December '99 Motor Trend - 2000 Lightning!
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 133
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From: Tucson, AZ
December '99 Motor Trend - 2000 Lightning!
Just got the December 99 Motor Trend, the cover story is called Horsepower 2000.
You guessed it the '00 Lightning is one of the 6 vehicles. It's only a one pager but it is a '00 since the red Lightning has red mirrors...my favorite quote from the article is: "No current production vehicle does a stationary burnout easier than the Lightning."
The rest of the story grades the vehicles on several typical parameters: Powertrain, handling, steering, brakes, etc. While the specs show the L as doing 60 to 0 braking one foot better than the Camaro SS at 131 feet the L gets a C+ while the Camaro gets an A? Hmmmm.
Good 0-60 of 5.5 and a 14.0 quarter mile time at 100.7 for the '00 L, and a 0-100-0 of 18.9 sec (the Dakota R/T does it in 28.3 and the fastest, a WS-6 Firebird T/A in 16.4...not bad)!
[This message has been edited by bobb (edited 10-29-1999).]
You guessed it the '00 Lightning is one of the 6 vehicles. It's only a one pager but it is a '00 since the red Lightning has red mirrors...my favorite quote from the article is: "No current production vehicle does a stationary burnout easier than the Lightning."
The rest of the story grades the vehicles on several typical parameters: Powertrain, handling, steering, brakes, etc. While the specs show the L as doing 60 to 0 braking one foot better than the Camaro SS at 131 feet the L gets a C+ while the Camaro gets an A? Hmmmm.
Good 0-60 of 5.5 and a 14.0 quarter mile time at 100.7 for the '00 L, and a 0-100-0 of 18.9 sec (the Dakota R/T does it in 28.3 and the fastest, a WS-6 Firebird T/A in 16.4...not bad)!
[This message has been edited by bobb (edited 10-29-1999).]
Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 36
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From: goldsboro,nc
I just got my issue to. Enjoyed his response about of he had to pick a vehicle out of the bunch for a fun friday night it would be the lightning. Also they really tore the dodge rt up saying they even had a hard time spinning the back tires.
Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 12
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From: Shawnee, KS
Well I got my issue yesterday and had to take it with me to work at the parts plant to read and found it very interesting reading. The story on each vehicle itself was great but the report card is a JOKE!!! C+ on braking???
D on ride??? I've rode in the Camaro and know the Mustang can't be that much better. However the best one is C- for the "everyday userfriendliness"- say what?- are we talking computers or cars? I know what it is! too many East German judges on the panel
I also noticed in the spec section that they have the HP rated at 360 still for the new models.
Also I know now that I've been way to wrapped up looking for stuff on the Lightning cause I never knew that the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP was being built in my backyard in KC. Oh if there is any Dodge R/T owners reading posts in here I think there is still a little *** left on your behind but not much from the chewing the mag gave ya. First it was the towing misinformation incident and now this and talks of no models to come down the line, jeesh what a bad streak. I really wish they would help that truck out cause it just makes execs and number crunching suits at the top, who probably all drive 4-door sedans or slow SUV's, think there is no market for performance trucks when I think there is and always will be. It's nice to own a niche vehicle like my Lightning and exclusivity as stated on the window sticker is a bonus. However, if it comes to being the only one in the room of one in that class down the years then how is the fate of our truck going to be? I know now they are as hot as ever but is the 24K units over 6yrs written in stone? C'mon Chevy and Dodge lets see you work a little magic with the Vette and Viper engines. Ofcoarse they still won't beat our Lightnings
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99 Lightning- the guinea pig year.
Color- arrest me red
Mods-still stock but not if I can help it.
D on ride??? I've rode in the Camaro and know the Mustang can't be that much better. However the best one is C- for the "everyday userfriendliness"- say what?- are we talking computers or cars? I know what it is! too many East German judges on the panel
I also noticed in the spec section that they have the HP rated at 360 still for the new models.Also I know now that I've been way to wrapped up looking for stuff on the Lightning cause I never knew that the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP was being built in my backyard in KC. Oh if there is any Dodge R/T owners reading posts in here I think there is still a little *** left on your behind but not much from the chewing the mag gave ya. First it was the towing misinformation incident and now this and talks of no models to come down the line, jeesh what a bad streak. I really wish they would help that truck out cause it just makes execs and number crunching suits at the top, who probably all drive 4-door sedans or slow SUV's, think there is no market for performance trucks when I think there is and always will be. It's nice to own a niche vehicle like my Lightning and exclusivity as stated on the window sticker is a bonus. However, if it comes to being the only one in the room of one in that class down the years then how is the fate of our truck going to be? I know now they are as hot as ever but is the 24K units over 6yrs written in stone? C'mon Chevy and Dodge lets see you work a little magic with the Vette and Viper engines. Ofcoarse they still won't beat our Lightnings
------------------
99 Lightning- the guinea pig year.
Color- arrest me red
Mods-still stock but not if I can help it.
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 912
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Look at:
http://www.autoextremist.com/archive...ge2.shtml#Rant
to get a true picture of Motor Trend's editorial policy. I think the problem with the Lightning's grades is in Ford's ad expenditures.
http://www.autoextremist.com/archive...ge2.shtml#Rant
to get a true picture of Motor Trend's editorial policy. I think the problem with the Lightning's grades is in Ford's ad expenditures.
Really Old "Member"
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga. USA
DHFerguson:
Wish you hadn't done that!
I know that guy, (he would not remember me), and he is oh oh so correct in not only that article, but everything else he writes.
Now I will have to spend as much time on that site as this one reading about old times/old friends/old enemies.
In one of the articles, he mentions Lee Iaccoca and the mess he made of Chrysler (He really almost did more harm than good) and I will never forget riding down 10 stories with him in an elevator in Toronto when he was trying to avert a strike by the CAW. 1978 I think. I never heard a more arrogant man than that as he discussed openly with some of his minions his contempt for the Union specifically and his workers in general. Selling electric bicycles is probably more his real calling.
Bill
------------------
Bill Murray
99.5 Lightning
Oxford White
Bedrug/ARE LSII lid
Tow Package CD Player
Superchip
HobbyTownUSA Graphics
Identical 1/10 Scale Tamiya RC Truck incl. graphics.
Truck interest e-mail:
fastwhitey@myf150.com
4 heavy decals!
Kennesaw (Atlanta) Ga.
Wish you hadn't done that!
I know that guy, (he would not remember me), and he is oh oh so correct in not only that article, but everything else he writes.
Now I will have to spend as much time on that site as this one reading about old times/old friends/old enemies.
In one of the articles, he mentions Lee Iaccoca and the mess he made of Chrysler (He really almost did more harm than good) and I will never forget riding down 10 stories with him in an elevator in Toronto when he was trying to avert a strike by the CAW. 1978 I think. I never heard a more arrogant man than that as he discussed openly with some of his minions his contempt for the Union specifically and his workers in general. Selling electric bicycles is probably more his real calling.
Bill
------------------
Bill Murray
99.5 Lightning
Oxford White
Bedrug/ARE LSII lid
Tow Package CD Player
Superchip
HobbyTownUSA Graphics
Identical 1/10 Scale Tamiya RC Truck incl. graphics.
Truck interest e-mail:
fastwhitey@myf150.com
4 heavy decals!
Kennesaw (Atlanta) Ga.
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Hi
New to the board. Current 1999 Dakota R/T owner who is sending his truck back to DC on a buyback due to the towing issue.
I recently drove a 99 Lightning and liked the truck. I am on my local dealers list for a 2000 Lightning and hope I get one.
The MT article really suprises me as MT praised the R/T on it's introduction. I can't belive the statement about the R/T not being able to turn the tires. Mine was able to turn em the minute I pulled from the dealers lot. Maybe they got a slow one. I don't know about the Lightning, but it really does take about 3000mi before the 360 gets decently broke in.
I really love the way the Lightning drives and am looking forward to owning one. I think the R/T has a better "seat of the pants" feel out of the hole, maybe the 3.92's in the Dak help a little there. However nailing the Lightning at around 35 or 40 mph, I can tell that it is lots faster that the R/T.
The Ford is a higher quality truck all around than the Dakota, but that's to expected considering it costs around $6000.00 more.
Ford has done a great job with the Lightning, much better than Dodge did with the R/T.
Later
Carl
New to the board. Current 1999 Dakota R/T owner who is sending his truck back to DC on a buyback due to the towing issue.
I recently drove a 99 Lightning and liked the truck. I am on my local dealers list for a 2000 Lightning and hope I get one.
The MT article really suprises me as MT praised the R/T on it's introduction. I can't belive the statement about the R/T not being able to turn the tires. Mine was able to turn em the minute I pulled from the dealers lot. Maybe they got a slow one. I don't know about the Lightning, but it really does take about 3000mi before the 360 gets decently broke in.
I really love the way the Lightning drives and am looking forward to owning one. I think the R/T has a better "seat of the pants" feel out of the hole, maybe the 3.92's in the Dak help a little there. However nailing the Lightning at around 35 or 40 mph, I can tell that it is lots faster that the R/T.
The Ford is a higher quality truck all around than the Dakota, but that's to expected considering it costs around $6000.00 more.
Ford has done a great job with the Lightning, much better than Dodge did with the R/T.
Later
Carl