Tom, as I see it, you have the perfect balance of automobiles. You have an EV for commuting and an Expy as a work horse. This is perfect and I'd do it if I felt that the EV would bring me the bang for the buck that I could get with a 40 MPG ice vehicle for literally half the price.

Years ago, CR did a comparo between a Prius and a VW Golf diesel. At the time the Vdub could be for around $17K and the Prius was in the low to mid 20's. CR kept going back to the amount of fuel that could be bought with the price difference. I'm not sure what CR's stance is now when comparing ICE to EV but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to see the price difference.

I want an EV, too expensive and not enough range.

I want a new Bronco, not a good value until Ford stops gouging us.

I want an F-150 Platinum, again, the value isn't there.

My new Explorer is a Limited model with all the goodies that ultimately priced the car over $20K more than the base model Explorer. It's not even close to being a good value even though I love the goodies but what made it palatable was the price that I was able to negotiate which was nearly $12K under MSRP. Yes, yes, I done good and that made the price OK.

So, do you all understand what I'm trying to say? If it's a good value for you then that's great, it's not for me yet. I hope it changes because I'm a bit smitten with the idea of not having to refuel at the pump, do oil changes, etc.

Bring it down, expand the range and I'm in.

 

I had really high hopes for the Subaru and Toyota EV love child... Those hopes were quickly dashed though when the official numbers were released and then a silly "wheel falling off" recall was announced. We are loyal Subaru fans based on the experiences we have had with and in our 2008 Tribeca Limited. That SUV has taken us across the country (GA to ID) and back dozens of times and has gone on some very rugged Jeep trails in UT, ID and MT. It is a work horse that has needed nothing more than regular maintenance for 100,000 miles we have owned it.

We will likely always have a Subaru in our inventory as ours has gotten us through some very, very precarious situations. That said, we are product loyal, not brand loyal and I would have no issues jumping ship to a better product when the time comes.

Most of us do understand Tim. We also understand the respect that you deserve and your right to have your own opinions regardless of what the sub-forum is called.

For the last sentence above, all I have to say is... HEAR!!! HEAR!!!

 

That was exactly my read of your post, Tim. Nobody gets financial security by overpaying for the capability that they buy. The Lightning may have done that prior to the price increase for me. For 2023, probably not as much.

 

Subaru builds a fantastic product! Toyota does as well, and I believe the Solterra/bZ4x will last forever. They would have been competitive four or five years ago, but we’re well past that. The competition is stiff though, and as Volkswagen is learning with their ID.4, you have to adapt quickly to stay relevant. I’m optimistic that they will make it better in short order; they have too much money into the platform to throw it out.

 

Please contact Ford about the feedback on purchase thoughts. Every single person who gives feedback helps, call the hotline and get to the Lightning people. I share your love for the 6.5 foot bed. I would still get it, its the ultimate multi use vehicle. You could also beat the snot out of it as long as you put LT tires on it.

 

I hate commenting on this stuff, spent a career with DC/alternating DC electric powered equipment, but....
The Electric Vehicle Manufactures are burning thru Billions of $$$$$$$$$$/ SO?
I have loved Tec all my life and most likely 30 years away ! My Grandchildren
kids may see it just like I got a Puter now to check stuff out ! The American public has SUV minds !
and unlimited 75 plus MPH speeds down them boulevards ! Yep all them boulevards need more lanes for the 75 mph traffic to travel down. Its no joke ! All of this is just a Joke these next few years in our history, well, thats what are & what is real !

 

Papa Tiger, is Robert Sansone in the article linked below in your bloodline by chance? I'm sure he isn't, but I saw the story article last night and thought it was a coincidence.

Link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innov...try-180980550/

More inventors and revolutionaries like this are needed to make a REAL change. Toyota is doing good things with solid state batteries, but I feel they are still a couple years away from mass production/use.