In today's world, with nearly all the mid-siz cars being pretty bulletproof drivetraine wise, I would focus more on fit/finish. For example, my grandparents bought a 2004 hHonda Accord from us a few years back. I just drove it the other day and with 80k miles it is rock solid. Besides a little leather wear from where you get in and out you would think the car has 10k miles. Whenever I'm considering a different car, I like to drive one a few years old to see how they hold up. Many of these cars that feel great when they are brand new but are rattle traps after a few years.
Ford Fusion
- Thread starter KnappShack
- Start date
Also, you can't really say "ford is reliable" or "Honda is reliable". The truth is that companies like Ford have hundreds of model combinations. Some are very reliable and some are not. Even legendary companies like Honda have put out duds.
We've got a 2008 Fusion that we've owned since new. Zero problems with it. It's the seventh new or slightly used Ford I've owned since 1997 and have only had one major issue with any of them. I would buy another Ford in an instant.
I've had 7 Ford models since the mid 90's and never has one been in the shop for a problem or warranty type repair. I'm on the second F150 now.
My oldest daughter is on the third Ford model and no problems ever, one was used and two were purchased as dealer cars with less than 5,000 miles on each, at the time of purchase.
No oil leaks, no drive train problems, nothing.
FYI, the Fusion cost is about $1,200 less than the MSRP. Options cost about 90% of the sticker. The markup on small cars is pretty small.
I have 2009 Fusion with about 80K miles and I have not experienced any problems since I have had it.
I average about 29-31 on the highway and about 27-28 in town.
I average about 29-31 on the highway and about 27-28 in town.
I've had 15 cars in the last twenty years and I've only had one issue and that was an air conditioner in a 1989 Honda Accord. That list includes probably 7 or 8 car companies with an even split between new/used. I think issues today are pretty rare.
Nope no issues with it. And yes in town I get about 21 mpg and on the highway about 34 mpg.
If you're planning on buying a Ford Fusion, wait for the 2013 to either get a deal on a 2012 or buy the all new model.
If you're planning on buying a Ford Fusion, wait for the 2013 to either get a deal on a 2012 or buy the all new model.
meh i like the current one better than a ripoff of an aston martin
This is the experience I've had. I've owned Ford products from 2005 until now. My wife has had every name plate of affordable manufacturers available. Honestly, there is nothing I've seen that makes me think any one company has an edge over another, except for Mid '00s Chrislers. She had a minivan that was junk. None the less, my Fords have always been as solid as any other car and this includes and F-150 I owned for 12 years and ran and looked as good as new the day I traded it in on a '12 mustang.
In all that time we've just about owned them all for my wife, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Chrisler, Chevy, Mazda. And as I said, other than the Chrysler, none of them had any issues that made me say I'd never buy another one, but none of them also impressed me so much that I had to have another one. I kept the truck out of necessity, but it held up as well as any car I've ever seen or heard of. No rattles, no creeks, and nothing in the drive train that ever needed work. The most expensive thing that ever happened was I had to put in a new fuel pump at 100,000 miles.
So far, after almost a year, the '12 Mustang is one of the best cars I've ever owned. Next to the '69 Mustang convertible I have had since '87. Over all though the '12 is one of the best driving experiences I've had. I still get excited on nice days when I get to drive it to work. It literally put the fun back into driving for me. Today was one of those days where the family and I piled in and went for a drive, soley for the sake of going for a drive.
ive got a 2010 and it is awesome. I drive about 100 miler per day, and we test drove 3 Series and IS300s but for the money and the maintenance we love it.
and being concerned about Ford "quality" is a thought process that should have ended about 5 years ago. There products are just as reliable as a Honda or Toyota these days.
and being concerned about Ford "quality" is a thought process that should have ended about 5 years ago. There products are just as reliable as a Honda or Toyota these days.
I have one put 40,000 miles on it over the last year for work of hard driving. I get areound 32 mpg. Only concerns for me are the size wish the trunk was bigger, I am 6'1" and have the seat all the way back and causes a blind spot between where the doors are. Other bigger concern is in a bad winter and driving on gravel will wead the cars out. They are light and slide easily but if your looking for someone hwy driving or just around town it is a good car.
If you're planning on buying a Ford Fusion, wait for the 2013 to either get a deal on a 2012 or buy the all new model.
Cool...didn't know they were changing the body style. We just switched to Fusions for company cars from Impalas. I've got a couple years before I get one since my company car is only a year old right now, but nice to know I'll be getting this style.
I love the Fusions, I have my eye on a couple in the CR area hoping they are still available for when I get a job.
No idea what the true research shows (car & driver, motor trend, etc.) but I personally have had the exact opposite experience. My wife's Ford has been nothing but one problem after another while my Nissan has 105K miles and I haven't put a penny into it except for routine maintenance items.
My next car will absolutely be another Nissan.
The trick to buying a car, and I purchased my first car in 1968, is to get the best car in its class. If the price is too high, then try a less expensive class. For example, if you are interested in an SUV, a Honda CRV or Toyota Rav-4 are the cars to look at. If you can't afford one of them, the maybe look at the best in class for a five door car.
Read the car magazines and see what the comparisons tests look like, and also check Edmund's online, which provides comparisons across vehicles in their class.
For the best price, think about a low mileage used car, meaning a car that is a year or two old but with low mileage, still under warranty. New cars are lots of fun but it costs some extra bucks to get one that is new.
Cars these days generally are better than they used to be, meaning they are more reliable, but generally it is a good idea to avoid a new model of a car the first year it is produced. The second year usually will have fewer "bugs."
You might also check on the quality of the dealership. Some have terrific service departments and others are not nearly as good. You can check service departments out on line. If you are in Ames and you don't care about the service department, En-Tire has worked on our cars for years and the work is top notch for a fair price. En-Tire only does what is necessary and almost always give me a choice in dealing with a repair job or replacement of tires, batteries and so on.
Good luck and happy shopping.
The Transmission in the altimas takes some getting used to. We had an 05' maxima that we loved but it was totaled in an accident. ( side air bags saved my wife's life ) test drove an '11 Altima thinking it would be comparable to the maxima but just a bit smaller. It drove nothing like the maxima. Never been a huge ford fan, but they are putting out some of the best looking vehicles on the road right now. It sounds like they are pretty dependable too.