If you have an F150 or other pickup truck, why buy an F150 Lightning?
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Good question, answers will be interesting. I drove a pickup pretty much all my life (F150 was the last one). Tesla Model 3 came along and I was all in. Gave up the pickup for a Model 3 - love the car that much. It is hurting and I struggle and worry daily that I will miss the Tesla. However, if I can have the pickup back and get the acceleration and driving fun of the Tesla, (I know it won't be 100% but hoping for close) then I'm going to give it a shot.
My goal is to buy and keep the pickup, however demand says that if it isn't all I want I can likely sell without losing my shirt and I'll be back in a Tesla.
Three biggest worries - battery science/design/cooling is not top notch, range (hoping real world is closer to 350), and truck design - what will happen in 2 to 3 years with the newly designed truck, battery and factory.
My goal is to buy and keep the pickup, however demand says that if it isn't all I want I can likely sell without losing my shirt and I'll be back in a Tesla.
Three biggest worries - battery science/design/cooling is not top notch, range (hoping real world is closer to 350), and truck design - what will happen in 2 to 3 years with the newly designed truck, battery and factory.
2018 Ford Mustang GT Premium, 10 speed auto, Roush supercharged
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I have a 2020 Rapid Red Ford F-150. It has about 24,000 miles on it. I use it primarily for towing my small travel trailer (TT) to drag strips around the Southeast for the purpose of taking drag racing pictures. While there is no doubt that the 2022 Lightning will be more than capable of towing my TT, the Lightning will not have the range to drive non-stop to a few of the tracks that I visit. For this reason, I will keep both F-150s. Plus, as an old person (73), I am excited to try the newest form of EV transportation. Cheers...
I've been a Ford F series customer since my first vehicle in 1979, currently in a 2012 F250 PSD.
I'm open to trying new technology and don't mind being a beta tester, but hopefully the bugs of the worst kind have been worked out already, I depend on the truck for hobby purposes 7/14 twin axle trailer with drag racing motorcycle and pit equipment, it's not my bread and butter, if SHTF and it has to go into the shop for hardware so be it.
Being the introduction year, on a landmark change to an iconic brand vehicle, FMCO should be enforcing the no/low ADM to ensure the least amount of animosity should there be problems, if they succeed with this roll out and us early adopters "Have Been Satisfied" more will come and as they do a see change amount of volume profits will follow.
I'm open to trying new technology and don't mind being a beta tester, but hopefully the bugs of the worst kind have been worked out already, I depend on the truck for hobby purposes 7/14 twin axle trailer with drag racing motorcycle and pit equipment, it's not my bread and butter, if SHTF and it has to go into the shop for hardware so be it.
Being the introduction year, on a landmark change to an iconic brand vehicle, FMCO should be enforcing the no/low ADM to ensure the least amount of animosity should there be problems, if they succeed with this roll out and us early adopters "Have Been Satisfied" more will come and as they do a see change amount of volume profits will follow.
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828 Posts
I have a 2008 F150 King Ranch. Best vehicle I've ever owned; I love it. However, I'm up to just about 170K miles and having some rust and body issues. So, I was in a market for a new truck when this was revealed. I was immediately hooked. I too, worry about range since I live in Sioux Falls, SD and regularly drive to Fargo, ND at 80 mph. Fast charging stations are a big problem on that drive, not to mention many of those are in cold weather. So, this is a risk I am taking, but I also have a Ford flex that my wife drives that we can use if the range ends up being not as good as we hope. You big city guys are much more suited for EVs than us in the rural areas, but hoping the bipartisan infrastructure plan and electrify america fix interstate 29. Don't mind stopping for a quick charge, but I sure as hell am not driving less than 80.
1967 Mustang, 2014 F150 FX4, 2017 Mustang GT, 2020 Explorer ST
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78 Posts
I own a 2010 Ford Ranger which I inherited. That truck has done everything I've asked of it and then some. It really feels like it punches above its weight, especially considering how many half-ton and larger trucks are essentially mall crawlers. But for me the Lightning offers some benefits that my lowly Ranger doesn't have, which is why I plan to trade in the Ranger for a Lightning. The big thing is a full-sized back seat. Being a parent, there's no way I'm letting my kid ride in the Ranger's jump seats, which are basically a death trap in a t-bone accident. The Lightning's battery backup capability is also really nice to keep the lights on (we get a lot of wind where I live, so we tend to lose power a couple times a year each fall). And finally the front trunk is really nice for securely/discretely storing items.
2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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3,765 Posts
I have a 2003 Tacoma and have been waiting to replace it with an EV. This is the first opportunity that I trust. I'm just not interested in forking over $80K for a vehicle to a company with very few repair locations and less than a year of history (Rivian). I keep my vehicles for a while and drive them all over. My Lightning will be hauling hunting gear, kayaks, bikes, pulling a travel trailer, etc.
I am thrilled that we will no longer own anything that takes gasoline.
Yes, there will be some trade offs. However, keeping the planet livable for my kids and future generations is important to me.
As the saying goes, we didn't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we are borrowing it from our descendants.
I am thrilled that we will no longer own anything that takes gasoline.
Yes, there will be some trade offs. However, keeping the planet livable for my kids and future generations is important to me.
As the saying goes, we didn't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we are borrowing it from our descendants.
Love my 5.0L F-150. First thing I did when I got it home was put an exhaust on it so I get the rumble. I am certainly going to miss it. It's my 4th Ford truck in a row. I have never custom ordered so I always loved the search for the right truck at the right price. That is dead for the foreseeable future so I figured why not when I watched the Lightning reveal. It was a given that my next truck would be Ford so take my refundable deposit. Once I was hit with the first wave invite,...well then it was a no brainer.
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I spent 195.00 to fill up the 05 5.4 F150 today. I use between 5 and 6 tanks a month. Every fill-up the last 5 times has been a little more money. Our Volt costs about 15.00 to go the same distance on battery. If the Lightning costs 10 times as much as the Volt to go the same distance it is still way better than buying gas.
I've had my current F150 since new, now has 300k miles. Time for a replacement. The Lightning I can commute in the HOV lane by myself in California.
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218 Posts
It's a question I ask myself everyday. The lariat Lightning $15000 more than a comparable ICE version new. I vowed to never buy new again. I can get a comparable used ICE for $40000. So why spend $80000 +. It's really a bit higher than i can comfortably afford - more than a years take home pay.
I have reservations about range and charging. But realistically 352 days a year it has sufficient range for my needs. I have a 2000 silverado for my business I could use if needed, currently my daily driver is an older f150 which will be a trade in.
What it comes down to I like a quiet vehicle. So tired of hearing noisy vehicles in daily life. Furthermore I like reduced maintenance no fluids to mess with. Then the technology and comfort features are a "want". Yes, it's environmentally more sustainable route and that's another big plus for me. Finally I've driven older junk vehicles for a long time to get my financial house in order. Now I'm aging and recognizing my own mortality. So it's time to ease up and enjoy more.
Drive like no one else so that later you can drive like no one else - Ramsey
I have reservations about range and charging. But realistically 352 days a year it has sufficient range for my needs. I have a 2000 silverado for my business I could use if needed, currently my daily driver is an older f150 which will be a trade in.
What it comes down to I like a quiet vehicle. So tired of hearing noisy vehicles in daily life. Furthermore I like reduced maintenance no fluids to mess with. Then the technology and comfort features are a "want". Yes, it's environmentally more sustainable route and that's another big plus for me. Finally I've driven older junk vehicles for a long time to get my financial house in order. Now I'm aging and recognizing my own mortality. So it's time to ease up and enjoy more.
Drive like no one else so that later you can drive like no one else - Ramsey
So I'm no expert in tax law, but I know how so many others seem to do this. If you need a company truck (the 2000 Silverado), why not declare the Lightning as your company truck and write it off. I'm sure there are laws and rules about how much it must be used for company use, but I bet those could be used in your favor.
1967 Mustang, 2014 F150 FX4, 2017 Mustang GT, 2020 Explorer ST
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78 Posts
Where can you find a used comparable Lariat ICE F150 for $40k these days? Truck prices are through the roof, including the used market. I can see buying a new ICE F150 over the Lightning since the Lightning costs more. But if you're going to shell out a lot of money for a truck in today's market, might as well buy a new truck instead of going used.
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218 Posts
That is a possibility but I'm pretty conservative about application of tax laws. In fact I am planning to go to an accountant beginning year 2022. My understanding is only business related expenses are deductible and since my business is lawn care I'm not going to destroy an $80k truck
. However there is some driving that would be deductible and I will but won't add up to much. I do know someone who bought their wife a truck as a tax write off. That kind of thing isn't for me.
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