Anyone shopping the Demos?

[JBauer]

Dealer demo units are starting to time out and are available for sale to the public in December/January.

Anyone shopping around dealers to see if they can snag a Lightning that still has the onboard scales, heated steering wheel, alarm system and the full $7.5k tax credit?

Given the 2022s also had lower MSRPs, you can likely haggle with your dealer to get any mark up close or under the current MSRP.

I think there are some pros and cons. They’ll have more features, but higher miles and more tire wear given every test drive someone floored it.

On the flip side, it’s been vetted for close to 10 months. It’s been in the elements, and driven hard so the dealer would have seen and repaired any of the issues some of the new Lightning’s are having: reduced power, water intrusion in the tail light, etc.

Sponsored

 

[RickKeen]

Just drove home a 2022 Pro SR with Max Tow, and Tow Tech (and tailgate step). Price was a lot closer to MSRP than dealers were looking to lock-in earlier in the year. I paid MSRP plus $8k.
By assuring the tax year 2022 tax credit, and avoiding the 2023 model price hikes, and getting one at all still this year without a reservation, it seemed like an OK price to me.
Has the onboard scales.

 

[rdr854]

Need to be careful with the mannequins. Some dealerships have tagged and titled the vehicles as rentals which could make them ineligible for the federal tax credit. Please consult your tax advisor.

 

[Monkey]

As rdr854 points out above, some states require demo vehicles to be registered to the dealership. Some states don't allow vehicles with a certain number of miles on them to be sold as "new". So definitely check up on these things. Mileage is definitely a concern if the demos have been used for test drives.

Make sure the dealership presents you something in writing saying when the mannequin will be officially released by Ford. If they sell early, they have to pay penalties to Ford and they will know the date. Or Ford can tell you...

I tried to buy a mannequin and the dealership goofed up and misrepresented when I could take it home. They were off by over a month and I think they knew it, as they never presented me anything in writing stating the date I could take possession. Which they promised they would get me as I was starting paperwork. I guess they thought I would just sit tight until their promised date and then start asking questions? It's a drawn out story that isn't 100% resolved just yet. I'll post a full account once I'm made whole again.

Just be sure you to double check everything and make sure all things are in order if you buy a mannequin. They're not as easy to find as one might think. In my search, most were already spoken for and had deposits placed on them. Finally found one that was exactly what I wanted and then the deal went south....

 

[biers]

Just drove home a 2022 Pro SR with Max Tow, and Tow Tech (and tailgate step). Price was a lot closer to MSRP than dealers were looking to lock-in earlier in the year. I paid MSRP plus $8k.
By assuring the tax year 2022 tax credit, and avoiding the 2023 model price hikes, and getting one at all still this year without a reservation, it seemed like an OK price to me.
Has the onboard scales.

Similar deal here. Just put down a deposit today on a Pro with tow tech, max tow, Pro power and tailgate step. It was listed for $77k online (2022 MSRP of $46) and offered $10k over. They took it and of course said "deposit today and thats the best price we can do", can take delivery next week. But given the MSRP increase, tax credit likely going to half and that I can get my tax credit in a couple months I'm happy with it. The onboard scales and smart hitch are nice too. This one has been in the showroom the full six months and has 86 miles on it with no test drives (or so im told). Also told it is new and not titled by the dealership. After calling emailing every dealership with a Pro FCTP in WA, OR, ID, MT UT and even a few in TX, KS, and IA, this was the best I could find and only a few hours from home. There are a few out there for $15k over, but not available till January. One in Spokane that is a bare bones pro, no options, best they would do is $59k.

Excited to get it and hopefully it can take some of the sour taste of th reservation experience out of my mouth. I have a 5/19 reservation about 30 after the show and got the email today saying I can expect to order "early this summer". Happy for all of you who go your golden tickets, but severely disappointed there are first hour holders out there like me who haven't even been able to order yet.

Sponsored