Help decide

[MrYellowSVT]

I'm looking at getting a lighting. I need help with what to look for and what to avoid as well as what I should really inspect closer.

I want a 03,04 unless they are more problems then it's worth if so what year is good.

Reason I'm asking before willy nilly buying is I bought a 01 cobra and it had a piston ring seized and burning oil without notice four months later i spun 3 rod bearings and while building i was going supercharge to only find out i have to basically terminator swap the bitch so it will remain my daily driver and the lighting will be drove sometime but mostly track ran and ****ing people on the street. Any way I dont want to buy one to find I'm limited on buying parts for it or having to redo the whole engine for something better. ANY HELP WILL HELP THANKS

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[04MysticCobra]

If I was buying a Lightning again and I have owned a new 95, new 2000 and used 2004. All were great trucks but the 2000 had the intercooler issue and short plug threads. Sold it within a year but with no issues. My 2004 had 22K miles on it when I bought it and was lucky. That lightning was perfect top to bottom with zero issues and I loved it. Had it for 2 years before moving on to another Cobra. So for me the 2003 and 2004 Lightnings would be my choice but I don't think there were many problems with the 2002 model year. I might be wrong and others might chime in.

 

[CobraJetCat]

Ditto on the 03 - 04. I'm on my second one... start at around 60K on the odometer, run them up to about 150K in 5 years or so and go again. Not one actual repair, just up grades and worn out parts i.e. control arms, brakes, shocks, etc. I think 03 04 had it right.