New Member introduction
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 491
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From: Ontario, Canada
New Member introduction
Hi Everyone....My name is Paul. I live in Ontario, Canada where these wonderful trucks are built, so those of you with 2000 models on order, I will let you know when I see them in the shipping yard. I pass by the plant on a regular basis since it is about 10-15 minutes from my area. I also have a good friend who is an SVT engineer at the plant, as well as a brother-in-law who supplies parts to Ford of Canada for the F-150 trucks and Windstars. I have been lurking here for the last couple of months contemplating what to do as I have wanted this truck as soon as I saw/read about it.
You see....I have a sad story that comes with a happy ending. I come from the CHEVY (GASP!) camp. I was blind but now I can see! Hopefully some of you can take the time to read this and shed a tear of joy for me as I pick up my new Red Lightning on Monday morning! I found myself in need of a truck, more and more, so why not get what I truely wanted.
I have owned the following past vehicles....91 454SS, 95 Camaro Z28 and a 98 Camaro Z28. My 91 454SS was a wonderful truck but it was a major gas guzzler. The 95 Camaro was absolutely terrible. I was towed about 17 times to the dealer with various problems ranging from damaged main bearings to broken synchro's in the tranny. All in all, a bad experience and a bad car. The 98 Z28 was truely a great car but I found myself getting tired of driving it. The seats are unsupportive (awful!), the thing squeaked and rattled at various points, but the acceleration and top end of the car was breathtaking!!!! Why I bought the second Camaro, I think it was out of impulse. I was awarded it through an arbitrators decision based on my 95 being "unfixable" in their terms. I also had not heard of any news of the Lightning truck coming out at that time. So.....I took the car instead of the cheque. What a mistake. Don't get me wrong here....Camaros/Firebirds are decent cars, they just aren't built for a bit of luxury. They have one purpose, to go fast on a budget. In essence, a poor-man's Corvette. The plastics and materials used on the car are the cheapest, the basic parts underneath are of lower quality, the suspension is not well matched to the power, etc. The 98 engine however, is very stout!
I have been part of the large F-body forum called LS1.com based on the 98+ F-bodies for several years. Some nice folks there and some real idiots. I also started an F-body group in my area that has grown to 100 members. This is a great group of friends that I am sad to be leaving but in essence, perhaps I have "grown up". I will be looking forward to contributing to this great F-150 list and sharing my knowledge of vehicles and what has worked/not worked for me in the past. I am virtually knowledgeless when it comes to Ford's though, so this will a fun time!!!
The interesting part of this story was that when I went to purchase the truck, I figured that I was buying a black one. Problem is, the dealer messed up BIGTIME. They had a black one in the back but it was pre-sold to a Ford of Canada employee and they didn't realize this untill it was too late. They were in a pickle because I was ready to walk away (well...not really...but I made it look that way!) Anyways....to compensate for THEIR mistake, they dropped the price of the truck (which just came in the day before!) by 1000$, and offered to put on the locking tonneau cover of my choice! I couldn't refuse, hence I am picking up the Red Lightning on Monday morning and am totally excited!!!!
thx again for reading and listening!
Paul Gastaldin
You see....I have a sad story that comes with a happy ending. I come from the CHEVY (GASP!) camp. I was blind but now I can see! Hopefully some of you can take the time to read this and shed a tear of joy for me as I pick up my new Red Lightning on Monday morning! I found myself in need of a truck, more and more, so why not get what I truely wanted.
I have owned the following past vehicles....91 454SS, 95 Camaro Z28 and a 98 Camaro Z28. My 91 454SS was a wonderful truck but it was a major gas guzzler. The 95 Camaro was absolutely terrible. I was towed about 17 times to the dealer with various problems ranging from damaged main bearings to broken synchro's in the tranny. All in all, a bad experience and a bad car. The 98 Z28 was truely a great car but I found myself getting tired of driving it. The seats are unsupportive (awful!), the thing squeaked and rattled at various points, but the acceleration and top end of the car was breathtaking!!!! Why I bought the second Camaro, I think it was out of impulse. I was awarded it through an arbitrators decision based on my 95 being "unfixable" in their terms. I also had not heard of any news of the Lightning truck coming out at that time. So.....I took the car instead of the cheque. What a mistake. Don't get me wrong here....Camaros/Firebirds are decent cars, they just aren't built for a bit of luxury. They have one purpose, to go fast on a budget. In essence, a poor-man's Corvette. The plastics and materials used on the car are the cheapest, the basic parts underneath are of lower quality, the suspension is not well matched to the power, etc. The 98 engine however, is very stout!
I have been part of the large F-body forum called LS1.com based on the 98+ F-bodies for several years. Some nice folks there and some real idiots. I also started an F-body group in my area that has grown to 100 members. This is a great group of friends that I am sad to be leaving but in essence, perhaps I have "grown up". I will be looking forward to contributing to this great F-150 list and sharing my knowledge of vehicles and what has worked/not worked for me in the past. I am virtually knowledgeless when it comes to Ford's though, so this will a fun time!!!
The interesting part of this story was that when I went to purchase the truck, I figured that I was buying a black one. Problem is, the dealer messed up BIGTIME. They had a black one in the back but it was pre-sold to a Ford of Canada employee and they didn't realize this untill it was too late. They were in a pickle because I was ready to walk away (well...not really...but I made it look that way!) Anyways....to compensate for THEIR mistake, they dropped the price of the truck (which just came in the day before!) by 1000$, and offered to put on the locking tonneau cover of my choice! I couldn't refuse, hence I am picking up the Red Lightning on Monday morning and am totally excited!!!!
thx again for reading and listening!
Paul Gastaldin
Last edited by PBGas; Jul 16, 2011 at 03:57 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Paul,
Welcome to F150online. You'll like it here. I too am a GM CAR person (the "old ladies" types ..... Buick Park Aves, LeSabres, etc) but this is my FIRST truck and new Ford product ever.
Had to get the "itch" out of my system after many years and have not been disappointed with my new F150. I agree that it is FORD for trucks!
Couldn't hold out for a Lightning, would have only landed me in jail....... but I envy you guys!
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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, Rhino Liner, leaky rear slider. Man, I got it all!
Welcome to F150online. You'll like it here. I too am a GM CAR person (the "old ladies" types ..... Buick Park Aves, LeSabres, etc) but this is my FIRST truck and new Ford product ever.
Had to get the "itch" out of my system after many years and have not been disappointed with my new F150. I agree that it is FORD for trucks!
Couldn't hold out for a Lightning, would have only landed me in jail....... but I envy you guys!
------------------
Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, Rhino Liner, leaky rear slider. Man, I got it all!
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Thx a bunch F-olks!!!!
From what I have been filling in my between my ears, there is a whole bunch of great people here with some great info!
I only wish I caught all of the blueovalnews mess that went on. Oh well....
Looking forward to some great fun!
Paul G.
From what I have been filling in my between my ears, there is a whole bunch of great people here with some great info!
I only wish I caught all of the blueovalnews mess that went on. Oh well....
Looking forward to some great fun!
Paul G.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TX
Oh Great! Another Lightning junky. I guess you like to make mit der go-fast as well. This all stems from your hatred of your mother and is incurable. I would suggest doing as I have done: ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN! I haven't gotten a rush from just driving in a couple of decades and am loving every minute of wheel time I can get.
Congrats and welcome,
P. S. just kidding about your mother, a little Freudian humor there is all.
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Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
Black 99.5 Lightning
Superchip is installed, wow!
G-Tech/Pro is here!
SnugLid finally installed.
BedRug. Ford Duraliner for sale!
Congrats and welcome,
P. S. just kidding about your mother, a little Freudian humor there is all.
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Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
Black 99.5 Lightning
Superchip is installed, wow!
G-Tech/Pro is here!
SnugLid finally installed.
BedRug. Ford Duraliner for sale!
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair, MI
Paul,
Welcome to the group. Also you lucked out and ended up with the fastest colored truck.
Talk at ya later
Jim
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99.5 Red Lightning, black Rhino,
Superchipped (Thank you Mike)
Welcome to the group. Also you lucked out and ended up with the fastest colored truck.
Talk at ya later
Jim
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99.5 Red Lightning, black Rhino,
Superchipped (Thank you Mike)
