You wont be dissapointed!! The Truck was everything i was hopeing it would be. If you like trucks/HP/Ford? Jackpot! Not to mention, ive never road in a truck (stock) that would even come close to the way it rides. Its great in the turns,and fun and fast in the straights. Try not to think of yourself sitting in one.... Befor ya know it.... you'll be owning one! Enjoy JR 99 White Lightning
ABNPAO I traded a trick 97 cobra conv. for my Lightning. About the only thin I really miss is the sound of that quad cam , one of the sweetest sounding engines ever made - you know what I mean and so does almost every autowriter who describes it. However, the cobra had many shortcommings like suspension, steering mushy brakes, paper thin sheetmetal,floppy seats, wrong rear gear, rubbery shifter, etc (all of which can be fixed for $$) that I had a love hate realtionship with it constantly upgrading it. The ligntning needs very little cosmeticly or performance wise to make it perfect in its intended mission. Ive never gotten attached to a vehicle as quickly as this one. Plus trucks never go out of style. They just get better with age. I vote do it
barlitz, teamford, brudner...thanks a bunch! All three of you confirmed what I already know in my heart. Going to take the Cobra in for an appraisal on Monday...I'd rather sell it straight up but don't think It'll sell fast enough for me to get the lightning.
rocies don't get e wrong. The cobra is a great car. Definatly a better all round than a camaro. Im pretty demanding though and I expected the cobra to behave like an M3. I redid the suspension etc. Ford started to take the cobra in that direction with the quad cam. Too many people try to make it a drag racer . Sorry to ramble. anyway...I love my lightning. Its on target. I think of it as a gift from ford.(except when I write the payment checks)
I traded my '97 black Cobra which I supercharged, added suspension, exhaust, rear gear, shifter, etc, etc,etc. It was my baby (so said my wife) but I have no regrets as my RED Lightning fulfills all the things I expected from my Cobra. My problem was I only drove my Cobra once a month and had only put 1900 miles on it in two years. I will definitely get more use out of my FAST RED Lightning.
IM CRAZY over the new Lightnings. Was going to buy a new Super Duty, but now don't which to buy. The choice would be easy if the Lightning would come in BLUE. That is Ford's color and the color of lightning.
Good news Lightning fans. Ford has announced that they will build a 2000 model Lightning due out sometime in December `99 or early Jan `00. The truck will basically remain the same, but they have added Silver as an additional color. I work for a Ford dealership in Dallas Texas and we have three remaining `99's to be delivered within the next month. The production total for `00 is slated to be 4750 units, so dont expect anything less than sticker. If you have any questions about this vehicle, or any other Ford vehicle you can e-mail me @ perrys7@earthlink.net
Another thing, don't expect the prices on the remaining `99 Lightnings to drop since a `00 model will be built. Only 4000 Lightnings were built in `99 and 4750 will be built in `00.
Do you think the 99 lightning will be a collecters item because of the last year of the century and 4000 of them made? And do you think they are worth more than sticker if I ever wanted to sell mine
The lightning is an insane vehicle .I went to get an extend cab150 off road and I left with a lightning, go figure, I have not regretted it at all.It is the nicest vehicle I have ever driven.
I was curious for the people who have bought a lightening about the availability of the truck? did the dealer try to charge you over list? what kind of deal did you get?
I paid MSRP for mine. (That wasnt a proud moment) Other dealers in the area wanted $1500.00 over MSRP! This truck is all i expected and more. Time will tell on its investment value? I would recomend it, if your looking for a kickass pickup! Enjoy JR 99 White Lightning
I placed an order for a lightning with a dealer I have dealt with for twenty years and they want 5K over sticker. I found two other dealers within a 100 radius of were I live and they had one left unclaimed. They were asking sticker. I bought one of them and I've had it for three weeks. I traded two vehicles in on it for an even trade. I feel like I got it for at least 2K below sticker because of the trade in value for my two vehicles. I still have the deposit on the one for 5K over invoice (due in 8/16) if anyone is interested. I'm going to call them on 8/5 to tell them I don't want it.
By the way my is red, and I've put Roush chrome 18" wheels on it and a soft tonneau cover. I still smile every time I drive it.
what does everyone think of having a stripe right down the center of the truck, my lightning is black so it would either be white or silver to match the rims
I just ordered a 2000 White Lightning, and was told to expect it sometime mid October. I really will be shocked to see it in by then, but I am hoping to see it ASAP. I was told that they would not come off sticker, but since I ordered it, I would not pay the "PREMIUM" that the dealer normally wants or gets. The changes from the 1999 versus the 2000 are an overhead console, and a re-designed cup holder(WHHOOO HOO!!)
P.S. They are also adding Silver to the color options.
I also noticed that a lot of you have purchased the Lo Jack for your Lightnings, I understand the reasons, but I have no experience with the Lo Jack system. I understand what it does, but how much should I pay for one, and what kind of things do I need to watch for when purchasing a Lo Jack system?
I paid $600 for my lojack the dealer I bought from installed it,it is the system 4 it has the retrieve and alarm,I'm glad I have it because insurance saves 35%, but it's also a pain because it arms itself after 2 minutes and I have to use 2 remotes ,the ford keyless entry and the lojack disarm. Ford say's they can't combine into 1 remote.
What is the overhead console gonna have in it,and have you heard anything about the lightning V10 all wheel drive supercharged.
I was wondering about that, I have been told a little about the different systems, but not really about any kind of auto arming, or what has to be done to arm/disarm the system.
The overhead console is supposed to have a compass and outside temp display. I have also been told it will resemble the ones they put in the explorer. I guess it will have a little door for a garage door opener, and maybe a sunglass holder. I am also curious about insurance. When I had my '95 Lightning, the insurance was no more than a normal truck, but add a super charger and who knows!!!
the insurance is no more than a regular truck other than replacement value part is a liitle higher.it cost me about $900. where my 96 mazda was about $700. thats full coverage with a 300.000. personal injury because of my house.
the lojack is good it arms itself after about 2 minutes but there is a switch inside to disarm you can press for cleaning and stuff like that.I haven't read the full instructions on how to use it but there is a valet feature with it.Lojack has 5 different kinds with #1 being the cheapest and 5 being the most expensive. #1 does just fine because you do have the ford theft with the chip in the key.#1 is just the retrieve where they guarentee to find your car within 24 hours or they pay your deductible.I got #4 because the dealer I went to installs it in all the svt vehicles.
Good Luck and let me know how you make out.
PS: I lucked out yesterday, I took a corner going sideways smoke every where from the tires and there was a cop standing there with his hands on his hips just shaking his head he didn't even stop me,a couple more of those and I'm sure my insurance will go up.
I'm currently looking for a 99 Lightning in Canada, but my dealer isn't having any luck locating any (all sold out). Do you now what month the 2000 Lightnings are due out?
My 2000 is supposed to come in sometime early to mid October. I ordered it at the end of July. There are supposedly a couple of 1999's left somewhere here in Dallas, but I don't know where. I have also heard that a couple of 1999's have popped up in the Dupont registry.
You better watch those cops in corners manuevers. I bet he was just shocked with seeing a truck take that corner so well or not so well depending on whether it was a controlled sideways slide or out of control slide (sometimes it is hard to tell!!) Thanks for the info on the lojacks. I think I just want the #1 or #2 lojack system. I don't need all that extra stuff.
The `00 Lightnings are suppose to hit the ground in late November, early December. As for the previous question about the increased value of the vehicle, that depends. If you buy it to store as a collectors item and only drive it as necessary to keep everything working, I would expect it to become a collectors item, but if it is a daily driver, then it will depreciate as any vehicle would. If you do plan to purchase with the future hopes of reselling for more, have your dealer to keep all the original factory window stickers on the vehicle as well as the plastic on the seats, etc..keep it as close to how it rolled off the assembly line as possible. As far as future worth, who knows, who would have ever thought that a Shelby Cobra would be worth what it is today.
How does this truck and 360 hp compare to a similar chevy truck, I believe the Ford has the better Ride, but what about the engine? does it have that snap the chevy engine has, and longevity, i notice they only have a 36,000 warranty, as opposed to 100,000 on the chevy. any comments? I am getting ready to buy one or the other? anyone out there with experience with both chevy and ford, let me know... e mail: PBrand1017@aol.com
The lightning is the 13th fastest production vehicle made and that icludes american and foreign.I don't think you can compare the lightning to any chevy made right now,I didn't know chevy offered a 100,000 warranty.I think you are looking at the tune up, the engine doesn't need to be tuned for a 100,000 miles. Why don't you test drive them both and then make your decision.
lets see i bought my 97 f150 at the same time my co-worker bought a full size chevy pickup. i just turned 30000 miles on it and it still rides and runs like new. on the other hand the chevy at 28000 six months ago blew the tranny. even though he was covered under warranty i still question the reliability of chevy trucks. anyway back to the lightning. when my 2000 arrives no chevy trucks will even see my taillights because i will hunting down and kicking some chevy corvette butt. im glad that i live 2 miles down the road from level 10 transmissions he will help me beef up the performance even more on the lghtning. can't wait
the lightning already is turning 13.6 quarters with 5.4 0-60 times in stock trim recently tested by popular mechanics mag. the only tests i have seen on the silverado 6.0 yield only 14.00 sec quarter mile.the new vette is running 13.3 quarters in both road and track and motor trend mags. with some minor tweaks to the lightning .03 tenths will be easily attainable. lets see the curb weight on the hardtop vette is 3218 lbs. the lightning comes in at a stout 4696. if my math is correct that is a difference of 1478 pounds. by far the lightning is the more powerful of the two vehicles. now if only i could shed a few pounds off of her! oh well
Has anybody had any luck with the k&n filters can't seem to find any,I'm not sure if they even make one yet.I'm looking into a nitrous kit for my truck they do have one for supercharged engines its supposed to give you 35-40% more hp and torque. Yikes that would be close to 500hp that could be trouble, so much for my perfect driving record.
just ordered a 2000 Lightning and production won't start til, December '99. This means that the first ones won't hit the dealerships until mid to late January of 2000. Most dealers are allocated 7 or less and they get the allocation 1 or 2 units a month.
just ordered a 2000 Lightning and production won't start til, December '99. This means that the first ones won't hit the dealerships until mid to late January of 2000. Most SVT dealers are allocated 7 or less and they get the allocation 1 or 2 units a month.
I was wondering what those roush rims cost,I scraped one of mine, its not even that noticable, only to me but they want $450. for a new one and I like my truck to be perfect.
The rim/tire combination (Roush) are expense. You can order them from Roush for $4000. I don't know what the price for just the rims would be. I got my as part of the deal when I purchased my Lightning. The Lightning rim can be purchased from several companies who advertise in SuperFord mag from around $200.
my 97 Fi50 is my 16th new truck, it now has 123,233 miles and is the best vehicle I have ever had. My Lightning will be in next week and I expect it to takeover that honor. We baby boomers that did our teething on 66-67 Chevelle SSs are ready for some factory umph. It has been too long since the buyer could have a choice in factory performance options. I do have a comment for Ford: Why are you trying to copy the [non-permissible content removed]? I was going to get a 99 150 when they came out but was told the burgundy interior was not available so I opted to wait. If not for Lightning, I guess I would have waited for the first mfg to offer one. When a person pays todays price for a vehicle,darn, he should be able to get whatever he wants, colors especially. I drove a Lightning back in May and ordered one a week later. Although the interior is not my choice in color, it is exceptional in style. When I finish my 1956 Nomad project car I will post pictures of it being towed by my Lightning, aint that a kick?
Where can I get a copy of the superford magazine,also my lightning seems to be getting quicker, now when I give it some gas the engine roars and it shifts gears around 4500rpm's with the supercharger screaming.I't seems to be breaking in nicely.so far no complaints.
Model year 2000 production date for the Lightning. I ordered a 2000 model Lightning and was told by the dealer that production for the 2000 Lightning would not start until 6 Dec 99. Does anyone have any information to prove or disprove this statement. I understand that my order will be processed in sequence of receipt and I will receive said vehicle in that priority. However, is Ford waiting until 6 Dec 99 to begin production of the 2000 model year Lightning?
Thanks for all your help,I have yet to really stomp on it from dead stop but would really like to try someday.I'm in the process of trying to get a rim from ford and have them pay for it.I think its partially their fault my passanger seat would not go back and when I tried backing into a spot I couldn't see out my side mirror and scraped the rim,they had to special order a part for the seat and fixed it.I emailed SVT from ford online and they are working on it for me.SVT is great but the ford dealer I bought from could use some help will let you know how I make out.
I just finished reading a couple of articles on the lightning in the daily news section of www.trucktrend.com.The engines are built by svt and roush they are making 24,000 which means a 6 year run at 4000 per year,there is a lot of good info on the lightning they rate it a very highly,ford and harley are coming out with a truck next spring looks like a lightning ,extend a cab, 5.4, svt exhaust, 20" rims ,all black with lots of chrome and it supposed to have the harley like rumble in the exhaust.I don't think its supercharged, sounds pretty cool though, there is a write up on it at trucktrend in the daily news section.
Has anyone had a sunroof installed yet? The dealer here in Manhattan Beach CA., does it right, but how does it look on the Lightning? Your opinion on whether or not it will junk-up the truck, etc...
I had to pay sticker (but I received a very good trade in value for my trade in). I had an order in for one at a SVT Ford dealership I have purchased cars/trucks from for 20 years and they wanted $5000 over sticker.
I have a 99 lightning,black with sportmaster hinge mount vynal tonneau,bedliner and lojack, cd player, 2300 miles and california car cover,I may be putting it up for sale new job with lots of travel may force me to sell.if you or any one else is interested let me know on this site.
Comments
JR
99 White Lightning
I traded a trick 97 cobra conv. for my Lightning. About the only thin I really miss is the sound of that quad cam , one of the sweetest sounding engines ever made - you know what I mean and so does almost every autowriter who describes it. However, the cobra had many shortcommings like suspension, steering mushy brakes, paper thin sheetmetal,floppy seats, wrong rear gear, rubbery shifter, etc (all of which can be fixed for $$) that I had a love hate realtionship with it constantly upgrading it. The ligntning needs very little cosmeticly or performance wise to make it perfect in its intended mission. Ive never gotten attached to a vehicle as quickly as this one. Plus trucks never go out of style. They just get better with age. I vote do it
Sounds as though you had a Camaro instead.
don't get e wrong. The cobra is a great car. Definatly a better all round than a camaro. Im pretty demanding though and I expected the cobra to behave like an M3. I redid the suspension etc. Ford started to take the cobra in that direction with the quad cam. Too many people try to make it a drag racer . Sorry to ramble. anyway...I love my lightning. Its on target. I think of it as a gift from ford.(except when I write the payment checks)
I traded my '97 black Cobra which I supercharged, added suspension, exhaust, rear gear, shifter, etc, etc,etc. It was my baby (so said my wife) but I have no regrets as my RED Lightning fulfills all the things I expected from my Cobra. My problem was I only drove my Cobra once a month and had only put 1900 miles on it in two years. I will definitely get more use out of my FAST RED Lightning.
what a blast!!! turns more heads than
a gts viper with pam anderson at the helm !!
does anybody out there know why ford svt does not
advise using synth. oil in the svt?
chow..
thanks
sam
Enjoy
JR
99 White Lightning
By the way my is red, and I've put Roush chrome 18" wheels on it and a soft tonneau cover. I still smile every time I drive it.
I also noticed that a lot of you have purchased the Lo Jack for your Lightnings, I understand the reasons, but I have no experience with the Lo Jack system. I understand what it does, but how much should I pay for one, and what kind of things do I need to watch for when purchasing a Lo Jack system?
What is the overhead console gonna have in it,and have you heard anything about the lightning V10 all wheel drive supercharged.
How much insurance are we talking about for this baby in your case ?
I was wondering about that, I have been told a little about the different systems, but not really about any kind of auto arming, or what has to be done to arm/disarm the system.
The overhead console is supposed to have a compass and outside temp display. I have also been told it will resemble the ones they put in the explorer. I guess it will have a little door for a garage door opener, and maybe a sunglass holder. I am also curious about insurance. When I had my '95 Lightning, the insurance was no more than a normal truck, but add a super charger and who knows!!!
the lojack is good it arms itself after about 2 minutes but there is a switch inside to disarm you can press for cleaning and stuff like that.I haven't read the full instructions on how to use it but there is a valet feature with it.Lojack has 5 different kinds with #1 being the cheapest and 5 being the most expensive. #1 does just fine because you do have the ford theft with the chip in the key.#1 is just the retrieve where they guarentee to find your car within 24 hours or they pay your deductible.I got #4 because the dealer I went to installs it in all the svt vehicles.
Good Luck and let me know how you make out.
PS: I lucked out yesterday, I took a corner going sideways smoke every where from the tires and there was a cop standing there with his hands on his hips just shaking his head he didn't even stop me,a couple more of those and I'm sure my insurance will go up.
I'm currently looking for a 99 Lightning in Canada, but my dealer isn't having any luck locating any (all sold out). Do you now what month the 2000 Lightnings are due out?
Thanks,
Paul.
You better watch those cops in corners manuevers. I bet he was just shocked with seeing a truck take that corner so well or not so well depending on whether it was a controlled sideways slide or out of control slide (sometimes it is hard to tell!!) Thanks for the info on the lojacks. I think I just want the #1 or #2 lojack system. I don't need all that extra stuff.
wait til the 6.0 SS Silverado comes
the lightning will be bowing down to chevy
I ordered a 2000 model Lightning and was told by the dealer that production for the 2000 Lightning would not start until 6 Dec 99. Does anyone have any information to prove or disprove this statement. I understand that my order will be processed in sequence of receipt and I will receive said vehicle in that priority. However, is Ford waiting until 6 Dec 99 to begin production of the 2000 model year Lightning?
Thanks Again
John