I just traded my (quite problematic) '97 Black Cobra on a Black 01 Lightning. The Lightning is faster, even with the 280 mine put to the rear wheels (the Cobra). The Lightning is not as nimble until you're at speed, and it's got a higher COG, but it sticks pretty damn good. Get a test drive. it is QUITE impressive.

I say do it, OPEC be DAMNED !

 

I've still got my 96 Cobra (153,000 miles and no probs other than a clutch at about 110,000 miles) and got the 01 L in March. I already have 17,000+ miles on the L and it seems every bit as fast as the Cobra. I haven't had to drive the L in the snow yet, but the Cobra did pretty good on factory tires. I had to park it two different times due to snow, but I wasn't chancing the hills around here in ANY 4x2 vehicle. I honestly believe that my L even handles as good as the Cobra also. The only thing I like better on the Cobra is the gas mileage! I get 21 mpg average on the Cobra (chip/filter, BBK Off Road Pipe, MAC mufflers) and only average about 13.5 mpg in the L (K&N). As for the "fun factor", I lean towards the L on this one. People pretty much expect Mustangs (Camaros, vetts, etc...) to be fast, but when you blow their doors off in a pick-up truck they have no idea what just happened (unless they know what an L is).

Later,
Roger

 

I've owned three Cobras, '93, '96, '98 and two Lightnings, '00 and presently '01. I would have to say, without a doubt that my '01 Lightning is the best of all those vehicles. The only thing that i miss about my cobra is the shifting. When the second generation lightnings came out in '99 Car and Driver summed up their article saying something like, " just be happy something this crazy exists". And its really true. A mid 13 stock truck off the showroom floor. Unbelievable! The mustangs are a dime a dozen, no one really noticed my cobras all that much. But you certainly get a lot of repect in these trucks. We certainly are living in the muscle car era, better than its ever been. Why not purchase the craziest, wildest vehicle of all. A few mods and you're running with anyone. And if you lose a race, you'll always have the excuse, "well, its only a truck".

 

Yes, you want AND need a Lightning.

 

I have a '01 F150 Harley and I might go out this weekend and trade it in for a Lightning. Mostly, it's to take advantage of the financing deal (or so I tell myself) but in many ways, I miss the "feel the *** sinking into the seat" feeling I had with my old Mustang. Not that my '95 Mustang GT conv. (5M) was a real power hog, but it did accelerate rather smartly.

I know that '02 F150 Harley is going to be supercharged, but I am eyeing '03 F150 Harley which may be an anniversary edition special. I'm hoping that a L can tide me over til the '03 Harley.

 

Hmmmm, I wonder if Nozebleedspeed might have been snorting a little too much of that "Florida snow"?