Hey guys,
This is my first post and I am looking for opinions. I am looking at 2001 and newer models.

I started a new job about 4 months ago. This job is a field supervisor position for a flooring company. I will be driving an average of 28,000 miles per year. The company will pay for mileage driven.

Right now I am driving a Chevy 1-ton cargo van as a work vehicle. This van has been trouble free since I bought it new. But it is too big for my needs. I will need a truck to occasionally carry materials. This has only happened twice in four months.

So my question is would you daily drive your L 28K miles per year? Is that too much mileage per year for a performance oriented vehicle like an L? I have read some of the reliability, MPG, and common problem threads and have not read to much that would scare me off. My last performance vehicle was a '93 Mustang Cobra. So I am familiar with SVT and Ford and what they produce.

My work van gets 13.5 MPG no matter what. Can I do better than that with an L? I think I know the answer, but I want to ask anyway.

I realize that there are more practical options for my needs. In and out of the Ford family. But I have an opportunity to own a vehicle that I can enjoy and drive the heck out of it. I just have concerns about reliability and durability of a S/C daily driven truck.

Thanks for reading this far. You guys have a nice forum here.

Brad

 

L's are getting more and more rare. If you're just looking for something to drive, and pack on the miles dont buy an L

 

What he said. ^^^

If you could find an almost new, un-molested L, pure stock, you could drive it the way that you describe. Once modified, different quirks develop and requires some knowledge and money to stay on top of it. Most of these trucks have not only been modified, they have had new motors, transmissions, and beeen raced.

If you are stuck on this thought, research not only this forum, there are at least three other national forums and countless local branches to search through.

I read these forums for over a year before buying my Lightning new. Good luck with your decision.

 

for a daily driver NO

for a toy - absolutly

 

2004 L.

128K on the clock.

15.6 MPG average, mixture of highway / city driving.

Pull a trailer any time I need to, Home Depot runs with 700+ lbs. in the bed, etc.

Extensive mods from brand new, driven but not abused.

Expenses so far:

42 oil changes @ $20 each = $820.

4 transmission fluid changes @ $64 each = $256.

2 supercharger oil changes @ 35 each = $70.

2 cooling system flushes @ $20 each = $40.

2 inter-cooler system flushes @ $10 each = $20.

4 brake system flushes @ $10 each = $40.

4 rear-end fluids changes @ $50 each = $200.

3 brake pad replacements @ $120 each = $360.

2 serpentine belts @ $25 each = $50.

1 supercharger belt @ $25.

5 sets of tires @ $1,000 set = $5,000.

The truck has been ultra-reliable, fun to drive and an example of how well Ford can build a vehicle.

I disagree with all the previous posters - if you find one from an owner like me, you'll have an enjoyable, affordable daily driver that is tough and reliable.

I don't know where FireGuy gets his data, but I have 20+ friends / acquaintances with Lightnings and only 1 of them has a new motor. I think saying most of them have new motors, trannys, etc. is inaccurate. As far as the "quirks" he was talking about, I have no idea what that is referencing ??

I forgot to mention 1 expense - mods !! Once you start, it gets bad really quick. I have just over $10,000 in mods on mine...

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

Thanks for the responses.

B-man,
That's the kind of thing I was looking for. It looks like you spend about $100/month plus gas on your L. A set of tires per year would be tough to swallow.

I think I will keep an out for a deal on an L, but concentrate on something with better gas mileage and less maintenance costs.

Thanks again for the replies.

Brad

 

that's a set of tires per year IF you can drive gently all the time



and gas mileage, forget about it, if you're coming from gutless wonders the power will be too tempting for you and you'll be filling up every day

 

Actually, the 1st 2 sets of tires were in the 1st year. Goodyear F1s are great for traction, but not so great for wear... :-)

I then tried a set of Toyo's and they were better than the Goodyear F1s for wear.

I then tried the Hankooks and I have been on them ever since. Great compromise between traction and wear. You will get 35K-40K out of a set if your front-end is aligned and you don't do too many burnouts !!!

Don't let the power thing bother you - everybody plays at first, but then it gets to be "normal" and you find yourself only romping it when you really need to.

I am still amazed that my 128K Lightning can spank my '02 Z06 for the 1st 1,000 feet or so.

Coolest truck ever built, IMHO.