I've been poking around here for a few weeks trying to determine whether a Lightning pickup is the way I want to go. I own a '92 mustang that I race at the track more than occassionaly and I'd like to have something that will pull the car and be fun on the street (I currently own a Subaru WRX...). But I've gotta tell ya', everywhere I turn it seems that Lightning owners are on thin ice when it comes to asking Ford to stand behind their product. What with the hassle you guys get for holes in the airbox, or scuffs to the pcm contacts... it seems that Ford is looking for any and every excuse to screw you guys. It seems really puzzling to me that they market this type of enthusiast product - knowing full well the sort of riff-raff (like me) that will buy it and "tinker" - only to pull the sort of BS technicality and outright invalid warranty voids. I completely agree that it is really iffy to expect Ford to warranty a truck that has had it's hp increased by 20-25% or more and then comes in with tranny problems. But the feeling I am getting from reading aroung here is that Ford pretty much tries any reason to void a warranty. I mean, voiding a warranty for lowering shackles and a K&N filter when the tranny is busted??? Seems like a stretch....

For those of you that argue many other manufacturers are doing the same thing I can tell you of one that is VERY flexible. Heck, the Subaru dealer where I purchased my car sells turbos, suspension, exhaust.... the works.

Am I getting the wrong idea here? I guess we only really hear about the problems with Ford & their warranty but they do seem to be pretty common. And the rationale I see from Ford seems especially troubling.

I'd love to be able to roll a brand new 2002 off of the showroom floor but I'm not sure if I can take the chance with that much money just because I decide to use a K&N filter... It might make more sense to get a '99 or '00 for $20grand and mod the pee out of it (eventhough those dogs will likely have been beaten pretty good)...

What am I missing here? Right now it seems to me like a questionable buy. Especially when I can pull the car with my wife's Highlander and bolt a turbo on the WRX and run mid 12's. (Agreed, still no torque but that's what the stang is for).

Jim
(Still trying to rationalize this Lightning thing.)

 

Ford sees all...



You just have to hook up with a mod-friendly location that does warranty work. I don't think it's as bad as some make it sound.

Here's my advice to you. Get in a drive one. The warranty won't mean "pee" when you're done.

That's just my .02

 

I say go a head and buy that lighting. you will love it, but look for a dealer that is "MOD" friendly. Mine is and will not hassel me about stuff I do to my truck. That is the big thing just ask them up front if they will void the warranty if you mod. If yes, you go somewhere else, if no buy it. The warranty is only as good as the dealer.

 

That has always been my feeling as well. But after you buy, things can change. I'm pretty comfortable that as long as things are kept within "reasonable limits" there will not be any problems.

On another note, the dealer where I am looking has a tech advisor that owns a Lightning. I figure that can either be a very good thing or a very bad thing. I haven't talked to that guy yet although the salesman wants me to call him. Those in Orlando probably know who I'm talking about.

I have no doubts I will enjoy the truck - but cars are already terrible investments and I'm just trying to keep myslef out of a pit while still having some fun.

Thanks,

Jim

 

Very much depends on the dealer. Mine replaced my motor with no hassle, even though they knew my truck was modded. Hell, the chip was still in it when I took it in. But the honcho of the service department runs a dragster (and I mean a rail) himself. My mechanic has a highly modded 'vette, and installs most of my mods for me. He loves working on my truck, and keeps hounding me to make it go faster. But I did not ask the dealer to warrantee my tranny. Between the other mods and the chip I figure I had it coming. You just need to find a dealer that will work with you, and discuss these issures beforehand.

 

I traded my 95' Cobra for the Lightning. Best vehicle I've ever owned.

Other than the intercooler, I haven't had a lick of trouble in 40,000 miles.

Go for it. You won't regret it!

 

What's the deal?

My question is this: What's the deal with all the Florida Lightning owners/future owners. Is it me or do the majority of owners live in Florida? I figured Florida was nothing but grey-hairs trying to get a view over the steering wheel.

Regarding your question: what Jay and George said.

 

Can't see in the picture, but the red lightning is already sitting at the finish line panting...

 

I know because I was waiting in my red lightning for your red lightning at the finish line!

Spike
(the picture works now)

 

And who says it isn't?

 

^
From one of the few that actually can see over the steering wheel...

 

No offense or flame, but go buy that turbo, exhaust, and suspension upgrade for the WRX that subaru sells. Then having something major go wrong and see if they give you a run-around. Hands down Ford is worse, but Subaru will give a hard time to. Me and my friend looked into WRX upgrades when he was considering to buy that car, and even though they are sold through Subaru they are still warrenty voiders and say so in their descriptions.

Down's Ford in Tom's River NJ sells performance parts for Ford's, and would they void someones warrenty for one of those parts, probably.

And another thing, don't take everything you read here as 100% truth. Noone here is stupid, we know Ford reads these boards and see what were doing, so some people don't list all their mods. If someones warrenty was voided b/c of a panel filter, well maybe that was the only mod @ the time it was brought in? You can pull a chip, breather cap and swap back to stock airbox within 10 minutes.

With all that said, sell the wife's Highlander, give her the WRX and buy the Lightning for you. The L can haul stuff and satisfy you need for speed, and you're not gonna beat the WRX for rainy/snow/ice days. Have the best of both worlds

 

Tampa,

we could REALLY do without the nostril/sinus exam overlay in that image.

nice touch though....

 

You know what they say about guys with big noses....

 

big boogers..or something