[ErichKeane]

Hi all-
Long time owner of Ford pickups (currently on my 2nd f250 7.3), and got my wife an EV Niro a year ago (so we have a 50a home charger). I've been a car guy for quite a while (I have a '90 300zx TT that I spend a long time building up!), but the Niro convinced me that EVs are practical and better than ICE cars in many ways.

When the reservations for the Lightning came up, I initially scoffed at the short bed and 2k hauling, so I never ended up getting a reservation.

About a month ago I realized that I use my truck way more for driving than hauling, and the hauling I do is no longer as serious as I used to, so started looking for a new truck! I still need a truck for the home depot and landscaping runs I do (my wife is a now-hobby landscape designer, so we get new trees frequently!), but no longer am I filling up my hobby metal shop with heavy machines, and no longer am I picking up Gravel 2-3 yards at a time, so I think the lightning is PERFECT for my use cases.

I contacted a number of dealers before finding out how rare/difficult to get these are, so looks like I'm starting a waiting game! I have a dealer about an hour from home that claims I'll be able to order a '23 without a reservation, so I'll try THAT. Based on what I've read, my confidence is obviously low that this will happen, but we'll see how it turns out

Otherwise, I'm likely looking for the 'looking to make a quick profit!' folks to come down a bit, and will likely just overpay for a Pro/XLT.

Anyway, thanks for having me!

 

[ErichKeane]

I also forgot to mention, my local dealer(not the one mentioned above) has a Red Lariat demo that I got to drive last week that I quite liked! I'm impressed with what Ford has done quality wise since I paid attention to new Fords last. Other than the giant ipad-duct-tapped-to-the-dash thing (my main motivation for the Pro/XLT preference), I thought the truck was wonderful!

 

[taxmanhog]

MY-24 or later before the reservation door is open IMHO, finding a reasonably priced demo or second hand sale is unlikely

 

[ErichKeane]

MY-24 or later before the reservation door is open IMHO, finding a reasonably priced demo or second hand sale is unlikely

I've not heard official Ford communication on that (and the dealer has assured me...), so I'm hopeful that isn't the case, but I'm sure you're right.

My definition of 'reasonably priced' is perhaps higher than yours, but I'm definitely not willing to pay $100k for a XLT-SR like they seem to be listed for these days. Perhaps in a few months when production ramps up the markups will decrease a inside of 130%LTV + decent down payment.

 

[taxmanhog]

Ford has been tight lipped about when they will take more reservations, it does not make sense at this point to put more folks into a very long waiting queue, which has around 185,000 waiting to put in an order at the close of MY-22 (estimates say 15k to 20k will be built this year)

 

[ErichKeane]

Ford has been tight lipped about when they will take more reservations, it does not make sense at this point to put more folks into a very long waiting queue, which has around 185,000 waiting to put in an order at the close of MY-22 (estimates say 15k to 20k will be built this year)

Yep, I understand that. This dealer claims I'll be able to put an order in in a few weeks, putting down a down-payment/etc. I'm quite doubtful, but will play along just-in-case (since I know Ford is ALSO doing some goofy stuff with per-dealer allocations, and this is one that perhaps had few reservations 'choose' them). I have very little 'hope' at all on this of course.

I'm more convinced I'll have to go for a ~$70k Pro/$80k XLT-SR (~120%LTV + a healthy down payment) when those markups become more common.

 

[RDale]

Yep, I understand that. This dealer claims I'll be able to put an order in in a few weeks, putting down a down-payment/etc. I'm quite doubtful, but will play along just-in-case (since I know Ford is ALSO doing some goofy stuff with per-dealer allocations, and this is one that perhaps had few reservations 'choose' them). I have very little 'hope' at all on this of course.

I'm more convinced I'll have to go for a ~$70k Pro/$80k XLT-SR (~120%LTV + a healthy down payment) when those markups become more common.

Welcome to the forum @ErichKeane! Yeah unfortunately there's a big wait right now but at least production continues to rise. How would you spec the rest of your Pro or XLT?

Also, what kind of work have you done to your 300ZX?

 

[ErichKeane]

Welcome to the forum @ErichKeane! Yeah unfortunately there's a big wait right now but at least production continues to rise. How would you spec the rest of your Pro or XLT?

Also, what kind of work have you done to your 300ZX?

Thanks! I'm not super picky on either, the spray in bed liner is my big wish, otherwise probably a Red or one of the blues. I'm coming from a 2001 super duty, so all the tech stuff is stuff I won't miss. I'm pretty sure I'm going to just have to over-pay for one.

My Z started life as a NA when I got it in 2006, so it has a turbo motor swap with forged Pistons and rods, larger turbos, big intercoolers and methanol injection. Dynos at just shy of 700 on meth, about 550-600 depending on temperature without.

Otherwise I just have a bunch of suspension and brake upgrades, plus bigger wheels/tires. In my younger days I would track it reasonably often, but haven't done so in quite a while.

 

[ErichKeane]

Welp, due to my lack of patience and a lucky message, I might be avoiding said 'very long wait'. I'll know tomorrow whether I'll be overpaying for a Lariat!

 

[SteelTerp87]

Welp, due to my lack of patience and a lucky message, I might be avoiding said 'very long wait'. I'll know tomorrow whether I'll be overpaying for a Lariat!

What came of this?

 

[ErichKeane]

What came of this?

I won't know until tomorrow Either I'll be picking it up after a long drive, or continuing my search. Found one about 300 miles from me thats quite a bit overpriced, talked them down to 'slightly less overpriced', and if financing can get it done, I'll pick it up tomorrow.

 

[SteelTerp87]

I won't know until tomorrow Either I'll be picking it up after a long drive, or continuing my search. Found one about 300 miles from me thats quite a bit overpriced, talked them down to 'slightly less overpriced', and if financing can get it done, I'll pick it up tomorrow.

And now?!?! Did you get "lucky" and overpay for the truck?

 

[ErichKeane]

And now?!?! Did you get "lucky" and overpay for the truck?

I Did! I spent all day yesterday driving each way to pick up the one below! Smoked Quartz ER Lariat, with All-terrain tires, max tow package, and spray in liner. Drove it home 250 miles yesterday, which took me 90% battery to 10% battery or so. The truck is wonderful inside, and I loved the drive! I DID notice that this truck HAAATES driving at 70+MPH, I watched the range plummet while I did that (parts of I5 have a 70mph limit).

Currently on my home level-2 charger.

 

[SteelTerp87]

Congrats! So what are the details? Was this at a dealer? Was it a customer order that was not converted to final sale or did they sell you their mannequin?

 

[ErichKeane]

Congrats! So what are the details? Was this at a dealer? Was it a customer order that was not converted to final sale or did they sell you their mannequin?

Yep, at a dealer, this was a customer order that wasn't converted. They ended up having to sell it as 'used' apparently (likely so they could get their overcharge :/), but it only had ~145 miles on it when I picked it up!

 

[SteelTerp87]

Yep, at a dealer, this was a customer order that wasn't converted. They ended up having to sell it as 'used' apparently (likely so they could get their overcharge :/), but it only had ~145 miles on it when I picked it up!

That's awesome! Since it was "used" do you get the Federal Tax Credit? What was the markup? Sorry for all the questions, I know people will want to know their options haha

 

[ErichKeane]

That's awesome! Since it was "used" do you get the Federal Tax Credit? What was the markup? Sorry for all the questions, I know people will want to know their options haha

Nope, I don't get the tax credit. Markup was.... high, think I'm too ashamed to say :/. I likely could have waited a few more months to get one cheaper (or even an XLT/Pro), but the threads here convinced me that it likely wouldn't be as much of a savings off that as I thought worth it, and the stars aligned for this one in a couple of other ways.

 

[taxmanhog]

Was there an ACTUAL first owner for whom the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin (FORD TITLE) was converted to a California Vehicle Owners title?

If no, then in my humble opinion YOU are the bonified first owner, who placed the vehicle into first retail service, YOU are entitled to the credit regardless of the machinations the dealer went through to avoid a compliance thrashing with FORD CORPORATE SALES!!

If yes, there was a prior first retail owner, who has so quickly sold out just to collect the federal credit, then shame on them for what IMHO is fraud.

 

[ErichKeane]

Was there an ACTUAL first owner for whom the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin (FORD TITLE) was converted to a California Vehicle Owners title?

If no, then in my humble opinion YOU are the bonified first owner, who placed the vehicle into first retail service, YOU are entitled to the credit regardless the of the machinations the dealer went through to avoid a sale compliance thrashing with FORD CORPORATE SALES

If yes, there was a prior first retail owner, who has so quickly sold out just to collect the federal credit, then shame on them for what IMHO is fraud.

Thats good to know, I'll have to take a look at the paperwork I received and the title paperwork I end up getting.

 

[Voltz]

Did you get a sticker with it? Is it Blue?
If not, maybe plug in your VIN after the = sign at the end of this URL and see if the sticker comes back blue or green.

https://www.windowsticker.forddirect.com/windowsticker.pdf?vin=