying it off (2.5 years left). I'm not sure if I will regret getting such a big truck, but I did enjoy sitting in the cabin and driving it!

Lease Terms in CA

MSRP: $79590
Discount and Rebates: $17918
Adjusted Price: $61672
12k miles a year
$2500 DAS
$599 a month, 39 months 9.75% tax rate included

I just bought mine on Monday...I couldn't pass up the deal and that until March 31, 2025 Ford is doing their Power Promise and including their 80 amp charger and standard install of it for freeish... instead of a $5000 rebate I got $4000 and the Power Promise...Great trade off if you ask me considering the cost of installing the charger in my home.


Just my 2 cents.

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[astrand1]

The truck is nice and I'm sure you will like driving it. Looks like a Ca vehicle and in CA you tend to drive everywhere and longer distances. So beware of that, where you can just jump in the Honda and drive up and down the state with no issue. Not the same for the inefficient F150 EV. I have multiple cars, so I don't worry. To me, the F150 EV is not a one household car. For certain errands, I had to rent a gas F150 for my needs. No big deal for me. Its a great car if you charge at home and do all your stuff within a 100 mile radius of your house.

I’ve gotta push back on what you said. This truck is a great road tripping vehicle. I’ve crossed the country twice and leaving tomorrow morning for Ca from MI. 100 mile radius? Try the whole country. lol. And I would not call it inefficient at all. It’s a truck. It’s not going to get the same as a car. Same with gas. I’ve towed with it multiple times. I would say towing is really the only downfall but with some planning even that is more than doable.

 

[gbuydos]

I’ve gotta push back on what you said. This truck is a great road tripping vehicle. I’ve crossed the country twice and leaving tomorrow morning for Ca from MI. 100 mile radius? Try the whole country. lol. And I would not call it inefficient at all. It’s a truck. It’s not going to get the same as a car. Same with gas. I’ve towed with it multiple times. I would say towing is really the only downfall but with some planning even that is more than doable.

The truck is inefficient compared to other EVs, known fact. You are solely dependent on EV infrastructure that is built, the majors highways have this, so if you don't deviate from the major routes, you would be fine. Crossing rural America, you are not. It boils down to where you would be located and the EV infrastructure you would need to use.

 

[Django]

dont

 

[MaintGrl]

To be honest, I was not in the market for an EV truck at this point, but the incentives Ford has right now and willingness of the dealer, with 12 2024 Lightnings on his lot, to negotiate made it stupid not too. And I am glad I did, I am really enjoying the truck.

I've been driving a full size truck since the 90's, so I was already used to the size and cannot help you there. Honestly, I am amazed that any home owner can live without a truck!

"Honestly, I am amazed that any home owner can live without a truck! "
My first car was a Truck. it was a 71' Datsun 1600 P/u. I've owned "cars" off and on as the opportunities present them selves, But I have owned a truck ever since I started driving. Part of it I think is that my dear deceased dad had a F-150 that I help give oil changes to...

 

[gbuydos]

"Honestly, I am amazed that any home owner can live without a truck! "
My first car was a Truck. it was a 71' Datsun 1600 P/u. I've owned "cars" off and on as the opportunities present them selves, But I have owned a truck ever since I started driving. Part of it I think is that my dear deceased dad had a F-150 that I help give oil changes to...

You don't need a pick up. A simple utility trailer works just fine and is way cheaper. Also can rent for under $20 at Home Depot.

 

[astrand1]

The truck is inefficient compared to other EVs, known fact. You are solely dependent on EV infrastructure that is built, the majors highways have this, so if you don't deviate from the major routes, you would be fine. Crossing rural America, you are not. It boils down to where you would be located and the EV infrastructure you would need to use.

Compared to which EV’s? The Silverado? Or cybertruck? They both get similar KWH per mile. And I have taken back roads and gone off the major interstates without issue. Again it just takes some pre planning. I would agree with your last sentence. A persons usage and location can play a role in which vehicle they choose but I was really pushing back on your blanket statement that it’s only good for a 100 mile radius. Many on here would disagree with you on that point.

 

[gbuydos]

Compared to which EV’s? The Silverado? Or cybertruck? They both get similar KWH per mile. And I have taken back roads and gone off the major interstates without issue. Again it just takes some pre planning. I would agree with your last sentence. A persons usage and location can play a role in which vehicle they choose but I was really pushing back on your blanket statement that it’s only good for a 100 mile radius. Many on here would disagree with you on that point.

I live in the rural area, I don't have a supercharger or public charging anywhere near me. I solely charge at home. Just coming out of winter, my range was in the 190s or less, that is a 100 mile radius.

 

[MaintGrl]

You don't need a pick up. A simple utility trailer works just fine and is way cheaper. Also can rent for under $20 at Home Depot.

Ya, but that is a PITA, all the coordination to do that. so much easy to jump in and run....(but, yes for some that would be a viable alternative...)

 

[astrand1]

I live in the rural area, I don't have a supercharger or public charging anywhere near me. I solely charge at home. Just coming out of winter, my range was in the 190s or less, that is a 100 mile radius.

I’m assuming you must have a SR? I have a ER and coming out of Michigan winter my range charged to 80-85% was in the upper 200’s. Again I used proper planning like always having it plugged in and using departure times which make quite a bit of difference.

 

[Eddiewill9]

FWIW, I bout my 2024 Lariat in January. I had never owned a truck, never owned an EV-- and never wanted either. I was coming from a Hybrid SUV that was great, liked it a lot, but every now and again (not often enough to justify, tbh) needed a truck to move or pick up something, so went to see what was on the lots. Had never heard of the Lightnings*. Test drove the Lariat and haven't looked back.

Having the home charger is the real game changer. We have gone on a couple of trips and it was easy to plan out where/when to charge. Bought a 49.00 adapter for the Tesla chargers and no one is more surprised than I am that I have ZERO regrets. Love this thing!

*I know there are other, very valid issues for disappointing sales, but I also think Ford did a horrible job marketing these vehicles. Practically everyone I show it to says, "I didn't know Ford had EV trucks." I was the same. I thought only Tesla and Rivian had trucks. Plus, would have been cool to bring back the old F100 Lightning emblem-- the current "bolt" isn't much to get excited about, IMO.

 

[gbuydos]

I’m assuming you must have a SR? I have a ER and coming out of Michigan winter my range charged to 80-85% was in the upper 200’s. Again I used proper planning like always having it plugged in and using departure times which make quite a bit of difference.

My EV experience goes back 20+ years, I advocate for EVs. However, they are dependent of certain conditions to be successful. Not all people are candidates for an EV. The ones that are not, should not get the vehicle, as they will be dissatisfied and complain. Right now, EVs fit within a certain parameter. In the future, that will be different.

 

[astrand1]

My EV experience goes back 20+ years, I advocate for EVs. However, they are dependent of certain conditions to be successful. Not all people are candidates for an EV. The ones that are not, should not get the vehicle, as they will be dissatisfied and complain. Right now, EVs fit within a certain parameter. In the future, that will be different.

Similar for me. I’ve got about 12ish years with evs. I do agree that ev’s are not for everyone. I just think blanket statements like that can paint an unfair picture about evs. But discussion like this is really good (even if we don’t agree) especially for new people like the OP to help get an idea of what those of us who own an ev experience.

 

[gbuydos]

Similar for me. I’ve got about 12ish years with evs. I do agree that ev’s are not for everyone. I just think blanket statements like that can paint an unfair picture about evs. But discussion like this is really good (even if we don’t agree) especially for new people like the OP to help get an idea of what those of us who own an ev experience.

Sounds good. For us old timers who drove GM EV1s, Toyota RAV4 EVs, and the Nissan Altra EVs, we can share a lot of knowledge of the hard path it took to get here.

 

[Newton]

First off, the Lightning is a great truck and works pretty well as a pickup truck. I have been driving a truck for most of my life and the size of a truck is an issue. Trucks are big, and modern full sized trucks are really big (especially for the tiny beds that they have but that is another story). Try driving and parking it in a metro area before making the plunge.

The 360 cameras make it easier to park, but nothing will make it easier to find a parking space (or garage) that the truck will fit in. What they don’t tell you is that it is also quite wide, which means that you sometimes will not fit comfortably in a metro-sized maxed out tiny space parking spot. When you try to do a complex maneuver in a mini lot you will discover that the turning circle is not at all like your Honda. I know there can be a feeling of pride in slinging a big truck around but honestly it is a pain when all that you want to do is get a sandwich. You have to decide between being that jerk who parks over the sidewalk or that jerk who leaves his back end hanging out in traffic. By the way, when you are trying these maneuvers the thing is beeping like a garbage truck so you are also a jerk for waking everybody up.

The truck works quite well for long trips (aside from stops in metro areas) where it is quiet and the size absorbs bumps in the road quite nicely. The cabin is stellar, especially in the Lariat. It works pretty well as a pickup although the bed is quite high, which makes loading and unloading more difficult than with earlier generations. It is too high for my garden tractor to dump in dirt from the side. I have a cap on the back of mine (I have an old pickup for garden work) so with the frunk I have an enormous amount of space. Since I take a ferry to the mainland to get stuff, this is fantastic for me.

Ford did a great job with the suspension and steering but that is relative to a truck. It is not particularly fun to drive (aside from the EV nature, once I let my intrusive thoughts win and completely smoked an obnoxious loud “boy racer”). It is competent but the whole blue cruise “let the truck drive for you” pretty much says it all (for someone who likes good cars). Having been around awhile I don’t really see the appeal of a full sized pickup for people who don’t need one for some reason, in an alternate universe my inner 17-year-old is watching people spending used Porsche money to buy a mini van. Why?

I like my truck but getting into my Kia EV6 feels like a relief and my e-Golf is just pure joy. Honestly the Kia is a better EV by far (and they make a mini van!) and I have heard good things about the GM products. As an EV the Lightning is slightly a disappointment on long trips with poor actual range and relatively slow charging. It is no problem for me as a retired guy who stops more than the truck needs to charge, but the EV part is more apparent than it is on my Kia.

So there you have it, old thoughts from an old fart. Good luck on whatever you decide!

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