Looking for input. Here’s my situation and my thoughts.

First let me say I frequent the Super Duty forum and there’s lots of anti-ev sentiments over there.

Wife and I are 76 years old. We have owned EVs since 2015 with several Nissan Leafs and currently we have 2 Tesla Model Y’s. Also own a 2022 F-450 King Ranch that’s used primarily to tow our 36’ 5th wheel RV.

We have 2 Florida properties. A home north of Sarasota and a Cabin in remote area of Florida about 125 miles from main house. We spend time at both homes and go back and forth almost weekly. Having a truck is almost a necessity at the rural cabin.

I’m thinking that in about a year we will give up the RV life and the F-450 diesel.

At that time I’m thinking sell the RV, sell the F-450 and trade or sell one of our Teslas for a Platinum Lightening with extended battery. After experiencing the reliability of Tesla NACS charging infrastructure and Ford going to it that excites me. I’ve owned multiple F-150s and the utility and comfort of the truck would seem to be a good fit, I would only consider this since Ford announced going to NACS charging. I predict 95% of Charging would be at home but having ability to take advantaged of Tesla charging network eliminates any trip anxiety especially if we don’t have an ICE car as a backup.

So my questions
1- Are dealers discounting Lightenings?
2- What is the real range of an extended battery lightening?
3- Would a F-150 Powerboost be a better fit?
4- Am I crazy to consider this?

Thanks in advance for your informed replies.

 

I'v read your other posts in the SD forum.

Can't say as I blame you for planning ahead. Based upon the back and forth route of 125 miles, this is perfect for a Lightening.

The powerboost may have an advantage of powering the cabin if you loose electricity on occasion.

 

I think the thought process that brought you to these ideas is quite sound and well reasoned. Adding in no one here knows your needs better than you, going to the EV won't be popular on a dino-fueled automotive forum so dismiss most (99%) of the negativity you'll find here. Admitting in some instances an EV would make perfect sense is akin to treason so just weather that tide, ignore the nay-sayers etc etc. And as its often said about planing early "there's no time like the present......"

New or emerging technology usually finds considerable resistance and predictions of failure----at our age we've seen numerous other new ideas facing the same criticism only to find them become an irreplaceable and ubiquitous part of our daily lives. Cell phones? Home computers? No way in hell they'll ever catch on, right?

Pricing wise you'd be well advised to price-shop locally getting a feel for what's available and terms. Selling your F-450 privately would probably net you a good nest egg towards a replacement EV. Your experience with EV's already in place there's no real learning curve regarding their operation and maintenance needs which is another huge advantage IMHO.

The Ford LIghtning from what I know would seem to be a good choice especially when the Tesla NACS charging system is fully integrated into the offering. The anticipated mileage range it will provide seems very much in your range so at this point I don't see a downside to your potential choice.

As your decision becomes more action I hope you'll share your eventual choices with this sub-forum---would be interesting I'm sure!

 

I actually found this website, because in a couple of years I would like to buy a 71-77 F-250 Highboy and found myself here researching them. Then I decided to look at the Lightning section and saw your post.

I sold my Model Y and bought an Extended range Lariat last year. I live in Lake Tahoe and commute to the SF Bay Area twice a month and that’s what I used my Y for, but not so much during the winter because of the massive amounts of snow I would drive my Bronco. When the Lightning came out it was a quick decision to sell the Y and buy the Lightning. Now I have a commuter truck that also helps me with my projects on my house, helps gather wood for my winters, and powers my house during outages. It’s a blast to drive and extremely comfortable. My eighty two year old father bought one too!

I currently don’t see any local dealers giving rebates, but I’m guessing there will be some soon as they keep piling up on the lots due to people not buying them like Ford thought.

Im getting local miles driving around the mountains at 25-55 about 330 miles and on the highway going around 65-70 about 270 miles. The winter will take about 1/3 of the mileage away.

If you think you will drive further on longer trips than your cabins, the power boost might be a better fit. Staying within your cabins, you’re fine.

No, I don’t think you’re crazy. Maybe I am for trying this at 6200’ elevation and then throwing a slide in camper in it. But I’m happy with my 220 mile range when I do that. It’s the fastest Four Wheel Camper out there.

 

BroncoBadlands.

Thanks! There is nothing better than getting an answer from someone with first hand experience going from a Model Y ro the Lightning.

Range is not an issue except when road tripping. With the storage and interior space the Lightning would likely be a nicer vehicle on a road trip with 2 adults and 2 dogs. The range you stated is same or better than our Tesla MY-LR cars The CSS infrastructure sux and it would be hard to step down to CSS after experiencing the reliability and availability of the Tesla NACS.

If the Lightning had the Tesla NACS charging I would be jumping one today. But with the announcement that model year 2023 will have NACS as a factory standard I may wait unless I can find a great deal on one now. The extended range Lariat seems like it would be a good fit and it qualifies for the tax credits.

Thanks again!

 

Another thing to consider when living in Florida with an EV is the occasional direct hit hurricane that requires massive evacuations.

 

good point. But in the 50 years we’ve lived in SE Florida and now west coast Florida we only evacuated once for Hurricane Andrew. As an aircraft owner I’ve flown the plane out 3 times to put the plane out of harm and 2 of those times I rented a car to return home.

The lack of good road charging infrastructure with CSS has me reluctant to get a Lightning. But with a Lightning if I had to evacuate I could always load my generator in the truck bed to augment charge if needed.

Right now it’s a toss up between a Lightning and a F-150 power boost. My friends in FT Myers has a powerboat and they were able to live in their RV powered by their truck for 3 weeks when power was being restored after the recent hurricane.

We love our Tesla’s. We have a Tesla Wall connector at home which puts 44 miles of range per hour and the NACS supercharger network is awesome.

 

The published discounts I’m seeing on local dealer sites are bogus. They show a $2500 discount and fine print states you must trade in to get $1000, finance at standard rates to get $500 and dealer fees of $600-$800.

Im not in a rush so I can wait for either a good deal of wait until the NACS charger is built in.

I wonder when the 2024s will come out and what changes there will be.

 

Thank you all for your advice in input. I pulled the trigger on a
2023 F150 Lightning Lariat Extended range yesterday.

• Carbonized Gray
• Power Running Boards
• Max Trailer Tow Pkg
• Tray mats
• In console safe
• Factory Spray in Bedliner

Ford just announced a $7,500 REBATE this week valid until 1/2/2024. the dealer didn't even know when I called.
I found a couple of trucks that checked all the boxes on my wants using the ford.com inventory search feature. I negotiated by phone with 4 dealers and closed the deal with a dealer about 2 hours from home.

MSRP
less $7500 REBATE
less $2500 dealer discount
less $750 Private Cash Offer (was up to $2000 but on the Lightning it was only $750)
less $388 in ford points I had
Before Destination and Delivery fees it's $55 under the threshold to qualify for the $7,500 tax credit so that is a good thing.

It's a very nice driving truck. It almost "Floats compared to the Tesla. I also love having "Phone as a Key" feature similar to our Teslas. I just have to get used to turning it off when I get out. The Tesla shuts down and locks the doors when I exit with my phone.

Now I have to learn all the features and the Screen Interface. It took me an hour to find how to limit charge to 80% from 100%
WINDOW STICKER ATTACHED

 

Congrats on the new truck. Not sure why Ford offers a max trailer package on a Lightning.

 

When looking for a Lightning I actually was looking for one with Max Tow. Not for extra towing capacity but for the fact that it doubles the battery and motor cooling capacity. Heat accelerates battery degradation. Extra cooling can only help here in Florida

 

Sounds like you got a great deal! I'm thinking about making that switch at some point, but probably not for another year. The ride quality is the biggest frustration I have with my Model Y, and I'd love the capability to pull my boat with an EV.

I bought my Model Y last December when they started offering discounts. Lousy timing because prices have plummeted in the months since, so my resale value isn't anywhere close to what I was hoping for. I'm glad for the price drops, but it'll stay in my garage at least another year before I can stomach taking that kind of loss. The early adopter's risk is real, but lower prices are good for everyone. I think EVs are about the only thing that's come down in prices over the last year.

 

Im in the same boat as you with one of my teslas. I bought it end of last year before prices took a drastic drop and before tax credit eligibility. It is what it is.

I mentioned to the lightning sales rep that I have 3 F450s on order, 2 Platinums and a Limited. He got the used car manager to come out and talk to me. They offered to buy them from me for $10k over sticker. Amazing that certain vehicles are still hard to find and selling for way too much money.

 

How does that work---they offer you cash or more discounts simply for your place in line? Good news on that too!

From me more congrats on the new truck especially considering you bought pretty much what was on your wish list! Looking forward to your impressions as you gain experience with the EV truck!

 

Sounds like you did your homework.... Enjoy your new ride