not an owner, yet
What I'm asking (forgive my ignorance) is are they a decent vehicle to daily drive?
what kind of mileage can I expect ?
am I going to need a kidney belt because of a stiff suspension?
Are they expensive to maintain?
How bad/good are they in snow ? Will I need a beater for winter?
What are the things to look for when buying them?
Anything you can contribute would be appreciated
Daily driver, I just bought number five. My first L was a '93 I got in "94, and so on. Like the men said, it's a blast. I missed mine sooo bad I just got an '04. I forgot about rearend, the 355's got better mileage I thought.
Drove mine daily and I am driven this one daily. I am over 50 and a "professional", now. You can wear flannel or a sport coat and they both fit in the L. It rides as well as a stang. I have a 350z now and the L has a lot less road vibration and noise. Less bumps too.
I remember getting 18-20mpg on the road, but i distinctly remember newer trucks with the 373 rear not getting to 18. Anyway, I have an '04 and the mileage is pretty bad. I have been afraid to figure it out. I work 30 miles away 4 days a week and drive around for pleasure a lot, (grin). Musta spent a good $60 last week, thats 20 gallons and maybe 340 miles, tha's about 17 mpg, not bad.
Six years ago I moved from Cleveland Ohio to Washington state, across from Portland OR. Hardly ever snows here, 2 weeks a year, maybe. In Cleveland, fo-get-about-it. I drove winters in the L several years. It's flat in northern Ohio, but even an over pass can be impossible to go over. Stability is gone, it's all feel and nerves. It can be done, but... Under the drivers visor or in the manual it says, no snow joe.
The least amount of money I have spent for a ride in over 15 years, and my '04 is the best buy I have had in over 15 years. I remember getting them new or a year old. Sheet, they are cheap now. Gas is minor. The difference of 10 mpg over a year is what? 20k miles at 20mpg is 1000 gallons or $3k. 20k miles at 17mpg, at $3/gal is $3600.00, a $600 difference. I figure I'll spend $1000 more for gas in a year over the 350z at an average 22mpg.
Most fun for your driving dollar, Ford Lightning, period.
Maintenance is hardly any more than an F-150 with the SC. No cadilac, riviera, lexus pricing. Tell your insurance company about the F-150 ya got, cause thats what it is, kinda, sorta.
Personally, I looked for low miles and no mods. I didn't want a track star that may have been road hard and put up wet. My opinion Highway Stars. I almost went for the 1400 mile '04 for sticker price, $26k. I went for the 20k mile '04 for $20k.
So there ya go, hope it helps.