I was just thinking about how much I still owe on my truck etc. etc and trying to justify getting an L.
First of all what kind of gas mileage can I expect. (Don’t tell me if I want gas mileage buy a focus, please)
Second question, what about tire wear?
I would be using it for a daily driver (back and forth from school).
How long will the tires last? (w/out John Force behind the wheel)
Last but not least the intercooler problem.
Since I don’t have the $ to buy a 01 L I would be looking for a 99 or 00. Is there a chance I could find one w/out the leak or am I just screwed until Ford fixes the problem?
I would appreciate any thoughts you may have.

99 F-150 Sport XLT Black supercab 4.6L auto 3.55LS
K&N filter, Velocity Tube, dual series 40 flowmasters
Ground Force 2 in. rear drop


[This message has been edited by this-end-up (edited 04-13-2001).]

 

10-13 City 14-16 freeway,
with normal driving, and minimal spinning of the tires, I can see 10,000+ miles being put on these tires. Althought I could be wrong, and believe me,if I am, I'm sure someone will jump on my back for it...but I think the i/c problem runs in the 99,00 family. So expect it (IMHO).

 

I am like you. I drive it back and forth to school everyday and on the weekends (all the friends love it). I drive on the highway every now and then, but not enough to adjust the MPG. I am averaging around 11 mpg, that includes me enjoying 360 hp sometimes.
The back tires wear easily, and I have NEVER burnt out. That kinda sucks.
For gas, find the cheapest place in your area to buy gas, and get to know them: you'll be there often.
For tires, start shopping around for the cheapest.
For the I/C leak, I have a 2000 with 14,000 miles: no problems yet. It's a random thing as far as I know.

------------------
2000 Silver Lightning
#2798 of 4966
Born on date: May 9, 2000

 

My .02 -

If you are adding up those costs then maybe it might be a stretch at this time for you.

Hope you figure a way to do it though.

 

The harder you run it the more it will cost you. Law of averages or something.

 

Thanks for the input.

------------------
99 F-150 Sport XLT Black supercab 4.6L auto 3.55LS
K&N filter, Velocity Tube, dual series 40 flowmasters
Ground Force 2 in. rear drop

 

This end..

Take a look here
http://www.svtlightnings.com/xls/costcalc.htm

I posted a cost calculator based on my experiences. You can edit the variables to see what the costs will be based on your projected habits

Doug

 

Thanks Silver_2000 that helped alot.

------------------
99 F-150 Sport XLT Black supercab 4.6L auto 3.55LS
K&N filter, Velocity Tube, dual series 40 flowmasters
Ground Force 2 in. rear drop

 

The L. is an expensive truck to run. If you have to worry about the gas milage it is probably not the vehicle for you. I had lots of money when I bought mine; now I am poor. I do not think the intercooler failure is a random thing; the only thing random about it is what milage it occurs at. Someone figured that 60% of the people on this board have had at least one intercooler failure. Those are not good odds on a two year old vehicle. And although Ford assures us that we will all be taken care of when they finish testing the upgraded intercoolers, warantee or not, who knows whether this applies to those that have been purchased used? Oh yeah, what Zeus said, the tire milage is abominable, too. Thats part of the price we pay for great handling. I still think the L. is a great truck, but this level of performance does not come cheap.

------------------
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

'84 Alan Record Carbonio, Aerospoke wheels, Campy brakes.

'00 SVT Lightning, silver, built 2/9/00, #133 of 4966, G-tech Pro, JBA headers, 4.10 gears, Swanson chip, Pro-M, NGK plugs, carbon drive shaft, Roadmaster suspension kit, TransGo shift kit,
13.39 @ 102.5

2001 Kevlacat 2400, twin 115 Evinrude FICHT, Raytheon VHF, radar, autopilot and GPS chartplotter/fishfinder.
http://www.zing.com/album/?id=429389...4647875&idx=15

gmvye@pacbell.net

 

So, it only costs $11,600 per year to enjoy this kind of performance. No wonder Iam always broke. O well, 3 valve motor in 03 might just be the ticket.

------------------
2001 Silver Bolt
Adopted 3/24/01
Red Line Water Wetter Wet Okole's Bedrug JL Ram Air

 

Is '03 when they are coming out with the larger blower? Tired of this ****-ant little blower that won't spin over 14000 rpm.

 

Just buy one. You won't mind paying for everything. I spent 119.50 on wax for the thing -- you'll find some way to justify your brokeness.


------------------
2000 Silver Lightning
#2798 of 4966
Born on date: May 9, 2000
Email: ColinMBurns@hotmail.com



Mods: SnugLid, 20% tint

 

I have a 99 L with 42,000 miles. Not one I/C leak YET. Knock on wood. the truck seems to run better with the higher miles.