Fusion Impressions

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
ARCO, patman has a point. You kill cars like nobody I have ever seen.
Like I stated before, never had a problem using the older oils and real gasoline. Even my Yugo ran perfect. I drove MUCH harder then . So we have FI, Gasahol (with ethanol % ranging all over the place and much of it water laden) and weak oil. Add them together = BANG. ALos, My Wifes cars fail as often as mine. So logically I can only blame the gas and the oil. I did have a psycho girlfriend drive my MR2 into a guardrail in the 80's. That was my fault - I let her take the keys

You say "BAhhh!!!" becuase you dont want to obsess over oil and gas MORE than you are doing now

The big fail is waiting around the corner. He He.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Patman
You're obviously doing something wrong.
And that is? Please tell me! Ive been trying to figure this out for years. Use logic, though.

 

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: Patman
You're obviously doing something wrong.
And that is? Please tell me! Ive been trying to figure this out for years. Use logic, though.


ARCO I seem to rememeber that you like to "take liberties" with the recommended manufacturer OCIs, fluids specs, and other things as well.

There is a big difference in cars today compared to even a decade or so ago. The engineering is more exacting and the recommendations for servicing are much more exacting and specific as well this goes for everything from renewal of fluids intervals, to fluid types, to maintenance parts requirements.

Moral of the story is if the car in under warranty follow the manufacturers service instructions exactly!

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: callbay
I traded in an 07 Tahoe for the Fusion and I can't believe I am saying this but I enjoy driving the Fusion more than the Tahoe.


That's very believable to me. I was involved in a discussion recently about how much differently car chassis drive compared with truck chassis. To be sure, the Tahoe is a nice and comfortable vehicle, but the Fusion has so much more spring in its step, doesn't it? I enjoy the ride/handling on our two '11 Fusion Hybrids at work.

 

[cchase]

The interior was a deal killer for me on the Fusion. Otherwise, I like the styling.

 

[roadrunner1]

We bought an '06 Milan new, it now has 91,xxx mi. on it and it has been flawless. It has the V-6 3.0 and I can't think of one bad thing to say about it.

 

[panthermike]

We're sitting at 38K on our '10 Fusion now and we both love it. The only change I would have made was the 3.0 V6, but I love power, the 2.5 is fine.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the new Fusion, but it will be hard to pass up with the way it looks and the 2.0 237hp/250tq Ecoboost!

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: 91344George
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: Patman
You're obviously doing something wrong.
And that is? Please tell me! Ive been trying to figure this out for years. Use logic, though.


ARCO I seem to rememeber that you like to "take liberties" with the recommended manufacturer OCIs, fluids specs, and other things as well.

There is a big difference in cars today compared to even a decade or so ago. The engineering is more exacting and the recommendations for servicing are much more exacting and specific as well this goes for everything from renewal of fluids intervals, to fluid types, to maintenance parts requirements.

Moral of the story is if the car in under warranty follow the manufacturers service instructions exactly!
Well since the dealer service the toyota - Im sure THEY took liberties. CHeapest bulk oil and cheap made in taiwan paper filters rather than the good denso JAPON OEM. Cars ran good with my light HDEO lubes then expired when the forum convinced me (no chided me) to using the ILSAC oil I abhorr due to it under additisation. AFA transmission fluid goes - good luck finding a good "off the shelf' MT transaxle fluid. You are pretty much forced to buy (excellent) Amsoil or RL products (MTG/ MTL). GL5 works poorly in combined transaxles. Oh that's right, another dealer car ruiner - the Hyundai dealer RUINED my MT sonata by putting in the WORNG SPEC MT fluid. Hampton Hyundai in NH. Car ran great until it went in for a transaxle refresh. Moron. Actually Ex cons for real working there.

 

[stranger706]

Originally Posted By: panthermike
It will be interesting to see what happens with the new Fusion, but it will be hard to pass up with the way it looks and the 2.0 237hp/250tq Ecoboost!


Ford website says the 1.6 Ecoboost will be available with 6 spd manual...I'll definitely show up for that.

 

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: 91344George
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: Patman
You're obviously doing something wrong.
And that is? Please tell me! Ive been trying to figure this out for years. Use logic, though.


ARCO I seem to rememeber that you like to "take liberties" with the recommended manufacturer OCIs, fluids specs, and other things as well.

There is a big difference in cars today compared to even a decade or so ago. The engineering is more exacting and the recommendations for servicing are much more exacting and specific as well this goes for everything from renewal of fluids intervals, to fluid types, to maintenance parts requirements.

Moral of the story is if the car in under warranty follow the manufacturers service instructions exactly!
Well since the dealer service the toyota - Im sure THEY took liberties. CHeapest bulk oil and cheap made in taiwan paper filters rather than the good denso JAPON OEM. Cars ran good with my light HDEO lubes then expired when the forum convinced me (no chided me) to using the ILSAC oil I abhorr due to it under additisation. AFA transmission fluid goes - good luck finding a good "off the shelf' MT transaxle fluid. You are pretty much forced to buy (excellent) Amsoil or RL products (MTG/ MTL). GL5 works poorly in combined transaxles. Oh that's right, another dealer car ruiner - the Hyundai dealer RUINED my MT sonata by putting in the WORNG SPEC MT fluid. Hampton Hyundai in NH. Car ran great until it went in for a transaxle refresh. Moron. Actually Ex cons for real working there.


Oh, I don't doubt that many STealers have hack techs working at them. You do need to watch them, if you want bring the brand of spec oil you want them to use. Same for other fluids, as long as they are the correct spec the dealer will install them.

As for manual transmissions, unless there is an indication of problems, LEAVE THE FLUID ALONE FOR AT LEAST 100k, especially if it is SYNTHETIC fluid, which most are today.

 

[odie]

A few months ago a relative bought a used 2010 Fusion with the 4 cylinder and automatic . Claims to get 30 m.p.g..

 

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: stranger706

Ford website says the 1.6 Ecoboost will be available with 6 spd manual...I'll definitely show up for that.


If the combination works right I'm willing to bite. But I will have to drive it thoroughly first.

I wonder what the curb weight of this model will be with that trans and engine?

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: Patman
You're obviously doing something wrong.
And that is? Please tell me! Ive been trying to figure this out for years. Use logic, though.


Without seeing firsthand how you drive or care for your vehicles, I clearly cannot say exactly what you are doing wrong, but considering how many engines you have trashed, and the fact that nobody else on this site seems to have this problem with modern oils and modern fuels (as you claim), I think it's pretty clear that something is wrong.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: cchase
The interior was a deal killer for me on the Fusion. Otherwise, I like the styling.



They still have the wipers on the turn-signal stalk instead of giving it it's own stalk on the other side (which prevents you from having a workable single swipe mist function and makes it difficult to find the headlight switch in a dark garage) the audio and cruise functions are backwards on the steering wheel from virtually everybody else in the world, and most models still have the P-R-N-D-and "doesn't really hold it in Low or anything" L gear selector. But believe it or not, it's still an improvement.

I'm just glad they got rid of the "taillights by APC" design on the first generation.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Spaz, I agree with everything you said about the interior. Plus, if you have a model with automatic climate control, it takes a good LONG look at the buttons to figure out what you want. Not only is the panel comprised of about 20 small buttons (that all look the same), but the center stack actually slopes away from you at the bottom, so they're buried at the bottom of a near-vertical stack.

I think the Fusion has a great driving demeanor, but the interior is not its strong suit.

 

[Spazdog]

I forgot about the climate controls.

Mine was a rental. Set it and forget it. But you aren't kidding. Setting was a hassle.

I think perhaps Ford skipped giving the wiper it's own stalk for it's own protection. When the Fusion was introduced, it was the de-facto Taurus replacement. Ford's mid-size with the then new Five Hundred (or as a lady-friend of mine referred to it, the "Ford Car" ... just car. Generic) filling in the full-size FWD slot.
A lot of Taurus drivers would be moving into Fusions. What's the first thing they are going to do when they back down their driveways for the first time? Look over their right shoulder, grab the wiper stalk and try to force it into "reverse"
Snap.