I get your point, but you might as well ask why someone would spend more money on a Cadillac than a Kia (and I'm not necessarily talking about a quality difference, just that they both will get you where you want to go.) Different people have different requirements and expectations from a vehicle and for some a Ford Lightning is as much truck as they want or need. Besides, have you ever driven a modern EV? In general, they are quicker, quieter, really fun to drive with their instant torque and much cheaper to "fuel" and maintain than an ICE vehicle. All I'm saying is that there's more to the buying decision than walking onto the lot and basing your choice on the sticker price.

 

What gets me is that the banks are LOANING the money for these mark ups! The same thing happened that caused 2008, banks making loans on houses way above their actual value to people putting no money down with payments on the verge of their paychecks. When fuel costs got out of hand, they had to decide on fuel to get to work and food, or pay the mortgage. Now with cars and trucks that will soon be very upside down, or under water as they say, more and more will get repossessed, which is already starting to happen. Those who don't have GAP and wind up getting totalled will wind up paying for something they no longer have for years. I bought mine knowing that it could quickly drop 10K or more within a month due to the market, but also went in knowing I plan to hang onto it well past it's payoff date, but still protected myself in the event of a total that it is fully covered.

Thinking today that what you have will still hold it's overly high value in a few months, well, don't be shocked when you find out it is not anywhere near what you thought it would be. Trade values have come way down. A friend of mine went to get a trade value on his car, which all the books and sites say is ~ $14K and was offered $8K from two separate dealers even though the car is in good condition, better in fact from what I have seen on lots. I noticed more and more of the high priced trucks are sitting on lots now, not moving for at least 4-5 months from when I first started looking, and they are dropping prices by thousands.

 

Even when driving empty, their range is far below their comparable ICE counter parts to regardless of price.

a 2.7l EB f150 gets 21 mpg combined, in CC form with the standard 26gal tank with has a range of over 550 miles combined and over 600 on the highway.

 

Saw my first Lightning in the wild today; told the driver it was nice to see one out and about that wasn't some dealership's mannequin, he gave a chuckle that lead me to believe quite some time passed between his order and delivery. 😂

All jokes aside, it's the best looking EV truck on the market, because it looks like a truck.

 

No argument here.

An EV with a 300 mile range will satisfy 99% of average persons needs. Unless on a road trip the need for more than 300 miles driving in one day is rare. Just charge at home overnight and you start every day with 300 miles.

My Leaf only has a 225 mile range. That’s 4 hours plus if driving.

Full disclosure, I also have a Tesla model Y on order. Tesla’s super charging infrastructure makes cross country and road trips stress free. The Tesla is due next month. We will be a 2 EV and one truck family.

if I could buy a reliable 300 mile range pickup truck with the same charging infrastructure that Tesla has I would jump on it. Ford will be there in the not to distant future.

I’ll be 76 years old in January. I’m running out of time. 🥹

 

I thought Farley was cracking down on dealers marking up the Lightning.

 

I probably should have been more specific about practicality. In my particular case, hauling a 7x18 enclosed trailer with 4 motorcycles, tools, luggage for 4-6 people, etc. on a 1300 mile each way vacation every year would currently preclude EV. That storage technology is not here yet.
This is one of those topics where currently technology fits some uses, like the ones you specify. But would not necessarily work for me. I guess what irks me is the political aspect. Some states have chosen to ban the sale of petroleum powered vehicles as soon as 2035. Do they have a crystal ball that predicts this being feasible for the masses by then? Hence my statement of it being forced down our throats.
Like you, I have a daily driver that's a little easier on the finances than fueling an F 350 7.3. Not as easy as an EV would be, but we do what we can afford. I know very little about everyday EV operation. Is battery life shortened in cold weather when heat & defrost are needed? I'm in the Northeast and that would be a big factor for most.

 

The 2035 gas vehicle sales restrictions would not affect you or me buying a new Super Duty truck. It only applies to Cars, SUVs and SMALL pickup trucks.

Clod weather does affect EV range. To minimize the reduction manufacture’s use efficient heat pumps. Think of how cold it is in Norway. Norway is a top oil producer yet all cars sold there TODAY are electric.

My perfect car would be a plug in hybrid where EV range would be about 100 miles and then switched to gas engine when battery ran down. Here in Florida they don’t sell them yet up in your neck of the wood they are available (with less EV range though) I’d love a Toyota RAV
4 Prime. Everyone who I know who owned a Chevy Volt (not Bolt ) LOVED that car.

Eventually Fossil fueled vehicles will go the way of carbon paper and typewriters. That’s progress.

 

Not every EV is as I hear certain cable news stations refer to as a “Rich man’s $100k Tesla”. Last week I bought a 2023 Nissan Leaf SV+ at MSRP, $38k. After tax credit it cost $30,500, well below todays average new car cost of $48,000.

 

The average car now costs considerably more than my yearly disability income from the VA; it's not metaphorical nausea I'm feeling, my stomach just dropped.

 

First, Thank you for your service.

The flip side is our VA disability checks will go up almost 10% next year. And as DAV members we get to buy new ford vehicles with X-Plan

Average New car cost close to $50,000 per Money magazine. https://money.com/new-car-prices-average-50000/

 

Thank you for yours as well; I miss it, more than I ever thought I would at this point.

What's that about DAV members qualifying for X Plan? I do not have a firm understanding of these special pricing things.

 

If you’re a DAV member, go to https://www.fordpartner.com/partnerweb/login.do

enter DAVET as partner code

Click Shop Ford

you can generate a X-Plan PIN, Search inventory and custom build and Xplan price will show.

For example I ordered a King Ranch F-450 in March. At that time the MSRP was $89,630 and X-Plan price was $84,985 with fixed price protection. That truck is being built this week and the new MSRP is $93,360 and I’m paying $84,985 for it. Over. $8,000 off current sticker.

 

I'd let my membership to DAV and VFW expire, I've only maintained an active Legion membership; I'll be changing that at some point, this really seems a great benefit.

 

Curious as to what dealership this transitioned to? My dealer that I had been using for over 20 years is now part of Corwin and I have not been impressed at all. At least I have no reason to buy anything for a while.