Guys,

I've wanted a Lightning since day one and now I'm old enough and have the money to get one (so I thank). My question is how much does a used one go for (99' or 00')? What is the insurance like for them, I'm 24 and have only one ticket on my record. Also for the guys that have an older modle (95' to 97', didnt they first appear in 95') how reliable are they after a lot of waer and tear? Also if you drive it friendly not aggresivly what is the avarge Miles per gallon ya'll get? Any other little info would be apprecatied. Thanks.

Danny

 

I'm guessing around 26-30k depending on mileage and condition? Check Kelly Blue Book, they can give you the correct going price Some states they count the Lightning as a standard f150 so insurance is only about $800 a year, but here in California, under AAA(even with student discount, and perfect driving record,) I will be paying close to $1500 a year

 

You check the fact forum for allot more info but as far as insurance goes, I got my 99 when I was 18 and its just about the same as a regular f150. there startign to go up though now, but not allot. you'll probalby be around a $1000 a year or so.

Gas, don't even worry about gas. In 1999 car and driver rated the lightning as the worst production based vehicle for gas economy. I get about 10 mpg, but I got allot of mods and I drive fast all the time too. average guys get about 12mpg. maybe 14mpg for the grampa's on the board.

the lightning first apeard in 93, and was made until 95 with the older body style, the new body style first appeard in 97 at the atuo show, but was no made until late 99 as the first year. they are being made in 02 as well, and that should be it until the new new body style takes over in 03.

Pretty reliable trucks, they do have there flaws, but anything does. I've never really had to major of a problem that wasn't cause by me!. older modles do have issue's with intercooler's leaking.

You can genreally find a 99/00 in the range of 22k to 26k. not bad. some more and some allot less!

good luck,

later JOE

 

$1500 with AAA?? Wow.

I have AAA in CA and I pay about $800/yr for my L, with one ticket. Maybe I'm just older than you (29).

 

AAA told me about 4700 for my 2 cars (more than double what I pay now)

so I laughed at them and hung up.

 

My '01 has about 8800 miles on it. I drive pretty normal most of the time but also put my foot in it a fair amount as well. I always get 14-15mpg and am pleasantly surprised, because my previous car was a '93 Taurus SHO (3.2L 6 cylinder) and I averaged 16-17mpg in that.
Durability: in my opinion they are built like a brick sh_t-house. Many of the guys on this board claim their L is just as fast if not faster with 30,000 on it than it was with 5,000 miles.
Intercooler problems on the 99-00 years.

 

You can probably get a new one for about $29000 with x-plan. You would get better financing with a new truck also. Your warranty would be for an entire 3 years/36000 miles. The resale will also be higher for a newer truck. Your insurance should go down when you turn 25, mine did but that could depend on each insurance company. I am 29 married and pay $452.98/yr. for the L. Mine has been very dependable, even with all of the mods. It currently has over 14K miles. I get about 12 mpg. It is driven very hard.

 

I am selling my 99 for 25,000 in the classifieds. Email me if you are interested lightningfastsvt@cs.com