Ford of Canada annouinces 2007 Fusion AWD MSRP

[MKII]

Email received this morning from Ford of Canada- We've got Big News! Take control in 2007 – available AWD for V6 models is coming!
The optional New All-Wheel Drive system monitors speed, steering angle and throttle input to predict wheel slippage before it even happens.
Incredible value starting from just $28,799 base MSRP, plus A/C Excise Tax $100 ,  Destination $1,250,  Total MSRP $30,149 , for the SE variant and $30,699 base MSRP plus A/C Excise Tax $100 , Destination $1,250,  Total MSRP $32,049 for the SEL variant.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Good think base Legacy MSRP was decreased - I'd buy the Legacy 2.5i over the Fusion AWD, but the SE and SEL models are priced close and the higher trim you get, the more value there is in the Fusion AWD.

[ScoobyDriver]

Hmmmm - "Incredible value starting from just $28,799 base MSRP".  That doesn't seem that incredible to me!  My impreza was cheaper than this.  Granted this is a V6 with ~203 HP but that's only approximately 30 HP more than the base impreza.  Ford has said they are going to become the leader in AWD sales.  Not with prices like this!  The Fusion is built on a good platform so I'm sure it will be a nice driver but... 

Subaru is well known as not being the least expensive brand and they don't have the economy of scale that Ford should have.  I'm worried about the future of Ford.  Hopefully the Ford Edge sales are high enough to help them get out of this rut they seem to be in

An impreza sedan is $22,695 base MSRP

 

Email received this morning from Ford of Canada- We've got Big News! Take control in 2007 – available AWD for V6 models is coming!
The optional New All-Wheel Drive system monitors speed, steering angle and throttle input to predict wheel slippage before it even happens.
Incredible value starting from just $28,799 base MSRP, plus A/C Excise Tax $100 ,  Destination $1,250,  Total MSRP $30,149 , for the SE variant and $30,699 base MSRP plus A/C Excise Tax $100 , Destination $1,250,  Total MSRP $32,049 for the SEL variant.

[Stuff]

Did they address what I would consider the real problem with the Fusion, its crash test ratings?

[quadzilla]

Hmmmm - "Incredible value starting from just $28,799 base MSRP".  That doesn't seem that incredible to me!  My impreza was cheaper than this.  Granted this is a V6 with ~203 HP but that's only approximately 30 HP more than the base impreza.  Ford has said they are going to become the leader in AWD sales.  Not with prices like this!  The Fusion is built on a good platform so I'm sure it will be a nice driver but... 

Subaru is well known as not being the least expensive brand and they don't have the economy of scale that Ford should have.  I'm worried about the future of Ford.  Hopefully the Ford Edge sales are high enough to help them get out of this rut they seem to be in

An impreza sedan is $22,695 base MSRP

I think there is a large difference in size between the Impreza and Fusion.  This should be compared against the Legacy.  Now if they made the Focus AWD then that would go against the Impreza.

[ScoobyDriver]

The Legacy is a much nicer car in my opinion.  I'd have to be getting 0% financing and/or some combination of preferred finance rate and killer warranty to consider an AWD Fusion over a Legacy (or Impreza for that matter).  Subaru seems to hold it's value a little better than Ford.  So those advantages might make the sting of very high depreciation when it came time for a new car a little easier to take.

I've driven the Fusion and I don't know where that extra 10cu.ft over the Impreza comes from - it must be in the trunk! 

Hmmmm - "Incredible value starting from just $28,799 base MSRP".  That doesn't seem that incredible to me!  My impreza was cheaper than this.  Granted this is a V6 with ~203 HP but that's only approximately 30 HP more than the base impreza.  Ford has said they are going to become the leader in AWD sales.  Not with prices like this!  The Fusion is built on a good platform so I'm sure it will be a nice driver but... 

Subaru is well known as not being the least expensive brand and they don't have the economy of scale that Ford should have.  I'm worried about the future of Ford.  Hopefully the Ford Edge sales are high enough to help them get out of this rut they seem to be in

An impreza sedan is $22,695 base MSRP

I think there is a large difference in size between the Impreza and Fusion.  This should be compared against the Legacy.  Now if they made the Focus AWD then that would go against the Impreza.

[Loudpedal]

Did they address what I would consider the real problem with the Fusion, its crash test ratings?

I believe that they are making side airbags as standard in 2007 to address this (or partially address it). 

[Cord]

Granted this is a V6 with ~203 HP but that's only approximately 30 HP more than the base impreza.

Fusion V6 is actually rated at 221 hp.

[ovr50]

I've had such poor luck with Subies, I'd take the Fusion which I think looks quite decent. Rode in one, but did not drive it. Definitely not comparable to the Impreza, the Legacy maybe.

[quadzilla]

Here are the sizes as per the company’s web sites all in cf.

             Impreza    Legacy    Fusion
Interior    87.6          90.9      100.0
Trunk      11.0          11.4       15.6

[ScoobyDriver]

If you compare it to the Legacy the 28k base MSRP still doesn't seem to represent an "incredible value".  A base legacy can be had for the same.  Is the Legacy base price also "incredible" then?  What makes it incredible?  The 221 HP?  (thanks for the correction)

What about fuel economy?  How will the V6 AWD Fusion compare with a 2.5 4cylinder boxer in the Legacy?

Will the Fusion have more standard features than a comparable Legacy?  Will I want or care about those features?  So many questions!

[ScoobyDriver]

What a response from all the Ford fans!  I've been paitiently waiting for the same fire-storm from my critical comments about the Chrysler Sebring.  But... nothing from the Sebring fans yet.

(http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,48303.0.html)

If you compare it to the Legacy the 28k base MSRP still doesn't seem to represent an "incredible value".  A base legacy can be had for the same.  Is the Legacy base price also "incredible" then?  What makes it incredible?  The 221 HP?  (thanks for the correction)

What about fuel economy?  How will the V6 AWD Fusion compare with a 2.5 4cylinder boxer in the Legacy?

Will the Fusion have more standard features than a comparable Legacy?  Will I want or care about those features?  So many questions!

[Cord]

Without comparing features in detail, the base Legacy is $1000 higher priced once you add in the automatic transmission and block heater that are standard on the Fusion AWD.

[toolatecrew]

If you compare it to the Legacy the 28k base MSRP still doesn't seem to represent an "incredible value".  A base legacy can be had for the same.  Is the Legacy base price also "incredible" then?  What makes it incredible?  The 221 HP?  (thanks for the correction)

What about fuel economy?  How will the V6 AWD Fusion compare with a 2.5 4cylinder boxer in the Legacy?

Will the Fusion have more standard features than a comparable Legacy?  Will I want or care about those features?  So many questions!

How much is a base Legacy with an Automatic?

The Fusion comes with a 221 HP v6 and 6 speed Auto for 28k

The legacy comes with a 175 HP 4 and a 5 speed MANUAL for 28K.

Even if you discount the extra HP the Fusion has a $1500 head start by coming standard with an Auto.

me PERSONALLY the lack of stick in the Fusion is a killer. If they made a Fusion AWD with the 5speed from the Mazda 6 I'd be interested.

The AWD system IMO in the Legacy is FAR superior. Its real AWD all the time not on demand like the fusion. But given the Fusion's v6, greater room as well as likely better discounts and financing its a legit competitor. Add in the much better speed options. With legacy its wither base or loaded and very expensive Limited.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Doesn't the AWD version of the Fusion come with the 260hp 3.5l that debuts this year?

[ScoobyDriver]

If you bought a Fusion and then looked at resale figures like this how would you feel?

(http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=23206432&pgno=1&srt=1) Fusion
(http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=23781365&pgno=3&srt=1) Legacy

I searched used cars in all of Canada (one site only) and found these two comparo's.  The Subie has fewer km's so it's not exact but even factoring in some $ for that...  19,489 for a 06 SEL Fusion (I know it's not AWD but it's the top end FWD model) vs. $27,495.00 for a 06 Legacy.  That makes $1000 seem like chump change to me.  That's a difference of ~ 8000 by the way.  And the Legacy has .8% financing available according to the dealer ad.

A three year old Fusion that you're prepared to drive into the ground...  now that I might be interested in because I could buy one CHEAP and parts should be plentiful.

[MKII]

No 3.5 for the Fusion this year, maybe in the future. The rebadged Lincoln Zephyr aka MKZ will get the new 3.5.
I think the reason Ford sees this AWD variant as incredible value, because the 2WD Fusion 3.0 SE base MSRP is only $2,100.00 lower then the AWD.
So not a bad price increase for AWD feature.

On the Ford.ca build site comparison section, Ford direct competitor listed for the comparo is the "Impreza". ??

Fusion side impact with the standard side air bags gets "acceptable" rating now.

The Legacy IMO is a far safer car, built much better as far as fit and finish, higher level in the substance department.

[Cord]

If you bought a Fusion and then looked at resale figures like this how would you feel?

(http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=23206432&pgno=1&srt=1) Fusion
(http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=23781365&pgno=3&srt=1) Legacy

I searched used cars in all of Canada (one site only) and found these two comparo's.  The Subie has fewer km's so it's not exact but even factoring in some $ for that...  19,489 for a 06 SEL Fusion (I know it's not AWD but it's the top end FWD model) vs. $27,495.00 for a 06 Legacy.  That makes $1000 seem like chump change to me.  That's a difference of ~ 8000 by the way.  And the Legacy has .8% financing available according to the dealer ad.

A three year old Fusion that you're prepared to drive into the ground...  now that I might be interested in because I could buy one CHEAP and parts should be plentiful.

It's a little bit dicey to make resale value assertions based on one example. It's even more suspect when you select a 4 cylinder FWD Fusion to represent the resale value of a V6 AWD.

[ScoobyDriver]

There's not a lot of used Fusions out there yet.  So I could only work with what's available.  I doubt the "AWD" and "V6" features will account for that large of a difference though.  The depreciation gap is more likely due to a real or perceived quality difference between the Ford brand and Subaru.  Time will prove me right or wrong.

If you bought a Fusion and then looked at resale figures like this how would you feel?

(http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=23206432&pgno=1&srt=1) Fusion
(http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=23781365&pgno=3&srt=1) Legacy

I searched used cars in all of Canada (one site only) and found these two comparo's.  The Subie has fewer km's so it's not exact but even factoring in some $ for that...  19,489 for a 06 SEL Fusion (I know it's not AWD but it's the top end FWD model) vs. $27,495.00 for a 06 Legacy.  That makes $1000 seem like chump change to me.  That's a difference of ~ 8000 by the way.  And the Legacy has .8% financing available according to the dealer ad.

A three year old Fusion that you're prepared to drive into the ground...  now that I might be interested in because I could buy one CHEAP and parts should be plentiful.

It's a little bit dicey to make resale value assertions based on one example. It's even more suspect when you select a 4 cylinder FWD Fusion to represent the resale value of a V6 AWD.

[MKII]

How do you change customer perception about Ford quality?  Here, Debbe Yeager, (Director, Quality), says the company is addressing “the lag” between quality reality and customer perception of quality. “Our studies show that there is a four to eight year lag from what you produce to what the customer perceives that you produce,” she explains, “so what we’re doing now is using trusted independent sources to look at the independent data on quality that’s out there, and then sharing that data with customers in the places we know they research vehicles, such as the Internet.”  Yeager’s outlook is optimistic. “Our vehicle quality is actually the best that we have ever produced,” she states, “and we’re doing things internally and externally to gain back customer trust (while keeping our loyal fan base) such as increasing warranty coverage and roadside assistance. From BoldMoves.com

Yeager last comment   “Our vehicle quality is actually the best that we have ever produced,"  confirms my perception that Ford will continue to offer up 3rd rate product, if Ford thinks this current stuff is their best. Talk about low expectations.