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Yeah that did it. OK a couple things. KarenS I thought you were suppose to smile in a picture.
That is the most depressing looking picture I've ever seen. I look at that picture and I start feeling sad myself, LOL. Whatever is wrong it can not be that bad, I hope.
Next Scape 2 nice ride !!! that silver that you have really makes that Fusion look tight. It makes that chrome front end really Bling !!!!! I see that you got a sun/moonroof. Question, did you get ABS on your car or did you stick with the 4 wheel Disc brakes ?
There was a video of it in action when it started being offered in the Intrigue 5 years ago or so and they zig-zagged it on snow with it and without it. The difference was one car going tail-end first and the other just following the intended trajectory. That with an ESC that only controlled the front brakes, not all four as it's common nowadays!
The only video I found was this. Too bad it was shot on dry pavement.
About 50% of new cars in Europe are sold with ESC installed. Why some demonstrated some resistance to it downplaying its effectiveness dazzles me.
Does it prevent 100% of the accidents? No, but I'd rather hedge my odds with it than without it.
So how fast were they driving in the snow? My guess is they were going too fast for the conditions just to show the system's effectiveness. If you drive at speeds appropriate for the conditions ESC isn't going to matter much. I've been driving up and down steep and winding snow covered hills for over 17 years now without ESC and never had a sliding problem.
The fact that the test was done at a high speed is immaterial to your objection. It actually proves its effectiveness.
I haven't had any accident for over 10 years (knock on wood), but I won't stop buckling up.
Ask yourself this: out of all the years of driving cars without ESC - how many accidents did you have that ESC would have prevented? The only ones that qualify would be entering a turn too fast or swerving and losing control or hitting a slick spot and losing control.
It's a nice option and if it's available I'd probably get it. But to say you won't buy a Fusion because it's not available is overreacting IMO.
TC has invoice cost of $83 on the V-6. So Ford could probably just add about 50 bucks to ABS price and include TC on any car that has ABS.
I drove an 05 Mazda6 (had it for a few days as a loaner) and in addition to the differences you mention, the seat seemed a bit hard and it was not as quiet (road noise, engine noise) as the Fusion or Milan (which was maybe just a little quieter than Fusion).
See 4th page (numbered page 3 in the actual document) of:
http://www.iihs.org/sr/pdfs/sr4003.pdf
appreciate the added leg room...wish our DoubleOught
626 had that feature.
On the race track, and on the street really good systems like Porsche can easily demonstrate how it works. You may have seen it on TV. Your question though is real world statistics for the average driver getting a benefit.
Possibly the best safety device would be people watching what they are doing on the road. Less talk and more drive.
As long as the ESC is not overly aggressive, I say why not!
-Loren
You had me going for a second with the 4wheel ABS or disc brakes? I have 4wheel disc and on my car print out it says ABS too..
I personally have to wonder just how easy it would be for Ford to put ESC in the Fusion. It was optional in the 2004 Focus. Of course no one wanted to pay extra for it...
I don't think anyone can argue that Ford is never quick on the uptake with changing market conditions.
The decision not to put ESC in the Fusion was probably based on "no one bought it when it was optional in the Focus".
For 2007, Nissan is making Bluetooth, keyless go, and an MP3 port AVAILABLE in every vehicle, including the budget priced Versa.
Ford doesn't even offer Bluetooth or Smart Key technology in a $50,000 Lincoln.
Mark.
Speed most certainly is material to my objection. If they were driving too fast for road conditions the ESC is sure to come on. Only an overactive system will come on when you're driving safely.
Like akirby I too would probably opt for it if available on a vehicle I'm interested in if and only if it can be shut off at times. Some can't and that would annoy the heck out of me
You know, there's such a thing as a surprise. One can find black ice on a bridge suddenly, and then it's nice to have ESC.
Again, not if you're going too fast which can't always be prevented on say, a highway. ESC isn't a guardian angel and can fail you given the right circumstances.
True, but a $30k MAZDASPEED6 or CX-7 has it now so it won't be long before you see it more in mainstream Fords IMO.
Where do they add up all the data needed to come to the conclusion of ESC working to save cars / drivers from accidents and death. If it never occurred?
-Loren
P.S. I am sure it works if there is some grip available and you did not do something totally stupid. In the video from the link on a previous post, it looks impressive. Accelerate too much before the turn, as in weight mass out of control, or on the slippery, with no braking available at all, I doubt it works. Well unless it prevents you from stupid braking or heavy throttle on snow or ice. Braking a wheel at a time makes sense only if there is traction some how.
Actually some systems, like Ford's newly patented AdvanceTrac, will retard engine power as well as apply brakes. The former is done in the event that there is no grip for braking. Some other systems only use the brakes which I would venture to guess are not as effective as the one's like Ford's. If all else fails I guess the impact will at least be less severe with the "better" systems.
It does point out that SUVs seem to benefit twice as much as cars and that ESC only comes into play when driving too fast or encountering slippery conditions. I bet if you look at the data for FWD sedans vs. coupes or sports cars the numbers are much lower.
The natural reaction of people is to hold off on acceleration.
-Loren
Actually the Navi has bluetooth, but no smart key
$159 x 24 is only $3,816.00...
add the $2,000 out of your pocket and you are up to $5,816.00
First Freeway Ford in Minn. only has one SE 4 cylinder in stock and its manual transmission with an MSRP of $20,165. There is a $1,000 rebate.
There is no way you could lease this car for $159 x 24 with only $2,000 due at signing.
The ad in New York is $189 per month on an SE with just sport package and safety package. MSRP of $19,375.00.
This is 39 months with 10,500 miles per year and $2383 due at signing PLUS TAX, Registration and Title, and dealer document fee.
Mark.
Still can not believe anything electronic can keep a car from sliding on ice. There simply is no traction. You are on for the ride on black ice. Now after you exit the ice - maybe that is what they mean by ice dancing with ESC?
-Loren
Sure it can, but it only allows you to put on 4 miles a day and only applies to the car that would have been leased by the time you get there.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The aftermarket addresses all of these issues and then some. Typically, factory sound systems in cars use really crappy speakers and mediocre electronics. Even on the SEL, the factory "audiophile" system is a $420 option ($535 on the SE). This unit is not true high-end "audiophile" such as the Mark Levinson system offered by Lexus or the B&O system in some Audis.
Alpine, JBL, Polk Audio, and Boston Acoustics are just some of the brands of aftermarket car audio gear available for the Fusion/Milan. Just go to crutchfield.com and click on "Car Audio and Video." Next, click on the "Find out what fits my car" icon, and you'll get a list filtered to exclude components which don't fit the Fusion/Milan.
Evidently the Fusion/Milan have factory cutouts in the doors which accept 5.25" speakers and in the rear deck which will take 6.5" or 6.75" round speakers. The dash radio opening seems to be DIN standard.
This means a pretty wide selection of speakers and in-dash units to choose from. You can get head units which have iPod jacks, built-in XM satellite tuners, etc. There are units which will play CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs- including discs loaded with MP3 files (There's even a Sony unit which has 1 GB of MP3 memory). You can get units with Bluetooth enabled or HD Radio units. There are even untis which will play both CDs and cassette tapes still available.
Installation is really easy, as the factory cutouts and wiring are alrerady there. Crutchfield and other car audio sellers have very good installation guides to walk you through it. But there are also car stereo shops that will do the installation for you.
You don't have to do it all at once, either. You can first just replace the speakers, and change out the electronics later. Installing good speakers will have the greatest effect on sound quality. You'll wind up with a sound system in your Fusion or Milan that sounds much better than the factory unit, and if you choose your components carefully, you'll spend the same or just a little more than you would for the "audiophile" option.
Leasing is not what I do however. I buy new, keep em for 10 years or so and about 100K miles at 10K per year.
Please tell me you pay cash for your cars.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
For example, when I bought my current 2000 Taurus SES (Duratech equipped, by the way) Ford had a $1000 rebate plus, if I recall, 0.9% financing for 36 months. It was not an either one or the other proposition, the offer included both incentives. At the time, I was earning more than that out of CD's or money market accounts so I financed 100% (I have a top notch credit rating). This was the first time I ever walked out of the dealership with a new car and paid absolutely nothing down. Felt a bit like I was stealing the car!
Freeway Ford is very close to me, but since I won't be buying/leasing a new car right now I won't waste their time and my time. I posted the info for the benefit of people looking for a good deal on a Fusion lease.
http://www.strategicvision.com/auto_segmentwinners.php?year=2006&award=TQA&seg=2- 5
Fusion on top of its segment. Amazingly, look how low Accord and Camry rank!
The biggest gripe I have with this survey is that it applies objective numbers to subjective answers - according to their web site, their survey includes "the emotional response" to the vehicle and the buying experience itself.
I am not defending the Strategic Vision methodology, just pointing out its very interesting results, witrh the domestic brands almost all at the top, not at all what general public perceptions would ever have you believe. Take it or leave it, it is what it is.
Mar.
Your so called objective purchase was the result of your emotional need to feel that you made an objective decision.
One can always find an objective reason that backs up your emotional commitment.
Mark.
Like I said, I have found 2 sites that show the Fusion to actually be quicker than the Accord. I am now getting 26.7 MPG in my V6 SEL Fusion on average. I only have about 1500 miles on it too. I feel pretty confident I am easily going to make 29 on average when I hit about 5K.
Check out the Toyota Camry-2007+ discussion, there are several posts taking pot shots at Strategic Vision, without even looking around Strategic Vision's web site.
I'd post a comment over there, but no sense picking at a scab!
With the media constantly bashing into our heads that Ford/GM can in no way ever make a sedan to match Honda/Toyota. I can truely see why you get those that are never going to believe what they read when a Ford or GM product comes out ontop. I wish I had a dollar for every glare/stare from a Honda/Toyota owner I get in my Fusion. This car is severly underated and overlooked by the media. The Fusion is a drivers car no doubt.. As I keep repeating, the handling is superb..
Does the mpg get better over time?
On a related note, I'm a little miffed that Lincoln only shows average MPG and not instantaneous MPG - even my GMC Envoy shows both. But then Ford's "gizmo" levels are always lower than GMs or Toyota for that matter.
Any Fusion/Milan owners noticing airconditioning problems?