Finally did a test drive!

[Womps]

I have it in Whisper mode but with the 1 pedal drive engaged. Really like the 1 pedal drive. I would think it would be awesome for towing on a Lightning. Better than exhaust braking on the diesel HD pickups.

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[Joneii]

I have it in Whisper mode but with the 1 pedal drive engaged. Really like the 1 pedal drive. I would think it would be awesome for towing on a Lightning. Better than exhaust braking on the diesel HD pickups.

The tow/haul mode is better than my Ram 2500 with the Cummins for descending and ascending grades while towing. In fact, I sold the Ram after testing the Lightning with my RV. The range is troublesome, but the towing experience is so much better that I was willing to suffer the limited range and sketchy charging infrastructure for the 5-8 times a year that we do long distance towing.

 

[Zprime29]

What's your current vehicle ?

I currently drive a Subaru Legacy.

 

[Replika]

The one pedal driving and coasting options are among the best implementations of either of all of the EVs on the market -- and we get the choice of using either. The blended brake actually feels right on the money. This is an area where they really knocked it out of the park.

 

[ChrisCon]

I currently drive a Subaru Legacy.

I don't know you so I can only generalize my comments. I hope to not offend.
IMO, the biggest issue I think you will have is getting used to the size and ride height of the vehicle, parking in parking lots, and getting used to the turning radius. This will be more of a thing than any of the EV factors.

My daily driver has been an F150 forever and when I moved to a Raptor in 2010, I even had trouble pulling into spaces with that difference in size. The size difference is also something I see commonly mentioned on these forums.

But, regarding the EV stuff- This is what I did .. When I decided it was time to figure out my next vehicle and I had heard rumbling about an electric F-150, I made it a point of renting Teslas whenever possible on vacations. Hertz rents them for less than most ICE cars at airports like Orlando and Las Vegas. I did this specifically to see what I thought about 1 pedal driving. I also wanted to get use to that linear torque. I fell in love with both. The F150 gives you the option of course of regular driving with less regen as well and my wife prefers that. I have issues now jumping into my other vehicles and remembering to use the brake pedal.. You get used to the power. I find myself making left turns and then hearing "that car was close" when it isn't (anymore)

The technology, you will be fine with. You are already here on a forum, so you are the type of person that searches out for information and knowledge when you have a question. The fact that you are here and not posting on worthless facebook forums shows your intelligence level is above the fray.

Does an EV make sense for you ? I think I can answer that one as well. If you commute less than 180 miles daily and you own a home where you have the ability to install the Ford Charge Station Pro at full speed, then there is nothing to discuss. If you live in a place where you can't install a charger, then you really need to figure out the specifics from all angles. My license plate says LOW BTRY because I never charge my phone and my friends and family said I'd be found on the road dead with no charge in the first month, but 20,000 miles later I could not be happier. Fill disclosure: I am typing this on my computer right now because my phone is dead.


Hope this helps!
You've got a great community here to help you figure everything out and answer any question you might have.

 

[luebri]

Just a couple days to get used to 1 PD?? It seems like such an odd concept, but encouraging to hear the shift may not be as bad as perceived. I'd been planning on just driving normally but y'all convincing me to give 1 PD a shot.

Didn’t take me 2 days. Took me about 2 minutes. I love 1 pedal. As someone that always tried to avoid hitting the brakes whenever possible in my 14 mpg truck that made for some close calls. 1 pedal allows for you to brake without being in the negative on energy consumption.

 

[ChrisCon]

I had a first day reservation and my dealer called me on the first day they could put in orders but I couldn't pull the trigger. It was just too much money.

I ended up buying a Platinum mannequin. It's a silly amount of money to spend on something you can't (routinely) live in.

So if you were able to order on "first day" n January 9th (wave 1)., you could have gotten a PRO unicorn for the original price ($39k + 7500 tax rebate) and "it was just too much money" but then you ended up buying a Platinum just a few months later. That says something. I'm not sure what. I guess you really liked the truck.


FWIW- I could have also gotten a pro, but I wanted all the tech (which I love just as much the power). So I get it, if that was your thought process.

 

[Henry Ford]

So if you were able to order on "first day" n January 9th (wave 1)., you could have gotten a PRO unicorn for the original price ($39k + 7500 tax rebate) and "it was just too much money" but then you ended up buying a Platinum just a few months later. That says something. I'm not sure what. I guess you really liked the truck.


FWIW- I could have also gotten a pro, but I wanted all the tech (which I love just as much the power). So I get it, if that was your thought process.

My truck at the time was a 2010 Lariat. I was really in the market for a Lariat. I felt like a Pro would have been a step back in amenities. I absolutely should have bought a Pro in hindsight.

The other part of the equation is I had a good year. I ended up with a '22 Platinum because it was less expensive than a '23 Lariat. Still spent a fortune, got a little lucky.

Edit: The test drive is absolutely what pushed me from the 'maybe' category to the 'absolutely' category. That wasn't possible in January 2022.

 

[Henry Ford]

I was curious when I was actually called about the Lightning so I searched my text messages. Below is a text I sent my wife on January 5, 2022. This text cracked me up in hindsight.?

So...how do you feel about spending $80k on an electric truck? Varsity Ford called and told me to email my configuration.

Pros: it's super cool, probably won't depreciate much, will save at least $1000/year on gas and oil so it will pay for itself by the year 2100, I can sell my red truck for about what I paid for it, $7500 tax break, maybe a little savings with A or X plan.

Cons: uh...$80,000.[QUOTE/]

 

[Henry Ford]

I'm starting to do some more searches for what's being advertised. Just came across a 2022 ER, max tow, exactly what I want. Except the color, not wild about white...but it would come in under $80k IF they sell it at MSRP so with the tax credit I could afford to have a new color put on it. Sent an email inquiring, we shall see.

There are definitely vehicles around. Maybe expand your search and plan on shipping it. A sub 80k vehicle is probably very rare but probably not impossible.

In my experience, dealers are more responsive to phone calls. I made a deal over the phone but closed in person. I assume you could do an entire deal via phone/text/email?

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

I'm starting to do some more searches for what's being advertised. Just came across a 2022 ER, max tow, exactly what I want. Except the color, not wild about white...but it would come in under $80k IF they sell it at MSRP so with the tax credit I could afford to have a new color put on it. Sent an email inquiring, we shall see.

Buy that. Now.

An ER with a tax credit is non-existant moving forward.

White may sound bland but it hides all the scratches and dirt.

 

[Zprime29]

@ChrisCon I'm not the type to get offended (unless you insult my family), so no worries. I'd much rather get the full, gloves off opinions and thoughts. Our other vehicle is a Honda Pilot, is kinda close. It's only an inch less in width, but about 3ft shorter. I was cool with the ride height but I didn't give much thought to the length of the vehicle. If felt similar while driving forward and those cameras came in super handy when pulled back into the dealer lot and backed into a space.

The more I think about it the more I feel it's the right choice. We've got 200 amp service to the house and the main panel is right on the other side of the garage wall. Made for easy solar install and I suspect it should help with FCSP as well. Because I want to be able to use solar if/when the grid goes down I'll likely look at HIS as well. I'd prefer an option that isn't tied to Ford, but could be used by any EV, but that's a topic for another thread.

Buy that. Now.

An ER with a tax credit is non-existant moving forward.

I tried, turns out they were only listing the MSRP on the ad. Initially they told me $20k mark up, I said no way. Lowest I could talk them down to was $15k, which even with the $7500, it was more expensive than buying new (and getting preferred color plus power steps). I called a second place, already sold. Everything else was either SR or Platinum. Haven't looked out of state yet, the idea of buying without being able to look over the truck first makes me a little nervous.

 

[ChrisCon]

Buy that. Now.

An ER with a tax credit is non-existant moving forward.

White may sound bland but it hides all the scratches and dirt.

All of my Ford trucks at work are white. I rusted out my white Raptor in 2016 and needed something quick so I got a F150 platinum in black. Never ever again. I went with carbonized gray with my lightning to match the rims and it's ok, but I should have ordered white.. The pin striping from all the trees and the visits to the gas station car wash (which is the worst thing for paint) are already visible on the gray. I'm going to get a tattoo of this post to remind me next time I purchase another vehicle.

 

[ChrisCon]

@ChrisCon I'm not the type to get offended (unless you insult my family), so no worries. I'd much rather get the full, gloves off opinions and thoughts. Our other vehicle is a Honda Pilot, is kinda close. It's only an inch less in width, but about 3ft shorter. I was cool with the ride height but I didn't give much thought to the length of the vehicle. If felt similar while driving forward and those cameras came in super handy when pulled back into the dealer lot and backed into a space.

The more I think about it the more I feel it's the right choice. We've got 200 amp service to the house and the main panel is right on the other side of the garage wall. Made for easy solar install and I suspect it should help with FCSP as well. Because I want to be able to use solar if/when the grid goes down I'll likely look at HIS as well. I'd prefer an option that isn't tied to Ford, but could be used by any EV, but that's a topic for another thread.



I tried, turns out they were only listing the MSRP on the ad. Initially they told me $20k mark up, I said no way. Lowest I could talk them down to was $15k, which even with the $7500, it was more expensive than buying new (and getting preferred color plus power steps). I called a second place, already sold. Everything else was either SR or Platinum. Haven't looked out of state yet, the idea of buying without being able to look over the truck first makes me a little nervous.

Some thoughts for you.
- I don't garage my truck and my charger is outside my house but if you plan on garaging it, just make sure it can fit.
- The cameras work great, I have automatic stop turned on when I back up as well so you won't hit anything that way and you have all the proximity sensors in front as well. So you should be good.
-Most people with regular size houses and 200amp service will be able to install a 100 amp circuit for the 80 amp charger no problem. I had room in my box so I didn't need a sub panel and only needed a run of 3 feet so it was a $600 install. The longer the run, the further the price goes up.
-If you buy the truck, you might want to consider the General 6852 switch .. The switch costs around $380 and then an electrician might charge $500 or so for the install, so you will get many of the benefits of the $3800 HIS (plus possible $5000 install) for less than a grand.. It's the way to go IMO ... Tom who has a you tube channel "State of Charge" had the HIS installed and has a 40 minute video about it. It's great. He's also active here. The General switch allows you to plug in other power sources as well so it's cheap and flexible.
-I personally wouldn't get the SR if you road trip to anywhere where there is cold weather because that range loss is real. There are lots of SRs on the market because nobody wanted them and they were given to dealers as the only true retail models as the 2022 year closed out.
- You mention power steps. AFIK power steps are still not available. Platinum was supposed to have late availability with the power steps and that didn't happen. Some members have installed after market. I miss the power steps from my old platinum ICE.
- I'm in New York and I know of dealers that have 2022 Lariat ERs in stock right now for 10k over sticker. So I would keep looking, but if you make a move and get a lariat ER for under the 80k sticker (doesn't matter if you pay extra as it's the sticker price for the tax credit) before March you'll get that $7500.00. So lets say 80k +10k markup =90k -7500=$82500 where the 2023 Lariat missing lots of things like smart scale and the mobile charger is $85k sticker.. I'd make a move!

 

[Zprime29]

- You mention power steps. AFIK power steps are still not available. Platinum was supposed to have late availability with the power steps and that didn't happen. Some members have installed after market. I miss the power steps from my old platinum ICE.

I've got the option when I go to configure. If I order the 2023, I've got it set up as the Lariat ER, max tow, power steps, and folding lockable storage. I'm ball parking $9k for trading in the Legacy and tax rate at my dealer is 6.25% so that has me at roughly $85k. That's what I'm using to determine if I'm saving or not. Factoring the deleted features is essentially a wash if I'm sacrificing preferred color/power steps. At least that's how I'm currently thinking of it. AZ didn't get very many, my dealer barely got their demo 2 months ago. Expanding my search, it's looking like the San Diego area would be my best bet. Gotta look into the process for buying out of state, it's completely foreign to me.

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