Lemon/buyback and Pro Trim

[csdadak]

I can speak exactly to your question. This past February I bought a 2022 Lightning Platinum from Capital Ford, AND it was a lemon/buy back. I never saw the truck in person until it was delivered. Because of the lemon title I got it at a great price. I love it. I've had minimum problems with it (broken sunglass holder, peeling running boards, rip in leather seat) all of which were replaced under warranty. I also live in VA, near DC. The truck has been great. The purchase was pretty smooth with Capital Ford. I had them deliver the vehicle ($250) as it was worth it to save me the 11-13 hour round trip drive to get it. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you! That's helpful to know.

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[nclighting]

I am looking at Lemon/Buyback Lightnings at Capital Ford in Charlotte. The pricing and factory warranty (or 12 month/12k mile bumper to bumper warranty if remaining factory warranty is less than that) is what makes it attractive. I plan to keep the vehicle until it runs into the ground so I am not super worried about resale value.

The point of getting the lightning is combination of commuter car/truck/family vehicle/tailgating. I don't go on super long trips but am likely to try to get an ER anyway due to range anxiety. Live in Virginia so moderate temps.

Has anyone had any experience with lemon/buyback purchasing (even better if at Capital Ford Charlotte)?

Also, I am looking at a 2023 Pro ER. In terms of what I would miss from the Lariat it would be sunroof/moonroof, sliding rear window. The leather I am not too worried about because I don't love the Lariat leather. Would prefer a brown and would look into reupholstering either. I actually prefer the 12" screen so I'm not worried about not getting the bigger screen either. There wouldn't be adaptive cruise control either with the Pro. Anything else that isn't on the Pro Trim that I would miss instead of getting the Lariat?

Hello,
I bought a 22 Lariat ER from Capital Ford about a month ago. It was also a lemon.

The truck has been a breeze. The process was a little bumpy buying it since I negotiated over the phone and not in person.

Some items to note are, there is limited financing available for lemon vehicles. They only offer Ford Finance, Ally Finance, and Navy Federal Credit Union. So refinancing for a better rate in a few years becomes tricky.

Besides the above for consideration, the truck is in amazing condition. It still has plastic on parts of it from the og owner.

Let me know if you have particular questions.

 

[csdadak]

Hello,
I bought a 22 Lariat ER from Capital Ford about a month ago. It was also a lemon.

The truck has been a breeze. The process was a little bumpy buying it since I negotiated over the phone and not in person.

Some items to note are, there is limited financing available for lemon vehicles. They only offer Ford Finance, Ally Finance, and Navy Federal Credit Union. So refinancing for a better rate in a few years becomes tricky.

Besides the above for consideration, the truck is in amazing condition. It still has plastic on parts of it from the og owner.

Let me know if you have particular questions.

Just curious:

1) were you able to negotiate the „no haggle” price lower?
2) I assume you financed through capital ford - one of their lenders? I’m not counting on refinancing. Only a couple credit unions here are willing to finance a buyback car and they treat it as unsecured loan - so a much higher rate.

 

[nclighting]

Just curious:

1) were you able to negotiate the „no haggle” price lower?
2) I assume you financed through capital ford - one of their lenders? I’m not counting on refinancing. Only a couple credit unions here are willing to finance a buyback car and they treat it as unsecured loan - so a much higher rate.

Yeap I negotiated about 3k off in mostly fees and taxes.
Yeap I went with the Ally financial option since the rate was so much better.

 

[csdadak]

Yeap I negotiated about 3k off in mostly fees and taxes.
Yeap I went with the Ally financial option since the rate was so much better.

Thank you. That’s helpful to know. So your out the door number was close to their advertised price before fees and taxes.

 

[nclighting]

Yeap, they will try and tack on a warranty and a service package. Those are easy to get off.

 

[Newton]

The Lariat also has power folding mirrors which is one of the reasons that I got it (Ferry).

This post has all of the options of the 2023 various trims: Build sheet

 

[averagerider]

This exchange has been helpful. I began looking for a Lightning in the spring of this year (2024) after trying one at the local Ford dealership. I liked it immediately. I used cars.com to look for vehicles within 150 miles of central Indiana and found several lemon law buy-backs at very good prices. But I was so spooked by the prospect of having a vehicle that would continue to have problems, I went for a new XLT, and, concerned about depreciation and/or repair issues including the right to go the lemon law route, opted to lease for three years.

I have owned my truck for 6 months now and love it. I just took it in for 5000 mile tire rotation and paid the grand sum of $20. I figure I have saved over $700 in cost differential between ICE and my EV.

I wish all of those who took the chance on a lemon law buy-back the best of luck and wish that I had been braver in April/May of this year.

 

[csdadak]

I actually find that 'missing' the work desk in the PRO 'work truck' is not all it's cracked up to be... I use my laptop on my regular armrest center console, with mouse, too, and have no issues... with my coffee cup in the cupholder, the 'desk' would not work for me, anyway...

as to 'lemon law' or 'buy back' vehicles, I've bought TWO Chevy Bolt EVs that were both battery replaced by GM early into their life - one was from a purchase from a owner who went thru the battery replacement, themselves, and the other from a 'buy back' on a dealer's lot in NE Alabama...

both came with VERY EXTENSIVE long warranties on these 'new' replacement battery packs - I have no worries, and my two youngest sons have driven them both for many thousands of miles with not a single issue.

Any issues in terms of it not having the rear defroster?

 

[Istiri]

Yeap I negotiated about 3k off in mostly fees and taxes.
Yeap I went with the Ally financial option since the rate was so much better.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I am currently looking into a buyback at Capital as well.
For the fees / taxes you negotiated, I assume that is removing the VIP package and the "electric truck" charge? I know NC has increased registration cost for EVs to offset gas tax loss but that charge is not a point of sale tax is it?

 

[PA Lightning]

Any issues in terms of it not having the rear defroster?

What is the update?

I went from an ICE Platinum to a Pro. I cannot ever recall turning on the rear defroster during the three years I had the Platinum, and have never needed it, or wished I had it, for the 2+ years I have been driving the Pro.

 

[ryun]

I'd like to say that after following the Lightning's production thoroughly since ~2020 that I have a high knowledge level of the nuances in trim packages. But this is the first time I'm hearing that the Pro trim doesn't come with a rear defroster.

Yet another reason I'm glad I stepped up to an XLT for my area.

 

[nclighting]

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I am currently looking into a buyback at Capital as well.
For the fees / taxes you negotiated, I assume that is removing the VIP package and the "electric truck" charge? I know NC has increased registration cost for EVs to offset gas tax loss but that charge is not a point of sale tax is it?

its not point of sale.
My registration fee for tags this year was $647.43

 

[John Becker]

My last truck had a power sliding rear window and although I used it a dozen or so times I never felt like it was a worthwhile feature.

Part of the reason I like this forum is learning the different perspectives and experiences.
For me, a sliding rear window is a must have. It's a deal breaker. I use it for ventilation and occasionally as a "bed extender" for long pipes, lumber, and such.

 

[B177y]

Any issues in terms of it not having the rear defroster?

Same as the other responses... I have a Pro, I have sweaty kids that do sports, I live in the humid rainy part of the PNW. When my rear window fogs, the climate control on auto eventually clears it up. It's never been an issue.

For me, the rear defrost on a pickup is a "nice to have", not a "must have".

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