hello to all! i am new here and am seriously thinking about gettin a 99-00 Ford F-150 Lighting SVT. and just had a few questions. handling? insurence price is a biggie... how they run... gas hogs? general overview from an owner, plus's and minus's. thanks for all reponses.

 

had mine for 3 weeks....gas sucks (especially in CT, where premium is 2.05/gal)....of course i try to find every reason to leave my house to drive it, so it's my own fault.

Handling is amazing for a truck. Don't get me wrong, it's no corvette z06, but you'll never hear me complain.

Insurance isn't as bad as you would think, not like any performance sports car.

And if you weigh out the cost factor compared to the vehicles it keeps up with (or runs faster than), who cares if you spend an extra grand a year on insurance, at least you didn't spend $50k on something that can't carry a sheet of plywood or a couch......

this truck is the best of both worlds....versatility, power, looks....and it's a Ford....

The only compaint i have are the brakes....i just wish they added larger rotors/more pistons.....but on a scale of 1-10....this truck is a 12....seriously.

 

Id have to say its the most amazing vehicle Ive ever driven or ridin in. It handles excellent for a truck, and like most magazines have said it gets really close to handling like a car. Anyways one thing I would have to say is try to get a 01-or higher if you can. The 99-00's are a little less HP than the 01's and up, but if you can get a good deal on a 99-00 Id go for it, especially if its got some engine upgrades on it. Good Luck!

 

yah, i was going for 99-00 for the price, i can get a 99 around here for bout 15k or so, and a 00 for 22k or so.... depending how much i can save up we shall see... 99-00 have 360hp? and 01+ has 380? still doin some research and learnin all i can. been talkin with a few owners and such. thanks for all feed back btw.

 

Go for it you will not regret it. After readin this borad for a little more than a year I bought my truck and have loved every min of it even the bad ones.

 

yah, been doin alot of readin on this forum and seein all good thigns. cant wait. right now, mostly concerned with the insurnce on it... being 21 it might be high.. just got off 2 year suspension where i couldnt get a ticket for the 2yrs... so now everything is going down.. but still... thanks again

 

Bought mine when i was 21 im now 22 go for it

 

I'm 18 and about 5mounths ago i bought a nice 2000 white pearl white L
and it is my first car

 

im 24, my L was my 6th car, and definately the best!!
i pay 165/month for insurance
get about 8 miles to the gallon cause i cant keep my foot of the floor!!

 

For the insurance just tell your insurance guy what your thinking about and see how much the price goes up. For me going from basic on a 86' Fiero to a 02' L I had to tack on only $40.00. Of course theres that monster payment where the Pontaic was paid off.

 

Go to the Doctor first and get an "Anti-Mod" shot. This will save you atleast 5/10 Thousand dollars

 

I am on Bolt #2. Got my first one back in 99 but sold it due to some build issues. However, I couldn't get the infection out of the wound so to speak.

My 03 has been superb to date and I am glad I got another one.

Paul G.

 

I've got a 00 L, and it's been the best vehicle I've had in 25 years. The L is a very good daily driver, and has many features that would make me recommend it for myself if I were 16-25, and had to deal with insurance problems again.

Pros:
1) Insurance is much cheaper than any late model muscle/sports car.
2) Much safer; you're higher, and can see what's happening in traffic and plan ahead, rather than reflex reaction. If you do have an accident, you are better protected than in a car.
3) Very stable compared to Mustang/F-body cars. You can still be stupid and lose control, but the L is much more forgiving, and quicker to recover from throttle exhuberance.
4) Very versatile...Gals love guys with trucks when they're moving apartments.

Cons:
1) Only get 11-12 mpg around town compared to 14-16 for a V8 sports car.
2) Takes much longer to wash/wax/detail. Seems like about 50 times the surface area when you're waxing it.
3) More visible...and aural, than a car. Not only is the L more distinctive by sight, it has a very unique sound when you get in the boost. (Cop magnet , chick magnet ) If you're trying to drive fast and stealthy, the L ain't exactly the best choice.

 

Its an awesome vehicle. I havent had much problems with it except the dreaded sparkplug issue. I dont like the gas mileage but its sooo much fun to drive. Everytime i press on the gas it sounds so nice and feels soo right. I dont even have many mods and she is so fast. I would say go for it, just know what ure getting into for gas milage. As for insurance, its cheaper than a 99 pontiac firehawk, 2001 mitsubishi eclipse spyder v6, and a v6 hundyi tibiron.

 

99-00 make sure that hte innercooler recall was performed.
If not, PASS ON THE TRUCK. or lower the price by $800, beucase you will need to replace it sooner or later