Test drive new to get an idea on used?

[belfast1933]

First of all, let me thank this board and members for being so helpful with my first post (first time truck buyer, getting basics of the lightning options years and trims)

I learned a few things already:

1. I’ll need to bump up my budget expecations
2. Will want to pay up for Lariat or Platinum for extra creature comforts.
3. Extended Range is for me here in Massachusetts

Here is my new question - I have not yet looked at or test drove a lightning…. Local dealers have some new ones available.

Do you think it’s reasonable for me to take a new one out as a reasonable proxy for an earlier model, ‘22 to ‘24?

Or are the differences so vast that I would likely be wasting my time?

thx again all - very helpful community here… I really appreciate the advice!

jeff

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[flyct]

Do you think it’s reasonable for me to take a new one out as a reasonable proxy for an earlier model, ‘22 to ‘24?

Or are the differences so vast that I would likely be wasting my time?

thx again all - very helpful community here… I really appreciate the advice!

jeff

Take the test drive on an new one. There is not much difference in drivability and handling between a 2022 and a 2025.

I had a 2023 Lariat ER and now have a 2024 Platinum. The Platinum has slightly stiffer suspension (higher rated springs and bigger tires) than the other trim levels but other than that there is not much difference. The Platinum is not as "Floaty as the Lightning was but other than that it's the same. .

 

[MountainAlive]

It’s kinda funny when I finally test drove mine that I bought I just sat in the seat and in my head I said “take my money”. But I test drove it anyways to play hard ball

 

[Trieubao]

Take my 24 Lariat ER end of Match,25 , not even seat in the car (i have 2013 Ecoboost)

 

[Randall Stephens]

First of all, let me thank this board and members for being so helpful with my first post (first time truck buyer, getting basics of the lightning options years and trims)

I learned a few things already:

1. I’ll need to bump up my budget expecations
2. Will want to pay up for Lariat or Platinum for extra creature comforts.
3. Extended Range is for me here in Massachusetts

Here is my new question - I have not yet looked at or test drove a lightning…. Local dealers have some new ones available.

Do you think it’s reasonable for me to take a new one out as a reasonable proxy for an earlier model, ‘22 to ‘24?

Or are the differences so vast that I would likely be wasting my time?

thx again all - very helpful community here… I really appreciate the advice!

jeff

Honestly there are only deletions as time went forward. With the way the pandemic hit production, the Lariat 22-23 are probably the most “feature complete” versions out there as the Platinums had only the different seats, tires, and price bump. A new lariat will be pretty close to those with a few minor deletes, but overall it will give you a pretty good understanding if a lightning will work for you.

 

[Henry Ford]

The test dive totally sold me on buying a Lightning.

A new truck will give you the feel of any model year. With some research and access to the original window sticker you should be able to figure out exactly what you are buying.

Someone might correct me but I believe '22 Platinums have the most standard features of any model year or trim. If you like fancy trucks a '22 Platinum fits the bill if it fits your budget.

 

[GDN]

There are no real differences in the year models. If you want a Lightning, drive the used ones just to ensure that nothing is wrong. No need to mess with a dealer. I would never buy used without taking it for a spin and it'll drive just like the new ones.

Thousands of us bought this truck before we ever had a chance to even see one, thousands bought a Model 3 before getting to see one. Unless you have some real issue with the way a seat might sit, test drives are overrated.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Looking forward to what you find & buy.

BTW, as a Mass resident, I hope you're aware of the extremely generous MOR-EV-TRUCK credit, be careful with your decision on the truck, the qualifying factors have changed to put Platinums out of qualification, your best bet is a model with a NET MSRP at or under $80,000.

Mass MOR-EV-TRUCKS Rebate

 

[flyct]

My 2 cents.

A 2025 Lariat with ProPower, mobile charger and Max tow will barely qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. It will be $79,895 BEFORE the $2,195 destination and delivery charge.

I would look for a lightly used 2023 Lariat ER with Max Tow, Power running boards and spray in bedliner. It would probably sell for $53k-$55k at a dealership. You won’t get the onboard scales (deleted in 2023) but it would come with remainder of 3 year blue Cruise and remainder of warranty.

I sold my great driving 2023 Lariat ER to the dealer and leased a 2024 Platinum last month only because the rebates and incentives for X-Plan lease last month were huge to the tune of $25,000. Those incentives are gone at this time.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Just for clarity for the OP's benefit, the MSRP rule for the Mass MOR-EV-Truck credit includes the D&D fee, regardless of the federal rules.

 

[Scorpio3d]

My 2 cents.

A 2025 Lariat with ProPower, mobile charger and Max tow will barely qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. It will be $79,895 BEFORE the $21,995 destination and delivery charge.

I would look for a lightly used 2023 Lariat ER with Max Tow, Power running boards and spray in bedliner. It would probably sell for $53k-$55k at a dealership. You won’t get the onboard scales (deleted in 2023) but it would come with remainder of 3 year blue Cruise and remainder of warranty.

I sold my great driving 2023 Lariat ER to the dealer and leased a 2024 Platinum last month only because the rebates and incentives for X-Plan lease last month were huge to the tune of $25,000. Those incentives are gone at this time.

Destination and delivery is $2195 not $21,995. I know it’s just a typo, but don’t want to give anyone a heart attack.

 

[Peddyr]

It’s kinda funny when I finally test drove mine that I bought I just sat in the seat and in my head I said “take my money”. But I test drove it anyways to play hard ball

Had the same experience. The drive was a formality, but having owned 3 F-150's before that, the difference gobsmacked me. My teenage daughter whispered "Please tell me you're getting this" when we got back to the dealer and I had to play it cool for negotiating purposes.

 

[mdflyer]

I actually rented the exact year/trim on Turo for about 4 days before I pulled the trigger and bought one. Been burned a few times by buying/leasing after a simple test drive only to find there were many things I didn’t like after driving for an extended period of time. I know that most dealerships now give you the ability to return the vehicle after x amount of days/miles, just didn’t want to deal with the headache. Positive of the way I went is that I knew pretty much exactly what I was getting, what to expect. Worked out well, love my 2024 Flash.

 

[RickKeen]

Always have to be careful to pay attention to the details of exactly how the truck you are going to buy is actually equipped as compared to the ones you test drive regardless if the ones your drive are new or used.

That means paying attention to windows stickers, but also paying attention to what is included in each package listed in the window sticker for each model year.

Its easy to lose track when you test drive multiple vehicles while shopping and make assumptions about some option/equipment you really want.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Agree with above - there were some major deletes early on. In particular if you are looking at a Platinum - the killer feature there is the massaging seats. Those were deleted on 22 and 23's. I believe they are included on 24's and 25's.

Other things that have come and gone between years for Lariats and Platinums are spare tires, HomeLink, OnBoard Scales and Smart Hitch, Heated Steering Wheel, and so on. 2024's added Walk Away Lock, heat pump, charging info on dash, and ProPower w/ vehicle off. But AC charging max rate reduced from 80 to 48 amps.

You can find the list of options for each trim by doing a Search for "202x Order Guide" and clicking Search titles only. Remember some of these options were deleted so Window Sticker rules.

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