Ford Fusion opinions

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We love our AWD Fusion so far. Had it for just under 3K miles now. The six speed auto seems to hold 3rd gear longer than I like and if it shifted sooner it may improve MPG's a little. We avg 19.6 with most driving under 10 miles per day to work and back. It gets about 22-23 on the highway. Steering is numb for sure, but the suspension is sweet.
 
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
The Malibu is also a nice option.


I have been in both the Malibu and Fusion in the past 6 months and would not consider the Malibu a option..The Fusion was million times better.
 
I've spent a couple thousand mile behind the 2005-2009 yearss, and it was a solid car. The v6 made good power and got decent mileage. We just picked up a new one as a rental while the wifes car is in the shop. It's got the 4cyl engine, but seems to make plenty of power. Other then that i'll have to check bak in a few days.
 
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
The Malibu is also a nice option.


I have been in both the Malibu and Fusion in the past 6 months and would not consider the Malibu a option..The Fusion was million times better.


Well I've been in both and the Malibu was 2 million times better
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. But seriously, the Fusion is all right but as Spazdog and Hokyfied mentioned it as some shortcomings in the interior, and the interior and exterior details and finishes seem cheap. I wouldn't say the Fusion or the Malibu are significantly better than the other. They are close and a person could find reasons to prefer either one.
 
I have not driven a Malibu, but have ridden in one, and would say that the Malibu has the better interior of the two. I think most midsize sedans have a better executed interior than the Fusion. That'll all change with the new generation Fusion I'm sure.
 
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
We love our AWD Fusion so far. Had it for just under 3K miles now. The six speed auto seems to hold 3rd gear longer than I like and if it shifted sooner it may improve MPG's a little. We avg 19.6 with most driving under 10 miles per day to work and back. It gets about 22-23 on the highway. Steering is numb for sure, but the suspension is sweet.


I get better highway mpg in my RX than that. lol
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I have not driven a Malibu, but have ridden in one, and would say that the Malibu has the better interior of the two. I think most midsize sedans have a better executed interior than the Fusion. That'll all change with the new generation Fusion I'm sure.


The Fusion interior just doesn't feel right or nice. The plastic has this very thick grain like very course sandpaper even on the steering wheel. I don't know when I seen a car that had looser and cheaper controls like on the HVAC. The ride and handling while somewhat sporty is a tad noisy and too firm and not all that comfortable, and the steering wheel has way too much self-centering force. The car just seems to come up short. The Malibu doesn't have these shortcomings and has a better ride and better engine. I don't know why even the media gives the Fusion so much credit. Then again I've seen the media say the Altima had a cheap interior when I'd say it was one of the better ones. There's a lot of delusion out there. A person just has to look at the cars with an open mind themself. I find that the Malibu, Mazda6, and Altima feel better.
 
Yeah, my Corolla is a manual, input shaft bearing.

I suppose I may just let it ride for a bit (it's running fine and we don't have emission testing). Unfortunately, that check engine light just stares me down. I'm pretty anal about my vehicles/ maintenance, and it really bothers me.

I may try the downstream O2 sensor and see if that might be it.
 
The '04-'07 Malibu wasn't terrible to drive, but the exterior was as ugly as a mud fence and the interior made a Dodge Stratus from that era seem higher quality and better finished.

The '08-'11 got the Saturn Aura's interior and MUCH better exterior styling. I don't know that it really drives any better than the Fusion. I didn't notice the 3-4 upshift oddity on the Malibu.

Again, the Malibu didn't drive badly at all. It's not an enthusiast car but it is competent. As good as a Camry to me.
 
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
We love our AWD Fusion so far. Had it for just under 3K miles now. The six speed auto seems to hold 3rd gear longer than I like and if it shifted sooner it may improve MPG's a little. We avg 19.6 with most driving under 10 miles per day to work and back. It gets about 22-23 on the highway. Steering is numb for sure, but the suspension is sweet.


I get better highway mpg in my RX than that. lol


Our MDX gets better highway MPG also. A 2008 Ford Fusion AWD is rated 17/25. dwcopple may be seeing a lower than average figure because of colder climes in Michigan. Still, that does sound low for a modern sedan, AWD or otherwise. I wonder if their Civic gets less than rated also. They might just have a hard driving environment.
 
My accord threw a code awhile ago that turned out to be the cat which was replaced under warranty. I replaced the o2 sensors myself. Very easy if you get direct fit sensors and have or have access to an o2 sensor socket.

How much is a replacement cat?

Since you've spent $1000 recently I'm with the others that say fix the cel. The car has more life left in it. That said, if you feel safer and more comfortable in a newer car, and the money isn't a huge issue, go for the change.
 
The main considerations for the Corolla replacement would be:

1-reliability, longevity (200k miles)
2-Safety
3-Mileage (need a minimum of 30mpg)
4-roominess inside
 
The 4 cylinder models of the Malibu, Fusion, Mazda6, Camry and maybe the Altima if the CVTs are ever bulletproofed would meet your criteria. I think they all will get low 30mpg highway. Chevy Cruze might be a good option if gas milage is important.

I agree with the others that your car probably has more life, but right now might be the time to work a deal on an '12 as they are updating most of these models. Plus these midsize cars have a lot nice and quiter ride than a Corolla.
 
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The '04-'07 Malibu wasn't terrible to drive, but the exterior was as ugly as a mud fence and the interior made a Dodge Stratus from that era seem higher quality and better finished.

The '08-'11 got the Saturn Aura's interior and MUCH better exterior styling. I don't know that it really drives any better than the Fusion. I didn't notice the 3-4 upshift oddity on the Malibu.

Again, the Malibu didn't drive badly at all. It's not an enthusiast car but it is competent. As good as a Camry to me.


I agree the '04-'07 Malibu is dog ugly and the interior is nothing special. Notice Chevy didn't keep that generation around long. I was thinking of the '08-12 Malibu (vs '10+ Fusion) when I was commenting as it has a lot better styling and interior than the previous generation. I think the ride and interior is better and feels more upscale in the Malibu vs Fusion.
 
I prefer the Malibu, but the Fusion is a really nice car. I had a Saturn Aura that I really liked, so I guess that is why I am partial to the Malibu.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
We love our AWD Fusion so far. Had it for just under 3K miles now. The six speed auto seems to hold 3rd gear longer than I like and if it shifted sooner it may improve MPG's a little. We avg 19.6 with most driving under 10 miles per day to work and back. It gets about 22-23 on the highway. Steering is numb for sure, but the suspension is sweet.


I get better highway mpg in my RX than that. lol


Our MDX gets better highway MPG also. A 2008 Ford Fusion AWD is rated 17/25. dwcopple may be seeing a lower than average figure because of colder climes in Michigan. Still, that does sound low for a modern sedan, AWD or otherwise. I wonder if their Civic gets less than rated also. They might just have a hard driving environment.
Civic gets 30+ city and hgwy. The wife is a leadfoot. Hence the MPG's. That and we see highways less than once a week for under 10 miles one way.
 
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