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I don't think my car has a prayer, with only 200hp, of topping 130. I bet you are right on the money on the swoopy new Fusion 2.0 at 150mph. I read that it has a. 27 drag co-efficient. Only super-cars used to have that kind of aerodynamics. Plus of course it has 40 more HP, and a ton more torque.
Actually I think it's the opposite...usually the super cars have a very bad drag co-efficient. The only one I remember was the Bugatti...at about .40.
I think it's the huge tires and down force which give a bad co-efficient...still has enough power to get the job done
Here is an except from wiki answers on drag: "The average modern automobile achieves a drag coefficient of between 0.30 and 0.35. SUVs, with their typically boxy shapes, typically achieve a Cd of 0.35–0.45. The drag coefficient of a vehicle is impacted by the shape of body of the vehicle. Various other characteristics impact the coefficient of drag as well, and are taken into account in these examples. Some sports cars have a surprisingly high value for a drag coefficient, but this is to compensate for the amount of lift the vehicle generates, while others use aerodynamics to their advantage to gain speed and have much lower coefficients of drag".
The engine and transmission combo in the Camry is very good, however, providing nice power and good economy. That's probably where the Camry is closest to the Accord, but the Accord still has the edge, I think, in engine sound, mpg, and probably acceleration as well.
The interior of the Camry seems like a mish-mash of parts that don't always mesh well together or look integrated. The sewn vinyl layer on the top of the dashboard is more odd than lux looking. And hard plastic parts found elsewhere in the dash (particularly the part near the legs of the driver and front passenger) seem cheap.
There are some important standard features on the Accord that the Camry doesn't have, like dual zone climate control, back up camera, and perhaps something else I can't think of right now.
The styling of the Camry is perhaps the weakest in the midsize class, although I know that's very subjective.
A little bigger than what I need for my next car, otherwise I'd seriously consider adding it to my garage. Although there's no sports car in it right now.
Is there a TSB or recall?
http://cski12894.imgur.com/all/
Ford's reluctance to correct the fault kept me away from the brand to this day.
try this link: http://cski12894.imgur.com/
and this one: http://imgur.com/a/gOrWj#0
Here is a link to the Fusion forums thread where topic is discussed in detail.
http://www.fordfusionforum.com/topic/6577-2012-6f35-transmission-problems-new-vi- deo/page-7
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=37868
Altima 37,763 -8%
Camry 37,663 -8.2%
Accord 36,504 +41.4%; PHEV 26
Fusion 30,284 +6%
Malibu 18,539 -22.4%
Sonata 18,031
200 16,593 +11%
Optima 14,366
Avenger 12,439 +33%
Passat 9,521 -5.1%
6 6,102 -22.3%
Legacy 4,400 -18.3%
VW has the capacity to make c. 170,000 Passats at their factory in TN, but right now it looks like they'll be closer to 120,000 or so. The VW has the least impressive standard engine out of all of the midsize cars.
In other words, we are about halfway through the model year. It's possible to make some rough guesses as to where things are going to end up for the model year. Here are my guesses:
Camry: c. 450,000 (probably the worst midsize car of the top sellers, but Toyota will give them away to stay #1)
Accord: c. 400,000
Altima: c. 400,000
Fusion: c. 400,000
As you can see, I'm guessing there might be a roughly 3-way tie for second place. The competition is going to be brutal, with great deals on good cars making the customer King (and Queen).
Big drop after the top 4....My guesses
Sonata: c. 220,000 (Sonata is slumping, needs an update asap)
Malibu: c. 200,000 (ditto)
200: c. 200,000 (big move up)
Optima: c. 170,000 (holding steady)
Passat: c.140,000 (I think incentives + diesels + V6s will keep them in the game)
http://wardsauto.com/auto-makers/ford-march-sales-9-capacity-tight-fusion
Ford turned in strong March results, with deliveries up 9.0% on a daily selling rate basis to 231,127 vehicles, volume not seen since May 2007.
Several new Ford models posted gains, with the Fusion midsize sedan up 9.9% and the Escape cross/utility vehicle rising 32.3%.
The 30,284 Fusion deliveries in March mark the first time the car has eclipsed the 30,000 mark in monthly sales since its introduction in 2005, but Ford officials hint that volume may not be sustainable due to capacity constraints.
“We’ve seen record customer sales and strong demand in California and Florida,” Ken Czubay, vice president-U.S. marketing, sales and service, says of markets where the auto maker has struggled in the past. “That will begin to place some constraints in supply starting in coming months.”
Ford currently builds the Fusion at its Hermosillo, Mexico, plant alongside the Lincoln MKZ midsize sedan. Plans call for additional capacity to be added at the Flat Rock, MI, facility this fall.
Czubay, in a conference call today with media and analysts to discuss March sales results, does not disclose current Fusion inventory levels, saying only that levels won’t go “critically low,” but days’ supply will “drop lower than generally accepted.”
I can understand the lease, and the need to feel "safe" with a car decision,
but why do people buy cars with hubcaps and greyhound bus quality interior for $26,000??? I just don't get it. There is so much out there to choose from before laying down my head at the slaughter with Mr. Toyoda.
Also, I have noticed that nobody posting here is a Sonata fan. I agree with the need of a refresh, post haste, if Hyundai wants to stay at (or near) the top.
Lemmings pitch themselves off cliffs because all the other Lemmings are doing the same. :surprise:
I have a 2013 Sonata (my wife's car)... if that counts.
I've posted here before that I realize the Sonata is not at the top of the heap anymore, as it's one of the oldest mid-sized designs now, but for a $47 a month, nothing out of pocket lease (after trading in a beat-up 2007 Sonata), hard to beat it. I'd take it any day over the Camry, and although the latest designs have some advantages over the Sonata, it has a nice combination of style, features, comfort, power, and fuel economy that make it a very enjoyable ride.
Anyway, the Sonata is scheduled for a refresh for 2014. We'll see what Hyundai comes up with.
But here's what the editor of Automobile Magazine said in summarizing their comparison test of midsize cars:
"....We have driven the new 2013 Honda Accord, and it is magnificent. Two weeks ago, most of the staff abandoned the office for a unique, bracketed, head-to-head test of eight mid-size cars, arguably the finest group of family sedans ever on the market at one time. Go to automobilemag.com or download our May iPad issue to read the report. I will tell you one thing: the 2013 Honda Accord blew everyone away. It's been a long time coming."
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Yeah, they just don't have the capacity to be in the top sales tier. That was also true when they weren't made in Japan but in Flat Rock, Mi. They are a smaller company, smaller advertising budget, fewer dealers and always marketed to a somewhat smaller segment looking for a sporty drive in a family hauler body. I always chuckle when people say "they will never sell as many 6's as Camry, Accord or Altima". Really??? It's kind of like Mcdonalds and Wendys. Wendy's will concievably never sell as many burgers for much the same reasons I've mentioned but it doesn't mean they can't make a profit or that their burgers are inferior.
I thought it was earlier, but I guess that was a different trans.
We have a 2009 Escape, which I knew has that trans.
Not too much usually goes wrong in 20-30k miles, and after that the next buyer doesn't really know what the car's past history is.
On Ford's alleged "big problem" with it's 6F35 6 speed automatic...I never even heard of it until I saw a post here. I looked it up on the Fusion forums and was able to confirm there were problems with Fusions and Escapes since late 2009, but I can't find info on what percentage of cars are actually affected.
On the Mazda 6, I agree with the host here that it is a 2014 model and can't compete yet in sufficient numbers with the big players in this segment. I CAN say this. I see a WHOLE LOT of Mazda 3's out there, and if the 6 is similarly successful, then they will be a major player indeed.
A new regulation in Quebec requires car owners to outfit their cars with winter/snow tires that have a special symbol stamped on the sidewall that it meets certain winter weather performance standards. So basically the Canadian government requires a substantial investment by its citizens for a set of snow tires. Most would have them mounted on separate set of rims in order for use to be practical.
This is in response to the amount of needless deaths /injuries, and property damage which costs millions. FYI.
It is interesting that nobody mentions Passat. I remember not so long ago people were dying to get their hands on Passat. Not anymore?
(Shiny New Ball syndrome)
For Fusion transmission alone number of complaint by year:
2009 - 1
2010 - 118
2011 -18
2012 - 10
2013 - 1
You can really see the sharp spike in 2010 when 6F32 was first introduced. It looks like they fixed something (may be valve bore design) in 2011. But still not as trouble free as Aisin TF-80 6-speed and Mazda FNR5 5-speed used in 2009.
My brother has a 2010 Fusion Sport with the 3.5 v6 and he's not had any trouble with it so far.
LOL. I think back then, Ford and GM were scrambling for updated transmissions and neither was in good financial condition.
Strictly from a over all driving dynamic it was not even close. The Mazda was well composed when driven hard into the corners and sublime while cruising on the Highway. It honestly felt like a BMW in this regard. While the Honda's were transferring every road irregularity and did not feel as stable when pushed to the edge of traction, they also offered less braking feedback.
The auto transmission was much better in the Mazda as was the electronic steering feel.
Ergonomically the lay outs were a tie, the seats are better in the Mazda. Site lines were better in the Honda. Front seats recline almost flat in the Mazda and the 60/40 rear fold downs are much better than the oval opening, single seat section offered in the Honda.
Outward appearance, the Accords look positively pedestrian compared to the Mazda 6, especially while viewing them almost side by side at the auto show.
The overall package offered by the new Mazda 6, especially for the value, is hard to deny.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/tundratom/BestCarPic_zpse0865fa7.jpg
3.5L Fusion does not have 6F35 transmission. It has same Aisin transmission as MKZ (which is problem free). 6F35 does not handle torque that 3.5L produces.
Did you buy one? If so, congrats! Great car+++