[Lucky]

Hi
New member first post

I’m a little late to the Lightning party, no reservation, but not to the EV party. We currently have a Mach-e and an Ioniq5 and I ride a Zero S.

My local dealer called the other day asking if I wanted to come test drive their Lightning ER Lariat with tow package that just came off the truck…silly question!

I was so impressed I asked when I could buy it. He said 6 months or 5K miles whichever comes first. MSRP plus tax, title and $400 doc fee. I am first in line with a $500 refundable deposit.

The dealer said the truck is still considered a “new” purchase because it will not have been registered or titled so it is still available for the Fed tax credit. They also said that the warranty is from the first day of service as a mannequin. Can anyone confirm these two details?

Would you have any reservations about buying a mannequin that has been test driven by the general public? The dealer assured me that they are particular about who they will let test drive.

 

[Azbittel]

Paying full MSRP for a technically used vehicle with 5k miles or used/abused by strangers for 6 months? Yeah that's a terrible idea lol. No way. But I'm biased, mines getting built in July...

 

[Voltz]

As long as you don’t end up in a bidding war to pay a premium over MSRP, I think you’re probably kind of lucky if you don’t want to wait. Other dealers are jacking up prices.

Be prepared to buy new tires.

 

[ChasingCoral]

1. All FCTP (Ford Courtesy Transportation Vehicles = demo = mannequin) have a time and mileage requirement before sale. There are both minimum and maximum time and mileage before sale. They are usually in great shape when you get them.

2. In most states they are sold as new (buyer is the first title holder) and are eligible for the full Federal tax credit. In what state is the dealership? However, some states require demos be titled by the dealership and the vehicle is sold as used. In those cases you cannot claim the credit. For the Mustang Mach E, Ford provided buyers in those states with a dealer cash rebate of $7,500.

3. Ford will definitely provide a full warranty. The warranty period generally starts with the date and mileage when you it is first titled. If your state does not title demos then the warranty starts the way you get it. If you are in a state where the demo is titled, Ford may include extra coverage to make up the difference.

4. High demand FCTP vehicles often have ADMs or end up in bidding wars. If you can get a contract to lock in the cost at MSRP plus dealer fee, consider yourself very lucky.

 

[fyrdude]

As noted, warranty starts from the day you buy it. So, if there are repairs necessary, they're covered. If you're purchasing it as a vehicle you might keep for 10 years, maybe not. If you're one that keeps them for 3 years within the warranty period and don't want to wait two years, then go for it. It will be covered. Just inspect it closely and make sure it's clean with no damage. If it passes that test, don't worry about.

Your other option is, go on E-bay or shop the internet. Within a month or so, can probably buy a new pre-owned one for about $10,000 over MSRP. For $10K, you don't have to wait two years and you'll save 5,000 miles. But technically, you're warranty will still be 36,000 of your miles as the dealer truck warranty starts from the day/mileage you purchase it. Also, since it's technically sold as a new vehicle, you'll be eligible for the $7,500 tax credit, which you won't be if you buy a pre-owned new truck.

 

[robatumd]

Hi
New member first post

I’m a little late to the Lightning party, no reservation, but not to the EV party. We currently have a Mach-e and an Ioniq5 and I ride a Zero S.

My local dealer called the other day asking if I wanted to come test drive their Lightning ER Lariat with tow package that just came off the truck…silly question!

I was so impressed I asked when I could buy it. He said 6 months or 5K miles whichever comes first. MSRP plus tax, title and $400 doc fee. I am first in line with a $500 refundable deposit.

The dealer said the truck is still considered a “new” purchase because it will not have been registered or titled so it is still available for the Fed tax credit. They also said that the warranty is from the first day of service as a mannequin. Can anyone confirm these two details?

Would you have any reservations about buying a mannequin that has been test driven by the general public? The dealer assured me that they are particular about who they will let test drive.

Personally I'd take that deal and run with it!

Would you share the name of your dealer that you're working with on it? Just curious as some dealers near me (Maryland/D.C.) won't take a deposit on their Demo's as they said Ford wouldn't let them (I think they are lying and wanting to hold out to add some huge mark-ups in Nov/Dec).

 

[Lucky]

1. All FCTP (Ford Courtesy Transportation Vehicles = demo = mannequin) have a time and mileage requirement before sale. There are both minimum and maximum time and mileage before sale. They are usually in great shape when you get them.

Do you happen to know what the min mileage and time is for the Lightning FCTP?

4. High demand FCTP vehicles often have ADMs or end up in bidding wars. If you can get a contract to lock in the cost at MSRP plus dealer fee, consider yourself very lucky.

I bought both the Mach-e and the Ioniq5 from this family of dealerships. They have a no ADM policy across their dealerships. At this poinot I’m just taking their word that with the deposit I’m first in line when the truck is released from the FCTP program. We are very happy with both cars so if It falls through I wouldn’t be crushed. We would have to sell one to be able to buy the truck. The Mach-e is my wife’s daily drive and she loves it so the I5 would have to go as much as that pains me because I love that car. The dealer let me take it home for the weekend to show my wife and play around with it…this truck is AWESOME!

 

[ChasingCoral]

Do you happen to know what the min mileage and time is for the Lightning FCTP?

Sorry, I haven't seen the min/max mileage or time in service for the Lightning.

 

[honeybadgergardens]

Just drove one at my local dealer. They promise not to mark up beyond MSRP on ordered ones, but on their demo, they figure it's okay because you'd be paying a premium for jumping the line. This one is unspoken for at this point. Nobody in my small town figures it's worth the extra cash. He hinted at about ten thousand over. That puts their demo at around 90 thousand.

Figuring if I get on the wait list for a new order at this point I'm looking at 2024 at the earliest. Perhaps they'll come with Solid State batteries by than and I'll be glad I didn't bite on this one (at least that's what I'm telling myself).

 

[Voltz]

Perhaps they'll come with Solid State batteries by than and I'll be glad I didn't bite on this one (at least that's what I'm telling myself).

It may come with an LFP battery pack by 2024, but you won't be seeing solid-state batteries in that time frame.

 

[honeybadgergardens]

It may come with an LFP battery pack by 2024, but you won't be seeing solid-state batteries in that time frame.

I think you're probably right.....but THAT'S what I'm telling myself. When the new batteries do make it to the market, Ford please, please, please make them backwards compatible for the sake of your faithful early adopters AND the sake of your own future market share.

 

[Focus to Lightening]

We just bought a mannequin a couple of weeks ago and just realized that the warranty and all connected services have an end date from when the Ford dealer received the vehicle. The truck was sold as new and the buyers order shows new. I was told numerous times that it was never titled. I called Ford today when I realized the dates and was told that we are listed as the subsequent owner of the truck. Is this an easy fix or did the dealer actually get one over on us?

 

[Voltz]

I was told numerous times that it was never titled

There's no gray area, it either has been titled or it hasn't. As noted above, some few states do require demos to be titled and sold as used. Did they tell you anything about whether or not you get the federal tax credit?

 

[Focus to Lightening]

No. They were a small rural dealer that never should have gotten one and knew very little about it. When I was confirming that it wasn’t titled, I mentioned the tax credit. Many times. It was in Alabama and from what I could tell, that is not one of the states that requires it to be titled.

 

[R.I.P.]

As noted, warranty starts from the day you buy it. So, if there are repairs necessary, they're covered. If you're purchasing it as a vehicle you might keep for 10 years, maybe not. If you're one that keeps them for 3 years within the warranty period and don't want to wait two years, then go for it. It will be covered. Just inspect it closely and make sure it's clean with no damage. If it passes that test, don't worry about.

Your other option is, go on E-bay or shop the internet. Within a month or so, can probably buy a new pre-owned one for about $10,000 over MSRP. For $10K, you don't have to wait two years and you'll save 5,000 miles. But technically, you're warranty will still be 36,000 of your miles as the dealer truck warranty starts from the day/mileage you purchase it. Also, since it's technically sold as a new vehicle, you'll be eligible for the $7,500 tax credit, which you won't be if you buy a pre-owned new truck.

$10k over MSRP for a used truck!? My local dealer is selling new for straight MSRP. I turned one down yesterday that was not the color I want. Do people really not shop around?