2023 Lariat vs 2024 Flash - $50K-ish budget - Help me decide?

[jbrinker]

Help me decide which angle to pursue. Hunting on cars and autotrader is making me go blind. There seem to be few deals locally but if I can decide on the direction I want to go I can maybe hammer dealers all over within 500 miles or so.

I want to buy soon - Now to March sometime. I am debating between a new 2024 Flash which I see advertised deals for around $55K, and a few barely (under 20K mi) used 2023 Lariats that I have seen for around $48-50K. I could probably lease if I wanted since I only drive about 15K a year now. I believe I understand the major differences are:

- "leather" in the lariat, cooled seats in the lariat, rear slider in the lariat, tailgate lightbar, PAAK in the lariat. What else am I missing?
- New Flash will probably be able to get better financing rate than used.
- I need pro power (the 30A plug) for camping (see below) regardless of trim.
- I live in a cold state (Its 10F right now), not sure if the new heat pump is a plus or minus (I have read kinda both sides).
- I will be installing 40A home charging, outdoors, would not be able to afford more than 60A service to the location, so 80A charging ('23) does not matter to me.

I really like RED color, and the only ones I have found are the 23 Lariats. But I would settle for Carbonized Granite, or maybe silver or black and there are lots of those of both years. If I could find a super sweet deal on a new Lariat I'd do that too.

I have only ever bought one NEW vehicle (the Jeep) and it was "pandemic pricing" so - I had little choice and no wiggle room. Lucky to even get a car. So I don't really know where to even start. Oh, I do have a X-Plan PIN, and at least income-wise I would qualify for the federal rebate. I have about 12K equity in the Jeep.

Background:
I drive a 2021 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. I have decided that my next vehicle will be a Lightning or possibly (but less likey) a powerboost F150.

I WFH 95% now, I drive ~15K miles a year (40K on Jeep in 36 months but covid lockdown is in there too).

I tow a 5500lb (loaded) camper 3-4 times a summer, less usually around 50-60 miles each way. Plan to use the F150 for campsite power a bit, and maybe even run the AC in the evening a few times on super hot humid days. (We sometimes do this with our 2500w inverter gen now). Most times we have no campsite AC power. I was considering the PB instead, but the (lack of) reliability on those, and the FRUNK really has me pretty firmly in the Lightning camp.

I also do a fair amount of "truck things" in and around town, own rental properties, help my son with remodeling, own a boat, etc. and having a truck with a bed again will be nice.

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[TaxmanHog]

income-wise I would qualify for the federal rebate.

You need to buy a NEW truck to get the Federal tax credit.

 

[Altivec]

tough call... I always prefer new over used just because I know for sure the full history of my truck (not a lemon, not abused, etc...) however, in my opinion the 23 lariat is a substantial upgrade as you noted. One other thing the 23 has is dual lvl 2 charging so that you can charge up to 80 amps on the Ford station pro (that is if your house has the service to provide that amount of power), that feature got eliminated in all 24 models. The lariat also may have a panoramic roof.

Another pro to 24 is the heat pump. Although some say it's noisy and from what I have heard so far it doesn't make that much of a difference in efficiency. You also gain 1 year of resale value when selling it (it will always be 1 year newer than a 23), and you get 1 additional year of warranty.

If it were me, I would just go new with the 24 Flash, but either way, you can't go wrong

 

[bmwhitetx]

I believe I understand the major differences are:
- "leather" in the lariat, cooled seats in the lariat, rear slider in the lariat, tailgate lightbar, PAAK in the lariat. What else am I missing?

Lariat also has power-folding side mirrors with memory and puddle lights and auto-dimming (driver side), power adjustable pedals with memory, 10-way driver's seat with memory, second-row heated seats, rear armrest with cupholders, illuminated visor mirrors, rain-sensing wipers.
2023 Lariat will have built-in door keypad, not dealer stick-on, 9.6 kW ProPower, Homelink.

 

[jbrinker]

Oh, so the 24 Flash does not have auto dimming outside mirrors? I have had that for 10+ years now and not sure I could get rid of that feature. Really does sound like the 23 Lariat is the way to go. I wish I could find a 24 Lariat with the Tow Tech package and Pro Power 9.6K, the only ones I see new are including the max tow and that puts them over the 7500 rebate limit.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Oh, so the 24 Flash does not have auto dimming outside mirrors?

Driver-side only. Not aware of any trim that does both sides. I'll update my answer to avoid confusion. If in doubt read the order guide and always check the sticker.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Oh and if it matters, the 2024's revert to a moving map when Navigation expires but the 22-23's will continue to allow navigation (just no traffic or updated maps). But it's only $80/year for the subscription.

 

[RickKeen]

Ford is still running their Ford Power Promise charger install program in 2025, so for the New truck you may want to factor that into the price.

 

[mr.Magoo]

You need to buy a NEW truck to get the Federal tax credit.

Doesn't the Lightning qualify for the used credit ?

 

[bmwhitetx]

Doesn't the Lightning qualify for the used credit ?

Beginning January 1, 2023, if you buy a qualified used electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) from a licensed dealer for $25,000 or less, you may be eligible for a used clean vehicle tax credit. The credit equals 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000.

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit

 

[Pioneer74]

Driver-side only. Not aware of any trim that does both sides. I'll update my answer to avoid confusion. If in doubt read the order guide and always check the sticker.

Ford got rid of the dimming passenger mirror on the F150 years ago. Was never an option on the Lightning.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Oh, so the 24 Flash does not have auto dimming outside mirrors?

Driver-side only. Not aware of any trim that does both sides. I'll update my answer to avoid confusion. If in doubt read the order guide and always check the sticker.

Just to clarify - the Flash does not have auto-dimming side mirror. The Lariat does but only on driver side.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Doesn't the Lightning qualify for the used credit ?

The current values of used Lightnings exceed the parameters of the used credit, which is scaled to less costly sedans. If one could find a smokin hot deal, then maybe. =<25K

 

[bthanos]

Not sure if BlueCruise matters to you but my 2023 Platinum has a few years left on the 3 year trial that I got it with. The 2024 won’t have that.

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

In your specific case, and with all your stipulations, get the 2024.

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