Hey guys,

I have been reading this forum for days now and have gotten enough information to write a book. Thanks. Now I have a question. I am looking at buying a used 99 2-door Tahoe, or a new 2000 Lightning. I now you all have lightnings and I hope you don't give bias answers. I really want a lightning for the performance and looks, but a tahoe has space. I guess what I need is some HELP! I can go into town and place that $1000 deposit and be a proud owner of a new Z-28 eating beast. I just have to make up my mind. Any information would be great. I have been reading alot of complaints about the piston pins, service problems, front end noises, etc. Is it just the first year bugs that those unfortunate people bouhgt or are they Ford's eningeers at work. I am a Mechanical Engineer student going into automotive design so please feel free to give technical information, that is what I understand best. Thanks for all your help guys. I will keep up my reading.

Nate

 

If ya want your mind made up, test drive one, you won't even consider the other. As far as problems mine could drop its engine out tomorrow and I would be lookin' for another one. Wouldn't matter. Think I'd rather give up an arm than that machine.

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Red 99.5 Lightning,#0975,Born 5/6/99...Adopted 5/27/99 Chipped w/SuperChip Flipchip chip,Water Wetter, Mobil 1, Foglamp Covers, 13.573@101.08

 

A Corvette would be cool, but it's not going to give you the space you desire.

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'98 Z28 NBM w/ M6, Gry Lth, T-Tops
License Plate: DAM LS1
Best RWHP: 333.5
Best RWT: 348.8
Best ET: 12.47 @ 112.6

 

I'm lucky enough to own one of each. I've got a Whipple supercharged 2 door 4x4 Tahoe Sport and as much as I love it, it doesn't compare to the Lightning. Unless you need the rear seat, I'd go with the Lightning with a bedrug and a good cover. The Whipplecharged Tahoe makes for one heck of a winter vehicle. But if I was hurting for money, I'd never sell the Lightning. I'd sell the Tahoe and buy a $1000 winter beater.


[This message has been edited by Wingnut (edited 12-02-1999).]

 

Nate,

I highly recommend listening to 4D THNDR and test drive at least the L. I had to make a similar decision, but my other choice was a Cobra. I hadn't test driven either vehicle, but after I test drove the L, I was so impressed that I didn't even bother w/ the Cobra.

Hope this helps.

 

Nate;

From one mechanical engineer(formerly with Ford chassis development)to another. Unless you live in the snow belt, space is nice, but you will never have as much fun driving a Tahoe as you will the Lightning. It's almost impossible to wipe the grin off your face when you get behind the wheel of one of these trucks. I've had my share of nice cars and trucks. Besides my Lightning, I currently own 4 Mustangs, a full size Bronco, a 4X4 F-150, and a Corvette C4 roadster. The Lightning is the vehicle of choice and leaves the driveway 9 times out of ten except during inclimate weather. People on the road will stare at your Lightning where they wouldn't give a Tahoe a second glance.
Ultimately, you have to decide if you want space with acceptable performance and handling or not so much space with true performance with superb handling. As a final point, if you choose the Lightning, you can hang out on this board with a great bunch of guys who actually love their trucks. See if you can find a Tahoe board where there is the camaraderie you find here. Good luck in whichever you choose.

Lightning Bob

 

Thanks everyone who has replyed so far. Your advice is great, but where can I find a Lightning to test drive. I am down in the heart of Texas. Also, I heard a dealer say that the lightning is a truck that is over priced with some extra bells and whistles. I have been researching this truck, and boy would I like to hit that guy over the head. I am leaning to the Lightning, a cobra that can pull a boat and has room for you slalom ski and wake board. Unbelievable!!

Nate

 

Lean Harder!!!

 

Hi Nate, I do not own a lightning but I wish I did! I do not think this great truck is "over priced." I got a GREAT price on my truck and I could try to turn it into a lightning but It would be very difficult to stay inside of 30 thousand dollars. I still would not have a lightning and most important, I would not have a factory warrenty behind it. A Tahoe is a great vehicle but to put it in the same ball park performance wise you need to own the bank!

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98 White 4.6 Triton STX, Flairside,Class III hitch, Blue Cobra Stripes, Euro Lid by Astro, Bed Rug, Fiero Wing, Air Dam, Ground Force 2-4 Drop, Super Chip, K&N, Jet coated JBA stainless headers, Magna Flow Muffler with Stainless Duals.

 

Hey NATE
I too had to make that choice a few weeks back, A Tahoe Sport or The Lightning -
Test drove the Tahoe - never test drove Lightning - Bought the Lightning - and have not regretted it :-) Good luck

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1999 Black Lightning

 

Nate,

If you want a Tahoe or Yukon, by all means get a 2000 over a '99, new or used. The '00 models are much improved over the '99's and well worth the little extra they will cost you.

HOWEVER, there should be NO doubt in your mind when comparing ANY sport ute to the '99 or '00 Lightning. The L's are just too good to be true. Like others have stated, I am constantly looking for excuses to drive mine. And, (also like others have said) absolutely everybody loves the way it looks. I mean I have gotten complements from 70-year old toothless bag ladies, 40-year old tanned beauties dripping in diamonds driving MB 600SL's, teenaged kids green with envy, and everybody in between. I love it!

In addition, someone also mentioned a carpeted bed liner and a hard tonneau. If you need dry and secure storage space and don't anticipate hauling around refrigeraters or car sized bolders, this is definitely the way to go. My A.R.E. hard lid and BedRug liner turn my pickup bed into the world's biggest trunk - and at the same time make the already impressive looking Lightning even sleeker and more of a unique custom vehicle.

FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, run out to your closest SVT dealer and put down a deposit on a 2000 Lightning (in Black, preferably ). It's fast, comfortable, beautiful and reliable. You will not regret it.

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Mike Philpott
Orlando, FL
'99.5 Black Lightning
SVT #2190 - Build Date 6/9/99
6 CD Changer, Class 3 Hitch, A.R.E. LSII Lid, BedRug Liner, Invinca-Shield/3M Scotchcal protective film, Clear Lexan fog light covers, 16% Window Tint, LoJack, Val-1

 

Nate, where is the heart of texas? I'm in texas as well and would be willing to let you look over my lightning to help make up your mind...

 

The wife has to almost force me to drive her new SUV. Night and day... Shouldn't be any doubt in your mind after the test drive, though. Good luck!


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Rich
1999.5 SVT Lightning - Red. Super Chip. K&N Filter. Viper Alarm w/remote start, etc. Build #2755
stbtb@Tampabay.rr.com

1999 Expedition XLT

 

Nate,

If you are closer to Houston than Austin, you are welcome to come by and check out the Black Beast. Nathan's truck is also a formidable sight to behold, so I would strongly suggest you look one of us up and take a closer look.

There is truly no feeling finer than to walk out and pick out the favored ride of the day. As stated in here before, the Lightning is the hands down winner. I have a garage full of pretty impressive toys and the L is the one that puts a grin on my face every time.

I would also like to point out that the tonneau cover can be removed and the care sized boulder or refridgerator can then be easily accomodated. I have also towed w/my truck and have never seen a pickup truck more eager, willing or able to do the job as well as the L.

I will also second the comment about the engine blowing tomorrow and I'd be looking for a new one the same day.

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Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning Build # 1273, DOB 5-14-99, NLOC #315
Best run to date 13.16 @104.8
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood; Cal-Tracs traction bars

 

NO SNOW IN TEXAS, DON'T NEED 4WD TAHOE !!
I have an ARE cap (not lid) on mine and love it !! Plenty of lockable storage.

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99 Lightning Black Dark Gray Bedrock Spray
in liner to match rails. CD Changer Class III Hitch Stock Power Surge Filter(ordered)



[This message has been edited by EBOLT (edited 12-03-1999).]