I currently own a 1997 Mustang Cobra. I am thinking of taking advantage of the new Ford financing and trading my Cobra in on a 2002 Lightning.

I have a few questions...
1) How does the Lightning drive in the snow compared to my Cobra? (I assume some of you own or have owned a Cobra too)

2) How much of a smile factor does the Lightning give you when driving? (as much as my Cobra does?)

TIA

Brett
1997 SVT Cobra
1999 Kawasaki ZX-6R
1987 Toyota 4x4 w/ lots 'o mods

 

ok.... next question

 

there is no comparison. lightning is an out and out pleasure. but you need to change tires and wheels to drive it well in the snow.

 

Well, I'm hesitant on getting rid of my Cobra because I would like to keep it for a long time and sorta keep it as a memento of some sort. And maybe give it to my kids in twenty or thirty years.

So, Would the Lightning be just as desirable to me to hold onto that long?

 

if your worried about snow. and think that an 97 cobra will be more desirable then an L. Just by a chevy avalanche..


Brandon
j/k

 

Uh, YUCK!!!

I was thinking 4x4 also, though.
Like a '02 F250 with a P/S or 5.4L

 

I would think the L would be more desirable later on as there are fewer of them. Wouldn't count on it as an investment in any way though, unless it's just to give to your kids later.

Go test drive one: my guess is that you'll be hooked

 

No, definitely not an investment. Sorta just a show thing or for cruising on a Sat. night, and yeah, the kid thing too.

Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.

 

I have had the opportunity to drive quite a few very desirable cars. Porsche, Corvette, Supra Turbo......etc. The Lightning is by far the best grin maker I have ever seen. It isn't about the raw numbers, which are pretty stout. It is about the raw power needed to move that big heavy brick to such phenominal speeds. In a word Torque. God it is fun. There is also nothing like showing other cars your tail lights because they under estimated your authority. Even though the Lightning looks mighty different to those in the know, most people only see a regular cab F150 so It is kind of like an ultimate sleeper to the snob next to you.

I am a truck guy so when I go to hot rod shows my favorites are almost always the older flare side trucks. So IMHO the Lightning will be much more desirable to have in 20 years. I mean The Cobra is hot but doesn't have as much character as the Lightning.

Go drive one. I promise you will not be let down in the smiles department.

As for driving in the snow. If you can handle the Cobra you can handle the lightning. Just drive responsibly. It is not that hard.

Let's not forget you can actually use the Lighting for hauling other things besides ***. If you plan on keeping it for nostalgia, it can't hurt that the big hunk of metal taking up space in the garage can do double duty when home repairs are needed.

Good luck but do yourself a favor and go drive one. If it matters I get around 15 mpg around town and on a recent trip to MD I got 20 mpg. Mind you that is driving relatively sanely.

 

No...oops, I mean yes

 

One thing about the Lightning that I like that people fail to mention is the visibility factor.

You sit up higher with mostly glass around you. This gives the advantage of seeing things like the law (before they see you), traffic, etc., much easier and earlier than in a low-slung car.

And you get equivalent or superior power, speed, handling and braking over a performance car. Also I find the truck very comfortable. And I like the heavy feeling it has because at 4670 lb. curb weight, it is heavy.

I drive my Lightning daily mostly on the interstates. One other thing I love is the explosive acceleration at highway speeds for passing. Cruising at 60-65 at around 2000 RPM in overdrive, you are just below torque peak at around 3000 RPM.

Get one. I doubt if you regret it.

 

I live in Michigan, and my Lightning drove great in the snow. I had a Dakota R/T, and it would really get loose in the RAIN. It really does alot better in the snow than the Dakota did in the rain. Hope this helps ya............Phatford

 

Well -

I went from a 1996 cobra vert (471rwhp) see sig. to a silver 2001L (see sig also). I am totally satisfied with the Lightning. It rocks!!!!

Bob

 

Mine is great in the Florida snow.I installed a lift kit with snow tires and a plow on front.Great way to make a few bucks when the thermometer drops into the 60s.

 

The other point that you mentioned was the financing. I do not believe that you would be able to establish financing before the truck is built. I have heard that 2002s will be on the lost at the end of the month, but history tells us otherwise. Even if they make it by the end of the month..unless ford pushes back the deadline for the 0% financing, you only have untill the 20th.


Good luck. I will be after a 2002 as well.