[Quinnjim]

After a LONG wait, I’ve decided to give up on the Lightning.

I was finally able to order the truck in September. It should be ready in the next few months.

The issues that led to my decision were:

-The standard range truck that I ordered was a 2 hour truck in the winter (that’s how long I could drive it between charges if I complied with bringing it up to 80% and not driving it below 20%). It couldn’t get me to work and back.

-Towing range is an absolute joke

-Depreciation of the SR trucks is going to be brutal

-I lost the $7,500 rebate AND the price went up $7,000. That put a bad taste in my mouth.

-Trucks are starting to show up on lots. I think the prices will come down significantly.

-I love my 2015 F150. I can spend 5 minutes and add 500 miles range.

I think I’ll be back when the battery range improves and the prices come down a bit. The power of these trucks is really impressive.

I’m not trying to bash the truck. Just giving some data points on why this truck has lost its luster (for me).

Good luck, everybody! I appreciate the community here.

 

[HellBoy]

Summary - can’t afford the new prices, soured and decided to hope prices will collapse 😂😂😂😂😂😂

 

[Quinnjim]

Summary - can’t afford the new prices, soured and decided to hope prices will collapse 😂😂😂😂😂😂

No.

I’m a cash buyer. The reasons have more to do with range and the fact that these trucks are not as good a value as once promised by Ford.

My YouTube channel is also called “Quinnjim”. Feel free to check it out and then come back and tell me how poor I am…

 

[R.I.P.]

No.

I’m a cash buyer. The reasons have more to do with range and the fact that these trucks are not as good a value as once promised by Ford.

My YouTube channel is also called “Quinnjim”. Feel free to check it out and then come back and tell me how poor I am…

Oh, don't let him bait you, that is all he is doing. It is an insecure, sad person that feels compelled to mock others for their rationale and choices.

I think your points are valid, and that you will have opportunities to purchase the same truck for less money soon. I'm not walking away, but I am stalling just a bit for a buyer's market.

 

[ldavenci]

No.

I’m a cash buyer. The reasons have more to do with range and the fact that these trucks are not as good a value as once promised by Ford.

My YouTube channel is also called “Quinnjim”. Feel free to check it out and then come back and tell me how poor I am…

I never understood why people instantly hate on someone that has made a smart decision based on their needs, not their financial status. I think your logic makes sense given what you have listed. The 7500 tax break might be a deal breaker for me also as my price went up on my Lariat ER that I ordered. Good luck on which ever direction you go! The Silverado is supposed to have 400 range!?!

 

[az.michail]

The sticker shock is a real thing. I do love my 2023 Lariat Ext Range, but it gets pricey fast. Taxes, title, license, destination, dock fees all add up to over $10,000 above the MSRP. People need to buy the Lightning to make it viable for Ford to continue work on developing the product, but as it's very early in the product's existence it's probably at its most expensive it will ever be (aside from inflation). Inevitably prices will come down as more and more years of models come into being. Also, they're only going to get better with each year's iteration, but for those of us who bought in now our trucks will be collectible historic vehicles in 20+ years.

 

[02Reaper]

If you needed the range, why didn't you opt for the extended range?

 

[Quinnjim]

If you needed the range, why didn't you opt for the extended range?

Good question.
230 miles of range would have worked. It turns out that is a pipe dream in the winter.

 

[Ragnus]

Good question.
230 miles of range would have worked. It turns out that is a pipe dream in the winter.

I got the ER Lariat and the mileage was bit weird at first. I drive a little over 70 miles one way (almost all interstate), and the highway range is supposed to be around 285. I get better than that, but when the temp was dropping down in the 20s I saw a little bit of a dip. Overall I've enjoyed it, but it's obviously a different situation for me. I traded in a 2015 XL with the V6 ecoboost so the luxury has greatly improved. I was spending around 500-600 a month in gas, so it's nice not having those bills anymore. I don't tow anything and the range doesn't change that much hauling stuff so I'm good there too. Like I said, it really depends on the situation for the individual.

I believe you are right, though, and the infrastructure and costs are going to improve and drop soon. I saw the other day on Ikea's site where they were partnering with Electrify America to have a bigger parking lot for charging stations.

 

[Quinnjim]

I got the ER Lariat and the mileage was bit weird at first. I drive a little over 70 miles one way (almost all interstate), and the highway range is supposed to be around 285. I get better than that, but when the temp was dropping down in the 20s I saw a little bit of a dip. Overall I've enjoyed it, but it's obviously a different situation for me. I traded in a 2015 XL with the V6 ecoboost so the luxury has greatly improved. I was spending around 500-600 a month in gas, so it's nice not having those bills anymore. I don't tow anything and the range doesn't change that much hauling stuff so I'm good there too. Like I said, it really depends on the situation for the individual.

I believe you are right, though, and the infrastructure and costs are going to improve and drop soon. I saw the other day on Ikea's site where they were partnering with Electrify America to have a bigger parking lot for charging stations.

Good information.

The dealer actually just called and said their mannequin became available yesterday. Same spec as mine, same color with the extended range battery. They wanted $89,000 out the door. It actually has the heated steering wheel and bed scale.

I looked at it. The range showed 190 miles with 90% charge. I know that can be inaccurate, but it gave me doubts.

 

[az.michail]

Good information.

The dealer actually just called and said their mannequin became available yesterday. Same spec as mine, same color with the extended range battery. They wanted $89,000 out the door. It actually has the heated steering wheel and bed scale.

I looked at it. The range showed 190 miles with 90% charge. I know that can be inaccurate, but it gave me doubts.

It could be showing that range because of the test driving and it's trying to figure out driving habits, but with so many different people having test-drives in it the data is all over the place so far. Also, if you live in a very cold winter area, in the summer it will get better range.

As for my experience, yesterday I finally charged all the way to 100%. Until now it had only ever been charged to 90% and got range up to 260 miles but at 100% it got up to 324 miles. Personally, though, I got the extended range because I figured the standard range would be a bit weak. I mean, I don't often drive across the state, but the range also translates into work commute and the number of days you can go between charge-ups.

I got the Lariat because all the features and tools that come with it made it worth it compared to the XLT when both are compared at Ext Range option. I saw the mere $7,000 price difference and figure might as well just go up a grade since I'm financing anyway.

 

[Ragnus]

Good information.

The dealer actually just called and said their mannequin became available yesterday. Same spec as mine, same color with the extended range battery. They wanted $89,000 out the door. It actually has the heated steering wheel and bed scale.

I looked at it. The range showed 190 miles with 90% charge. I know that can be inaccurate, but it gave me doubts.

Yeah, like az.michail said, that range is definitely inaccurate and probably based on the test drives. The distance to empty (or as the people on this forum have dubbed it, the Guess-O-Meter (GOM)) is SUPER conservative. The extended range on highways gets around 285, but its dependent on your driving style, temp, etc. The GOM shows you using more than you probably are so it can hold that conservative estimate. For instance, my ~72 mile trip to work shows on the distance that I've used to be around 100 or so miles of range. When I look at the battery percentage though, it shows I used about 20-30 percent charge. That is consistent and more accurate. If you go back and look at the mannequin, you can go into the settings on the 15" screen, select vehicle, and then scroll to the bottom and there is a setting for "EV Driving History." If you hold that it will reset, just like a Trip meter. It will increase that 190 mile range to well over 200, and after it is driven some by people who aren't testing the acceleration and braking and stuff, it'll go up even more.

That GOM is a scary number, and I kind of wish Ford hadn't made it so conservative, or at least let us adjust the conservativeness of it.

 

[Big Jordan]

I went to check on the status of my order at the dealer a few days ago. My salesman told me some guy just walked away from his order and offered it to me. I said let's talk numbers. A Lariat ER was MSRP 88k. Lease payment is $1700 for 3 years. With Ford options plan lease is $1800 and you don't get your tax credit either way because the vehicle costs to much. Therefore I passed on that truck and will more than likely pass on mine when it comes in.

 

[toehlke]

Like Quinnjim I'm more interested in, does it make smart financial sense. I finally got invited to order and am passing too. I don't borrow for cars so that means trading my truck and selling an appreciating asset to buy a rapidly depreciating asset. I was willing to do that before Ford jacked prices and I lost the tax credit. Admittedly, I'm also disgusted w/ how Ford did the rollout since I reserved in first 20 mins on 5/19 and just finally got invited to order (after they've jacked prices over 40% on some models). 🖕

 

[02Reaper]

Good question.
230 miles of range would have worked. It turns out that is a pipe dream in the winter.

It's really no different than a gasoline vehicle. My ecoboost would show x amount of miles after a fill up, but I would never get that. They all lose miles in the winter time, no matter what is powering them. I really don't foresee the next generation being all that much better either unless they can really get the weight down and much better aerodynamics to go with it. As far as cost going down, with newer and better technology, I don't see that happening either.

 

[Voltz]

I don't borrow for cars so that means trading my truck and selling an appreciating asset to buy a rapidly depreciating asset.

What is the appreciating asset? It looks like used vehicle prices are rapidly falling.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

It's really no different than a gasoline vehicle. My ecoboost would show x amount of miles after a fill up, but I would never get that. They all lose miles in the winter time, no matter what is powering them. I really don't foresee the next generation being all that much better either unless they can really get the weight down and much better aerodynamics to go with it. As far as cost going down, with newer and better technology, I don't see that happening either.

Note, I am a fairly happy "real" winter owner, but folks need to realize this is a REAL issue and not dismiss it. Yes, ICE loses range in winter too....but my 2008 king ranch V8 had a 30 gallon tank and I never got worse than 10 mph in the worst of winter. That's 300 real miles of range! So, let's put this to bed. Winter is a huge issue for EV. Getting better and more chargers is only part of the solution. You need to improve real range ability in winter. Note, pulling something in "real" winter is barely an option......see my trip report to St. Paul, MN to demonstrate. Note, I would not have had to fill up a single time en route if I still had my King Ranch.....and please, don't make it look like a shitty cybertruck to do it.....improve weight and the battery!

 

[toehlke]

What is the appreciating asset? It looks like used vehicle prices are rapidly falling.

Stocks

 

[Kawartha Lightning]

Are prices rapidly falling or returning to long terms norms after the last 2 years of supply and logistics bottlenecks (in what parallel universe were cars ever an appreciating asset? - to answer my own question: in the same universe where people were taking numbers to buy over-hyped cars above MSRP)?

 

[toehlke]

Note, I am a fairly happy "real" winter owner, but folks need to realize this is a REAL issue and not dismiss it. Yes, ICE loses range in winter too....but my 2008 king ranch V8 had a 30 gallon tank and I never got worse than 10 mph in the worst of winter. That's 300 real miles of range! So, let's put this to bed. Winter is a huge issue for EV. Getting better and more chargers is only part of the solution. You need to improve real range ability in winter. Note, pulling something in "real" winter is barely an option......see my trip report to St. Paul, MN to demonstrate. Note, I would not have had to fill up a single time en route if I still had my King Ranch.....and please, don't make it look like a shitty cybertruck to do it.....improve weight and the battery!

The real problem in winter and with towing isn't actually the range. It's time needed to charge. If chargers were as ubiquitous as gas stations and you could refill the battery in 3-5 mins, then range really wouldn't be that much of a concern. So to me, the challenge for engineers is to increase speed to charge without hurting the LT health of the battery. Solving that would save on raw materials and therefore dramatically cut costs for EVs.