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  June 28, 2010 6:46 p.m. irish44j HalfDork

  Ok, so my parents are finally selling one (not both) of the minvans in the interest of fuel economy - my brother and his wife are about to have a baby, and that means alot of trips 300+ miles by "grandma" to go see said baby, etc...

  So they would like to buy American, and the car they're most interested in is a Fusion. Now my Dad, being Mr.Liberal (odd for a career military man and the owner of a marina full of gas-guzzling boats haha), continues to make the case for getting a hybrid....eg. the Fusion hybrid now. That, or he just says it because he knows I disdain the hybrid hype. But I digress....

  They live out on the Chesapeake bay in the country, 100+ miles from the nearest city and probably 20 miles from the nearest stoplight. This car would be used primarily for 55mph rural highways and I-95 headed to N.C. I have made the point that buying a hybrid for that kind of use is stupid, since the real advantage to a hybrid is in city driving, not going 80 on the highway.

  In any case, I will either convince them to get a regular I-4 or the smaller V6, hopefully, if they go with a Fusion.

  So, I know jack-ola about Fusions. Tell me what I should know...which engines are the best/most reliable. Is the I-4 soul-less? How is the suspension? etc etc. Anyone here who owns one - which model and are you happy with it...etc etc.

  thanks!

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  June 28, 2010 6:51 p.m. bluesideup New Reader

  I rented a pretty basic Fusion last year and didn't feel like it was missing anything. Even the hubcaps are good enough to fool you into thinking they are alloys. The 4 cylinder pulls nicely with two big dudes and luggage. Decent mileage too, in mixed driving I think we got 25-28mpg.

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  June 28, 2010 8:32 p.m. Raze HalfDork

  My friend has a loaded 4 cyl/auto, gets 30mpg, but he had to have his transmission replaced inside of 6 months. There's a service bulletin to flash the trans to prevent premature wear on a part which if fails prevents the torque converter from locking up. I'm not saying they're bad, actually I really like the look, space is decent though not as good as a 4cyl/auto Camry (which my wife has). If I were going to pay 20-30k for a new one I'd get a Camry SE like the wife's. For the money it's bigger, feels more powerful (geared better for the highway). Knocks down 30 mpg with 2 adults, a trunk full of luggage, and 2 dogs in the back going 75mph. Plus the suspension on the SE Camry is superior to the Fusion IMO...

  I really don't like either car though and would never buy either if I had the choice...

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  June 28, 2010 8:35 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

  We recently spent some time with the Milan Hybrid--same car, basically. Honestly, I liked it. It's jerky on the highway if you don't use the cruise, though, as it constantly wants to swap between gas and electric. Use the cruise, and it's smooth sailing.

  Linky: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2010-110-milan-hybrid/

  Yes, we now have signatures.

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  June 28, 2010 8:46 p.m. N Sperlo New Reader

  For all that highway driving it makes more sense to have a 100% gas powered car. On the highway that lil motor wont kick in enough to make up for the difference of what you pay. Im liberal too, but more money concientious. Truthfully im seriously looking into getting a new base model Taurus. And yes, I cant believe im saying that. But seriously, for price and maintenance, that gas Fusion will be the better and more reliable choice. Keep us updated on what he gets. If he does get the hybrid, Id love to hear what you think of it.

  - N. Sperlo -:-:- "We are the first nation in the history of the world to go to the poorhouse in an automobile." - Will Rogers

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  June 28, 2010 9:01 p.m. Datsun1500 Dork

  Look at it from a cost point of view. I just went to the Ford Website and looked at a hybrid vs a 4 cyl. se. Both automatic, both cloth interior, etc. There is a $6000 difference in price. There is a 2 mile per gallon difference in the highway estimate. At $3.50 a gallon, 20,000 miles a year, and the non hybrid cost $115 more a year. Lets say combined there is a 10 mpg difference, it still only costs $858 less a year for the hybrid, so it's 7 years before he breaks even?

  I completely missed the fact that I am now a dork and no one told me.

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  June 28, 2010 9:01 p.m. irish44j HalfDork

  thanks guys....and to clarify, this will be more "mom's" car than dads. And talking to her tonight I told her that Dad was kind of pigeonholing the car choice by saying only American, but she said that isn't set in stone and they won't be getting any car unless she likes to drive it

  She also said that a good friend of theirs who owns several car dealers about 90 miles from them thinks she should get the new Sonata (from his dealer, with a discount!). She said this right as I was about to suggest the new Sonata.

  Anyhow, they're going to do the dealer rounds next week. The last NEW car they bought was a 1989 civic ex that mom still misses, lol. Since then they've had Plymouth/Chrysler minivans since they ahve to move alot of stuff for the business and also need to lug my grandparents around alot....

  will keep updated on what they choose.

  I also suggested maybe a used Caddy CTS, but since they run a country marina they don't want to look like they're overcharging the customers by driving a Caddy, lol.

  Other cars I've suggested for mid-size/affordable/30ish mpg highway: - Acura TSX (used) - Hyundai Sonata (09 or '10 used) - Corvette (hey, it gets 30mpg highway, lol....)...yeah right. - new V6 Mustang....

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  June 28, 2010 9:07 p.m. irish44j HalfDork

  Datsun1500 wrote: Look at it from a cost point of view. I just went to the Ford Website and looked at a hybrid vs a 4 cyl. se. Both automatic, both cloth interior, etc. There is a $6000 difference in price. There is a 2 mile per gallon difference in the highway estimate. At $3.50 a gallon, 20,000 miles a year, and the non hybrid cost $115 more a year. Lets say combined there is a 10 mpg difference, it still only costs $858 less a year for the hybrid, so it's 7 years before he breaks even?

  dude....preaching to the choir here, lol.

  I almost think he would buy the hybrid just to get back at me for taking his beloved Triumph GT6 and restoring it and undoing all the "custom" fixes he did to it over the years, lol...

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  June 28, 2010 9:33 p.m. jimbob_racing HalfDork

  Check the Fusion out, it's probably made in Mexico so is it really an American car? Not wanting to start a debate here but it is an interesting thought.

  I just went through this with my parents who only want to buy American. They wanted a used Lincoln MKZ, and as always I suggested a new Honda Accord. The MKZ is made in Mexico, the Accord is made in Ohio. For the first time in 20 years they seriously considered a Honda but in the end they bought the MKZ. I drove it and honestly it is a nice car. The Fusion should be the same basic car except with a less powerful engine.

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  June 28, 2010 10:12 p.m. integraguy Dork

  My folks had been thinking about replacing their '02 Taurus with a new Fusion, perhaps a hybrid, as my sister has a Prius and my Mom wants to think it would be a cool way to save gas if they went hybrid.

  Long story short, my Mom has developed degenerative dry eye and now no longer drives. My Dad, being almost 90 won't have a license all that much longer, I guess (he's a real survivor...so I could be wrong) and the talk of ANY new car is no longer heard. For an older person, I would think they would appreciate a Fusion, if for no other reason than the gobs of room they have and the ease with which you can get into the front seat....at least in comparison to my Civic or my Dad's Taurus.

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  June 28, 2010 10:18 p.m. Greg Voth Reader

  I have had three Fusions as company cars.

  I put about 50k miles two 2008 Fusion SEs with the 2.3 4cyl/auto combo. Never had a problem with either. Got mid 20's around town driving like I wanted (read not easy) and could pull down about 30mph at 80 on the highway.
  

  I now have a 2010 Fusion SE with the 2.5 4cyl/auto combo. Just rolled over 7k miles in the two months I have had it. According to the trip computer I am averaging 29.4 mpg mixed driving but with several long highway trips. The 2.5 is noticeably stronger and is probably helped by the new 6 speed rather than the previous 4 speed. The interior is nice and the trunk is huge. As a comparison the interior is much nicer than my wife's 2004 Forester XT and the previous generation Fusion. Again no problems with this one yet.
  

  I have been pleasantly surprised by the handling and ride in each. They are quite stable and exhibit minimal understeer in all but autocross situations. I have even been able to induce the rear to step out in trail braking situations.
  

  I have driven newer Accords and Camrys on the base end of the scale but prefer the interior and certainly the exterior styling of the 2010 Fusions. I did not drive them hard enough to form an opinion handling wise but they seemed to ride just fine.
  

  I would whole heartedly recommend a newer Fusion based on my experience.

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  June 28, 2010 10:39 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

  jimbob_racing wrote: Check the Fusion out, it's probably made in Mexico so is it really an American car? Not wanting to start a debate here but it is an interesting thought.

  Here to settle the debate are the American Automobile Labeling Act percentages. Note, these percentages only track "domestic" content and domestic is defined as US and/or Canadian.
  http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws+&+Regulations/Part+583+American+Automobile+Labeling+...
  Visit the website and click the box for the details you wish to see.

  2010 Ford Fusion: 25% domestic with Mexico final assembly.
  2010 Toyota Camry: 75% domestic and could be assembled in USA.

  I really like the 4 cyl Fusion.
  

  If domestic and good MPG are important then I recommend a Ford Focus.
  If domestic and Hybrid are important then I recommend a Ford Escape Hybrid.

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  June 29, 2010 6:56 a.m. alfadriver Dork

  My parents just updated from a Focus to a Fusion, and they really, really love it. Most of their driving is highway- across the country and back multiple times a year, so milege vs. comfort are a big deal- but my dad is a former Alfisiti, so handling is a big deal, too (and the mountain passes they have to drive through are fun, as well).

  BTW, please, please, please shoot me a personal e-mail about this. Kind of important.

  Eric

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