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Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread - READ ONLY

12297 messages,  Last post on Apr 13, 2007 at 11:55 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy, Saturn Aura, Sedan

#12264 of 12297 Re: Ford Fusion Challenge [jaxs1] by scape2 Feb 18, 2007 (6:01 pm)
Replying to: jaxs1 (Feb 17, 2007 11:47 am) "It was a closed course designed to highlight advantages of AWD handling. They could have put a FWD drive Fusion and a AWD Fusion together and the people would have said they preferred the AWD version on the course just as the people preferred the AWD Fusion to FWD Accords and Camrys. I wonder how it would have gone if all the vehicles had been FWD?   Please, please, please, read the whole article. They were V6 Accord/Camry. So, since the Accord/Camry come with stability control, and the Fusion does not? then it would have been unfair again? They were "comparably priced". Meaning you can get an AWD Fusion for the same price as the Camry/Accord... It also give numbers of people who chose the Fusion, along with interviews. I just don't understand why it is so hard to believe a Ford could actually win something.. Replies to this message: jaxs1 (Feb 18, 2007 6:23 pm) neteng101 (Feb 18, 2007 7:17 pm) thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:23 pm) and 10 more... 03accordman (Feb 19, 2007 8:34 am)
#12266 of 12297 Re: Ford Fusion Challenge [scape2] by jaxs1 Feb 18, 2007 (6:23 pm)
Replying to: scape2 (Feb 18, 2007 6:01 pm) If Toyota or Honda had set up a closed course that they designed to highlight advantages of stability control (such emergency high speed lane changes/obstacle avoidance etc.) it would have been just as biased as Ford's closed course for AWD. Replies to this message: neteng101 (Feb 18, 2007 7:17 pm) thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:23 pm) neteng101 (Feb 18, 2007 8:12 pm) and 3 more... akirby (Feb 19, 2007 6:55 am) and 5 more...
#12269 of 12297 Awkward... by thegraduate Feb 18, 2007 (7:15 pm)
(I think I'll try and start some new topics)   SO! The Fusion and Legacy have All-Wheel Drive! Who is using their all-wheel drive in this wintry weather much of the country is having?   Who has driven the new Kia Optima? Anybody here bought one? They look pretty promising as long as you are shopping 4-cylinders, but the V6 is WAY outgunned by other V6s in this group.   What are you looking for the next (2008) Accord to be offering? A more sporty flair, or a bias to luxury? Will the V6 have 4-cylinder economy or will it have class leading power, or both? Or neither?   (Take it from here, or come up with a new topic maybe?) Replies to this message: backy (Feb 18, 2007 8:12 pm) elroy5 (Feb 18, 2007 8:37 pm)
#12270 of 12297 Re: Ford Fusion Challenge [jaxs1] by neteng101 Feb 18, 2007 (7:17 pm)
Replying to: jaxs1 (Feb 18, 2007 6:23 pm) FWIW, the Fusion AWD system is not all that its made out to be. Its the cheap version that runs in FWD mode until slip is detected then some power is transfered to the rear. True AWD systems such as those in found in a Subaru are far superior in slippery snowy/icy conditions because you always have some amount of power to all 4 wheels at all times, not only when the sensors start to predict/detect slipping.   On a closed circuit with emphasis on handling, little things can make a big difference... wrong tire inflation pressures for example. People who take part in autocross events would know this but not the average person off the street. The Fusion could have been setup better than the Camry/Accord ie. "tuned" for this particular showcase. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Feb 18, 2007 7:23 pm) neteng101 (Feb 18, 2007 8:12 pm) captain2 (Feb 19, 2007 7:40 am) and 2 more... akirby (Feb 19, 2007 6:55 am) thegraduate (Feb 19, 2007 7:24 am) and 3 more... 03accordman (Feb 19, 2007 8:31 am)
#12271 of 12297 Re: Ford Fusion Challenge [neteng101] by thegraduate Feb 18, 2007 (7:23 pm)
Replying to: neteng101 (Feb 18, 2007 7:17 pm) Yes, but with full-time AWD comes a heavier fuel economy penalty. Honda's CR-V uses a similar setup to the Fusion AWD, and I've heard few complaints except that people wanting to "off-road" in the CR-V wanted a true 4WD system.   Downside to the Fusion's system? AWD won't do as much for everyday handling until slip begins to occur. Until that happens, it will still handle like a typical front-drive car, not like, say, and Audi A6 Quattro, which is very balanced with its AWD system, I believe. Replies to this message: neteng101 (Feb 18, 2007 8:12 pm) captain2 (Feb 19, 2007 7:40 am) jeffyscott (Feb 19, 2007 8:15 am) and 1 more... akirby (Feb 19, 2007 6:55 am) thegraduate (Feb 19, 2007 7:24 am) akirby (Feb 19, 2007 8:19 am) and 2 more... 03accordman (Feb 19, 2007 8:31 am)
#12273 of 12297 Re: Consumer reports on the Aura [scape2] by m1miata Feb 18, 2007 (7:44 pm)
Replying to: scape2 (Feb 18, 2007 1:00 pm) 3.6-liter XR's 6.3-second 0-to-60 Fusion V6 is 7.2 0-60 Yeap, both are quick enough. I have not personally driven the Fusion with a six yet. I did drive the Aura 3.5 and 3.6 and will tell ya, the 3.6 is fast, with lots of torque. The six speed works fine. I believe Intellichoice lists the Fusion SE V6 as worse than average value rating as in cost to own. The Aura is listed as average. The Honda Accord naturally is rated better than average. If I was buying a car, and was sure I would be happy with the car for at least seven years, and the car company is around to back the car, then yeap, no problem. Problems arise if you somehow get a car you wish to back out of, as in selling. Low resale could hurt. I have no problem with the Fusion in most respects. Not the fastest car, yet fast enough - price seems pretty fair when discounted - cornering ability and agility is good - looks pretty nice, and it appears that Mexico is putting out a car with good initial quality scores. The caveat of course is in the years to come, reliability, resale, and Fords health. If I am willing to assume some risk, and the price is right, I suppose I could venture in. A journey into the unknown. I am considering buying the Aura, which is made in USA, and is projected to have average resale value. Once again a leap of faith though compared to buying a Honda. Seems to be a little less with the GM vs. the Ford product, but once again things change. In 2005 I bought a PT Cruiser, which had an average rating for total cost to own. Now it seems to have fallen into a poor zone for total price, as resale is faltering. At least I bought the lowest end one, some I did not dive off into the high water.   It would be good for the US economy of course to see GM and Ford healthy once again. The Fusion though made across the border, throws some money Fords way, as would buying the Aura, which is made here in the States throws money into the GM pot. While I am impressed with the Accord SE V6 and i4 cars I tested, I was also pleased to find a good handling Fusion, with sharp looks, and the Aura having lots of the same attributes of an Accord. The total cost of ownership between the three cars mentioned appears to be all too predictable, and thus some sacrifice is required. -Loren

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