hi guys,

thought i'd post this question here since most or all of you have a lightning. I'm looking into possibly getting a lightning this summer, pending I recieve the job i've been interviewing for. I'm always searching ebay for an 03' or 04' lightning - I lean towards those because i've read from you guys the intercooler is better, spark plug threads are 8 as opposed to 4 and that the block might be built better?

anyway, With the rising gas prices, hopes of more powerful diesel F150's coming in the near future (2 years?), i'm thinking people selling their lightning shouldnt be expecting to re-coup what they've invested in one. I know people trying to sell any truck right now are in a tough spot. For an 03-04 with less than 50k miles, what would you guys all consider fair for a price? Do you consider mods done, or disregard them?

thanks for any opinions and ideas guys!

John

 

I picked up my 03 for 19,9 with 29,600 miles a month ago. The drivetrain is stock but it was lowered. There was also an 04 with 5000 miles for 25,5 that I looked at. Very very clean. I never considered a modded truck...and by modified, I considered anything that had more than an intake and exhaust done. You should be able to get a stock truck in excellent condition for slightly under KBB value. Definitely a buyer's market out there.

 

thanks for you input ibismojo, I'm searchin autotrader and cars.com and ebay every hour - seems like alot of lightnings are in the NJ,DE, S. PA area, none in my immediate area which sucks!

i'll keep looking

 

During my search, those areas also seemed like the areas with the most Lightnings available. California had a few but they were either trashed or asking way too much....usually the latter. I was prepared to fly anywhere in the US to get mine. Luckily I found one advertised on ebay. I drove up to the dude's house, checked it out, bought it the next day.

Also check out Ford's CPO program....you might still be able to get some 04's under their CPO deal. They're usually a little more pricey but do come with better financing options and warranty. You could always google Lightning on craigslist sites...but those listings are usually delayed by a day or so.

It took me two months to find mine and I was looking everyday on those sites. I was all over the place when I got discouraged in my search. I went from a Lightning to a CTSv at one point....imagine that

 

deffinately a buyers market. Hard to say, most lightning guys know what they have and aren't to willing to budge much on price unless htey really need the cash.


Check out

www.nloc.net

 

Northern trucks aren't going to pull the same price as a Southern truck. Not on average. KBB is out the window, unless you find someone that HAS to sell.

 

thanks guys,

buckachow, that link is great, i never had seen that site before so it was cool to just browse around on. I'm trying to look for a truck at least here on th east coast not going to far south. Its hard but i'll keep looking and waiting.

Odin's Wrath, are you saying people are always going to be asking higher than the KBB value?

thanks again to everybody for their responses

 

what do you guys think of an L with a turbo conversion? The truck seems great, but my friend who works on fords says the turbo is more maintence, power band is not immediate because of the turbo lag, and that you need to keep the truck on to cool down instead of just having the belt driven supercharger. I know about the lag and cool down time, but couldnt a turbo timer solve that?

the truck is on Nloc.net, its an 00 silver turbo charged on in the classifieds. Take a look if you want, I'm just trying to get more opinions on it.
thanks again guys

John

 

The only way I would buy a Lightning is bone stock. There's a Red 02 with 16,000 miles that's in better shape then my 04 at a dealer near me.

 

Sounds like a nice ride.


I've seen so many guys here on the boards, and locally here in NC, take trucks they've beat the hell out of at the track, and on the street, and put them back to stock to sell them. You never know for sure what you're getting. Low mileage helps; but, is no guarantee.

 

Check out some of the Lightning sites. nloc, svtperformance, lightningrodder. You might find what your looking for there. Good luck in your search.

 

Don't forget Autotrader.com.

 

I picked up my Sonic Blue 03 about a year ago with 41,000 miles on the truck and it had a fresh factory longblock installed by their local dealer. Price just over $18,000 on e-bay (Sweet truck). I flew to Florida from Virginia and drove it back. Good luck on your search.

 

thats a great deal melman, I hope to stuble across a find like that. I've definitely searched autotrader and there is a stock 01 in NJ I think, looks good from the pics. I'm debating between that one or the turbo truck i mentioned before. My only concern with the turbo is that when something goes wrong, its somebody else's setup and I'd have to deal with it blindly. BUT, the truck does already have the power, if not more, than what ever I would eventually like to do to one. Both trucks are about the same price, and hopefully i could get a better deal than what the sellers are asking.

heres the link for both of them to check out -

turbo (freakin awsome)- http://www.nloc.net/classifieds/show...uct/5635/cat/6

stock 01 -
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=200

 

My opinion, FWIW -

The turbo truck has been worked on, but looking at the pics it appears the guy is pretty particular at how it has been taken care of.

Both trucks are used, both are silver and 1 makes a lot more power than the other, for roughly the same price.

Buy the turbo truck - it will be more fun !!

If you are concerned, take it by JLP or JDM on your drive home and have them check the tune. The peace of mind would be worth it, unless the dyno sheets he has look really good...