Thinking of getting a Lightning.

OrangeMustangGt · Dec 5, 2005

Whell, Ive been wanting to get a lightning for a while, and i think i might actually do it. I was torn between an diesel excusrion or a lightning, but i think im swinging tword the lightning.

Has anyone ever owned one? Im just wondering on a few things, like (although i dont care too much) gas miledge, what commonly breaks, how are they in the snow and what to look for in a used one. Ill be looking for one in about the 15,000-20,000 price range.

Oh, and im not selling my Stang, this would be more of a "daily driver", to replace the bronco.

yellow1995Cobra · Dec 5, 2005

I have a friend who owns one...

They suck in the snow.. no weight on the rear end doesnt help.

Around these areas id get something that has the option for 4wd and more then 2 seats for a DD, but thats just me.

bad98sst · Dec 5, 2005

Well, as far as a daily driver goes I would try and find a 1st gen. lightning. Theyve got 351 windsors (gt40 heads,intake) with 4.10 gears and are relaitvely quick (low 15's) in stock form. They last FOREVER and there are a few people on nloc.net that have 200K+ miles on them and are slapping turbos/blowers on that and are running great . You can pick them up for anywhere between 5k and 15k (with very low miles) and would probably suit you better as a dd. However, if youve got the money to swing for a gen. 2, go fo it! Also snow > lightning

91LX_5L · Dec 5, 2005

lightnings are pretty sweet but there diffrent then a mustang man, I've seen a few people switch from them back to mustangs before on svtperformance and on other forums. id get a 03 cobra before a lighting.

94Blue302GT · Dec 5, 2005

uhhh, duh, buy one.

RFMustangGT · Dec 5, 2005

I'm thinking about looking for one after college. I need a truck and still want something fun to drive. I can't stand little everyday cars and trucks. just not enough fun. lightning would be the way to go.

OrangeMustangGt · Dec 5, 2005

thats my point, but i guess the snow issue sorta makes me not want one.....but it would be fun to drive....i dont know, i mean i got the stang to go fast, so maby i should just stick with my origional idea of a 4x4

lxfiveo · Dec 5, 2005

GreenMustangGt said:
i dont know, i mean i got the stang to go fast, so maby i should just stick with my origional idea of a 4x4

The Stang may be fast, but the Lightning is REALLY fast!! Plus, there is something very cool about ripping off 12.9 runs at the track with a 5500# truck!! Absolute best vehicle I have ever owned hands down (and I've owned 4 Stangs, one of which I still own). If I hadn't run into the need for a tow vehicle so I could hit track events further away, I would have never parted with it. I spent $800 with JDM to get that beast in the 12's and drove it daily rain, sleet or snow. Friggin' thing put a smile on my face every time I got into it!!

RFMustangGT · Dec 5, 2005

just drive extra careful and put added weight in the back for winter.

blksn955.o · Dec 5, 2005

2 of my buddies have had gen 1's. One still has his. I like the gen 2 but the gen1 is a better truck all around if you ask me. Both of them have gotten around in snow very, very well in there gen1's. Just have decent tires on the back.

I would love getting a gen1, We all went out one night and my girlfriend (now wife) rode in the lightning as she had never been in one. She wanted one after getting out. When she see's one she is like oohh oohh truck truck. That would be the easiest perf. buy in the world.

Check out the NLOC and see what you want.

ProKiller · Dec 6, 2005

not too much better than a mustang in the winter IMO.

Black95GTS · Dec 6, 2005

GreenMustangGt said:
Whell, Ive been wanting to get a lightning for a while, and i think i might actually do it. I was torn between an diesel excusrion or a lightning, but i think im swinging tword the lightning.

Has anyone ever owned one? Im just wondering on a few things, like (although i dont care too much) gas miledge, what commonly breaks, how are they in the snow and what to look for in a used one. Ill be looking for one in about the 15,000-20,000 price range.

Oh, and im not selling my Stang, this would be more of a "daily driver", to replace the bronco.

I went through this exact debate this summer when looking for a DD. The lightning sucks as a DD for a couple reasons:

1 - Gotta be miserable in the snow. More torque at a lower RPM then a stang and less weight over the rear tires. Doesn't sound promising.

2 - Not four wheel drive, you live in the Cape, in New England... its a must!

3 - Tiny up front... you can't carry anything you want to stay dry and another passenger. With the extended cab, I can carry golf clubs, ski stuff, briefcase, go to the mall etc, with another person, and still have plenty of room without having to toss stuff in the bed. And my 2001 F150 XLT FX4 can tow 7700 pounds.

Yes, I know the lightning can tow stuff too, but not as much. And if you think the 330 in my truck is any kind of slouch, you're mistaken. Its not the mustang but it definately gets up and goes... gets similar gas mileage too, but since you're looking at lightnings anyway thats not a factor.

Just my two cents

Adam

super302 · Dec 6, 2005

I've been thinking about getting one (sold the mustang last week) and they really arent that ideal for a vehicle:

TERRIBLE gas milage
Not that fast
Way overpriced in my opinion

lxfiveo · Dec 6, 2005

super302 said:
I've been thinking about getting one (sold the mustang last week) and they really arent that ideal for a vehicle:

TERRIBLE gas milage
Not that fast
Way overpriced in my opinion

Not that fast?! Mine ran 13.3 in stock form at 106 mph. You are smoking crack if you don't think that is fast for a truck!!

super302 · Dec 6, 2005

lxfiveo said:
Not that fast?! Mine ran 13.3 in stock form at 106 mph. You are smoking crack if you don't think that is fast for a truck!!

i was under the impression they were 14.0 trucks
What year was yours...if that matters

Swarzkopf · Dec 6, 2005

Lightnings:

1. Fine in the snow with the right tires. No, you aren't going anywhere with low-pro summer rubber.

2. Fast as **** for a truck.

3. Useful for hauling stuff in the bed; for as fast as it is it still gives truck utility and practicality.

4. Can tow QUITE a bit, I believe about as much as a standard V8 F-150 and more than enough for your average car or boat.

5. Are easily upgraded to go real ****ing fast, as is anything with factory forced induction.

6. Are very unique vehicles.

lxfiveo · Dec 6, 2005

super302 said:
i was under the impression they were 14.0 trucks
What year was yours...if that matters

Mine was an '03. I've seen L's run 14 flat, but there is definitely something wrong with the driver or the tune when that happens. Like I said before, $800 in bolt-on parts and the truck was ripping off 12.9's. On a street night at the track, that put it in pretty elite company, especially when you factor in it was 5500#'s!!

As far as the towing, it's only rated for a 5000# tow capacity, which is why I sold it and took the Tahoe off my wife. Hated to do it, but my car trailer was 8000# with my car in it. I am so jonesing to scour Ebay weekly looking for a super low mileage '04 L to just put away. Ford should have never discontinued that truck...truly an awesome ride!

Blackened302 · Dec 6, 2005

lxfiveo said:
Ford should have never discontinued that truck...truly an awesome ride!

speaking of which, have you guys seen the concept lightning? that's by far the coolest street truck i've ever seen! being a former 02 Ram owner, i think it put the srt-10 to shame...then again, so did the 2nd gen lightning!

yellow1995Cobra · Dec 6, 2005

super302 said:
i was under the impression they were 14.0 trucks
What year was yours...if that matters

An average driver with stock street tires can get into the 13's pretty easily.. My friend ran a 13.7 on the stock tires and the 60 ft's were pretty bad.

They are fast for what they are, no doubt.

But, i would NEVER want a DD that id be tempted to mod, cause id end up with two money pits

blksn955.o · Dec 6, 2005

I like the replacement lightning the adrinaline(sp?) awd sport-trac with an 03-04 cobra engine. The all weather, 4 pass, truck. Wish Ford would make both the lightning and sport trac thing....I want a Gen1 though...some day I will.

Thinking of getting a Lightning.

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