I've seen several people (mswaim and metallic blue ?) who've sold their lightnings and I was wondering:

1) why?
2) what did you replace it with?

and kind of off the subject, but does anyone on this board own a viper?

 

Had one own me, a while back. "1bdsnk"

 

Hey Nathan. I sold mine for several reasons. First, I was having significant performance problems which my dealer could not/would not solve in a timely manner. Secondly, I really enjoyed driving it, but after about 6 months, I felt I had beat about all the fun out of it I could. Thirdly, I sold it before the 2000's were available, and there were many people still wanting 99's, so I was able to recoupe almost all of my money. I paid $28,000 out the door, kept it 6 months (6,200 miles) and sold it for $27,000. I really thought that was not a bad deal, since I really never keep cars very long anyway. I really enjoyed owning it, driving it and especially liked the feeling of beating up on bowtie cars and trucks.......
My intention was to buy a Viper, but I just have not gotten around to it yet, and I need to sell my Allante first. I must admit I miss it sometimes. I also enjoy reading and commenting on all of posts here. Many of us that bought early used to meet on the old jmartin board, where we swapped lies and kill stories much as we do here................Right now I must endure with my company car (price is right) and the Allante. Thanks for asking.

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Mark Swaim
1999 Lightning (sold)
1997 Cobra (deceased)
1993 Cadillac Allante

 

yep, i remember www.inlink.com/~jsmartin

I've probably got quite a collection of posts on there although I must admit I dont visit much anymore

 

Yes, me too. I really liked the jsmartin forum, and formed some good, long distance friendships which I still foster via e-mail. I like to think that early on there were just a few of us chatting up the positive points of the new generation Lightnings. Guys like you and me, Dominoe and Metallic Blue were conversing long before I even knew this board existed. Before anyone takes offense, I'm not slamming this board, I'm simply commenting on positive recollections I have from lurking about on the jsmartin board. I currently enjoy chatting with everyone here, as I did on the jsmartin forum. I know I left out many other early owners, so let me say I'm sorry right now. In fact, those I missed, identify yourselves !!

 

I sold my 99 lightning because the intercooler failed and in my mechanics opinion I significantly shortened the life of the motor by adding coolant for 3 weeks before I figured out that all those gallons went through the motor and out the tailpipe.

next year I am going to replace it with a 1993 GMC typhoon. these are faster than the lightning, more reliable, better gas milage room for 5, cheaper to repair and it can get you home in a snow storm.

 

SVTLEMONBOY

Boy after three weeks of significant coolant losses I would wonder why I hadn't thought of that Myself. I bet you get alot of snow
over there in Georgia.

 

I would have to agree with you Twisted99. Those Georgia winters can be really bad. Much worse than up here in Michigan, HaHa.

 

Sorry to hear about the intercooler failure. That indeed DOES stink. I'm surprised/disappointed that Ford didn't offer to replace the engine...if one of the dealer's mechanics felt its life would be significantly shortened.

BTW, he is right! That much coolant burning in the cylinders is not a good thing.

As far as the Typhoon goes...it is not as fast as a Lightning. Faster than a Gen 1, yes, but not a '99+ truck. A bone stock Syclone _might_ run high-13s on a good day, and the Ty's are slower than those.

Repair, reliablity issues? We don't really know on the Lightnings yet (you obviously had some serious issues), but those AWD 4.3 turbo trucks are very expensive when it comes time for repair. And with cast pistons, turning up the boost for a significant amount of time will be an adventure in engine rebuilding.

Good luck w/ it though. I always liked those trucks.

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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)
97 SHO
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fsT/index.html

 

I am still trying to decide. I bought my lightning used (18K mi) and this was my biggest mistake because I discovered evidence of previous abuse by the first owner and I bought it with the intercooler problem (not knowing). I added coolant twice during the 3 weeks that owned it. With these high performance trucks it makes sense to buy NEW!!!!

The 99 lightnings have lots of problems like the typhoon. hopefully the 00+ models will be more reliable as Ford learns from its mistakes on the 99's.

Yesturday I wanted a typhoon and today I wanted another lightning. So I still have not made up my mind yet. but one thing is certain, life is too short to be driving a boring s10 ext cab 2wd pickup that I have now. My current financial situation will force me to stay with the S10 until the spring of 2001.

 

I was at the dealership last week and the service advisor told me they had a lightning that they replaced the engine in ,he said it reminded him of my truck (I also had an engine replaced) He also said the truck was from Ga. I wonder if it was yours? But in hindsight they did replace the engine....
Tom

 

Never sold my Lightning!

I was "going" to sell my Lightning, but my problem was financial, and then by the grace of god, I was given an enormous raise at work, which allowed me to keep my toy.

I have since stored the Lightning through the winter in a heated, locked facility.

 

I traded in my 99 lightning on an F250 light duty 4x4 supercab for the simple reason of practicality but I can honestly say right now I am sick to my stomach,I was looking up trucks on the kellyblue book sight and the trade in on a 99 lightning is close to $32000.while the resale is $37000.I paid 32205 for mine last May and got a hell of a trade in with my mazda.Do you think its high because of the 1st year run?

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99 F250 XLT LD 4X4 S/C,5.4,3.73 Limited slip,Bright red clearcoat ,4whl abs,remote start w/keyless entry and alarm,chrome rims,tinted,westin nerf bars,factory tonneau,superchip,K&NGen II fipk,pioneer in dash cd,pioneer amp,infinity kappas all around,Lund front runner bug sheild.Gibson split rear,stull SS grilles.