Purchasing my 1st Lightning - a buyback lemon - HELP - service records attached

[justincsfl]

Looks like you are taking the right steps to complete this purchase
Just report back with pictures

I posted pictures - thoughts ?

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[pullinggs]

You are going to love that truck.

 

[justincsfl]

If anyone can help shed light on this carfax and warranty report - I have a question before i sign the papers for this truck this afternoon. I'm curious if this car was in an accident and was never reported to carfax, or am I overthinking? I do see it was brought in for repair 5/13/2024 and then a rental provided.

The carfax shows 7/16/2024 - Service Facility - Vehicle reconditioned. Thats all it says, it does not say where, etc. The warranty report from the dealer (uploaded on main thread) shows the following before and after that date:

3038 miles - 5/13/2024 - customer stated that dash will black and come back up
3038 miles - 5/13/2024 - rental assistance
6548 miles - 10/08/2024 - Matthews Currie Ford - customer comments: Ford assistance and the tech comments P11 - Ford Assistance with Tail Lamp Replacement
6548 miles - 10/08/2024 - Matthews Currie Ford - customer comments: Ford assistance and the tech comments P11 - Assistance with replacement of door trim panel, weather stripping and driver air bag

6549 miles - 10/28/2024 - Matthews Currie Ford - customer comments: 24p24 perform recall and the tech comments Performed 24P24 recall. Performed FHCM software update.

 

[BSEE SPARKY]

I can't help much, but I doubt it has been in a wreck. Just because I had hail damage on a car last year, the first body shop did a poor and incomplete fix, so I took it to a second shop to redo their work and fix the rest of stuff missed. In carfax it should vehicle wrecked twice when it was never wrecked at all.

Everybody has a little pre-buyers remorse. When ready, pull the trigger and don't look back.

 

[rdr854]

I’m assuming the door trim / airbag is from ford assistance opening the door, the service tech did note damage when the truck was towed to the service center after the customer was locked out. Thoughts?

You would have to know what the complaint was for the airbag replacement. My truck is on its third drivers side airbag because of a cosmetic issue with the first two. So far, the third one does not have that issue.

 

[justincsfl]

You would have to know what the complaint was for the airbag replacement. My truck is on its third drivers side airbag because of a cosmetic issue with the first two. So far, the third one does not have that issue.

How could I get that information or request it from the ford dealer selling me the truck today?

 

[rdr854]

How could I get that information or request it from the ford dealer selling me the truck today?

Ask the servicing dealer for the information - might have to ask the selling dealer to make the request on your behalf to protect the original owner‘s privacy.

 

[digitaldad]

@justincsfl, based on the thoroughness/confirmations you are still seeking, I would recommend looking at travel to the location, a physical walkthrough and test drive to cement your decision.

I bought a used many states away from my home and did just that, plus driving the truck home gets you immediately acclimated to the vehicle. This may not be possible but the spend could avoid/offset the shipping charges or you could still fly back and still ship.

Just my two cents and putting it out there.

 

[flyct]

@justincsfl

Matthews-Currie Ford has an excellent service department. I bought 3 new Ford vehicles from them and they serviced my 2023 Lightning Lariat a few times that I bought from another dealership. They even sent a mobile tech to do the battery monitor recall at my house even though it was outside of their normal servicing area.

It looks like they had the truck in question for 3 consecutive weeks in October. That’s possibly the trigger for the Lemon Law since Florida LL can be triggered if over 30 cumulative days out of service.

I’d give them a call and ask a service advisor, let them know you are considering buying this RAV truck. Ask them to bring up the actual invoices and ask them what it was in for back in October.

I always dealt with service advisor Tristin. If you ask for him by name perhaps he can help you.

 

[justincsfl]

@justincsfl

Matthews-Currie Ford has an excellent service department. I bought 3 new Ford vehicles from them and they serviced my 2023 Lightning Lariat a few times that I bought from another dealership. They even sent a mobile tech to do the battery monitor recall at my house even though it was outside of their normal servicing area.

It looks like they had the truck in question for 3 consecutive weeks in October. That’s possibly the trigger for the Lemon Law since Florida LL can be triggered if over 30 cumulative days out of service.

I’d give them a call and ask a service advisor, let them know you are considering buying this RAV truck. Ask them to bring up the actual invoices and ask them what it was in for back in October.

I always dealt with service advisor Tristin. If you ask for him by name perhaps he can help you.

Appreciate your help and information!!

 

[srvethelord]

Feb 2024 I bought a buyback (e.g., lemon title) 2022 Lightning Platinum from Capitol Ford in Charlotte, NC. I bought it sight unseen (other than internet pics) up in northern Virginia. I have zero regrets. I love the truck. All the issues I've had with it are minor and were fixed under warranty.

 

[justincsfl]

Feb 2024 I bought a buyback (e.g., lemon title) 2022 Lightning Platinum from Capitol Ford in Charlotte, NC. I bought it sight unseen (other than internet pics) up in northern Virginia. I have zero regrets. I love the truck. All the issues I've had with it are minor and were fixed under warranty.

Appreciate that insight! What was your vehicle bought back for from the original owner?

 

[srvethelord]

Appreciate that insight! What was your vehicle bought back for from the original owner?

Bluecruise problems. I don't ever use Bluecruise so I didn't care. Plus, it was fixed before being sold to me.

 

[justincsfl]

Bluecruise problems. I don't ever use Bluecruise so I didn't care. Plus, it was fixed before being sold to me.

I feel like the price gouging in 2022-2023 gave those early buyers a bad taste in their mouth and they looked for any little reason to lemon out.

 

[flyct]

I feel like the price gouging in 2022-2023 gave those early buyers a bad taste in their mouth and they looked for any little reason to lemon out.

likely. Lots of early buyers jumped on lemon Law to get out of high price paid and turned around and bought another Lightning at $20k less.

Prices of Lightnings have been all iver the place. We bought a 23 Lstist that Fird reinvoiced in July 2023 by $8000 and still got $8250 in incentives, $7500 tax credit and a $2500 dealer discount on top of that.

our 24 Platinum purchase in February had a $3550 X-plan discount and $21615 in incentives.

early buyers were paying MSRP and higher.

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