Buying a Lightning
Buying a Lightning
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31
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From: Westerville, OH
Buying a Lightning
I'm starting to get serious about buying a Lightning and would like some advice.
I've done the basic research and know the dealer invoice price and where I can buy a Lightning. I've started the basic discussions with a salesman at one of the dealerships, but I don't know how far I can push them.
Is is reasonable to expect the dealership to sell a Lightning at or below invoice price? I know these are desirable vehicles, but I know times are not great for the dealers right now. One of the dealers has 4 Lightnings, the other has 7. That seems like a pretty large inventory for a vehicle like this.
Any experience or opinions would be appreciated.
I've done the basic research and know the dealer invoice price and where I can buy a Lightning. I've started the basic discussions with a salesman at one of the dealerships, but I don't know how far I can push them.
Is is reasonable to expect the dealership to sell a Lightning at or below invoice price? I know these are desirable vehicles, but I know times are not great for the dealers right now. One of the dealers has 4 Lightnings, the other has 7. That seems like a pretty large inventory for a vehicle like this.
Any experience or opinions would be appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Buying a Lightning
I'm about to start looking for one myself (or possibly a Power Stroke diesel). My thinking has always been to push them as far as you can, they'll say no when its too far and then you cut your deal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,321
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From: Western Colorado USA
Buying a Lightning
Originally posted by webmaster
I'm about to start looking for one myself (or possibly a Power Stroke diesel). My thinking has always been to push them as far as you can, they'll say no when its too far and then you cut your deal.
I'm about to start looking for one myself (or possibly a Power Stroke diesel). My thinking has always been to push them as far as you can, they'll say no when its too far and then you cut your deal.
Get the Stroke, I know this guy that sells chips for them
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New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6
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Buying a Lightning
I bought a used 2002 lightning myself for 30,000 out the door. My parents bought a new 2002 lightning in the San Francisco Bay area for 30,000 plus tax and license. My dad went to six dealers and walked out of all of them. Every time they would call he would say "no, 30k +tax and license..." A week and 1/2 later, they called him and said "if we give it to you for 30 + tax and license you will come get it tongiht?" he got what he wanted...
the lesson here, dont be too anxious! Dont be afraid to walk out! The sticker for my used lightning with 7000 miles on it was 32,454. I talked them all the way down to 30000 out the door!
Good Luck, its an awesome truck!!!!
the lesson here, dont be too anxious! Dont be afraid to walk out! The sticker for my used lightning with 7000 miles on it was 32,454. I talked them all the way down to 30000 out the door!
Good Luck, its an awesome truck!!!!
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31
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From: Westerville, OH
Buying a Lightning
I did it!!!
Drove home in an '03 Red Lightning last night. I can't wait to get through the break in period so that I can really have some fun.
The dealer was great to work with. I got the speech that they usually sell the SVT's for a premium over MSRP, and I'm sure they have, but not to me! All in all the negotiations went quickly and smoothly. They only gave me a little hard sell on it. They made me drive it home to talk my wife into letting me buy it, so I got a pretty good test drive.
Now the fun begins!
Drove home in an '03 Red Lightning last night. I can't wait to get through the break in period so that I can really have some fun.
The dealer was great to work with. I got the speech that they usually sell the SVT's for a premium over MSRP, and I'm sure they have, but not to me! All in all the negotiations went quickly and smoothly. They only gave me a little hard sell on it. They made me drive it home to talk my wife into letting me buy it, so I got a pretty good test drive.
Now the fun begins!
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Buying a Lightning
congartulations!!! Man, I love my truck so much, every time i start it a huge smile comes over my face that I named the "rumble grin." You'll get a lot of compliments, and lots of looks, its the best thing ever!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31
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From: Westerville, OH
Buying a Lightning
It's been a blast so far. Still trying to keep my foot out of it until it's broken in, but that's not easy.
My mods will come, but it will be a little while. I am going to keep it pretty much stock so I don't have any warranty problems. From what I have seen, it is quite easy to start going mod crazy!
My mods will come, but it will be a little while. I am going to keep it pretty much stock so I don't have any warranty problems. From what I have seen, it is quite easy to start going mod crazy!
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31
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From: Westerville, OH
Buying a Lightning
I got it from Germain on Sawmill Rd.
Every one of the Lightnings they have has hail damage. They are fixing mine, even at the price I got it. In my case, they have to replace the hood. The dent man said that he didn't think he could get the dents out to his or my satisfaction. The bad part of that is that the hoods are on national backorder and I have been driving around with a hood that looks like a flattened golf ball!! I am scheduled to drop if off on July 21st for the repairs.
Every one of the Lightnings they have has hail damage. They are fixing mine, even at the price I got it. In my case, they have to replace the hood. The dent man said that he didn't think he could get the dents out to his or my satisfaction. The bad part of that is that the hoods are on national backorder and I have been driving around with a hood that looks like a flattened golf ball!! I am scheduled to drop if off on July 21st for the repairs.
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Pickerington,Ohio
Buying a Lightning
I got mine as well from Germaine. I picked mine up on the 1st of June.They got a white one in a day before and it had no hail damage ,so I bought it. I looked at the red one you bought and I test drove the Sonic blue that they had w/ hail damage.If it had no damage I more than likely would have bought the sonic Blue...
That hail storm really F-ed up the Lightnings. Some of the hail damage really stood out on the darker colors.
That hail storm really F-ed up the Lightnings. Some of the hail damage really stood out on the darker colors.
