'07 Ford Fusion

[fdcg27]

I've been looking around for something younger and more economical for my younger son.
The Impreza is aging and is a gas pig, although it has served its purpose.
I've been seeing Fusions for very reasonable dollars.
Less than 6K will buy you an '07 SE with ~100K miles, which is at least 30% less than what you'd pay for a similar Honda Accord.
I've never driven a Fusion, although I do understand that they were built on a Mazda platform and so should handle pretty well.
Is the 2.3 four a Mazda or a Ford engine?
Does it use a timing belt or a chain?
Who can give me some insight on the pros and cons of this car?

 

[NHGUY]

2.3 is a Mazda.Same as in Ranger and Mazda 6.

 

[jrustles]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I've been looking around for something younger and more economical for my younger son.
The Impreza is aging and is a gas pig, although it has served its purpose.
I've been seeing Fusions for very reasonable dollars.
Less than 6K will buy you an '07 SE with ~100K miles, which is at least 30% less than what you'd pay for a similar Honda Accord.
I've never driven a Fusion, although I do understand that they were built on a Mazda platform and so should handle pretty well.
Is the 2.3 four a Mazda or a Ford engine?
Does it use a timing belt or a chain?
Who can give me some insight on the pros and cons of this car?


Fusions aren't bad at all. You're right about the platform on that model year it's borrowed from the 6, but the tuning is quite different; softer. The engine design (engineering) is all Mazda, and with the exception of handling their own sand casting and machining, both Ford and Mazda versions are made using parts supplied from 'Ford OEM' (FoMoCo) from the Ignition coils and plugs right down to the timing chain, guides, phaser and gears. Really the only critical problems I see on these engines are from oil starvation. Test drive them with confidence

 

[Spazdog]

The 2.3 is a Mazda MZR but in the Fusion, it's made in a Chihuahua, Mexico Ford facility.
Chain driven DOHC

If I'm not mistaken, they use a cartridge type oil filter like the Mazda3 and 6....don't know for positive. Never actually changed the oil on a 2.3 Fusion

Grill by Gillette. (now you will never look at one again without thinking Mach 3 Razor

)

If he's used to Honda/Subaru control layout, why not consider a similar year Mazda6i?

Fusions don't handle as well as the Mazda6 in spite of the shared platform and yes, I have driven them back to back. Familiarity with the pedal/seat/steering wheel position lulled me into pitching the rental Fusion SE 3.0 into a cloverleaf too hot and almost put it into the embankment. My 6 would have just carved through it. No drama.

To be fair, the Fusion is quieter and smoother than my Mazda6. It's more of a mainstream car. Ford sufficiently Camry-ized it.

One of the many reasons I bought my 6 was that it was a 3.0 V6 model that was roughly the same price as a 4 cylinder Honda Accord LX or Camry SE. Both of those cars are probably still worth more than my 6 but I'm pretty certain none of the 3 are worth very much with almost 150,000 miles on the clock.

 

[dwcopple]

3.0 + Aisin 6 speed auto=best powertrain combo in a domestic car in years IMHO...

 

[tig1]

My Fusion may be the best overall car I have ever owned. Plenty of head and leg room, good MPG, performs well, and the only parts I have replaced have been the water pump and coolant thermstat. In my usual 10K OCIs the oil level never leaves the full mark(same with my Focus). I have driven this car to Florida 10 times, with another trip coming up in 5 weeks, and to Maine once. The engine and trans perform very well to date.

 

[LC]

My 2006 2.3 auto Mercury Milan is about to roll 200,000 miles. The most trouble free car I have ever owned.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: tig1
My Fusion may be the best overall car I have ever owned. Plenty of head and leg room, good MPG, performs well, and the only parts I have replaced have been the water pump and coolant thermstat. In my usual 10K OCIs the oil level never leaves the full mark(same with my Focus). I have driven this car to Florida 10 times, with another trip coming up in 5 weeks, and to Maine once. The engine and trans perform very well to date.


Assuming that we end up with a Fusion, should I use M1 0W-20 in it?
J/K.
I happen to have some Amsoil SSO 0W-20 which I could use in one, but the current price makes AFE look mighty attractive, as well as the good results you've had with it in both of your Fords.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: tig1
My Fusion may be the best overall car I have ever owned. Plenty of head and leg room, good MPG, performs well, and the only parts I have replaced have been the water pump and coolant thermstat. In my usual 10K OCIs the oil level never leaves the full mark(same with my Focus). I have driven this car to Florida 10 times, with another trip coming up in 5 weeks, and to Maine once. The engine and trans perform very well to date.


Assuming that we end up with a Fusion, should I use M1 0W-20 in it?
J/K.
I happen to have some Amsoil SSO 0W-20 which I could use in one, but the current price makes AFE look mighty attractive, as well as the good results you've had with it in both of your Fords.


Of course any of the quality 0-20 synthetics are good. I have used 5-30 and 5-20 in my Fusion, but most of the miles are with M1 0-20. The engine appears very clean and doesn't use oil so I guess I will keep the 0-20 in.

 

[roadrunner1]

We bought an '06 Mercury Milan new and it currently has 120,000 mi.

Its my wifes go to work car, and it has been the most trouble-free car we've owned. One set of tires, brakes, and regular oil changes is the only money I've spent to maintain this car, no kidding.

It has the 3.0 with the 6 speed and lube has been motorcraft 5w-20, and citgo supergard 5w-20 @ 5,000 mi. intervals per owners manual.

My owner experience with this car has been nothing short of superb and I would recommend the Fusion/Milan to anyone.