Ford Fusion opinions

[Scooby]

I've searched and found a few posts, but not many.

I'm thinking about getting rid of my 2003 Corolla (159k miles) and getting a used one. I like the 2010+ styling much better, but not sure I can swing the price for one. My Corolla has cost me $1000 the last year for trans work, and now needs catalytic converter.

I'm also thinking about replacing our 2005 Sienna with the new model Fusion in 2014.

I'd appreciate any comments/ opinions.

Thanks

 

[simple_gifts]

OT: how was it determined a new cat is needed?

 

[Scooby]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
OT: how was it determined a new cat is needed?


Engine code, which could have been O2 sensors, but been getting the sulfur smell pretty heavy.

 

[JHZR2]

Well, even if you replaced the converter, in my opinion best practice would be to change the O2s too. Its worth a shot that Id give it by doing O2s first and then seeing for sure.

I bought an OE converter for my 91 BMW a few years back (gold was still in the thousands, and so Pt, Pd, Rh, etc were $$ then too), for $1600. A lot, sure, but not that big of an expense if the vehicle is otherwise good. At 160k, Id think that the corolla has a lot more life in it.

So just a thought... What's the worst that can be happen? Be out $200 on sensors? If you dont have emissions inspection, does it even matter?

Ive had a few rental fusions and they are indeed nice cars. Ive really liked them and driving them. Plenty of space.

As a replacement for a corolla, it will be an upgrade. Now, for a sienna, that is apples and oranges, and you will lose a ton of space. That's a different question.

 

[oilstudent24]

I have an 08. I have been real pleased with it. The 2010+ has a new transmission at least on the V-6 and I am not sure of its new reliability. I think the 2006-2009 has most of the bugs worked out because it shared the platform with the former Mazda 6 which had been out since 2003 or 2004. The V6 has plenty of power and the front and rear room is real good. Trunk space is excellent. Steering feedback is really good in models up through 09. The 2010 has electric steering(less Feedback?) except on the Sport model which has a 3.5 V6 and more power. V6 Fuel economy is around 28 highway. The V6 SE has nice features but not all the bells and whistles if you want a nice car without all the extras. The SEL has many bells and whistles. The SE has 16" tires which cost less then the larger tire sizes on the other models. There is a little bit of a blind area backing up not bad but worth mentioning that you might check when test driving, but there are back up sensors available. In my opinion, it is a solid car that has nice handling, power, and room for passengers and cargo. Oil changes are really easy takes 6 Quarts of oil(5000/7500 miles intervals), has transmission fill plug/dipstick and in tank fuel filter so really not many maintenance items listed in the book.

 

[Burt]

Too soon for longevity? Corolla's should not be [censored] out at 150k. Will fusions be good for the long haul?

 

[dparm]

Had them as rental cars a few times via Hertz. Very pleased with the overall package -- motor, suspension, and brakes are all well-suited for each other on the V6 model. Interior is typical Ford but that's not a bad thing.

I was actually really impressed with the power of the V6. I think the 0-60 time is around 6 seconds and it felt even faster than that.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Burt
Too soon for longevity? Corolla's should not be [censored] out at 150k. Will fusions be good for the long haul?


The Duratec powerplant they used is very common and has been around a while. The kinks have been worked out.

 

[dan_erickson]

My mom has a 09 V6 with the sport appearance package and it has been a very good car so far. I have nothing to complain about, and the car already had 92,000 miles.

 

[supton]

A Corolla in Georgia? Always lived its life there? Never abused? I'd think replacing the cat, and living with whatever breaks next would be best. Looks like you've got three vehicles, which means if one is in the shop you always have the ability to get around.

I mean, you shouldn't have the rust issues we have up here. Unless of course it's all about getting something newer, with better options and better safety--which I can't argue against.

 

[stephen9666]

The Fusion was on my short list. It's one of the midsize vehicles that's available with a manual transmission. The ones I drove seemed quite nice.

It is built in Mexico, which is a negative, IMO. You can get quite a few cars in its class that are built in the US, including several import makes.

 

[Muskieteer]

Just had one from Alamo rental for a week in Orlando Florida. It had a v-6 and was very peppy. Nice interior and a decent sized trunk. Gas mileage was 21 mpg for the week in 95% city driving. The Hybrid seems to be very competitive with toyota and the 2013 should best the camry hybrid when it hits the streets.

 

[ryansride2017]

Originally Posted By: Scooby
I've searched and found a few posts, but not many.

I'm thinking about getting rid of my 2003 Corolla (159k miles) and getting a used one. I like the 2010+ styling much better, but not sure I can swing the price for one. My Corolla has cost me $1000 the last year for trans work, and now needs catalytic converter.

I'm also thinking about replacing our 2005 Sienna with the new model Fusion in 2014.

I'd appreciate any comments/ opinions.

Thanks


Man I wished you or I lived a little closer, I would love to take that Corolla off your hands at a bargain price.

 

[Spazdog]

I don't like the transmission in the new Fusion V6es. Or maybe I'm just used to the Aisin.

1-2, 2-3 upshifts feel fine. 3-4 feels like it slows down before it catches. 4-5 and 5-6 feel fine. It doesn't have the gear position indicator the Mazda6 has but I could tell when I was going 3-4 everytime. If you rev the engine in park it tries to move forward and the transmission fluid was very very dark for having so few miles.

I also do not like the control layout on the Fusion. But that's just my preference for typical Japanese car controls where the headlights are on the turnsignal stalk and the wipers are on their own stalk with a single swipe "mist" feature. I just don't want to fumble around in the dark for a headlight switch. I also don't like that they put the steering wheel mounted controls opposite of virtually every other carmaker in the world.

Don't know if the current model uses the same thermostat housing but it has a molding flaw. Mine failed at about 120,000 miles and took out the #6 COP.

 

[mechanicx]

I think I prefer the Mazda6, styling, interior and driving to the Fusion. Ford is basically using Mazda's previous platform assembled in Mexico, while the '09+ Mazda6 is using an updated version assembled in the USA. Might as well go to the source than get a cheapened Ford copy. That should stir up the Ford fanboys

. The Malibu is also a nice option. I like the Altima also if it weren't for the CVT.

 

[Scooby]

When we replace the Sienna our girls will be 4 and 9, needs for a minivan have decreased (strollers, etc).

Looking more for better fuel economy and safety.

 

[Scooby]

Biggest reason for looking at replacing the Corolla is room and reliability.

My new job involves a good bit of traveling now (just returned from Indianapolis yesterday and check engine light came on). I will also at times have 2-3 clients with me. Most of the traveling will be from Georgia to Ohio, and don't want to be stranded 10 hours from home.

Really not sure though about it, the last year has been difficult with the old rolla. The trans had to be rebuilt 3 times before they got it right, and I was without it for almost 3 months total.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Scooby
Biggest reason for looking at replacing the Corolla is room and reliability.

My new job involves a good bit of traveling now (just returned from Indianapolis yesterday and check engine light came on). I will also at times have 2-3 clients with me. Most of the traveling will be from Georgia to Ohio, and don't want to be stranded 10 hours from home.

Really not sure though about it, the last year has been difficult with the old rolla. The trans had to be rebuilt 3 times before they got it right, and I was without it for almost 3 months total.


Room is a good reason. Reliability? You have a good AT at this point (amazing that it needed a rebuild at less than 160k, but such is an AT), do the O2, sink another $2k into it and have very low cost for putting such miles on the car. The miles driven will be far cheaper in that car than in a fusion, just because you own it.

 

[mechanicx]

If I remember right, Scooby's Corolla has the manual transmission and he was having problems with the input shaft bearing. The Corolla AT is probably more reliable than the manual.

 

[Hokiefyd]

We have two Fusions at work. The biggest positive for the Fusion is the chassis. It's composed over most surfaces, rides nicely, and handles well. The steering is pretty numb (even my Camry had more feel through the steering wheel), but other than that, the chassis is nice.

The interior is a disappointment to me. The dashboard top is composed of many different pieces, and there are unsightly gaps. Ergonomics aren't the best (see Spazdog's post on that). HVAC controls are stuffed to the bottom of the center stack and there are about 3 million individual buttons to control everything (with the automatic HVAC at least). I also think it was a huge oversight on Ford's part to not offer either paddle shifters or a manual +/- on the automatic. You can't manually select ANY gears, all you have is D and L.

They're good sedans, but would not be my choice.