I have a 99 Red built 8-4-99. 3232 of 4000. So far I love this truck! As of today at 12880 miles I have had no intrcooler leak. Are the 01 models that much better than my 99 as far as improvements. I would appreciate an education by some of you guys who know! Please Advise, over....

 

The 01's have a little more HP stock, different rims (which is personal taste) and nicer lights all they way around. As far as anything else it's to soon to tell.

If your considering trading in your 99', I wouldn't. Not worth it to take on higher payments for only lights and a little more power stock.

When I got my L is was either a new 01' in either red or silver, or a white 99'. I looked at them both, fortunatly the dealer had them side by side. I was more impressed with the 01' so I got that, the few thousand price difference to me wasn't worth it. But if you already own your 99 stick with it. Put the money towards mods or something else on, and don't go through that breaking in waiting for full power to kick in period.

 

the members of this list have come up with better,faster,safer mods in 2years, than the SVT guys (yea you!) have. granted, some things we do, they can't. we were the guinea pigs, and we did pretty well. A stock 2001 will always be beaten in every way by a 1999 or 2000 that uses the upgrades posted on this list. the intercooler issue remains to be seen, and is probably the single most reason, owners traded their trucks in. the first 2001 model that leaks will throw their peace of mind out the window also, and cause them to be grouped with us as the 99-01 "leakers". my 99 is at 28K with no leak (yet)

 

Wow! 28K and no leak. You must be livin' right. I'm on my second and I think it's starting to go......you can always tell when they start to miss. 23.5K

Tim

ps....I'll stay with my '99 and the 10K of mods in it.

[This message has been edited by TimBurntire (edited 05-18-2001).]

 

I'm an 01 owner and I recommend you stick with your 99. From what I read here, they're PLENTY fast and if it's paid for, be happy! I don't think the stock differences are great enough to go into debt for. The biggest thing you'd get out of it is being able to say you have an 01 instead of a 99, FWIW.

-Ollie


------------------
"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail me now!!!"
-Elwood Blues

 

You forgot the lower rear in the '01, a 3.73, vs my 3.55. I can't imagine needing a lower gear for the street, but thats kinda preference. I love the 3.55, one reason i got the '00. They also dropped the '01 2" in the rear and a tinch in the front i hear, personally i like the raked look and clearance, again a preference. Then there's that fat driveshaft the '01 got, lighter wieght. Unless your concerned with .2-.3-1/4 mile tenths at best those mods may not be preferred.
I've always contended that any G2 modified with the usual chip, filter, tb and MAF would run the same, they didn't change the engine, just the intake and cooler, and 10mm bigger tb. I got the '01 tails and heads cause i liked them, but am not pretending to be an '01, i am so happy with this truck.
Keep the '99 and wait for the G3, i am, IMHO.

------------------
Silver '00 Lightning.
#3962/4966 6/16/00
14,000 glorious miles.
PSP filter kit.
JL 300/4 amp, JL-XR's, VR's and 10WO, Crossfire 75.2 amp.
Ligted Logos.
'01 Heads, Altezza tails, Xenon X 4.
NLOC #627.

I get my best milage doin' 69.

 

Since I got my 2001, and now have met a few guys with other Lightnings here is what I can tell you. I have let two guys that I met drive my 2001 they wanted to see if there was a big differance. I got to drive there truck while they were in mine.

Both of those trucks have very similar mods, chip, filter, muffler. I didn't notice much of any differance between the 3 trucks. I think the 2001 is a little , and just a little faster. I bet mostly because of the lower gearing.

I think with exactly the same mods, the differance is only one or two tenths in the quarter mile.

So if I were you I would wait at least one more year. I heard a rumer(sp) that in 2002 SVT may be putting Recaros in the truck. Now that would be sweet.

------------------
DON'S ZR1 KILLER
SILVER 2001 LIGHTNING
Sportmasters tonneau
Bedrug
Alpine head unit and six disk changer.
JL Audio speakers
Magnaflow muffler
JDM BigMouth Filter.
13.248 @ 104.61
http://donf150.tripod.com/Welcome/id6.html

http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294607313

 

Gee, I wish I would've never traded my 26k mile red 00 for my 0k 01!!! NOT!!!! You heard right. I said frickin' NOT!!!!

 

Never had a 99 or 00. But I can tell ya I LOVE MY 01. Even if I never put a mod. in her these trucks are awesome!

 

The computer program in the 1999-2000 is far more adjustable with a chip, than the 2001. I have heard that you can put the 2000 computer into the 2001 truck. For the money most of the changes on the 2001 (excluding the wheels) can be done to a 2000 for the price of a couple of payments.

Hope this helps

 

If you can afford it then go with the 01. I did and would still do it.. The 01 is better all around.. that's my .02 though..

------------------
99.5 Lightning
Gone but not forgotten
01 picked up on 5/5/01
hud@mc.net

 

I had an '00 and now i have an'01. My new truck seems more responsive around town. Definitley! Maybe has to do with the rear.
But I always have to have the latest new toy out there thats why I bought it. I don't care about a chip, just putting on a ram-air, pulley and shift kit. Its plenty fast!Mid 13's should do fine.

------------------
Dave
'01 White
Alpine CDA-7875
MB Quarz
Rockford Fosgate Punch
JL ramair (ordered)
Level 10 (ordered)

 

I would hate to take the initial depreciation hit again. If you have your L financed, you should have some significant equity in your truck by now. If you love it keep it, don't worry too much about having the latest model. The used market seems a little soft right now anyway.

That "lightning rod" concept vehicle may be something significantly different. It would be easier to justify a trade a couple years down the road (if you like it).

I don't think I have ever liked a vehicle enough to keep it two years. I just passed the 2 year mark myself.

Weigh the pro's and con's and you will come up with the right answer ultimately.
Good luck

Todd

 

Before I bought a leftover 00L I thought about the same things. You need to weigh the plus and minus. I have added some 01 pieces that I like to my 00(90m,DS,bilstiens)
and have saved several thousand in the process.
Mike

 

I just got my '01 L yesterday. The dealer up here traded me for my '00 L because they messed up on the front bumper and had to paint it 4 times. Etc. So they gave me my new truck, thank god. I am pretty happy with it. In comparison and driving my 2k w/5200 miles and the 2k1 with 17. I could feel a difference in power on the 2. There certainly seemed to be a bit more behind the throttle than on the 2k. Not enough to go out and trade just for that reason. I also like the improved lamps, and grill. I also like the bilstein shocks, they are definatly alot more firm (therefore you can feel the road alot more in the ride). Other than that they are same for same. I did get the tonneu cover from Ford that comes as an option. They didn't have one on my 2k. All for all, I had 2 payments on the 2k and paid 3k difference for the 5k miles and for the price difference in the truck. It beats trying to take them to court and sue. They helped me out alot down there.

-Mike

------------------
2001 Lightning
Color: Oxford White
Options: Tonneu Cover
Mods: None