thinking about buying a Lightning
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thinking about buying a Lightning
I'm thinking about buying a Lightning. I currently have a '99 C5 and am thinking about getting another vehicle.
How reliable are the 2002 Lightnings? Any changes for 2003? Most common problems? Are you happy w/ your purchase. Also, can you drive them in the snow? I know they are rear wheel drive, but do they have any type of traction control? Thanx 4 the responses.
How reliable are the 2002 Lightnings? Any changes for 2003? Most common problems? Are you happy w/ your purchase. Also, can you drive them in the snow? I know they are rear wheel drive, but do they have any type of traction control? Thanx 4 the responses.
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From: Warner Robins, Ga, CSA
GET ONE
A new Lightning would be a perfect 'match' for your C5.
I have an 01 with 27,700 miles that I drive daily and 1/4 mile race 2 or 3 times a month. It has never failed me. No problems and it's pretty quick too. It is the best vehicle that I have owned in my 62+ years. Of course, I've never owned a Corvette
Btw, if you post over on Corvetteforum, I'm 1REBEL over there
Dan
I have an 01 with 27,700 miles that I drive daily and 1/4 mile race 2 or 3 times a month. It has never failed me. No problems and it's pretty quick too. It is the best vehicle that I have owned in my 62+ years. Of course, I've never owned a Corvette
Btw, if you post over on Corvetteforum, I'm 1REBEL over there
Dan
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From: Lemont, IL
The LSD in the rear might help it get going, but everything else (turning/stopping) depends entirely upon the tires. On the driver's side door jamb is a sticker from Ford reminding the owner that the Goodyear F1s are most definitely NOT for use in snow. If you want to drive a high performance car in the winter you MUST equip it with proper tires. This means at the very least "all season" tires. Porsche, Mercedes, and BMW all have lists of recommended winter tires for their cars. I really think Ford should do the same. You may not need to run Blizzak ice tires, but the F1s are downright hazardous in the snow. If you can afford a $32K truck, you can afford another $500 for a set of 'cold season' tires.
My wife has an Infiniti (Nissan) I30. It came with Bridgestone RE92s as stock tires. After the first winter, even with front wheel drive, LSD, and traction control, we realized the biggest limiting factor was the tires. We purchased a set of Nokian NRW true 4-season tires (performance snow tires) on 16" rims, and the difference was stunning. In exchange for a tiny bit of dry traction and noise, we gained an GREAT deal in snow/ice traction. After 8000 miles of winter use these tires show almost no wear. We use them November thru April, and are completely sold on them! Modern snow tires are truly amazing.
My wife has an Infiniti (Nissan) I30. It came with Bridgestone RE92s as stock tires. After the first winter, even with front wheel drive, LSD, and traction control, we realized the biggest limiting factor was the tires. We purchased a set of Nokian NRW true 4-season tires (performance snow tires) on 16" rims, and the difference was stunning. In exchange for a tiny bit of dry traction and noise, we gained an GREAT deal in snow/ice traction. After 8000 miles of winter use these tires show almost no wear. We use them November thru April, and are completely sold on them! Modern snow tires are truly amazing.
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From: Cincinnati, OH, USA
I say go ahead and get one! I couldn't be happier with my current Lightning which I bought over 2 weeks ago! Not only is it the fastest production truck out there, but it can haul, and haul *** too. Not only will you have a truck that will put many Mustang and Cambird guys to shame, but you'll have something that can haul your C5 around if you ever decided you wanted your C5 to become a trailer bitch.
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Basically, what I am looking for is a daily driver that I can drive all year round in the New England weather, Massachusetts. I used to live in Austin, TX where my C5 was a daily driver, but now that I live in Mass, I'd like something that's fast like the lightning, but also be able to drive it in the snow. Purchasing another seto of wheels & tires for the snow is not a problem, but yet I'd hate to get stuck in the snow w/ a lightning since it is rear wheel drive. It's too bad that they are not AWD or I'd be all over it in a heart beat.
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From: Lemont, IL
These are my winter wheels:
Ford OEM FX4 Off-road package 17x7.5" alloys. They pop up on eBay about every week. They aren't aftermarket, but they are definitely an alternative. I bought a set for about 2/3 of what the cheapest set of 17" wheels from TireRack cost. They are clear-coated, so as long as I rinse them off every couple of days corrosion should not be a problem. There are a set on there now for about $94 each, with no bids. Any Ford wheel for a 01-02 F150 or Expedition will fit.
16" snows will be a lot cheaper, both for wheels and tires. Where I live they clear the roads pretty quickly, and 80% of the time the roads are clear and dry. I went with 17" and 255/60-17 Dunlop performance snow tires to keep some of the dry performance while still being able to get around OK in the snow. They also look great.
Steel wheels should be less than $40 each. I think Tire Rack sells 16" alloy take-offs for only a little more than this. If you put 16" wheels with 235/70-16 Blizzak Winter Dueler tires on them, and 300lb in the bed, the only thing stopping you will be snow over 12" deep (dragging the front air dam).
Ford OEM FX4 Off-road package 17x7.5" alloys. They pop up on eBay about every week. They aren't aftermarket, but they are definitely an alternative. I bought a set for about 2/3 of what the cheapest set of 17" wheels from TireRack cost. They are clear-coated, so as long as I rinse them off every couple of days corrosion should not be a problem. There are a set on there now for about $94 each, with no bids. Any Ford wheel for a 01-02 F150 or Expedition will fit.
16" snows will be a lot cheaper, both for wheels and tires. Where I live they clear the roads pretty quickly, and 80% of the time the roads are clear and dry. I went with 17" and 255/60-17 Dunlop performance snow tires to keep some of the dry performance while still being able to get around OK in the snow. They also look great.
Steel wheels should be less than $40 each. I think Tire Rack sells 16" alloy take-offs for only a little more than this. If you put 16" wheels with 235/70-16 Blizzak Winter Dueler tires on them, and 300lb in the bed, the only thing stopping you will be snow over 12" deep (dragging the front air dam).