I’m Concerned My Lightning Has Left Me Jaded.

[Smokewagun]

I don’t know about you other Lightning owners, but I am concerned that after owning and experiencing the F-150 Lightning, twice, I will never be happy with an ICE vehicle, or ANY other F-150 or other truck… again.

The smooth ride, quiet ride, asinine acceleration, one-pedal, regenerative braking, the FRUNK, no real interval maintenance before 100k, reduced brake wear, excellent weight distribution and balance, winter handling and traction, excellent headlights, quick cab warming in the winter, and did I say FRUNK?

Yes, I have a few gripes, mostly related to over-the-air updates and FordPass, but out of the box, both Lightnings have been better quality but 200% over ANY of the four ICE F-150’s I’ve owned in the last six years. Plus, the Lightning is relatively simple. Two electric motors and a battery.

Anyone else feel the same way?

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[ddimit]

YES! Im spoiled now, Everything else will be compared to this.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Anyone else feel the same way?

Yup, we agree to T!!!!

 

[broncoaz]

Agreed. I was visiting my dad in AZ last week and had to drive his 2022 Toyota Highlander. Before I went EV I actually liked the Highlander, now all I do is gripe about it while driving.

 

[Jamchampnate]

It’s my fourth EV. Not going back to ICE ever. And it’s also by far the best EV I’ve had.
BMW i3>model s performance > model x plaid.
Actually liked my i3 the second most. But nothing is close to the lightning.

 

[MotoGary]

I’ve owned a Mach-E and now a Lightning without any issues. So far my Lightning has been my favorite vehicle to drive.

My biggest problem has been a moderate case of PPA (Potential Problem Anxiety). I’m pretty sure the cure is to stop coming here and reading posts on issues.

Reminds me of something my Grandfather used to say:

“I’ve had a lot of problems in my life….but most of them never happened”

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I've had hybrids for many, many years (we were one of the early adopters of the Prius). I now own two EVs. While I'm never going back to ICE, no matter what.

I am not a brand loyalist.

Ford knocked it out of the park with both the Mustang and the Lightning, in my opinion. We've looked at other EVs in anticipation of future replacements and while I can imagine replacing either the Lightning or the Mustang, I don't know what would replace it. The vehicles that have nicer features are much more expensive. The vehicles of similar price range don't have everything I've been spoiled into expecting.

I hope Ford doesn't do the stupid thing that it appears they're going to do and contract back to ICE or hybrid only, because some day we'll have to replace these and I don't know if anything on the horizon will be able to do so.

 

[NikonJim]

It’s my fourth EV. Not going back to ICE ever. And it’s also by far the best EV I’ve had.
BMW i3>model s performance > model x plaid.
Actually liked my i3 the second most. But nothing is close to the lightning.

Between my wife and me, we have had 5 i3’s. My daughter is driving the last one we bought. We loved them. Curious what the new i3 will be like in 2025/26.

 

[Jamchampnate]

Between my wife and me, we have had 5 i3’s. My daughter is driving the last one we bought. We loved them. Curious what the new i3 will be like in 2025/26.

I am absolutely going to own one again. Are they bringing it back? I thought the new i3 badge was just a name they used for a standard size ev sedan in other countries now. Not the small fun car the US had.

 

[NikonJim]

It’s a whole new platform. Neue Klasse.

https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/i3

They sold the iX3 in Europe. Which was an x3 with batteries.

 

[Smokewagun]

I have fears Ford will drop the Lightning, but in light of CAFE, they have to offset the diesel sales with EV’s. So, hopefully Ford keeps improving and builds a full-size Lightning and doesn’t drop it for the T3 Ranger-based truck.

I have big hopes that when my batteries start to lose range (hopefully not until 200k miles in 4 years), they will have cell replacements of new and improved tech and materials that will be pseudo-easy as choosing alkaline vs, lithium AA batteries at Walmart for a flashlight.

My son bought his 2024 Flash when I bought mine, and said “I finally realize what you meant when you said you had no idea what you’d drive if a Lightning wasn’t an option”. It’s almost scary. I love to drive. Even after a couple million miles. I guess a Bronco or Scout could fill my fun void if the Lightning dies or is snuffed out.

 

[Maxx]

My biggest problem has been a moderate case of PPA (Potential Problem Anxiety) I’m pretty sure the cure is to stop coming here and reading posts on issues.

Reminds me of something my Grandfather used to say:

“I’ve had a lot of problems in my life….but most of them never happened”

Same here. I plan to visit the dealer for the 20K and the outstanding recall and never go back until something serious happens. If I don’t see the dealer in first 100K and don’t need a module replacement, my experience and perception of Moto Moto (My Pro) will be identical to OP. If I have module replacement or other reasons for more dealer interactions, I will still stick with EVs but may switch to another brand. So far, I am becoming a Ford fan just because of this truck. Except size, turning radius and their software team, it has everything I want and nothing I don’t. Knowing everything I know now, I still pick my truck over, Rivian, Silverado and Cybertruck even if I had not payed half the price for it. And definitely over any ICE. I reserve my right to change my tune if my modules start acting up despite me babying them.

 

[Grumpy2]

I also agree with all of the above.

 

[Grease Lightning]

Yeah it is amazing driving the M3 for a bit then jumping back into the Lightning, just how much more quite it is.

I will say being an XLT, that I love, sometime coming back I feel less like I am driving the refined truck it is, since the XLT is the closest to its ICE variant. While I might get the seat cover upgrade, I still love the horizontal screen over the vertical approach.

My only gripe coming back is the efficiency…but that last like a minute or two

 

[DaBlue357]

I don’t know about you other Lightning owners, but I am concerned that after owning and experiencing the F-150 Lightning, twice, I will never be happy with an ICE vehicle, or ANY other F-150 or other truck… again.

The smooth ride, quiet ride, asinine acceleration, one-pedal, regenerative braking, the FRUNK, no real interval maintenance before 100k, reduced brake wear, excellent weight distribution and balance, winter handling and traction, excellent headlights, quick cab warming in the winter, and did I say FRUNK?

Yes, I have a few gripes, mostly related to over-the-air updates and FordPass, but out of the box, both Lightnings have been better quality but 200% over ANY of the four ICE F-150’s I’ve owned in the last six years. Plus, the Lightning is relatively simple. Two electric motors and a battery.

Anyone else feel the same way?

I think the nail is in the coffin for ICE. Political shenanigans might delay it, but the turning point has gotta be pretty damned close. I mean there are a couple limiting factors here... infrastructure and battery tech (range/charging speed) are going to be resolved in a few years.

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