Basic Lariat vs Flash w/ Options? or wait for used?

[fitek]

I've found a handful of Lariats for 5k more than a Flash, however to stay under the 80k EV rebate MSRP cap, they have nothing but the mobile charger.

I found quite a few Flash with max tow and pro power 9.6kw and sometimes other goodies. Frankly, I could care less about max tow (my boat + trailer is 4500 lbs, heaviest thing I've towed was 5.5k-- I have a Transit 350HD also) but somehow these are always bundled. The pro power I have an immediate need for -- to weld quite a bit of metal railing, but after that ... not sure what I'd need the 240v for, except a zombie apocalypse or an impromptu hot tub party, or both at the same time.

My understanding is that Lariat has:

• Automatic rain sensing wipers
• Rear sliding window
• Panoramic sunroof
• Leather seats w cooling
• Memory seats and steering wheel
• PaaK

I think the only one of those two that matter are leather seats (which I know can be replaced) and memory (when the wife drives). Are Flash seats heated in the rear? The kids would like that. I've never had PaaK so I dont know if I'd miss it. Sunroofs leak, so I'm scared of that. Automatic rain sensing wipers are nice, but I can flip the switch myself.

With the craptastic resale value of EVs, I have this feeling I could get a used '23 Lariat ER for about the same price in about a year and get it all plus faster L2 charging. There's already SRs at quite a discount, though I'm not sure an SR could handle the 180 mile round trip to Seattle in winter... (although, given used SRs are about 40k now, I could buy a lot of gas for the Transit van if I need to go 200 miles round trip).

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[John Becker]

Lots of good questions and analysis.
My 2 cents worth is that I will not consider anything less than a Lariat due to some of those features you named.
One correction: The later 2024 Lariat builds as well as all 2025 Lariats no longer come with leather seats. Ford found another way to cut costs by substituting leather for a synthetic material they call ActiveX. It's a derivative of plastic and hopefully better than the vinyl seats from the 1970s. I'm skeptical.

 

[StevenC56]

I was in the same situation a couple months ago. Most of the 2024's left are the Ford preconfigured models that are stocked in their Retail Replenishment Centers. For whatever reason they only put the Max Tow/Pro Power options on the Flash models. I'll rarely be towing and after looking into what was required to use the truck as a power backup for my house I decided all the Lariat perks were more important. I can add a couple things on the list that the Lariats have. Power folding mirrors. Rear Window defroster. Power adjustable pedals and steering column memory. Signature Rear Lighting. Auto dimming driver's mirrors plus a few other tech perks. Rear seat heating. PAK is really a nice feature. The preconfigured Lariats also have ventilated Active-X seating which I actually like better than the real leather.

 

[tannerk89]

Lots of good questions and analysis.
My 2 cents worth is that I will not consider anything less than a Lariat due to some of those features you named.
One correction: The later 2024 Lariat builds as well as all 2025 Lariats no longer come with leather seats. Ford found another way to cut costs by substituting leather for a synthetic material they call ActiveX. It's a derivative of plastic and hopefully better than the vinyl seats from the 1970s. I'm skeptical.

I had ActiveX in my Mach-E, I thought it was fantastic and very similar to quality of leather. I wouldn’t see it as a downgrade, it’s premium feeling and seemed to hold up well. In the 100k miles I put on the Mach-E it still looked new.

 

[data003]

I had ActiveX in my Mach-E, I thought it was fantastic and very similar to quality of leather. I wouldn’t see it as a downgrade, it’s premium feeling and seemed to hold up well. In the 100k miles I put on the Mach-E it still looked new.

The leather seats in the early Lariats had problems too. ActiveX could definitely be an upgrade.

 

[Maineiac12]

I was in the same situation a couple months ago. Most of the 2024's left are the Ford preconfigured models that are stocked in their Retail Replenishment Centers. For whatever reason they only put the Max Tow/Pro Power options on the Flash models. I'll rarely be towing and after looking into what was required to use the truck as a power backup for my house I decided all the Lariat perks were more important. I can add a couple things on the list that the Lariats have. Power folding mirrors. Rear Window defroster. Power adjustable pedals and steering column memory. Signature Rear Lighting. Auto dimming driver's mirrors plus a few other tech perks. Rear seat heating. PAK is really a nice feature. The preconfigured Lariats also have ventilated Active-X seating which I actually like better than the real leather.

My Flash has a rear window defroster.

 

[The Weatherman]

Lots of good questions and analysis.
My 2 cents worth is that I will not consider anything less than a Lariat due to some of those features you named.
One correction: The later 2024 Lariat builds as well as all 2025 Lariats no longer come with leather seats. Ford found another way to cut costs by substituting leather for a synthetic material they call ActiveX. It's a derivative of plastic and hopefully better than the vinyl seats from the 1970s. I'm skeptical.

Had a couple of 2022 Maverick Lariats with the activeX seats. It was very nice and a lot easier to clean. Nice material.

 

[Robob]

I was doing the same comparison when I bought my Flash, I did not care for the two-tone perforated "leather" they had on lariat as my previous 2010 F150 had issues with it cracking and needing the seat cover replaced. Cloth was my preferred choice anyway; the rear seats however are not heated.

I agree with the concern of the sunroof leaking as I have had that happen with previous vehicles, the only option I miss that I had in my Mach E GT is PAAK. But even that messes up occasionally and would need to get re-set and re-added to the phone so it's not 100% reliable yet.

So, what did it for me was the 9.6kw pro-power on board, I have a generator plug on my garage I use with an interlock breaker to back feed everything during emergencies. I unhooked the green ground wire after talking with an electrician on cost vs changing everything, and it works fine with my current setup. I have only lost power maybe 3-4 hours in the last 10 years but it's good to know it's there if you need it and don't want to haul out the gas generator.

In the end I would just go by personal preference and what your budget can afford, in my case I used the money I saved by going with flash to get the 8yr 100k extended ford warranty.

Edit: Now that I think of it the only option Flash and other fords are missing in lower trims in 24+ is the homelink garage door opener. I had to buy a new rearview mirror with homelink for around $250 but it was easy plug and play install.

 

[StevenC56]

My Flash has a rear window defroster.

I stand corrected on that then. Also, we love the panoramic sunroof.

 

[Evlar77]

I have a '24 Flash and love it! Most of the variance you mention is correct. The Flash does also have the paak for walk away door lock. That arrived in 2024 for flash trim and above. I have a buddy with a 2022 lariat and it does not have the walk away lock.

Like you the thing I missed the most was the leather seats but I found really great seat covers for $250 that look similar to the lariat. They've been great.

There are no heated rear seats in the flash- only front and steering wheel.

I do miss the auto rain sensing wipers and seat memory recall but that's about it. Never really used the sunroof and don't miss it. Folding mirrors would be nice, but the Flash has 90% of the good stuff I like. ER battery, 15" screen, blue cruise, towing package, pro power, motorized seat adjustment on both driver and passenger. Even has the auto tailgate.

May be worth noting that the 2025 Flash will have some changes to include activeX leather like seats, no door pin code, and no auto tailgate. They are changing things up.

Good luck, just def consider the ER battery above all else!

 

[fitek]

Flash also comes in the color I want (Red), all the Lariats are my 2nd choice (Avalanche)

I wonder what Ford will do when the EV credit gets killed this coming year. They're already losing money per unit, will they suck it up and suddenly those Lariats with MSRP at like $80,500 get some Ford discount?

 

[Robob]

It will be interesting to see how they handle the credit going away. I would guess they will further de-content the lower trims and cut prices some more. They can only put so much money on the hood from ford, but still must remain competitive in the market.

 

[StevenC56]

Flash also comes in the color I want (Red), all the Lariats are my 2nd choice (Avalanche)

I wonder what Ford will do when the EV credit gets killed this coming year. They're already losing money per unit, will they suck it up and suddenly those Lariats with MSRP at like $80,500 get some Ford discount?

I say buy now. The tax credit is definitely going away under the new administration. I'm sure that only Tesla is going to come out ahead with what's on the way, making it harder and harder for any competing brand including Ford.

 

[fitek]

Yes, the credit will be gone. If we get a repeat of 2016-2020 we'll have a soaring stock market followed by inflation, so 0% for 72mo financing and put your cash into the market is going to be hard to beat. We also normally don't qualify for the EV credit but I took part of the year off to build our addition (could really have used the truck at the beginning of the year). I'm going back to full time work in a week.

The power mirrors I did not know about and are kind of a big deal. Unfortunately I planned our garage a bit too small and the Lightning will be a tight fit. Getting out to fold the mirrors each time would suck.

 

[Marc]

I was shopping for a new Flash and ended up buying a certified preowned 23 Lariat ER with every option for $52k. I saw the loss of the tax credit was out weighed by the low purchase price.

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