Buy out my lease in September 2026 (55k) for my 2023 Lighting Platinum or buy a new 2025 Lighting Platinum for 71K

[Mike m]

My lease comes due in september and the buy out is $55k and it will have 31k miles. I believe the market value will be much less than $55k but I hear Ford does not negotiate. I have driven the Ram limited and the f150 hybrids and still like my lighting better. Dealers are discounting the 2025 Platinums to as low as 71k from a MSRP of $89k. My MSRP from my 2023 is $93k. Hower there seems to be difference of the two years, Charging time, heat pump ( I live in Wisconsin although happy with the warm up of the vehicle).

Thoughts on my next move, differences of the two years and is this making sense? Should I wit until August and try to negociate?

Sponsored

 

[The Weatherman]

Let lease go and look for a replacement on the market at a much lower price for the same vehicle.

 

[RocketGhost]

Ask the dealer if you can turn in your truck and then they buy it at the lease auction and sell it to you at market value. I don't know if that's possible but I've heard about someone doing it with another make.

 

[hturnerfamily]

it never hurts to negotiate a lease-buyout just like you negotiate any type of 'new' purchase - while it may seem that Ford may not necessarily 'normally' negotiate in this situation, you might need to use the PROOF of lower values as your leverage... it makes just as much sense, or 'cents', for them to negotiate with YOU, and not have to turn around and then negotiate a purchase with someone else, how probably might want to pay even LESS than you do! But, corporate negotiations sometimes are not as easy as they should be.

 

[ryun]

There's been plenty of threads on here that seem to indicate the heat pump is underwhelming both in energy savings and performance. But that could just be outliers.

Going from a 2025 MY you'll lose out on the higher AC charging rate of your MY 2023. Your current truck should be able to charge at 80 amps AC (if I remember correctly), whereas the '24 and up MY max out at 48 amps AC. Just in case that's important to you.

Personally, I'd do everything to keep the current truck. You've got a known quantity there. $55K seems reasonable for a platinum. Though that's close to a brand new ER Flash that comes with a new warranty, so if you don't care for the platinum's features maybe a switch would be good.

 

[MichaelCA]

I think the charge rate is inconsequential unless you actually own a 80 amp home charger. The heat pump is great if you need the extra range per charge. However, I think the price difference is over $20k to upgrade no? $71K + tax. That makes it a big pill to swallow and I'm not sure that's worth it. The 2025 has a fresh warranty but you can get similiar coverage by paying about $2k? I think from like Granger for Ford ESP.

 

[MountainAlive]

That’s a tough decision. $55k seems about $8-$10k more than what I’ve seen some used platinums go for these days, but keeping the truck you’ve known from day 1 has value too (vs buying unknown used).

 

[swajames]

Ford won't let you buy it out for less than the residual, and you're going to have to make all remaining lease payments to get out before lease maturity anyway. You might as well hang on until closer to September and see how the market looks at that time. Ford has been leveraging inflated residuals to reduce lease payments, so none of this is news to them.

 

[rbott]

I'd probably let the lease lapse and then roll into a new lease on a 2025 Lightning, if that's an option for you. This will buy you three years so you can watch the market and see what Ford does with the forthcoming EREV Lightning. Who knows - there may even be a 2028 or 2029 battery-only Lightning at that time, too.

 

[PA Lightning]

I have been watching new inventory numbers since the big announcement. Looks like there are currently 4.6k new Lightning's for sale according to Visor Vin.

If you want a new one, the one you want may not be around in eight months.

I have been debating if I should get rid of my Pro (2022 No issues) to get a new one. After looking at the limited new inventory with the max tow and Pro Power 9.6 I am going to stay with what I have and fine a low mileage used one when I am ready to give up the Pro.

If I were in your shoes, I would wait, unless a dealer is willing to buy out your lease for the residual plus.

 

[Mike m]

There's been plenty of threads on here that seem to indicate the heat pump is underwhelming both in energy savings and performance. But that could just be outliers.

Going from a 2025 MY you'll lose out on the higher AC charging rate of your MY 2023. Your current truck should be able to charge at 80 amps AC (if I remember correctly), whereas the '24 and up MY max out at 48 amps AC. Just in case that's important to you.

Personally, I'd do everything to keep the current truck. You've got a known quantity there. $55K seems reasonable for a platinum. Though that's close to a brand new ER Flash that comes with a new warranty, so if you don't care for the platinum's features maybe a switch would be good.

Thank you for the thoughts. I may call Ford and see if they will negotiate. I would probably be happy with anything under 50k.

 

[Mike m]

I have been watching new inventory numbers since the big announcement. Looks like there are currently 4.6k new Lightning's for sale according to Visor Vin.

If you want a new one, the one you want may not be around in eight months.

I have been debating if I should get rid of my Pro (2022 No issues) to get a new one. After looking at the limited new inventory with the max tow and Pro Power 9.6 I am going to stay with what I have and fine a low mileage used one when I am ready to give up the Pro.

If I were in your shoes, I would wait, unless a dealer is willing to buy out your lease for the residual plus.

Makes sense. i id ask the dealer about compensting me for the reaming lease. I have only about 3k in payments left.

 

[Mike m]

I have been watching new inventory numbers since the big announcement. Looks like there are currently 4.6k new Lightning's for sale according to Visor Vin.

If you want a new one, the one you want may not be around in eight months.

I have been debating if I should get rid of my Pro (2022 No issues) to get a new one. After looking at the limited new inventory with the max tow and Pro Power 9.6 I am going to stay with what I have and fine a low mileage used one when I am ready to give up the Pro.

If I were in your shoes, I would wait, unless a dealer is willing to buy out your lease for the residual plus.

Got it. Thank you for taking the time to reply!!!!

 

[Mike m]

I think the charge rate is inconsequential unless you actually own a 80 amp home charger. The heat pump is great if you need the extra range per charge. However, I think the price difference is over $20k to upgrade no? $71K + tax. That makes it a big pill to swallow and I'm not sure that's worth it. The 2025 has a fresh warranty but you can get similiar coverage by paying about $2k? I think from like Granger for Ford ESP.

Yes and there are still some factory warranties to consider on drive train and electrical still in play.

 

[Dan C]

Let the lease go and buy it off the lot for 40k

Sponsored