IF you could do it all over... what would you buy?

[nolavet504]

I’m still waiting on my truck to get fixed. There ordered a charge port but I don’t have an eta on when I’ll get it back. I’m thinking about just keeping it. If it has another battery issue before I hit 100k miles I’ll definitely get rid of it. Just not worth the chance being out of warranty. Or maybe there’s a cheap enough extended battery warranty??

ok yea def have to make the best decision out of warranty issues can be expensive. i just seen you was contemplating to do what i been in here asking about. bringing negative equity into a new lightning loan. i had a nice blue flash lined up just can justify stacking 10k of debt on this truck knowing the drop its gonna have.but i do want it lol. im just telling myself no

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[Effonefiddy Lightning]

The CT is already reaching the "everyone who wants one already has one" stage. I really don't think they are growing on anyone from what I'm seeing.

Surf the CT Forums, I often read peoples comments about their new purchase.

 

[Wpgsho]

I bought a 21 id4 in early 22 cause I hated paying to fill my Silverado. But no updates, and me missing the truck to me to the Ford dealership. Here in Winnipeg we have abysmal charging networks and alot of stubborn people. So at the end of 23 cycle the Lightning Lariat standard range was selling with so many discounts. I couldn't say no.
My response to the dealer when I was asked if I was excited was no but at the price even though it was a s#!t truck it will be an amazing suv.
Boy was I wrong so very wrong. From just how solid it was to the gazillion of updates (thank you to the early adopters of the lightning)
The only problem and something Ford forgot to mention was the 24 came with a heat pump. But since the Lariat discontinued the Lariat standard range after 10k and 10 months I traded it in with barely any loss and picked up a Flash, also at a big discount just before year end.
I love the heat pump and the extended range. I also had to get seat covers because of the cloth and my dog.
So again thank you to the early adopters for jumping in and Ford for listening to you all.

 

[Flipper]

I love my lightning and so glad to not be driving a diesel anymore. I only wish it would have came out before buying a tesla model 3 in 2018. Now that model 3 is just a second car in case the lightning not available or I just want a change it up for a day. I pray that the lightning serves me well over the years! I had the diesel F250 for 17 years and not missing that monster at all.

 

[broncoaz]

I love my lightning and so glad to not be driving a diesel anymore. I only wish it would have came out before buying a tesla model 3 in 2018. Now that model 3 is just a second car in case the lightning not available or I just want a change it up for a day. I pray that the lightning serves me well over the years! I had the diesel F250 for 17 years and not missing that monster at all.

I was on the fence between a new F-250 and the Lightning. Excess home solar and not wanting to feed a 13 mpg gas F-250 made my decision. My lease payment on the Lightning is about $1K more per year than the anticipated fuel bill for the F-250 I was looking at.

My work truck for the past 4 years before getting the Lightning was a Silverado 1500 diesel. I really liked the truck and could recommend it to anyone who really racks on the miles. 28-30 mpg average driving around, still pushing 18 mpg towing was great. I prefer being back in a Ford and love the way the EV drives.

 

[Andrewbens]

I'd buy another Lightning, but it would be a Lariat or Platinum. After learning more about battery longevity these days I'm also less afraid to also look at the used market. I have a very similar story to @B177y. I went from a MachE AWD Premium to a 2023 Pro Extended range with max tow. I purchased a leftover in early 2024 - it was a great price and I had a strong trade in value for the MME.

To cancel out any savings from this "great find" I added the factory:
-Lightbar in front
-Heated steering wheel and SCCM
-HD Radio
-360 Camera and front washer
-Homelink Visor driver side and lighted vanity mirror on passenger side
-Leather seats from Lariat
-Heated rear seats, controls, module, and center armrest
-Rain sensing wipers
-Running boards
-Passive keyless entry

Then had my bumpers and door handles painted at a collision shop to match the truck like the higher trims have.

I enjoy working on cars (adding/modding to new cars anyway, not so much eating the rust while working on old ones) but the ubiquitous information and parts for the F150, coupled with my inability to sit still, has made this truck an erector set in my garage. I don't want to add up how much I spent; it will just substantiate my mistake.

In general I gravitate towards Ford products because of the availability of FDRS/Forscan keeping me away from the dealership - so Tesla/GM were never a consideration for me.

I have a XLT and my girlfriend always complains the virsor mirror doesn’t have a light in it. How hard was it to retrofit one in for you?

 

[lipnorth]

I love my Lightning, maybe I wouldn’t have been an early adopter and saved some $$$ (or leased) but I also got perks as well. Just want my BC 1.4 update! But I do not regret my decision. I know I will own this truck a long time due to depreciation on EV’s

 

[nolavet504]

I love my Lightning, maybe I wouldn’t have been an early adopter and saved some $$$ (or leased) but I also got perks as well. Just want my BC 1.4 update! But I do not regret my decision. I know I will own this truck a long time due to depreciation on EV’s

how long u think. its not a bad truck my only thing ford need to maintain the charge rate

 

[lipnorth]

how long u think. its not a bad truck my only thing ford need to maintain the charge rate

I generally hold vehicles for 10 years so I am hoping the battery holds up. If so, I think I will be happy.

 

[nolavet504]

I generally hold vehicles for 10 years so I am hoping the battery holds up. If so, I think I will be happy.

10 years u will get your money worth. I’m so close to saying screw it ain’t just buy the darn truck. Then a piece of me saying wait and see t3 price next year

 

[OG_Ragnar]

Bought a ‘23 XLT ER w/ tow tech, 9.6 pro-power and spray-in bed liner for just under $51k in March 2024. Wanted an EV and was down to Model Y and Lightning. Decided to get a truck EV for efficient local commuting, size/space and doing occasional truck things.

I don’t tow yet, but glad I got the ER as cold winters in the upper Midwest are no joke on EV range. I could easily beat the EPA range of 320 miles in the Summer. In the Winter, range is about half, but I expected that going in.

The Lightning is not necessarily friends with highway speeds due to its physics. Add headwinds and cold to that, and range drops off even more. My daily commute doesn’t involve interstates, so the Lightning works great for my use case, even in Winter.

Haven’t fast charged yet, just local/regional driving from/to home, where I charge for ~$0.10/kWh. Already had a 64-amp Clipper Creek L2 charge station in my garage that charges the Lightning at ~33 mi/hr, which works great for my needs. Today I finally received the NACS fast charge adaptor from Ford, so I feel more confident taking the Lightning on longer road trips.

Would I buy the Lightning again? I think so. Although the most expensive vehicle I’ve ever bought, it was cheaper than a comparable ICE truck with the same features, and my family really likes it. I have tall teenagers who fit great in the back seat. I didn’t have a great dealer experience, so if I could get the same price and features at the local dealer I use for service, I probably would buy again. Only things I wish the XLT ER had are the power folding mirrors, leather seats, nicer sound system, and rear center armrest. I like the touch screen and controls as-is.

 

[lipnorth]

Yes, the range drop off in cold is no-joke. With the cold snap we are in (east coast), I am lucky to get 1.2m per kwh. But 60-80 I get closer to 2.8m per kwh.

 

[Lightningwaiter]

I love the truck. I wish the software updates would come more often like the ugly cyber truck. I would buy again in a minute. it is the best vehicle I have ever owned.

 

[Jim Lewis]

I'd buy the same Lightning, but skip the Home Integration System until Ford worked all the bugs out of it.

 

[lipnorth]

yes software updates suck still waiting for bc 1.4

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