Thinking about a Ford Fusion

[Silver02ex]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
I found the first gen Fusion slightly below the Accord in terms of materials quality and attention to details. Good car nonetheless and a lot cheaper than a used Accord. Honda seems to have a very good grasp on ergonomics and their interiors very eye pleasing (IMO). And like someone else said, the Fusion is made in Mexico with 40% Mexican parts content. I did encounter a few Accords assembled in Mexico too when I was car shopping.

What about a Sonata?


I actually looked at the Sonata, it's very hard to find them in a manual where I live

 

[Dave Hess]

If you were closer I would consider buying the Civic if you sold it.

 

[Steve S]

Why sell the Civic?

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

I can't figure out why so many people here like the Civic...I was in one about 4 months ago [02 with 60K miles] and it hit a pothole in Miami Beach and I had back pain for couple of days... Its the worst riding car I have ever been in...I won't ride in it anymore...A Fusion rides like dream compared to the Civic.

The car runs good [except for major a/c issues] but the ride is the worst of the worst.

 

[Silver02ex]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Why sell the Civic?


We have a 2 year old and a baby on the way. It's getting harder to move him in and out of a 2 door car. It will be easier to have an SUV and a 4 door car.

 

[Silver02ex]

Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
I can't figure out why so many people here like the Civic...I was in one about 4 months ago [02 with 60K miles] and it hit a pothole in Miami Beach and I had back pain for couple of days... Its the worst riding car I have ever been in...I won't ride in it anymore...A Fusion rides like dream compared to the Civic.

The car runs good [except for major a/c issues] but the ride is the worst of the worst.


You are comparing a mid size car to a compact car. It's not the most comfortable car but it was cheap, and held it's value very well. Good gas mileage, cheap on insurance and to maintain, safe, and it hold the resale value very well. What else can you ask for in a 13K-17K car.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Quote:
You are comparing a mid size car to a compact car. It's not the most comfortable car but it was cheap, and held it's value very well. Good gas mileage, cheap on insurance and to maintain, safe, and it hold the resale value very well. What else can you ask for in a 13K-17K car.


Talk about holding value well, the insurance company paid $7800 after deductible to total my 04 in 09. We're talking the base model with wind up windows. My Max which was 2 years older, but sold for way more new, costed less than it would have been to buy another Civic (or a Corolla for that matter).

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: Silver02ex
[/quote]

You are comparing a mid size car to a compact car. It's not the most comfortable car but it was cheap, and held it's value very well. Good gas mileage, cheap on insurance and to maintain, safe, and it hold the resale value very well. What else can you ask for in a 13K-17K car.


Your right.

 

[bretfraz]

I get to see and drive all these cars daily. To me, the Fusion is 2nd only to the Nissan Altima in this class. I think it's an excellent choice. Might be tough to find a 5 speed model so you'll have to shop aggressively.

The 06-07 Accord is a huge disappointment, especially in LX trim. It's a nice car until you drive a Fusion or Altima, then the cheapness of the Accord become obvious. The Camry is better only because it is larger and more comfortable. The Sonata is not a bad choice but is terribly bland. The Malibu is a rock star by comparison.

The only Accords I have sold are to people pre-disposed to buying one. A few of them are open-minded enough to test drive something else, but few Honda lovers buy something other than a Honda. Everyone else, and I mean EVERYONE, buys something other than an Accord. I have NEVER sold an Accord to someone who also drove an Altima or Fusion in comparison.

Definitely check out the Altima before you buy, but the Fusion is certainly a fine choice. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[BearZDefect]

If you're looking for a driver's car, skip the Sonata. Like you wrote, it nearly impossible to find them with a manual transmission. Add to that, the wretched electronic throttle on the Sonata will make you think you've completely lost your touch.

 

[Beachboy]

I'm in the market right now for either a new Fusion SEL or a Focus SEL. Hard decision. The Focus is a bit small and the Fusion is a bit large. I need a power seat, which tips the decision towards the Fusion. I drive 100+ miles daily so good gas mileage is a must. Automatic transmission in either vehicle, and probably a 4 cylinder rather than a V-6 in the Fusion. Was going to consider Toyota, but that ship has sailed, never to return to port again! Since I keep a car 10-15 years, I don't want to save a couple thousand bucks to regret it forever, and the family is pushing me towards a bigger car like the Fusion.

 

[nitehawk55]

Try both the 4cyl or 6 cyl Fusion first Beachboy , if you are driving 100+ miles daily than the 6cyl may be the better choice in the long run for highway . I know it won't get the quite as good milage but the Duratec V6 cruises so effortless on the highway which is where the milage difference between the 4 and 6 cyl is not a big factor . The 4 cyl is fine too but I think once you try both you'll know .

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: Beachboy
I'm in the market right now for either a new Fusion SEL or a Focus SEL... I drive 100+ miles daily so good gas mileage is a must.


If you drive that many miles you might want to look at a vehicle that has more than a 60k powertrain warranty. I know you plan on keeping it a decade, which would be at least 200k miles with the mileage you listed, but if you had an engine or transmission problem at 75k four years in you'd regret only having that 60k warranty.

Considering this you could take a look at a Chevy Malibu (GM 5 yr. 100k powertrain warranty). I test drove one just to appease a salesperson (and out of curiousity) when we found out the dealer didn't have any new Equinoxes last summer, and they are very nice. The 6 speed autos shift great and the 4 cyl I drove had decent pickup. They are quiet. Plenty of storage, and comfortable. They are a bit bigger than the Fusion I believe, though, but are still rated 33 mpg hwy for the 4 cylinder. My only issue was head room, so if you are tall it won't work for you (I'm 6' but have a long torso and shorter legs than most others my height).


If you can wait four months (GM says it will be out "in the third quarter" this year - so that should be by the end of Sept.) you could also check out the Chevy Cruze (you can find out a lot about it already online). It looks bigger than a Focus but will still be a compact car. Lots of hype for this car, supposed to be tons better than the old Cavilier or the Cobalt it is replacing. It is estimated to have a hwy rating at 40 mpg with its 1.4L turbocharged engine. I'll also have the 100k mile warranty.

http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/future/cruze.do?cmp=OLA_INMKT

Just some other things to think about.

 

[millerbl00]

I get 33 on the hwy with my Fusion 4 cylinder. It is also the most powerfull 4 cylinder I have ever drove. But if I could do it again I would get the Focus.

 

[Silver02ex]

My local honda Dealer is asking $1,700 below MSRP on their last 2010 Accord LX manual and the 1.99% for 60 months makes it tempting.

 

[bigmike]

The problem I have with the 2.4 is the engine idle vibration. Longevity of rear brakes are also a complaint by many.

 

[nitehawk55]

Originally Posted By: millerbl00
I get 33 on the hwy with my Fusion 4 cylinder. It is also the most powerfull 4 cylinder I have ever drove. But if I could do it again I would get the Focus.


I wonder if the newer 2.5 in the 2010 Fusion is better than the old 4 cyl , I haven't tried one of those .

Focus might be an issue with a family and room . It's a shame Ford doesn't have the Focus in a wagon anymore , I thought that was a dumb move discontinuing it .

Warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it . GM burned a lot of people with the leaking manifold gaskets that was an issue for years and they couldn't seem to get that right .

 

[RacerE7773]

I never understood why despite being built in USA the foreign makes STILL insist on having ridiculous high prices for parts.

 

[Beachboy]

I have the Duratec V-6 in my Mystique now, and I know I'd rather have the V-6 over the 4 cylinder, but gas mileage in the years ahead is a concern. I've never cared for the vibration of any 4 cylinder car I've driven. I'll probably keep this Fusion for 300,000 plus miles, if its as reliable as my Mystique. I received a $750 voucher from Ford this weekend towards the purchase of any new Ford product. I need to be moving fast on this, as our state sales tax takes a 1% hike on July 1.

Room for the family is a non-issue as I'm single and 99% of my driving is by myself.

As far as a Chevy Malibu or other GM car, sorry, but I'm solidly Ford (with a few foreign makes considered)!

 

[jazztrumpet216]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
Fusion are good cars but I would not compare them to an Accord. They are a little less refined than a Civic; they are good for a Ford, though...



You guys ripped on CrownVic for life for his post about Civics, but no one's getting on this guy's case? I can think of many positive attributes for a Civic, but refined is not one of them.