Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost

[Vanstar]

^^^ I would buy a 2nd hand car rather than a Chrysler if I was short of cash.

Having myself worked as a Chrysler service advisor, I would say this is very good advice.

Here on the Wet Coast there are loads of rust-free, low km cars for sale for less than $10,000. Have a look on Craigslist yourself.

[TheHire]

I think Accord is the best value in this segment now.

It all depends on the definition of value. A base 2013 Sonata can be had for $22,064+tax while a base Accord with CVT is 25,190+tax.

Exactly, but a base Chrysler 200 could be had for $18,090 + tax but I doubt many here would chose it over the Accord or Sonata?

You would have to be insane picking a 200 over a Accord or Sonata.

Over the Accord yes. Sonata? Not so much.

Lightly used Sonata > > > > > > > brand new 200.

[Jaeger]

Lightly used Sonata / Accord / Camry / Altima / Optima etc. etc. > > > > > > > brand new 200.

Corrected. 

[sacrat]

Ford has a great history with turbos though, I wouldnt be afraid of a turbo Ford.

They do?  Examples?

My 1985 Turbo T-Bird burned oil at an alarming rate of about 1 litre/1000km from brand new. The dealer said this was "normal"...That was my "great history" with a Ford turbo...

[Fobroader]

Ford has a great history with turbos though, I wouldnt be afraid of a turbo Ford.

They do?  Examples?

My 1985 Turbo T-Bird burned oil at an alarming rate of about 1 litre/1000km from brand new. The dealer said this was "normal"...That was my "great history" with a Ford turbo...

Did you do the proper cool down cycle after driving it? Did you use the right oil? Being a ford, good chance you got a monday/friday car.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

[sacrat]

Actually, AS, I can see your point re engine choices just posing a hassle to some consumers.  I do wonder, though, whether your customer base at Toyota is somewhat skewed in the direction of a "keep it simple" demographic.  Not saying the Fusion is an enthusiasts car per se but I would imagine that Toyota disproportionately attracts consumers who view cars as little more than appliances.

Very well put...

[sacrat]

Ford has a great history with turbos though, I wouldnt be afraid of a turbo Ford.

They do?  Examples?

My 1985 Turbo T-Bird burned oil at an alarming rate of about 1 litre/1000km from brand new. The dealer said this was "normal"...That was my "great history" with a Ford turbo...

Did you do the proper cool down cycle after driving it? Did you use the right oil? Being a ford, good chance you got a monday/friday car.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

Yes to the cool down. I was a "techie" guy in those days and knew about not "coking" the bearings on the turbo. Even added an aftermarket intercooler (better top end, but even more lag). The oil consumption was not a Monday/Friday problem (I worked at Ford Plants in Windsor at the time, so I hear you) but was a well documented problem with this engine (also in the SVO).

[Fobroader]

Yeah.....lot of SVO guys say thay. But the engines are sturdy, theyll take lots of abuse...once you build it right.

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[rrocket]

Turbo tech has come a long long way since the 80s. You were rolling the dice with nearly any turbo grim that era

[justathought]

I own a 2008 SE with sport package including a manual 5 speed transmission. The car is a good cruiser on 401 & 403 which I drive often for work and has been also quite reliable. I average city/highway 8.2 to 8.5 so I agree 9.6 with a 1.6 econoboost is far from being impressive. Ford had a good product with the Fusion from 2006 until 2010 when re-design show issues namely new auto 6 speed transmission and cooling sounding like cascade. These issues might have been corrected by now but Ford is jumpimg into additional upgrade such econoboost which reliability still need to be proven and tested over the next few years at the owners expenses.. 

[Cord]

Ford has a great history with turbos though, I wouldnt be afraid of a turbo Ford.

They do?  Examples?

My 1985 Turbo T-Bird burned oil at an alarming rate of about 1 litre/1000km from brand new. The dealer said this was "normal"...That was my "great history" with a Ford turbo...

1985! Apparently you were able to overcome Hyundai's 1985 offerings.

[TheHire]

Lightly used Sonata / Accord / Camry / Altima / Optima etc. etc. > > > > > > > brand new 200.

Corrected. 

Fact.

[PJ]

Lightly used Sonata / Accord / Camry / Altima / Optima etc. etc. > > > > > > > brand new 200.

Corrected. 

Fact.

Have you driven one?  With the new interior and new V6 engine I was impressed.  I would buy one over an used Accord or Camry.  Haven't driven the Altima and the Koreans don't even offer a V6.

$21,895 (before freight and taxes) for a new 200 Touring with a V6.  Not bad at all.

[TheHire]

Lightly used Sonata / Accord / Camry / Altima / Optima etc. etc. > > > > > > > brand new 200.

Corrected. 

Fact.

Have you driven one?  With the new interior and new V6 engine I was impressed.  I would buy one over an used Accord or Camry.  Haven't driven the Altima and the Koreans don't even offer a V6.

$21,895 (before freight and taxes) for a new 200 Touring with a V6.  Not bad at all.

Yup, I've driven one.

Sure the Koreans don't offer a V6, but the 2.0T in the Sonata and Optima is actually a great engine. Granted, the fuel economy I experienced wasn't all that much better than a V6, but I like boost. 

I won't argue that Chrysler has priced the product well, but honestly, the 200/Avenger need to go away. I'd rather pony up a couple extra bucks and get the smaller Dart over a 200.

[Fobroader]

Lightly used Sonata / Accord / Camry / Altima / Optima etc. etc. > > > > > > > brand new 200.

Corrected. 

Fact.

Have you driven one?  With the new interior and new V6 engine I was impressed.  I would buy one over an used Accord or Camry.  Haven't driven the Altima and the Koreans don't even offer a V6.

$21,895 (before freight and taxes) for a new 200 Touring with a V6.  Not bad at all.

Pricing is not bad, but Id save my bottles and get a Kia Optima with the turbo. The 200 is the new standard for craptastic cars. After snowmans rentals review, I wouldnt even rent one.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

[TheHire]

Lightly used Sonata / Accord / Camry / Altima / Optima etc. etc. > > > > > > > brand new 200.

Corrected. 

Fact.

Have you driven one?  With the new interior and new V6 engine I was impressed.  I would buy one over an used Accord or Camry.  Haven't driven the Altima and the Koreans don't even offer a V6.

$21,895 (before freight and taxes) for a new 200 Touring with a V6.  Not bad at all.

Pricing is not bad, but Id save my bottles and get a Kia Optima with the turbo. The 200 is the new standard for craptastic cars. After snowmans rentals review, I wouldnt even rent one.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

Funny story now that you mention that; I was at an Enterprise this past summer in California, I'd booked a compact. The smallest thing they had at SFO was a 200; I said I'd rather take the bus everywhere. They instantly upgraded me to a V6 Camaro. I hated that too, but it was at least decent looking...

[PJ]

Lightly used Sonata / Accord / Camry / Altima / Optima etc. etc. > > > > > > > brand new 200.

Corrected. 

Fact.

Have you driven one?  With the new interior and new V6 engine I was impressed.  I would buy one over an used Accord or Camry.  Haven't driven the Altima and the Koreans don't even offer a V6.

$21,895 (before freight and taxes) for a new 200 Touring with a V6.  Not bad at all.

Yup, I've driven one.

Sure the Koreans don't offer a V6, but the 2.0T in the Sonata and Optima is actually a great engine. Granted, the fuel economy I experienced wasn't all that much better than a V6, but I like boost. 

I won't argue that Chrysler has priced the product well, but honestly, the 200/Avenger need to go away. I'd rather pony up a couple extra bucks and get the smaller Dart over a 200.

There's no question that the 200 is at the end of it's run (like most of their line).  The replacements should be interesting but in the meanwhile it's a good car for the price.  Those who say it's crap are clueless.

I like the turbo in the Optima too.  if you can find a 2012 you can get one for $24,945 "cash price". (can you tell I've been car shopping a lot lately?).   That would be my choice but turbos aren't for everyone.

I want to like the Dart but am disappointed in it.  The 1.4 turbo doesn't suit it and 2.0 feels underpowered in normal driving.  If I'm still looking by then I'll test drive the 2.4 when it shows up.

[Seafoam]

 You guys are way too hard on that car.

[Jaeger]

Lightly used Sonata / Accord / Camry / Altima / Optima etc. etc. > > > > > > > brand new 200.

Corrected. 

Fact.

Have you driven one?  With the new interior and new V6 engine I was impressed.  I would buy one over an used Accord or Camry.  Haven't driven the Altima and the Koreans don't even offer a V6.

$21,895 (before freight and taxes) for a new 200 Touring with a V6.  Not bad at all.

Yup, I've driven one.

Sure the Koreans don't offer a V6, but the 2.0T in the Sonata and Optima is actually a great engine. Granted, the fuel economy I experienced wasn't all that much better than a V6, but I like boost. 

I won't argue that Chrysler has priced the product well, but honestly, the 200/Avenger need to go away. I'd rather pony up a couple extra bucks and get the smaller Dart over a 200.

Agreed.