Hello All:

I'm a long time lurker and infrequent poster. I have been interested in getting a Lightning for quite a while and am now serious about getting one. The short question I have is: Does anyone have any advice for purchasing a used Lightning?

I have taken a look at the Lightning FAQ - helpful! (Any updates to the "Common Problems and Warranty Concerns" section?)

I've also searched this forum. Or at least I believe I used proper keywords on the search function. (A lot of what I found pertaining to buying advice is somewhat old; I wonder if much has changed since then.)

I'm primarily interested in a 99 and I do want it to be completely stock. Would prefer lower miles, too. It will be a daily driver for me and I won't be putting any mods on it at all - I've driven a few and love them the way they are!

Any thoughts on pricing? I've been to all the sites (www.kbb.com, www.nada.com, www.edmunds.com, etc.) and found tremendous variation in the prices. I've also noticed differences in classifieds and at dealerships.

I know pricing ranges depending on the actual vehicle, but any ideas about what a 7,000mi stock 1999 L should cost me?

I know this type of question comes up now and again, but I'd be happy to hear any current ideas on it. Thanks for any help.

 

I'm not sure either. I bought mine last Oct new. A buddy bought a Red 99 last year about July w/ ~7kmi. I think it was around ~$27k. Thats why I bought new for ~$28,700. Think about goin' new.

Also, he is now selling his Red '99 ~16k mi and wants ~$25k. From what I have seen they tend to run $23k - $25k.

Let me know if your interested in his Red '99.

 

Cannot give you any ideas on prices, but if you locate one you like, I would ensure it's warranty has not be voided. Modifications, you know. I would look for, or purchase, an extended warranty and also see if the intercooler recall/replacement has been done.

Also, I would avoided a mod'ed truck.

Might want to spend a few extra bucks and check out CARFAX.COM to see what history they have on the VIN. Truck may have had a peculiar history.
Lemon buy-back, flood damage, vehicle mileage, etc.

A 7,000 mile truck may be hard to find. I have a '99 which I average a little 8,000 miles a year, which isn't much. You might find one in the northern part of country where people of take them off the street in winter.

Good luck.

 

Canadian 1999 L

If you go to expedia.com and do a money exchange rate the price this ad quotes = 17900 U.S. - this is todays exchange rate

 

CarFax suggestion a must! Also, take VIN go to any Ford service dept. and see what warranty work & service history on truck. Would not buy one out of warranty EITHER TIME OR MILEAGE. Since resale is fairly high, previous suggestion for new is pretty good idea: 1. x plan new less than $29,000 2. Interes t rate on new is 1/3 to 1/2 less than on used. 3. Longer finance period on new, combined with lower interest rate could actually make monthly payment on new cheaper! If buying used look for distressed private seller who might give great deal to get out from under--helps both of you. Check his service records & vin check above. Be sure still in ACTIVE warranty. Some state like Georgia here do not collect sales tax on private party sales. that's $1400 saving on $20,000 purchase price. Might use to buy FORD ONLY extended warranty. High markups in these warranties mean you can negotiate great price. Just call around on phone, playing one dealer against another. Only paid $850 for my 100k when purchasing truck. You can buy extended warranty at any time before original expires. Sorry for look post. Good Luck!

 

Check to make sure the warrenty is not voided and if you purchase the truck from a dealer ask for and oasis printout this will telll you any warrenty work done within the last year. So if it shows any major work , engine head replacement etc has been done i would assume that the truck was modified and would steer clear of buying it. Extended warrenty threw ford is always a good idea to. good luck

 

LOL you might want to spend some time searching here too, there have been some trade-ins from some folks here that I wouldn't touch...

 

If you really look, you might find one for about $23 K. but I doubt with 7,000 miles. I only drive mine on weekends and I put 12,500 on in 2 years. If I was you, and money was an issue, I would call all the SVT dealers within 200-300 miles and see if they have any 2001s left. I paid $28,000 for my 2000. If you can find a 2001, you might be able to get it for under $27 K, since the 2002s are out. Tom

 

Make 100% sure that you BUY STOCK. The only way to insure this, however, is to buy new. Good luck.

 

This is not quite true I have had a motor, transmission, headers, exaust including cataletic converters and all kind of warranty work done on my truck because of a noise that a dealership here in Tomball, Texas could not find. So I took it to a reputable delership in Houston, Texas (T.V. Thanks Steve) To find out what the noise was and it turned out all it was the whole time was the heater lines were run next to the fuel lines and I was getting the noise amplified thru my heater core it took him less than a day to fix what others couldn't do in over a month!! I also had no mods done to my truck at the time and I am still waiting to get all the bugs worked out and out of factory warranty before I get to deep in to moding it out!! Just my opinion.

You need to get one there fun even stock just make sure you get a good warranty with it when you buy it and if you do have any problems Ford can take care of it!! So good luck finding the truck you want!!

 

Check out performanceautosport.com The owner's name is Mark and he has a stock low mileage 99 for sale. I have not purchased from him but have talked to him on a few occasions and he seems to be a nice, standup guy. He also has 2- 2000 models for sale(slightly modded). I am trying to sell my Jeep and will possibly talk to him when it is sold.

 

[Whoops...]

 

Thanks for the information - I really appreciate it! You've all given me a lot to work with...now let's see how I do!


I have looked at his web site. What do you think of the pricing he has on them?

 

The white 99 with 3500 miles for 23,900 doesnt seem like a bad deal. You could probably offer 22,900 and go home with it.

Jeff

 

Any reason to buy a '99? The '01 models have some nice performance improvements vs. the '99/'00 models. I was considering a used one, but decided to buy new to get the upgrades.