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Sedans Midsize Sedans 2.0
13235 messages, Last post on Nov 27, 2009 at 9:06 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Apr 16, 2007 7:51 am) As Toyota exec said at NAIAS 2 years ago: the number one selling ice cream flavor in the US is vanilla. Big companies like Toyota design their vehicles to appeal to the broadest group. They are designed to not offend anyone and have a high feature content. They make relatively few models (the Honda 2 model 3 trim line is the master of this) and they will work for most of the people. Its the people that want something more interesting or exciting that don't meet the criteria. Smaller companies like BMW design vehicles to appeal to those who do want something with a little more soul. An example is very few Toyotas are available with a manual transmission (and since its only ~8% of the market, Toyota doesn't care), while almost every BMW is available with a manual transmission. BMW is low volume relative to other manufacturers (VW, Peugeot, Renault) even in Europe. They are also very profitable. |
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Replying to: thegraduate (Apr 16, 2007 8:28 am) This is the perception at this point, anyway. |
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Replying to: thegraduate (Apr 16, 2007 8:28 am)  ), instead I beleive it is more about "reliability". The perception of many is that if you buy a Camry, it will require very few or no repairs.
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Take a look at the Car and Driver comparison. 2x not just once the Fusion beat out the Camry and Accord. Once on the East Coast and once on the West Coast. READ the comparison. These are everyday people NOT Ford employees like some like to spread misinformation. Also, some say, the Fusion has AWD, not fair.. So is the Camry/Accord having stability control fair? Read the article these are Like Vehicles, and are all V6's too before that excuses pops up.. Word is spreading folks, consumers are taking notice of other brands of vehicles. Frankly, I won't spend the extra $$ for a perceived reliability/quality advantage.
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Replying to: scape2 (Apr 16, 2007 10:24 am)
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Replying to: jd10013 (Apr 16, 2007 11:37 am) In automotive technology they are somewhat behind the curve (less efficency and less power from the engine in the Fusion vs. that in the Accord). They are not so behind as to be ridiculed too harshly, however (Ok, the 4.0L in the Explorer and Mustang is a rough old dog compared with the sixes of THIS century) but the Fusion is perfectly adequate and is competitive. In reliability, Ford's Fusion is doing quite well. Unfortunately that doesn't translate across the line, however (my parents are shopping for a second car, possibly a convertible, or maybe an SUV - the Explorer and the Mustang were both unable to be recommended by CR because of poor relibaility). The Fusion however, is well above average according to CR. For some in this forum, it seems that you are more defensive of your choice than you have to be. Nothing in here has to get personal, and because one person drives a Nissan and another drives a Toyota, it doesn't mean that the driver of one thinks the buyer of the other is stupid, so quit implying that. Quality IS perception, scape. I "perceive" the knobs, buttons, materials, and design to all be of higher quality, with better motion to things like blinker stalks, HVAC, and stereo, in my Accord than in the Fusion. You perceive it differently. If it's not perception, I'd love to see the quantitative facts proving different. Otherwise, it is subjective perception. |
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Replying to: jd10013 (Apr 16, 2007 11:37 am) Actually, the Euro brands are typically in that spot, but thanks for proving the case. 
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Replying to: scape2 (Apr 16, 2007 10:24 am) Reliability: not a landslide, Fusion appears to be "above average" according to most sources so far, however Accord is tops. This isn't perception, Accord reliability and longevity is well documented, and although Fusion is being received well, it is an unknown, and Fords of the past have been so-so (I won't buy another one after my 2004). Resale value: I know many people intend to keep their cars longer than the early (1-5) years where depreciation matters most, but cars can be stolen or totaled, and value counts. I suspect the difference between values of used Accords and used Fusions will typically be more than the difference in purchase prices when new. Even really old Accords command serious money; I sold a 10-year old Accord with 140,000 miles for $4,000. Try that with a Ford. Interior: Accord interior is more attractive and comfortable (to me). All of the controls feel much more sophisticated and pleasing to operate. Refinement (especially engine and trasmission): big advantage for the Accord. I drive a 2007 Accord 4-cylinder with a manual, and have been very impressed so far at 3,000 miles total. I don't miss having a V6 at all, it is a quick car at about 7.5 seconds to 60. That's not far off from a Fusion V6 (and I have tested this myself by driving both cars, plus last weekend when a Mazda6 V6 Auto tried to beat me from a red light to get into my lane). Great mileage too, just got back from a business trip and pulled 34mpg at 80mph with the AC on. |
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Replying to: benderofbows (Apr 16, 2007 11:56 am)  and the greatest Ford Contour ever made lol 
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Apr 16, 2007 12:10 pm) It happens! Not every car will hold up to its reputation, and you proved it! Actually, I never heard of the Contour being particularly good OR bad, to be honest. |
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