Hello,
Long time reader, first time poster with a few questions.

I'm interested in buying an L and was wondering if I could get advice on how to search for one (or any car for that matter.)

Also what is a good price for a good condition 2003 / 2004 L? Would you reccomend going older to save money?

Stock L's. How reliable would my L be if I only drove it about 10-15 miles a day on average, in city traffic. (Stop & go)

Any advice I could get from experienced buyers would be a plus. So far the only place I really know how to search is ebay.

 

I usually see a decent 03 between 20-30,000 miles go for 20-23grand.

I like 02-04 and sonic blue is the king!
-Patrick

 

I used AutoTrader.com and a few other online used car sites to locate my 2003 Dark Shadow Gray Lightning last year. I looked at many trucks before mine caught my eye. I bought it at a Ford dealership over two hundred miles away, but it was just how I wanted it to look and it was a certified pre-owned vehicle, so it came with a free 7 year 75,000 mile extended powertrain warranty. I recommend the 2003-2004 model years, as they had the last upgrades and didn't have some if the earlier year things that needed to be fixed, like intercoolers and not enough spar plug threads. I paid a lot for mine $26,000, but that was a year and a half ago and it came with the suspension already done, the cool drop, the *******'s Speedsturr lid plus brand new tires, upgraded stereo speakers and it looked like it just rolled off the show room floor. It's a very reliable truck, as I have left the engine pretty much stock, and I drive it to work often. They drive like a regular truck until you put your foot in it, and then the fun begins. Good Luck!

 

I also used autotrader to find mine - you can then pick the best L (price/year/miles/color/etc) within whatever you consider a drivable range from where you live. I was about to give up my search when for shits I expanded my search range from 75 miles to 100 and low and behold a 2003 Sonic Blue L with only 1,175 miles on it for cheaper then all the other ones with 30,000 and up miles.

Strange enough, when I'm bored I'll still check autotrader and ebay for used Lightnings see if anything of interesting shows up like real low mile L's - found a couple 04's with only 2000 miles on them the other week or real cheap older 99/00's for $10,000 or under. I like ebay because that's where the comedy mostly is (lifted, hacked, pimped, riced, and my personal favorite- faked Lightnings, lol, found a 98 4.6 ext cap Lightning on ebay once, ha!)

 

Some publications will list the VIN.

A Lightning will have a code of '3' in the eighth position.

 

I located my 2002 thru Autotrader. I think you will also find that by searching thru F150Online, SVTPerformance and NLOC you will find some really nice Lightnings. With patience, you'll find just the L that you will be thrilled with.

I love my L, but best bet is the 2003-2004....only reasoning is due to the improved heads (spark plug thread count).

 

Quite a few on ebay in most every price range...careful though!

http://search-desc.ebay.com/Ford-F15...QfsopZ1QQftsZ2

 

There is a 2003 Sonic Blue Lightning for sale locally. Window sticker said $17,500...has 50,000 miles, IIRC. Someone told me recently that the price was reduced, but I haven't been back out there to look at it.

If you want, I can get the contact phone #. I don't know the number or the seller, I just saw the truck for sale on the corner of Oak & Harkrider St. Appears to be flawless as best I can tell. It was dark when I looked at it last and I drive past it about twice a week; during the day it looks great.

Weird thing is, I LOOKED for a Sonic Blue truck for about 4 months before I bought mine. I paid dearly for the one I got (DSG 2003) but it IS clean & I liked the color for the most part. A month after I bought mine, the blue one showed up. Just my luck.

 

Cookie Monstor,
I'm looking as well, if the intend person to this thread should not want that lead. I sure could use the lead on the 03 Sonic Blue......thanks a bunch 8sm

 

I saw my recently traded Sonic Blue L for sale on Autotrader. The listing was pretty accurate except that when I called the guy to ask about the truck he said it was from long island ny when it was really from Brooklyn. Guess Long Island miles sound better than Bklyn. He must have sold it anyway because I don't see it anymore