Would You Buy A Lightning Again?

[ChrisC]

Yes! I love this truck and my favorite activity is to load my Costco boxes in the frunk where I get so many looks and questions It stops the stuff from rolling around. I use the bed for yard waste and hauling large dirty items so the frunk keeps my food clean

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[PrimeRisk]

I'll answer this in two ways. I have a 2024 Lariat ER.

If I had it all to do over again, no, I wouldn't have bought it knowing what I know now. I love the truck itself, but the technology side of the vehicle is a complete excrement-show and I have spent more time messing around with technology issues than I have on my last 3 vehicles combined. I have also had to take it to the dealership for technology issues more times than the last 2 vehicles combined and I've owned it less than 3 months. Exacerbating the technical issues, the dealers do not have many educated technicians (my closest dealership has none and will not touch a Lightning or Mach-e) and every visit is a long wait for an appointment due to their loading. The Ford Lightning is not ready for prime time and that is very disappointing on a $80k+ vehicle.

In the future, 6-8 years from now, when I'm ready to replace my Lightning I will absolutely have it on the list, but if the technology issues persist, it will be an absolute no-go and I will buy a different brand.

 

[HaroldCal]

I did already, actually I bought my first one, a 23 Platinum, from my original pre-order in the fall of 22. I bought my second one, a 23 Lariat, fall of 23.

They have served me well. A joy to drive, decent features, and has saved me a ton in fuel.

With that said, I also had a preorder on the Cybertruck. The Lightning just became available first, and I needed a truck right then (same for the second one).

If I were shopping today, I would be seriously considering that Cybertruck (now that it's readily available). The appearance doesn't bother me. I actually like it. And FSD is way more mature and capable than BluesClues. I like the built-in roll-up tonneau. I like the oversimplified interior. Way more charging infrastructure. And with a much larger installed base, accessories and community knowledge is a real thing.

I would really have to think about it. Pros and Cons on both sides. I really like the huge frunk on the Lightning. And I kinda like the stealth aspect of it. If you don't know any better, it looks like any other F150 (ish). I like the fact that many F150 accessories just work. But the Lightning also hasn't been supported quite as well, and certainly had some teething issues. I really WANT the Lightning (and Ford's EV push in general) to succeed. It's important that Tesla have strong competition, lest they just run away with it. I say this as a shareholder of both Ford and Tesla. I want them both to succeed.

At this point, I already have my 2 Lightnings, and that will hold me over until something comparable to a SuperDuty comes along to replace my old F350. At this point, it only gets driven a couple times per year to tow my toy hauler. I look forward to heavy towing becoming a thing in the EV world. If I could just buy the Tesla Semi with a bed on it, I would have already done it.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Yes! I love this truck and my favorite activity is to load my Costco boxes in the frunk where I get so many looks and questions It stops the stuff from rolling around. I use the bed for yard waste and hauling large dirty items so the frunk keeps my food clean

We love to hear that, Chris! The mega power frunk is the perfect clean space to easily transport whatever you need.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I am interested as well please

I am very happy with my truck. After nearly 12k miles in 8 months, I'd buy it again!

We love to hear that, Keanen! We'd love to see a pic!

 

[River Rat]

23 Lariat EX, 30,00km no major issues. Love the ride and performance so YES.

 

[Tdub]

I love this truck! This is my 5th Ford pickup and by far the best truck I have ever owned. I would definitely buy another Lightning!

I just love the fact, I am no longer having to stop and pay the high prices of gas!

Keep up the great work!

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

I was gonna reply, but then noticed the intern over at Ford started commenting in the thread with all sorts of self-congratulatory BS. Lets see if their dumb enough to quote me.

*clears throat* HECK Yeah I'd buy it again! I was on the fence but then they released Careoke which takes it over the top and makes this a prefect vehicle. Between the lagging infotainment system, no Dog Mode, and rapid rollout of BlueCruise 7.0, this is far and above my old car; a 1992 Volkswagen Fox.

Nice job Ford.

 

[MickeyAO]

Let’s be truthful. No BS, no sugar. Would you buy another?
I ask because I still maintain my 2022 Lightning was the best Ford truck I can remember in 40 years. Solid. Yes, teething, but it was new technology. I had issues, but the biggest was range. The standard just didn’t cut it for me. I had to bail after trying to get an ER. Then the bottom fell out 2 weeks later after I got out.
Now, I’m in a position to get back into an ER Flash. Just wondering what you owners have to say.
I an upside down in my current truck, and have enough incentives, tax rebate, and a PCO to right me up. I could save an easy $5,000 plus a year driving a Lightning again. But I’d want to just run it. I’m on the fence. In 5 years, I’d have between 150-200k on it. I don’t think the batteries are an issue. The service intervals thru 200k are literally tiring. Nothing. I think a coolant change at 160k if I recall. The ER would fit my daily driving without issue. Vacations? Eh, maybe. I have concerns at 150-200k, who would want a used EV? New tech with better batteries, quicker charging, longer range would have to kill a used Lightning, right? Am I concerned about these things for nothing? I can’t imagine my 2023 STX will return $20k in five years with 150 on the clock, after its $15k depreciation in six months. So what’s the likelihood a 2024 Lightning will return $20k in five years with all the other tech advancement strikes against it? I can’t find my crystal ball. Thoughts appreciated.

Torn. I love the truck and have so much fun driving it, but after testing the SKE805A cells in my lab, I question the quality of these cells. Fortunately, I know the weaknesses of the cells and how to still make them last forever (and have posted hints about this in the past).

With that said, I already bought the extended warranty and will keep this truck longer than any other of the last 15 years (average, the previous trucks never got out of the manufactures 3 year warranty period, with the Ford F150 Limited being the exception and sold after 2 years.)

BTW, retirement is just around the corner and I might post more specific information after that date! Mostly normalized graphs that we publish in other papers.

 

[Maquis]

Torn. I love the truck and have so much fun driving it, but after testing the SKE805A cells in my lab, I question the quality of these cells. Fortunately, I know the weaknesses of the cells and how to still make them last forever (and have posted hints about this in the past).

With that said, I already bought the extended warranty and will keep this truck longer than any other of the last 15 years (average, the previous trucks never got out of the manufactures 3 year warranty period, with the Ford F150 Limited being the exception and sold after 2 years.)

BTW, retirement is just around the corner and I might post more specific information after that date! Mostly normalized graphs that we publish in other papers.

Mickey, I really appreciate your “hints.“ Gives me confidence that keeping the truck long-term is the right decision.

 

[Lightningwaiter]

Let’s be truthful. No BS, no sugar. Would you buy another?
I ask because I still maintain my 2022 Lightning was the best Ford truck I can remember in 40 years. Solid. Yes, teething, but it was new technology. I had issues, but the biggest was range. The standard just didn’t cut it for me. I had to bail after trying to get an ER. Then the bottom fell out 2 weeks later after I got out.
Now, I’m in a position to get back into an ER Flash. Just wondering what you owners have to say.
I an upside down in my current truck, and have enough incentives, tax rebate, and a PCO to right me up. I could save an easy $5,000 plus a year driving a Lightning again. But I’d want to just run it. I’m on the fence. In 5 years, I’d have between 150-200k on it. I don’t think the batteries are an issue. The service intervals thru 200k are literally tiring. Nothing. I think a coolant change at 160k if I recall. The ER would fit my daily driving without issue. Vacations? Eh, maybe. I have concerns at 150-200k, who would want a used EV? New tech with better batteries, quicker charging, longer range would have to kill a used Lightning, right? Am I concerned about these things for nothing? I can’t imagine my 2023 STX will return $20k in five years with 150 on the clock, after its $15k depreciation in six months. So what’s the likelihood a 2024 Lightning will return $20k in five years with all the other tech advancement strikes against it? I can’t find my crystal ball. Thoughts appreciated.

I have had my lighting for almost a year. I would give a solid yes if I had to get a new vehicle.

 

[Deleted member 19104]

Emphatically, no. And I can’t honestly recommend it given the constant software issues. As a pure truck, it’s great. But so is the ICE F-150. As a connected, software defined vehicle that Ford claims it is, it’s pretty bad.

For example, the truck and app suddenly won’t share current vehicle data, such as SOC or charging information. I’m a pretty techy guy so I double checked all of the data sharing and associated settings, reset the app, checked all the vehicle connection settings, and nothing. Unfortunately, this is one of countless things. It’s death by a thousand paper cuts.

@Ford Motor Company, any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[JRT]

Your ask seems dependent on if we would run this truck to 150-200k in 4 to 5 years if that was our use case. And concern about value.

For me if that was the case, I'd buy a regular V8 F150 and run it with those miles with little concern. I traded my 2014 RAM 1500 crew cab 4x4 Long bed with 137k miles last year and got $20k.

Now would I buy a Lightning for my use case, not sure. The fact is my daughter is in Hattiesburg at school and heading there is a total headache with having to Tesla SC to 90% in Tuscaloosa and then leave the truck at a hospital to charge to 100% before we head home.

This is hours of time wasted and there is just no real fast charging options between Tuscaloosa and Hattiesburg. If I could get 1 more SC close to or in Hattiesburg it would be so much better. I do like this truck and my company just mandated 100% return to office, so I'll be putting miles on the truck, I'm at 18k as of today.

 

[Smokewagun]

Off on a tangent from my original posts, but hey, someone mentioned Ford’s ICE trucks…

I’m not sold on the new 2024 F-150 ICE. My ‘23 is a software nightmare like my son’s ‘23, and both shift like crap. My sons has already done cam phasers, too. I’ve had over 30 ford pickups, He’s had four. Both of our current trucks are crap. Ford says “Were working on updates”. Yeah. 10 months for my son, 7 months for me. The products Ford builds today, are forcing us to consider jumping ship. The Lightning is the only truck holding us here, because despite the few early adopting teething pains I had with my 2022 Lightning (many due to being a SR), the truck was ALWAYS fun and exciting to drive. It held interest and looked good. The build quality was SO far ahead of the ICE F-150. They are NOT the same in that respect. Not close.
This new 98% black plastic crap, poor build quality, stuff ford is turning out holds no interest for me anymore. Frankly, now that Dr. Bullshit is bragging about not wanting to give up his Chinese loaner, REALLY proves to me what he thinks about his products. HE’D RATHER DRIVE THE COMPETITION! Nice job, Farley. Spend more time in the office doing your job instead of driving around in foreign beaters, trying to sell battery vans to other countries.

 

[Duanebush]

OMG! Look at all the love!
I’m close to pulling the trigger. I really wish I could swing a Lariat, but a Flash may be in my future. In fact, my son might do the same. We just have to figure out charging arrangements. Thanks for all the replies. I always say, my 2022 Lightning was the best truck and the most fun to drive since my first truck.

I have a 23 lariat for sale on this forum.

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