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Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan New Owner Reports

260 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2013 at 9:10 AM

You are in the Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Sedan

Messages Page 13 of 26

#121 of 260 New 2009 Milan Owner by raconteur3

Aug 08, 2009 (10:22 pm)

I just purchased a new 2009 Mercury Milan Premier I-4 two weeks ago and could not be more pleased. I had been in the market for a new car for the last year and had been checking out several makes and models (Taurus, Impala, Fusion, Malibu and Focus) when the Cash for Clunkers program started, I traded in my 1996 Ford T-Bird and made the decision to purchase a Fusion, but my local Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealerships stock on Fusions was extremely low with the options that I wanted (Red with camel leather interior, Sync, Sirus, and the moon & tune package). I then took a closer look at the Milan and was pleased to find that I liked the styling better and they had one exactly like I wanted.
   
My friends (mostly Honda and Toyota owners) have been suprised by the stylish good looks, comfortable ride, good mpg, and outstanding fit and finish. The only downside to this purchase was that my wife became jealous and bought herself a new Escape later the same week!

#122 of 260 Re: New 2009 Milan Owner [raconteur3] by explorerx4

Aug 09, 2009 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: raconteur3 (Aug 08, 2009 10:22 pm)
you an your wife have some pretty decent vehicles.
we have 2 escapes and a fusion.

#123 of 260 How about an old Fusion owner? by cannon3

Aug 09, 2009 (5:03 pm)

Fusion/Milan have been around now for a while and they should have a thread for us owners with miles on them. I own a 2006 SEL V6 in silver frost with black leather, sun roof, the works. I now have about 45,000 trouble free, squeak free miles on this car. Solid, this car is as solid as the day I bought it. I do have one issue however, when I reach speeds of 60+ I have slight wind noise in the windshield area. You have to turn off the radio in order to listen for it.
In 2006 I bought this car and was told by the Honda/Toyota crowd I would be sorry, it was going to fall apart, have all kinds of problems.. I paid thousands less and know I made the right choice.

#124 of 260 Re: How about an old Fusion owner? [cannon3] by savetheland

Aug 10, 2009 (6:20 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Aug 09, 2009 5:03 pm)
I do not know how Toyota/Honda crowd could come up with their outrageous conclusions. I have Mercury Sable with 120K miles and did not have any problems so far. Consumer Report rates Sable/Taurus reliability for last 6 years as "above average", almost the same as before mentioned Camry/Accord. I have some doubt about Erupean brands and GM/Chrysler about reliability, but not Ford.

#125 of 260 Re: How about an old Fusion owner? [savetheland] by stephen987

Aug 10, 2009 (6:34 pm)

Replying to: savetheland (Aug 10, 2009 6:20 pm)
As a member of the "Honda crowd" (I've owned five so far), I agree with savetheland--many folks underestimate Ford. The Taurus/Sable twins have a longstanding record of solid reliability--not to mention terrific safety performance, and low insurance rates as a result. A used Taurus or Sable is the perfect first car for a teenager.
 
The Fusion and Milan seem to have maintained excellent reliability since their introduction. I would not hesitate for a moment to purchase one if I needed a car in that size/price range. But I do think the initial depreciation makes them a better buy used than new. The used car market hasn't yet caught onto this terrific little secret.

#126 of 260 Re: How about an old Fusion owner? [stephen987] by savetheland

Aug 11, 2009 (5:36 pm)

Replying to: stephen987 (Aug 10, 2009 6:34 pm)
Rental Tauruses had cheaply made interiors, that may be the reason to underestimate Taurus. Technically it also was carryover from 1986 model with ancient ineffective pushrod V6 Vulcan (American companies were only ones making pushrod engines in 80s-2000s). Vulcan is not well suited for freeways, it simply does not accelerate - I remember I4 Camry felt more like V6 in its smoothness and power than Vulcan.
 
Regarding resale values it goes upward for Fords for some time. For Fusion and new Taurus it will aproach at least to Toyota level soon. I for one feel no pressure to sell my Sable since it just runs strong and holds up pretty well. I bought it in pretty good deal new for 18.5K (21.5K with taxes and fees). And it is car with DOHC V6, all leather interior, moonroof and other amenities, very comfortable for daily commute. Price was similar to the price of I4 Accord/Camry at that time

#127 of 260 Re: How about an old Fusion owner? [savetheland] by badgerfan

Aug 12, 2009 (8:59 am)

Replying to: savetheland (Aug 11, 2009 5:36 pm)
Taurus had 3.0 DOHC V-6 available at little extra cost from 1996 on, and I take exception to the statement that Tauri had cheaply made interiors. My 2000 (DOHC equipped) Taurus interior is quality throughout, especially when looking at durability. Perhaps it looks a little plain with little "bling", however everything is solid, tight and ergonomics are excellent. Now at 80,000 miles the interior has almost no wear and looks like new, even the drivers seat. No squeaks or rattles either.
 
The car has been extremely reliable as well. Other than routine maintenance, there have been no issues of significance.
 
It also has dual front sun visors, a very nice feature when the sun is low and coming in at the upper corner of the windshield and side windows intermittently. This is a feature, unfortunately, that Ford has not continued on the latest models.

#128 of 260 Re: How about an old Fusion owner? [badgerfan] by savetheland

Aug 12, 2009 (6:40 pm)

Replying to: badgerfan (Aug 12, 2009 8:59 am)
Yes but point was that Camry (which Ford tried to match with previous generation of Taurus) also had V6 DOHC engine which was more refined and advanced than Duratec even though it cost more.
 
But what is even more important most Camries sold with I4 and thats where Camry beats Taurus hands down. Instead of offering refined I4 engine (which Ford did not have) it offered Taurus with the same tired ancient Vulcan engine which burns more gas with less output than modern I4. Ford had a habit to keep ancient designs in production for too long in such a competitive market. I agree that Taurus/Sable are among most reliable midsize cars in 2000s, but it is not enough to compete.
 
At its prime time Taurus was among most advanced cars in USA and both Toyota and Honda tried hard to match it. And Toyota did it in 1992 and created even better car, while Ford only facelifted and even cheaped Taurus in 1992 redesign. After '92 Camry came out Ford begin worrying and ordered Taurus redesign to beat new Camry. Team just could not do it with manufacturing system and cost structure Ford had in 90s. So instead product manager decided to beat Camry with outlandish style and it did not work.
 
Modern Americans do not care much about style - they just want quality appliance that does not look outright ugly, except of Honda and Toyota. Honda and Toyota in American market have a luxury to not spend money on exterior design. Of course this approach in Europe does not work because Europeans have a long tradition to dress stylishly and drive stylish cars.

#129 of 260 2010 SE I4 Auto w/Sync by xmech

Aug 16, 2009 (1:22 am)

Had my 2010 Fusion almost 2 weeks now.
 
Dislikes:
1) As mentioned in reviews, the engine is quite noisy in anything more than gentle accelleration. Nothing a good fart-muffer can't hide, though! (JK! Wouldn't get caught dead with one.)
 
2) Can't believe I'd say this, but here goes: Lot's of buttons! I'm still getting accustomed to the center stack, and while I love having so many things to do with it, all those tiny buttons are tough to identify while driving. Party my fault, as I reflexively reach for the cntr stack and forget the steering wheel controls and voice commands.
 
3) (Nitpicking) USB plug in cntr console in awckward (Sp?) location. Like how Sonata goes straight up, though maybe that would get clogged with crap?
 
4) Not a design thing, but the backup sensor occasionally goes off like it's right up against something when there's nothing for a country mile. Not a weather factor, unless nice sunny weather causes it... Going to have it looked at this week. I know, it can be disabled, and I didn't really want the system, but if I paid for it, it's gonna work! Besides, the wife may drive it ocaisionaly. (Sorry, ladies!)
 
5) I wish the Sync voice had it's own volume adjustment, as I find she's usually screaming at me. Hey Ford (Or Microsoft), I get enough of that at home, OK?
 
Like:
1) Unlike the reviews, I found the power steering to feel really good. This was one that scared me, but was relieved during the test drive. Can't feel the difference from a regular hydraulic one. Not lifeless, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm no race car driver, but it's nothing like the Sonata, which may as well have a joystick, which was pretty much a deal killer for me, along with the road noise and the way the transmission shifted. (Sorry Hyundai. Truth hurts.)
 
2) MPG. around 27MPG, 70/30 hwy/city. Well, that's subjective, but I like it alot more than the Grand Cherokee Obama bought from me...
 
3) So far, it's more than adequate power from the 4-banger. Yeah, it would be fun to have one of the 6's, but I have to grow up some time.... Yet to test it through the mountain passes, though.
 
4) Roomy! Looked small inside at the auto show, but somehow deceiving.
 
5) Comfy seats. Like the lumbar support. Looking for an excuse for a long trip.
 
6) Instrument cluster. That's the most common 'Wow!' I get when people see it for the first time.
 
Very happy with it overall. I still wonder why the base S model has alloy wheels and the SE gets hub caps? But they look like alloys from a distance.

#130 of 260 Re: 2010 SE I4 Auto w/Sync [xmech] by explorerx4

Aug 17, 2009 (11:29 am)

Replying to: xmech (Aug 16, 2009 1:22 am)
i have an 07 with the v6, which is not anyone i know of's favorite sounding engine,
but now that i have about 17k on it, it seems much smoother and quieter than when i first got it. hopefully, your I4 will be the same.

Messages Page 13 of 26

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