Great Expectations
Jed's ownership journey began with high hopes. Having purchased the truck new for approximately $88,000, he had great expectations for the Lightning. Jed admired the electric pickup's driving performance and appreciated its spacious and luxurious interior. However, his ownership experience was marred by several factors that ultimately led him to part ways with the vehicle sooner than expected.
Concerns about Depreciation
One of the primary concerns Jed had was the depreciation of the Ford F-150 Lightning. Seeking clarity on the matter, he had his truck appraised by CarMax, which offered him a disappointing $68,000. Unsatisfied with this offer, Jed approached the Ford dealership that sold him the vehicle, where he received a slightly higher offer of $74,000. Dissatisfied with both, he decided to sell the Lightning independently. Two weeks later, he sold it for $80,000, acknowledging that he still incurred a financial loss. Despite this, Jed considered it a fair price. The fear of rapid depreciation was only one of the four main reasons that contributed to his decision to sell.
Charging Challenges
Another factor that played a significant role in Jed's choice to sell the Lightning was the ease of travel, specifically the charging challenges he encountered. Jed found it increasingly difficult to charge the vehicle during his drives outside the city. He struggled to locate reliable and available fast chargers, often encountering long queues of people waiting to charge their vehicles. This issue affected his overall driving experience and led to frustration.
Software Disappointments
Jed's third reason for selling the Ford F-150 Lightning was related to the vehicle's software. In particular, he found the app experience to be "very clunky" and lacking in user-friendliness, especially considering it was not initially designed for an electric vehicle. Despite Ford's recent update to the latest Sync 4 version, Jed encountered issues with poor phone call quality and an interface that failed to default back to the map while driving. Moreover, he felt disappointed by the lack of progress in resolving these issues, as his initial communication with Ford about being included in a test group and providing feedback did not materialize into any meaningful improvements. These software-related frustrations significantly impacted Jed's overall satisfaction with the Lightning.
Future Outlook
Although Jed sold his Ford F-150 Lightning, he remains open to considering another Ford electric vehicle in the future if the company addresses the shortcomings and improves its battery-powered trucks. He currently has a reservation for a Chevrolet Silverado EV but acknowledges the possibility of returning to Ford if the Blue Oval demonstrates substantial progress in refining their electric offerings.
Source: Jetters Garage
