Why I'm Getting The F150 Lightning

[Bob Anderson]

I currently have both reservations for CT and Lightning, but here's what lead me to put in a reservation for Lightning.

Either truck was going to need to fit into one of 2 categories: ultimate road trip family vehicle, or cheap EV work vehicle. If I do end up getting the Lightning, it'll be the cheapest option they have. If I choose the CT, it'll be dual motor with hopefully announcements in increased range and charging speeds for those road trips.

What lead me to the Lightning is I believe it has a better $40k version. Yes, CT has a little more range, faster charging, a larger screen, autopilot, and SS body among others. However, the most important thing it doesn't have is dual motors. Unfortunately, it is a deal-breaker for me. And since I don't plan on taking this truck on long trips where most of the other Tesla features would be more important, the Ford wins out.

A couple last points, I am probably over the 700,000 mark for the CT, and it could be a while before I'd get it. So it is entirely possible I start with the Lightning, and then switch to the CT. The other point is Ford does still have the $7,500 credit. Even though this might change w/ Biden, at the moment I am factoring it into my reservation. Is there anyone else who had similar thoughts?

 

[pagesix1536]

Nope. I'm all in on the stainless steel wedge wagon.
Family of 5, so the 6-passenger seating beats the Lightning for me.

 

[Diehard]

The main reason I did was that with F150, I am at 30K spot with CT at 700K. even if Tesla produces CTs at 3 times the f150 speed , it will be a big time difference for me and I don’t believe my current truck is going to last long enough for CT. If they were both available to me today, I would pay a bit more for CT. I am not sure what is the deal with lower trim but I believe a Ford close to CT2 will cost $10K-$20K more with all the options you will have to choose. And dealing with dealers is a big pain point for me. So if there is anyway I can go with CT, I will.

 

[Bob Anderson]

The main reason I did was that with F150, I am at 30K spot with CT at 700K. even if Tesla produces CTs at 3 times the f150 speed , it will be a big time difference for me and I don’t believe my current truck is going to last long enough for CT. If they were both available to me today, I would pay a bit more for CT. I am not sure what is the deal with lower trim but I believe a Ford close to CT2 will cost $10K-$20K more with all the options you will have to chose. And dealing with dealers is a big pain point for me. So if there is anyway I can go with CT, I will.

I agree. Ultimately my final decision will be in the YT reviews and final specs for both. Tesla really has to come out w/ their V2H. I can charge at work for free and essentially cut my electric bill in half w/ Lightning.

 

[KrodEKid]

I agree. Ultimately my final decision will be in the YT reviews and final specs for both. Tesla really has to come out w/ their V2H. I can charge at work for free and essentially cut my electric bill in half w/ Lightning.

That's a great example why V2H is desirable but I would be worried that saving $$ up front might cause excessive battery degradation and cost $$$$ later for frequent charge and discharge cycling. Ford has not proven battery life yet. I don't think Tesla wants to deal with battery warranty issues of those who do want V2H

 

[Outdoorzman]

I currently drive a 2014 Ram 1500 Laramie 2wd. Have most all options that were available at the time. Love my ride! Wasn’t crazy about the 49k price but wanted to treat myself. No regrets.
The idea of a ‘commercial’ model from Ford reminds me of the ‘K’ car fiasco from Chrysler or the ‘Volt’ from Chevy. Same kind of hype. Seems like lipstick on a pig!
Tesla has had its problems but they keep innovating and seem to be getting better. For me it’s a leap of faith since the CT is so different and should have so many useful and yes downright cool features. There is always a chance I might hate it so I’ll be keeping my RAM for a while. BTW, not worried about flipping the CT if I don’t like it.
Kind of a win-win...
Have patience and try not to settle for something just because it’s right in front of you.
As you can see I have a mini-CT and have scaled a small piece of Mount Rushmore. ?

 

[Crissa]

Yes, over at Transport Evolved, Nikki (and a couple others) plonked down for the Lightning because of that.

Well, and the confirmed V2H hardware.

-Crissa

 

[Pappy]

So…the F150 PB Hybrid and I just finished a cross country to Maryland, down to North Carolina and back to Colorado. 20.7 overall, 20.8 out and 20.6 mpg back (since when did everyone start driving 80mph on freeway)? I stopped at a Tesla dealership near Raleigh, NC for my very first closeup look at 3 variants. Hmmmm, sticker prices on these were not what I expected based on the info on the website. Apparently it’s OK to include, tax incentives which is not available along with first year fuel savings? Next, I asked about various trim levels within each model, the answer? Black or White, but you’ll pay $1k more for white. I’m gonna wait and see on the CT, I surely hope the CT will be available in more than just single, dual, or tri motor?? My XLT model with a few options performed pretty damn good on this trip.? Glad I got in early on the Lightning

 

[Diehard]

So…the F150 PB Hybrid and I just finished a cross country to Maryland, down to North Carolina and back to Colorado. 20.7 overall, 20.8 out and 20.6 mpg back (since when did everyone start driving 80mph on freeway)? I stopped at a Tesla dealership near Raleigh, NC for my very first closeup look at 3 variants. Hmmmm, sticker prices on these were not what I expected based on the info on the website. Apparently it’s OK to include, tax incentives which is not available along with first year fuel savings? Next, I asked about various trim levels within each model, the answer? Black or White, but you’ll pay $1k more for white. I’m gonna wait and see on the CT, I surely hope the CT will be available in more than just single, dual, or tri motor?? My XLT model with a few options performed pretty damn good on this trip.? Glad I got in early on the Lightning

I am with you on proliferation of B.S. Any company posting false prices should be held responsible to cover the difference between what was posted and what you actually pay. All taxes and fees should be included like other countries do. It has reached the point that any business that is not lying is in a competitive disadvantage.

however on options, I prefer how Tesla and Rivians are doing it. Ford options make my head spin. To me, that is another way of hiding the true cost. I went on Ford site just for the heck of it to get a feel for what a lightening equivalent of dual motor cost and after the options, it would be at lease $10-$20K more.

 

[CyberMoose]

So…the F150 PB Hybrid and I just finished a cross country to Maryland, down to North Carolina and back to Colorado. 20.7 overall, 20.8 out and 20.6 mpg back (since when did everyone start driving 80mph on freeway)? I stopped at a Tesla dealership near Raleigh, NC for my very first closeup look at 3 variants. Hmmmm, sticker prices on these were not what I expected based on the info on the website. Apparently it’s OK to include, tax incentives which is not available along with first year fuel savings? Next, I asked about various trim levels within each model, the answer? Black or White, but you’ll pay $1k more for white. I’m gonna wait and see on the CT, I surely hope the CT will be available in more than just single, dual, or tri motor?? My XLT model with a few options performed pretty damn good on this trip.? Glad I got in early on the Lightning

Hard to tell what configurations will be available for the Cybertruck. Long range and performance have been the Tesla Standard. but i'm not sure how many people are buying a truck for performance, so it's possible that Tesla will just have the Single, dual, and tri options. Maybe they'll add options for different ranges as a way to conserve batteries when some customers might not need all the range.

 

[John K]

maybe an interior variant and rims and tires variant.

Still annoyed I cannot haggle on the price.

 

[Ranulf]

I’d look at the Mach E teardown videos from Sandy Munro. Ford’s shitty, lazy engineering these past few decades is continuing with their electric products. Same as the other domestic OEMs.

 

[CyberGus]

I’d look at the Mach E teardown videos from Sandy Munro. Ford’s shitty, lazy engineering these past few decades is continuing with their electric products. Same as the other domestic OEMs.

Sandy has both kudos and criticisms for the Mach-E thus far. He clearly prefers Tesla's engineering choices generally, but has criticized them as well.

I don't think Ford engineers are "lazy" or bad, but I think they answer to an entrenched bureaucracy that hampers innovation and cross-team collaboration.

 

[CyberMoose]

maybe an interior variant and rims and tires variant.

Still annoyed I cannot haggle on the price.

I love not having to negotiate price. A dealership will always have the upperhand when negotiating. They know the lowest price they can sell a vehicle for and only really sells that low when they need to clear stock. Luckily it's not as easy for them to cheat someone on a new vehicle since someone could just search up the cost of the vehicle with all the options on the website. But used dealerships are a nightmare.

 

[John K]

I love not having to negotiate price. A dealership will always have the upperhand when negotiating. They know the lowest price they can sell a vehicle for and only really sells that low when they need to clear stock. Luckily it's not as easy for them to cheat someone on a new vehicle since someone could just search up the cost of the vehicle with all the options on the website. But used dealerships are a nightmare.

I have good success with the following

Model is readily available to purchase elsewhere
I start negotiations half hour before close and keep them there 2 hours after close, when they tell me to leave the real negations begin.
If I can, I develop a report with the decision makers well before entering negotiations (I’m likable after the initial dislike is past)
I don’t even want the car, so give me a deal I can’t pass up.
I go in with the perspective, cash is worth more than the car so I hold leverage when I can go elsewhere
my most powerful tool is in fact leaving the deal on the table and going elsewhere.


Regarding the CT, I have zero leverage. In fact, if they tack on a fee, I would grumble but most likely take it.

No fun
Agree though the set price is better for the high demand. Else, dealer markups would be horrendous.