[mofospinner]

Hey so I just wanted to get another positive posting out there... I picked up my 2023 Lightning Lariat ER (in Black) on Wednesday 2/8/23 and I have to say that for me, it was definitely worth the wait! It has to be one of the nicest vehicles I have ever owned. My previous truck was a 2018 Toyota Tundra SR-5 5.7L with lots of power and very thirsty for gasoline! I am an electrical contractor and drive around town all day, every day with no need to drive long distances (for that we will use one of our other vehicles).

While writing this post, I put it on the charger after driving 250 miles since Wednesday. When I picked up the truck, the dealer had it charged it to 100% and the GOM said 330 miles range (I'm guessing that the truck was in a heated space all night, not taking the outdoor temperature into consideration).

This truck is solid and Ford has knocked it out of the park with the Lightning. So far my biggest complaint is that they didn't give me the Pro Charger when I picked up the truck and the dealership said that Sun Run would be shipping it to me. I think that whomever made that decision to have SunRun handle the chargers was a bad choice. The dealership told me I probably will have to wait at least 2 weeks for it to show up. I have a 100 amp circuit ready to roll and want to get the Pro Charger installed! When I wired my house in 2017, I luckily installed (3) 60 amp circuits for future EV charging so I'm OK for now .

Some bullet points:

• I placed my reservation on 5/21/21, my order on 11/15/22, and received the truck on 2/8/23.
• The dealership did not try and add any "fees" that I have been reading about in other posts.
• I paid the window sticker price, no negotiations, no dealer fees, just sticker price, tax, and licensing.
• The dealership told me that I can seek a "customer loyalty discount" (since I was bumped from a 2022 model to a 2023 model) which I will need to contact Ford about. If this goes through, they send a check to me in the mail. I'll follow up on this post if I actually see a check back from Ford.
• I am not sure what to do about the tax credit or if I'm a candidate for a tax credit since the truck cost more than 80K. I live in WA state. Maybe someone knows? It would sure be nice to get a tax credit.
• The Lightning is so peacefully quiet, when I'm driving and on the phone, people think I'm in my office!
• The powered frunk and tailgate are really cool but I could do without the annoying beep, beep.
• The touchscreen is big and beautiful. I haven't experienced any lagging yet (as read from previous posts).
• The B&O sound system is elegant and the surround sound mode makes me a happy music listener.
• I wish there was an extra charging port on the passenger side where the "fake charge door" is located but I'll live with it.

Some options I'm adding:

• A Roll-n-Lock E-Series retractable Bed Cover: Roll-N-Lock
• A Line-X Spray in bedliner: Line-X
• Luxe light bar tint to tone down the milky white light bar that looks strange to me on darker vehicles (story here): Luxe
• Tinting the driver and passenger front windows a little bit
• 2" front Leveling lift, 33" Nitto Grappler tires, and new wheels (this is down the road when I wear out the factory tires). Yes, I know about the speedometer calibration and the small decrease in mileage.

That's it for now! I'm glad I purchased it! Good luck to everyone else. I appreciate all the input and help over the last 20 months.

 

[Jfmoots]

Congrats! Beautiful ride! Got almost the same truck last week.

I think no tax credit due to the vehicle price. I’m in the same boat. That stung.

Looking forward to my Pro charger showing up from SunRun and totally agree with you… put it in the Frunk! My dealer didn’t even know anything about the Pro charger. He pointed at the mobile charger and I just wanted to pat him on the head and tell him he was adorable

 

[Kawartha Lightning]

Truck looks great and a nice diversion from all of the “sky is falling” posts making the rounds recently. What did you use to wrap / darken the light bar?

 

[mofospinner]

Congrats! Beautiful ride! Got almost the same truck last week.

I think no tax credit due to the vehicle price. I’m in the same boat. That stung.

Looking forward to my Pro charger showing up from SunRun and totally agree with you… put it in the Frunk! My dealer didn’t even know anything about the Pro charger. He pointed at the mobile charger and I just wanted to pat him on the head and tell him he was adorable

Thanks! Congrats as well.

 

[mofospinner]

Truck looks great and a nice diversion from all of the “sky is falling” posts making the rounds recently. What did you use to wrap / darken the light bar?

@Kawartha, Here is the link to the wrap (I haven't had it installed yet)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1556079657203781633

 

[mofospinner]

Congrats! Beautiful ride! Got almost the same truck last week.

I think no tax credit due to the vehicle price. I’m in the same boat. That stung.

Looking forward to my Pro charger showing up from SunRun and totally agree with you… put it in the Frunk! My dealer didn’t even know anything about the Pro charger. He pointed at the mobile charger and I just wanted to pat him on the head and tell him he was adorable

@Jfmoots It's so funny that us "Forum People" know so much more than the dealers. I also went through the truck with their "Tech Guy" and after 5 minutes told him that "I got it, thanks for all your help" also wanting to pat him on the head! 😂

 

[Jimbalf]

Congratulations. I am close behind you on getting my Lariat ER. Reserved on May 20, and ordered on Nov 17th 2022. It was reported as built on Jan 29 and shipped Feb 2 but I’m told it’s on chip hold. Hard to believe chip holds are still an issue.

 

[mofospinner]

Congratulations. I am close behind you on getting my Lariat ER. Reserved on May 20, and ordered on Nov 17th 2022. It was reported as built on Jan 29 and shipped Feb 2 but I’m told it’s on chip hold. Hard to believe chip holds are still an issue.

@Jimbalf You should be getting it soon...Chip hold? For real? I was kind of bummed I didn't get the heated steering wheel due to chip shortages but can live without it (first world problems). You will definitely like the truck. Make sure you stay on top of that Pro Charger because the dealers don't know jack about it...

 

[cjastacio]

Congrats on the new ride!! Mine is marked for production March 20, fingers crossed. I love the LED bar tint idea and may have to do that as well. As for the fronk beep, I did see a video on YT where it had been removed. If you're inclined to try it out, here you go.

 

[Blitzen]

Congratulations. I am close behind you on getting my Lariat ER. Reserved on May 20, and ordered on Nov 17th 2022. It was reported as built on Jan 29 and shipped Feb 2 but I’m told it’s on chip hold. Hard to believe chip holds are still an issue.

My build how serveral things removed due to chip shortages. There seems to be a Ford process of deciding “hold the vehicle up or just remove feature X” and they will removed; e.g., heated steering wheel go the axe among others. But LOVE this truck! No battery anxiety. Telling everyone how great it is.

 

[bryan.gunter]

Yah my dealership is trying to charge me $899 for “Pre delivery charge” on top of $1700 delivery charge any idea how to get out of the pre delivery charge??

 

[R.I.P.]

Yah my dealership is trying to charge me $899 for “Pre delivery charge” on top of $1700 delivery charge any idea how to get out of the pre delivery charge??

I have never paid over MSRP for a new vehicle; EVER. With only a couple exceptions, I always paid under MSRP. That said, I admit I have the advantage of having been a new vehicle dealer myself, so I am intimately familiar with all the processes.

Since your question is one that is often asked, I'll just throw in the one weapon you have that will defeat any dealer anytime anywhere: The word NO. To use this word you have to embrace the concept that hundreds of thousands of these vehicles will be made, and one dealer putting you over a barrel for one version of that vehicle is ridiculous. Say no, walk away, get it from one of the other thousands of dealers around the country. No law exists that says you have to buy in your city, or even your state.

Living in Oregon, I had a hell of a time trying to find a very rare version of a Cadillac I wanted a while back. Dealers knew what they had, and wanted $20,000 or more over MSRP for the vehicle. Even dealers advertising MSRP would try to throw on costs. I never argued. I used that single, powerful word, stood up and walked toward the door.

In many purchases over the years that was enough to convince the dealership that there was only one way they were going to make that sale to me that day, and they caved. In the case of this Cadillac, it didn't work. I kept walking out of dealership after dealership.

After about 6 months of keeping track of dealers nationwide, I found one in Mobile, Alabama. I bought it for MSRP long distance, and flew there to drive it back.

Aw the memories of that wonderful road trip. Oh, and the satisfaction that I bought it for &$#@*! MSRP! 😁

 

[bryan.gunter]

I appreciate the response. Although you have to know the demand right now.. lightnings are rare. They DONT want me to buy it so they can sell it on the lot for 20k more. And I’ve been waiting 3 years for this - so your simple answer to “just say no” and go elsewhere doesn’t really apply :/

 

[mofospinner]

Congrats on the new ride!! Mine is marked for production March 20, fingers crossed. I love the LED bar tint idea and may have to do that as well. As for the fronk beep, I did see a video on YT where it had been removed. If you're inclined to try it out, here you go.

Thank you for sharing the Frunk Beep! I'm on it right now!

 

[mofospinner]

Yah my dealership is trying to charge me $899 for “Pre delivery charge” on top of $1700 delivery charge any idea how to get out of the pre delivery charge??

Tell them to "Pound Sand"! That's complete BS. You don't need to pay any of those.

 

[R.I.P.]

I appreciate the response. Although you have to know the demand right now.. lightnings are rare. They DONT want me to buy it so they can sell it on the lot for 20k more. And I’ve been waiting 3 years for this - so your simple answer to “just say no” and go elsewhere doesn’t really apply :/

I would argue that is not an accurate perception. It certainly is the perception they want you to have. If you feel you must have the vehicle, then sure, they have you over a barrel and you're going to pay whatever they can get out of you.

Within 6 months you'll be able to buy these on lots without a reservation. So it just depends on how badly you want or need the vehicle. I fully intend to purchase an ER this year, however it will not be for over MSRP.

 

[Jimmyo22]

Congrats and good to hear the positive input.