Should I upgrade to a Platinum?

[SuperEVFan]

My lease on my 20k mile Lariat is about to end. $55k buy out. Seems to be market rate these days. I looove the truck but always had an eye for a Platinum. Consider a 72 month 5% loan via my credit union. I have cash but I’m not putting it in a truck.

I can get a platinum for $75k, 72 month, 0.9% interest. If I see either loan through, there’s a $14k gap between them. Is a fresh platinum worth $14k? It’s been sitting for a long time. But it’s new, fresh warranty, and all the upgrades. I’d love the massaging seats and better sound. Pro power is nice but I have no real use for it.
I have test driven all the other trucks. The Lightning is the best for me IMO. I could be swayed with a Sierra for a smoking deal but have not seen any good deals.
I need to know in the next 24 hours. Thanks in advance!

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[B177y]

 

[electricpig]

Doesn't matter what we think. If that is what you love, and it's not going to cause you or anyone else financial difficulty in any way, then what do you work for? BUT, be through about the analysis. Are you going to want something else.badly in 2 years, but be tied down for 6 years.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

I did. I had leased a Flash. Came March of 25 and I knew they would cancel the Lightning so I went and got a Platinum. THis was going to be the last truck for me.. so I wanted it to be the one. I leased a Flash because at the time I was thinking the Lightnign would be refreshed.

The best thing I did was get my platinum. I love it.. I was able to spend a bit more due to the fuel savings. We were spending 200 a week in fuel before we both went EV.

Once the Lightning was officially canceled I was glad i did the trade.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I looked around at my local dealers, only one of 10 has Lightnings still available, all Flash models.
If I could get a discounted Platinum, I might be tempted, but for moment resisting the temptation to deviate from my 8/10 year holding plan. I'm hoping the T3 or EREV comes to pass and that could be had for a reasonable cost with improved battery technology and lessons learned from the Universal platform roll out.

 

[rdr854]

Last month, a local dealer was trying to get me to trade my 22 Lariat for a new 25 Lariat (both extended range). Between what I was giving up to make the move and the additional cost, I just could not get there - especially since I only have about two payments left (I pay my credit Union weekly - which really reduces the interest charge).

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

THe compromise between the years is really crazy.

Late 22 and 23 started to cut options. Late 22 lost the Multi COntour seats and Lay Flat option.

23 lost a few speakers in the Unleashed B&O and lost Park Assist.

24 Gained Heat pump and some other motor improvements and got MCS back. Lost the side sensors which didnt work on 23 but you could make work with a new IPMA or adding the lin chip. 24 had On board scales, but lost the dual charger option (80 amp) Level 2 charging.

25 Lost on board scales, alarm and kept MCS.

Over all my opinion the 24 is the best year. Had some improvements and really only option lost was the dual charger 80 amp option. THat is why I got a 24 even when 25s were on the lot.

All this to say.. if you can find a used low mile 24 you may take that option. Dallas Ft Worth shows very few of any option on cars.com. Right now all Lightnings within 100 miles of me show only 12 total new or used. Lightnings are getting harder to find.

 

[ClevelandBeemer]

I would not buy a new Platinum. You are going to take an absolute bath on depreciation. Gently used 2024’s will save you a ton. I see a few of 2024’s with less than 10,000 miles for $59k to $60k.

 

[SuperEVFan]

25 Lost on board scales, alarm and kept MCS.

Wait, what alarm deletion is this? Also, what about the sound system? Is the 2024 Lariat vs 2025 Platinum sound system that different? Im getting conflicting information now on this detail.

 

[SuperEVFan]

All this to say.. if you can find a used low mile 24 you may take that option. Dallas Ft Worth shows very few of any option on cars.com. Right now all Lightnings within 100 miles of me show only 12 total new or used. Lightnings are getting harder to find.

Yea I've looked. nation wide there are only a 6 Star White Platinums for sale. $60-$70k. Doesnt make sense to buy used at a higher interest rate than new at very low. Its either I keep the 24 Lariat and buy it out, or buy new. Im just trying to justify the price gap. Doesnt seem like the forum is feeling it.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

Wait, what alarm deletion is this? Also, what about the sound system? Is the 2024 Lariat vs 2025 Platinum sound system that different? Im getting conflicting information now on this detail.

All 25s lost the built in alarm.. Motion, glass break and tilt. You could add it back, I have added it to the trucks that didnt have it.

The sound system in the Platinum in 23 up looses the headrest speakers(Zero impact). Lariats have the 8 speaker B&O and Platinum has 14 Speaker.

 

[Vulnox]

May be too late, but I kind of stumbled into our Platinum having been a Lariat drivers for years (but ICE). The Platinum has been pretty great, the sound system is what I had in the ICE Lariat but would have lost in the Lightning Lariat. Having heard it in a friends F-150, I am glad I went with the higher sound package. I also like the massaging seats and power running boards.

The only thing that I don't like are the wheels. I think around town they don't matter much, but on the highway at similar speeds a friend of mine with a flash seems to get better efficiency. I don't know that swapping wheels will ever be financially worth it even with the efficiency loss, but if I ever found some Lariat wheels for a killer deal I would probably do it.

So the wheels are the only real negative, the nicer interior, sound, power running boards (although it's an option), max tow, pro power, etc., are all nice to just have and not have to worry about not having down the road. So far I have put everything to use.

Whether it's worth $14k is always the tough question. I have a '24 so I have the full size spare and all the rest they took out of the '25s eventually. So if I was buying my truck I think it would be. But since they further ripped stuff out of the '25s I guess the dividing line is if you are missing anything you can't easily replace.

 

[Altivec]

23 lost a few speakers in the Unleashed B&O and lost Park Assist.

My 23 also lost Massage seats and scales (due to chip shortage) but my 23 does still have park assist. The sound system is exceptional. My sales guy let me put a 23 lariat side by side with my platinum to compare everything before I bought and the sound system was night and day. You couldn't go past 10 in the lariat without muddied sound and huge distortion. You get to 10 in the platinum and it's crystal clear and thumping. Yes 23 is missing the head rest speakers. Never got to test a truck with them in it so I can't comment if it improves things even more.

 

[callistus]

I have a nicely equipped 2022 Lariat with less than 20k and the only thing I believe I miss is the extended range battery. The only other advantage I would see is the added warranty and maintenance.

 

[ClevelandBeemer]

Wait, what alarm deletion is this? Also, what about the sound system? Is the 2024 Lariat vs 2025 Platinum sound system that different? Im getting conflicting information now on this detail.

Keep in mind that if you want to upgrade your sound system, it’ll be much easier on a Flash or Lariat as the Platinum uses the sound system for active noise cancellation.

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