Question:

I recently saw a 01 Lightning at a local Ford dealer. Didn’t ask what they wanted for it. I was there to get my regular F150 state safety inspected and starting thinking about it. Looked real nice but I wondered if it would be a good idea to buy a “used” Lightning.

Reason being is I am thinking maybe someone would trade it in because something is ready to go, problems etc. as in maybe it had been ran hard for a while and before the big money things started going get rid of it now and let someone else worry.

Or, maybe someone was tired of trying to get legitimate things repaired. So my question is this for anyone that may have bought a used Lightning before:

If you had to bring it in for warranty issues, for instance if I had one and bought a Ford extended warranty how does Ford treat you? It is possible someone ran it hard and if something goes they could say it was abused and refuse warranty. Just wondering what those in the know have to say on the issue…

 

Just get the vin # off the used Lightning, ask the service righter to run an Oasis on it and see whats up with the truck, or go to CarFax and run one yourself for $19.95

 

Liberals need not apply for Lightning ownership

Now get back to the GD where you belong.....hahahahahahhaha
Unless ofcourse you step up to the rockpick killing power of a Lightning.......Then ...Welcome

 

I originally considered a used Lightning, then I thought better of it. For the few thousand you'll save it may very well be worth the piece of mind to go new. I did and have no remorse what-so-ever. My '03 is the ultimate vehicle for my needs. Goes like stink and does the Harley/hot rod parts and Home Depot runs with little adue. Get what you want but I'd go new.

 

Most of these trucks are extremely well taken care of... If mine were up for sale you wouldn't have to worry about anything... Good luck, hope your dream comes true soon..

PEacE..............
(Jim)

 

Hmmmmmm, not sure what that means, but when I push the go pedal to the floor, I usually make a little stink in the cab...AKA...I chit my pants

 

Personally, if your considering getting an L, I'd try and get a new one. May be more expensive, but my Credit Union and the Ford bank are giving better interest rates on used vehicles.

Plus you may be able to get an X-plan pin.

Plus plus even if the carfax shows up clean you won't have to worry if was beaten to death by the previous owner.

Plus plus plus you may get the 8 thread heads.

 

If you can afford it, an '03 may be a much better vehicle. There have been lot of important mechanical/reliability upgrades since '01, plus a better stereo and a few other amenities (although a couple other amenities were also dropped).

 

I agree. If you can afford it, go with a new one.

 

Thanks all, I believe in what your saying as to buy new. If I was going to buy from someone here it might be a different story. It was one of them things I just got to thinking of. I still have a 14 year old at home, divorced dad with custory of her and have 3 years of payments left on the F150 I have now and I am sure I would not break even at this time with it as a trade-in.

So looks as though I am going to have to wait. I love the looks of the current Lightning, not so sure about the 04's. Guess I would have to see one in person, but does not seem to have the charcter of the current ones, with the smooth curves, etc.

Thanks again for all your input...

 

Wait for the next Gen model then and get one even better

 

I wouldn't hesitate to go used if it is low mileage. I took that route and saved big back in 00'. Mine had 10k HARD miles (the rear tires were toast), but that actually gave me peace of mind. I had the dealer run the history and it had never been in the shop. Therefore, I took it to mean if it stood up to that abuse, it must be a strong one. I was right. The only issues have been warrenty replaced fuel pumps (didn't we all with 99/00 ), the intercooler recall and alignment troubles after my drop. Approaching 50k and still pulling big numbers (big mods have only been on 8k or so). Sometimes babied trucks are a bomb waiting to blow. JMHO. I guess in the big picture, it seems to be crap shoot with any lightning, but I'm still on the table and loving it.

BD

 

I bought mine used.
I bought it in January and it is a '99 Lightning.
I paid $17,000 for it.
WHen I bought it, it had about 3000 miles on it.
NOT 30,000 miles, 3000 miles.
I knew the previous owner.
THe only thing I had to replace was the intercooler.

Besides that I've spent a ton of $$$ in mods.

As it sits right now it has about 9000 miles.
(heck I can only drive it 5 months out of the year up here in Michigan)

End of the summer I'm selling it to buy an Audi A4.
I figure it will have about 15,000 miles on it by then.

 

01 XLT:

If the dealer is going to sell you a used vehicle, you can bet they don't want to sell one that is about to drop the bottom end as you drive away.

If the L is stock, and you are going to keep it that way (at least for a while), don't worry about it. Especially when the dealer will add a drivetrain or bumper-bumper warranty for a price. An '01 should have a year left on factory warranty.

Your credit union or other loan co. may also have warranties for sale along with the loan.

I bought a new flareside supercab F-150 in Spring of '98. If I had known that the L would come out that Fall, I'd have waited. If you can afford to move up, even used, I recommend it. I got mine in May of '01, and sold the '98 to my daughter. I've never regretted it.

Paul

 

I took a big crapshoot... I wanted a L very badly but a used was all I could realistically

got an great loan rate and found a 2000 Lightning that looked great, extremely clean, well cared for (good service records), spotless engine bay and all stock, but high mileage (58k)

I went for it, and I've put about 2k hard miles on it and no sign of anything yet.. i bought an extended warranty for supercharged vehicles through the credit union, fully expecting to have to use it in the near future

we'll see but so far its all