I was just thinking about how the gen 3 Lightning will most likely no arrive til 05 as an 06 model If we are lucky.Thats if they keep on the same track as they usually do which means the only way to get a new Lightning is right NOW on lots since they are basically all done in production.

This will probally mean anybody that wants a L for the next 3 years will have to buy one used and we all know most of us wont part with them unless something unexpected arises or until new Ls come out.The used L market is probally going to be very scarce.which in end means more $$

 

don't put your hopes up.

 

My guess....the Gen III L will be released late '04 as an '05 model. It for sure won't be released at the same time the new F150's hit the lots....but I doubt very highly that Ford will let any significant amount of time go by before releasing the new L....especially with dealer lots full of SRT10's and Silverado SS's. That would be as dumb as GM letting the Firebird and Camaro die...pretty much giving Ford its market share in the pony car market...and Ford exec's don't strike me as stupid as GM's.

As an aside.....remember that it was 3 long years between the last Gen I Lightning production and the release of the Gen II.

 

Unfortunately I have to agree.
Most people sell because they need the money for something else(right now) or cannot afford what they have or worse yet they trade them in and we get the Dealer mark-up all over again.

But I hope your right.

Do not see mine on the selling block for a while though. I would lose my shirt on that deal.

Did you see what Tampas SPOTLESS L went for. what a shame.

 

Lightning values will NEVER rise as long as I own one, and I'll be keeping mine for sometime

 

L's are plentiful, and I think Ford would have done well to limit their production even moreso.

That's what makes a car's value increase.... Limited availability.
Case in point, the 1994-1996 Impala SS. That was a stroke of genius on GM's part. Today, if you can find an SS with low mileage, that car will still cost you 17,999 - 19,000. They were only $21,000 in 1994 and topped out at $26,000 in 1996.

I saw SS's in 2000 that were selling for $25,000 (4-years after the last one rolled off the assembly line)

I agree, GM's exec's must've all recently been beaten to death with the same silly stick to make some of the calls they've made recently. (Not changing the body-style after 1998 was stupid, Pricing the TA north of $33K- stupid, Killing the Camaro & Firebird, stupid; Not building the Concept SS- very stupid, debuting the Silverado SS slower than the Lightnig- incredibly stupid)

Lightning: Sources say the 05 will debut in Summer 04- with no 04 Lightnings.... Which means either Ford is going to let them fade off the lots this year- or they will extend the run of the 03's... They have the shops prepped- may as well keep making them.

Limited availability makes values increase- However, I looked at a 2001 Lightning and it was $25,988 at CARMAX. So, maybe they are doing pretty well on resale value.... (I went to get a better appraisal on my Expy- I'm thinking of joining the Lightning ranks...)

If anyone's looking for a clean, low mileage Lightning, better hit CARMAX on Plano Parkway in Plano. I want a new one though...

 

Not only do i tottaly disagree about 99-03 values going up, but the 05's are going to be in high demand like the 99-00's were and there will be dealer markups and no x plans ect on the new beast.
Also you can expect all the current gen 2's to take another substantial hit in resale value after the new beast is released.

History repeats itself IMHO.

 

what did tampas truck go for?...chris

 

 

i just ran kelly blue book and it said my 01 with 27,000 is worth $29

 

25k

 

What is weird, is when I saw mine at a used car dealership, tucked away in the back all dirty, no stickers or anything, been there forever... I RUSHED home. I looked online and everywhere else I could find values for it. Just to make sure they where not bending me over backwards. I always wanted one and I never really knew how much they where. It had like 30,200 miles on it. Weird thing, it sat in the back of the lot all dirty and was there for almost a year? As if they didn't know what the hell they had!

Anyway, where am I going with this <g>...
I couldn't find a value. I had an older blue book @ home which I checked and it had the SVT listed but no value. just ----(s). So I didn't know what to do. I went to work the next day and talked to our Credit Union to find out what the value of the truck was. She never heard of it, nor did any of her blue books have values. I was kind of confused. I didn't know if I was getting a good deal or not. But I went in, I offered 24k for it and they hesitated like crazy. After 3 hours of bull****ting with em, they agreed. Later that day after driving all over showing it off, I found only like 1 on ebay. About 28,000 miles, 99, just like mine, red, and was bidded on many times and still had a few days to go. It was up to 27k. I really thought I got my moneys worth and I still think I do. I rarely see any lightnings for sale (as of right now.. yes, the 05's come out i'm sure they will not be in such demand.. more people will sell).

But all and all, 6 months ago, I couldn't find a fricking value on this thing anyway. No street value given in any blue books or what not. Odd. Very odd.

 

Not sure how values will play out in the future, however there are some facts that cannot be disputed.

Fact # 1 There are some 2002's and lots 03's remaining in dealer's inventories. Not that many 02's, but I know of one that just sold a few days ago for $29,000 and change.

Fact # 2 I know of an SVT dealer here in California that just sold a used 2002 true blue "L" with chrome wheels and less than 8,000 for $27,996

fact # 3 Brand loyalty will get Ford only so far. Price, features and quality will also play a factor in the competition the gen 3 will face.

The new Dodge will attract fans as will the Chevy SS, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Remember, not everyone is interested in having the fastest production truck, they want the best one.............

The last year of the gen 1 was not a barn-burner year for Ford. Many dealerships were stuck with trucks they could not seel, and ended up deeply discounting them.

Interest was renewed with the gen 2 due to the new body style and power increase. The 99's flew off the lots, but we all know that in each proceeding year, it has taken longer to clear inventories.

 

Not likely....

When I traded in my Red 2002 I took a bath on it.
The local Ford dealer that my Lexus dealer called for a price didn't want it because they had four new L's on the lot that they could not move. (Vista Ford in Woodland HIlls)

About a month ago there was a post here asking if any new L's were around. I mentioned that Vista Ford still had 3 L's on their lot (Red, DCG, Black) that had been sitting in the same spot for over a month.

Well it's been over 2 months now and all three are still there.

Hell, I'm thinking of getting the black one and telling them I'll give them 25000 for it cash.

BAM!

They might go for it.

k

 

Must be the area. I have an '01 L and just broke the 9K mile mark. I looked on KBB back when I was at about 7.5K and it said my truck in excellent condition(and no dealer would ever give you that) would be worth a hair over $25K.