I think this might be goodbye

[sotek2345]

There are a lot of compelling mid sized SUVs coming out soon. Volvo EX60, BMWix3, RIvian R2 and offerings from Mercedes. Of course those are all 60k+ (with maybe the Rivian coming in less). Both the BMW and the Volvo first iterations will not be much more over 60k and pretty loaded from what I read. If that is more than you want to spend then nevermind.

I think if you have time to wait I would maybe wait at least another year. I think we will see prices keep coming down on certain foreign EV made vehicles and the charging and range specs increased.

Someone might argue that something better is always just around the corner.
But my take is sometimes there are moments in time where it's more optimal jumping in than perhaps at other points.

Just my opinion.

Regardless, best of luck whichever way you end up going. I am sure the EV9 will be a fine vehicle.

Agreed that a lot of those are nice choices. My wife has her eye on a Rivian R2 when she decides to move on from her Mach-e. However, a mid-sized SUV doesn't have enough space for all of the gear I haul for the robotics team. I have done the math and I can make a 3 row SUV work (EV9, Rivian R1S, etc.), but there are less options in that space.

If I didn't need to cargo capacity for the team, I would get myself a used Taycan!

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[mr.Magoo]

If I didn't need to cargo capacity for the team, I would get myself a used Taycan!

Just sayin'

 

[truthlesshunter]

Not to push you away, but you said you'll miss bluecruise...the EV9 will have kia/hyundai's system and it's far superior to the lightning's on non-bluecruise roads (even local roads). Won't do road trip navigation, but it can turn, accelerate, slow down, etc on 99% of roads. You just have to acknowledge your presence a little more often when there is a lot of traffic and/or turns.

We had a loaner ioniq 6 a while back...EXTREMELY base model and it had it and I actually miss that aspect of it

 

[sotek2345]

Not to push you away, but you said you'll miss bluecruise...the EV9 will have kia/hyundai's system and it's far superior to the lightning's on non-bluecruise roads (even local roads). Won't do road trip navigation, but it can turn, accelerate, slow down, etc on 99% of roads. You just have to acknowledge your presence a little more often when there is a lot of traffic and/or turns.

We had a loaner ioniq 6 a while back...EXTREMELY base model and it had it and I actually miss that aspect of it

Thanks - I had seen some posts about it being a good system, but getting a first hand account is always best!

 

[sotek2345]

Just sayin'

Gah! Don't tempt me!

 

[WXman]

I have always found it interesting how VASTLY different this forum is versus the regular F-150 forums. It really seems like 90% of Lightning owners got one solely because it was electric, and it had nothing to do with needing a pickup truck at all.

If all I was interested in was an electric vehicle to get me from point A to point B, any of these huge 7,000 lb. trucks would have been at the bottom of the list.

 

[Maquis]

Agreed that a lot of those are nice choices. My wife has her eye on a Rivian R2 when she decides to move on from her Mach-e. However, a mid-sized SUV doesn't have enough space for all of the gear I haul for the robotics team. I have done the math and I can make a 3 row SUV work (EV9, Rivian R1S, etc.), but there are less options in that space.

If I didn't need to cargo capacity for the team, I would get myself a used Taycan!

My daughter has an R1S. Really nice with a lot of room. But $20K more than my Lightning…..yikes.

 

[ryun]

I have always found it interesting how VASTLY different this forum is versus the regular F-150 forums. It really seems like 90% of Lightning owners got one solely because it was electric, and it had nothing to do with needing a pickup truck at all.

If all I was interested in was an electric vehicle to get me from point A to point B, any of these huge 7,000 lb. trucks would have been at the bottom of the list.

While I don't think you're wrong, I do want to color this with a bit more context in that ~7 years ago when the lightning was announced your options for a larger EV was essentially the Tesla Model Y/X or the Rivian R1T. That equation really didn't change much when the first Lightnings were released in 2022 (maybe Volvo released a larger EV SUV in this time?). So if you didn't like Tesla and couldn't afford an R1T you basically had zero options.

Nowadays, you've got a lot more options.

Anyway, best of luck @sotek2345. I hope you find the solution that works best for your family.

 

[Zprime29]

I have always found it interesting how VASTLY different this forum is versus the regular F-150 forums. It really seems like 90% of Lightning owners got one solely because it was electric, and it had nothing to do with needing a pickup truck at all.

If all I was interested in was an electric vehicle to get me from point A to point B, any of these huge 7,000 lb. trucks would have been at the bottom of the list.

I'm sorta in that camp. I definitely don' t need a truck (although super happy to have one now). For me, it was access to the battery. The PPOB is what put it head and shoulders above every other option.

 

[Vulnox]

Enjoy!
I like the EV9 a lot, and that's as someone that wouldn't look twice at a KIA for most of my life, and it would be bottom of the list in terms of actually buying.

But before we got the Lightning we went and checked out the EV9 and everyone in the family loved it. The interior options definitely have some wins even over our Platinum Lightning. Especially for second row passengers. The Lightning wins in leg room, but in terms of location of power connections, cup holders, having captains chairs, etc, the EV9 is so well configured.

I don't think we will see much of a depreciation change because of the end of new production. That's typically not how things go when vehicle lines end, especially ones that were otherwise selling well, like the Lightning was. People will continue to want used EV trucks at a good price and the Lightning will continue to meet needs for more people like it did in new sales. If anything without the tax credit and without new sales, I expect that residuals may even increase for a couple years between limited stock and ongoing interest.

When our lease is up next year, it will be tough. I don't have any concerns if we end up buying it out because of what I noted above and Ford continuing support through 2035. But if we do decide to walk away I suspect it will be a battle between an EV9, Silverado EV, or a Rivian. I may end up with a Lightning EREV eventually, but I don't want a full gas vehicle again or even a hybrid, so will be tough to buy another Ford.

 

[sotek2345]

I have always found it interesting how VASTLY different this forum is versus the regular F-150 forums. It really seems like 90% of Lightning owners got one solely because it was electric, and it had nothing to do with needing a pickup truck at all.

If all I was interested in was an electric vehicle to get me from point A to point B, any of these huge 7,000 lb. trucks would have been at the bottom of the list.

That is sort of true in my case, but not completely. The Lightning is actually my 4th F150.

I used to be (and still am at heart) a HUGE Mustang fan, especially Shelbys. about 9 years ago or so I had a 2011 GT500 as a daily driver, then I put on a larger supercharger and had it tuned. After that, My wife said no more driving it in upstate NY winters, so I got a "beater" pickup truck (higher mile extended cab 2010 XL) for the colder months. After having the beater for a bit, and realizing it was quite nice for road trips, I upgraded to a 2016 XLT supercrew (2.7L). Great truck. Very nice for road trips and quite helpful around the house and for the robotics team I had taken over as lead coach for. Around this time I also traded my GT500 for a 2019 GT350 as my daily March-November. After I put my initial order in for the Lightning, I knew I was shifting away from ICE vehicles, so I sold the GT350 and traded the 2016 XLT for a 2016 Raptor so I could get a chance to own/drive one before going all electric. That raptor got traded for my Lightning.

 

[Adventureboy]

I tried going without a truck once...... didn't last 6 months.
I've had F150s for decades and use it for truck stuff, so Lightning was the only EV that came close. EV9 is nice if you don't need to do truck stuff.
I'm interested in seeing what the next generation of EV trucks are like.

 

[truthlesshunter]

I have always found it interesting how VASTLY different this forum is versus the regular F-150 forums. It really seems like 90% of Lightning owners got one solely because it was electric, and it had nothing to do with needing a pickup truck at all.

If all I was interested in was an electric vehicle to get me from point A to point B, any of these huge 7,000 lb. trucks would have been at the bottom of the list.

So we actually considered an EV9 as well before getting our lightning. It's not necessarily a matter of truck or not...we do contractor/construction work so we need space. The truck bed is a good bonus but storage/cargo was the most important and an ev9 with the seats down/removed is a HUGE amount of space for an enclosed option.

We ended up with the lightning because we got a great deal on an ER lariat that was similar price as an EV9 with low mileage and as mentioned, it had the bed for "dirtier" cargo and when we need to go on unfinished roads (not offroading mind you).

But if you want to be fair, I'd say 80-85% of truck drivers would be in the similar situation (where you don't *need* a truck at all...just cargo space)

 

[davehu]

I don't quite understand the logic of buying a brand new EV (to begin with) and a Kia ontop of that if your main argument for getting something else (besides parts availibility) is resale / residual value !?

Even if your Lightning is completely worthless in 4 years and unless you're getting a killer deal on the that Kia, it will have dropped as much, or more than your Lightning will (between now and then).

Ford should keep parts until 2035 at least, sure, who knows if a light assembly will be $15,000 new - but it should be availible.

but remember that many of the components used in the lightning are the same as ICE F-50's. so I'm not worried about parts.

 

[MotoGary]

After my Lightning was T-boned and totaled last Summer, I was really conflicted about whether to get another one. I had a module crap out on me and even though it eventually got fixed, I found that I had trust issues afterwards and didn't enjoyed driving it as much. I also saw the writing on the wall with the tax credit going away and talk of the Lightning being dumped by Ford.

In the end, I decided to go back to a gas F-150 and I think I made the right call. I still occasionally miss my Lightning, especially when I see one on the road. But for now I have peace of mind driving my truck and never think about it. It has the added benefit of getting me to and from my weekend home 600 miles roundtrip on a single tank of fuel and no need to stop if I don't want.

My wife drives a Kia Telluride and we've talked about trading it for the EV9, but we can't justify the cost. Having owned and enjoyed both a Mach-E and a Lightning, I'm still a big fan of EVs. But I'm gonna wait and see how the EV world evolves over then next couple of years.

I have a reservation for the Slate Truck. I'm not really sure if they'll succeed but I'm hopeful. Even if they do finally release it, I doubt I'll be first in line to buy. It would just be a fun 3rd vehicle as a run-around toy anyway. I wouldn't buy it as a primary vehicle.

I'll be curious what you finally decide!

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