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I notice that the 2008 has an optional backup sensor. I figured that would solve the problem for others; I ain't about to trade in a new car. Someone I know told me that one of his cars (a Mercedes, I believe) has those sensors but they are worthless since they pick up everything... i.e., too sensitive.
I was wondering whether any of you have the Fusion/Milan sensors and what you think of them.
Paul
I have a 2006 Fusion and it took me about 6 months to get used to the view out of the rear and being able to judge the distance - now it's not a problem. You can get aftermarket backup sensors and even a backup camera if it's really a problem.
Congratulations Allen. We've had our 2007 Ford Fusion exactly one year as of today and I still haven't gotten used to the view when trying to back up. Rear visibility is certainly not one of the Fusion's strong points.
Mark
Anybody know for sure?
Imagine a 275HP 4cyl Fusion! With great MPG at that!
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=27455 :shades:
I have owned two Fords in the past ('97 Escort, '01 ZX2) and two Camrys ('00, '03), all of which have essentially been completely trouble-free. The Camrys have had excellent rides, but the thigh support and awkward steering wheel placement always left me very uncomfortable, especially on long drives.
I test drove a number of cars on the market, including the Accord and Altima, and came back to the Fusion, as it has a ride very comparable to the Camry, and the interior is MUCH better than the Camry's....much more comfortable.
I bought an SEL V6 with Moon & Tunes and leather interior. I now have 1,200 miles on it, and the car has not developed any rattles or squeaks, and has been very pleasurable to drive. I must say that for the cost, I am not sure why there isn't more chatter about the Fusion vs. the Accord and Camry.....Ford makes extremely reliable vehicles, and they are exceptional values compared to the imports. I still own my '03 Camry (wife's car now), but I anticipate replacing it with a Fusion down the road.
I will note that the leather seat bolstering is very weak and will smoosh to nothingness after a few weeks. Luckily, my dealership (Tom Wood Ford in Indianapolis) provides EXCEPTIONAL customer service and had their seat guy fix this under warranty...essentially, the seats are now better than new. Also, the moonroof will take away a good 2 - 3 inches of headroom, and the way the roof liner is connected is not helping matters, since it uses velcro that does not firmly attach. The dealer noted this was common to all Fusions with moonroofs and there is no fix.....
Overall, I would not hesitate to replace this car with another Fusion if something happened to it. This is truly a Camry-killer......
I have a '08 Fusion. I've noticed that the
starter seems to be automatic. I just
have to turn and hold the key at start for
a instant and release it and it finishes
cranking itself. I don't recall the dealer
mentioning that!
Fred
As for the 2009. Will it be the 3.5L Or will we just get the new heads for the 3.0 with 230 hp like in the 09 Escape?
Its hard to understand why Ford is not dropping the 3.0 altogether as they have more than enough capacity for the 3.5 which is probably similar cost and has better fuel econ.
Mark
Myself, I do enjoy my 06 Fusion SEL V6. However, my life is changing, kids are growing up. I will be trading my Fusion for a Verve!..
The only negative I noticed in my 100 miles was it seemed a little noisey when accelerating, but thats pretty minor. At speed I thought the noise level was acceptable.
Not in the market right now, but the Fusion/Milan would warrant consideration if I was. And for the record we have an 07 Passat Wagon and an 06 Ram as out vehicles right now.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe Granite Crystal over Saddle
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
Mark
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe Granite Crystal over Saddle
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
However, the Duratec V6 has been around since the Taurus. It was state-of-the-art 20 years ago but it's a reliable work horse compared to modern engines. Don't get me wrong I'm not dogging the V6. I had a 1995 Ford Taurus and I loved that car dearly. When you stepped on it. The engine sounded like it was about to explode. I would get and Fusion/Milan with the V6 no questions asked. The only thing that would stop me from getting the V6 is that fact that gas might hit $4.00/gallon by the end of the summer. So, I would want a more fuel efficient 4 cylinder engine.
The 221 HP V6 engine was one of the biggest complaints against the Lincoln Zephyr which is now the MKZ. Critics said that the Duratec V6 is a good motor but it's not made for a luxury car. So, that should give you a good idea of how refined the motor sounds. Along with the fact that allot of other car manufactures had V6's with more power than the 221 HP Zephyr. That's why Lincoln dropped the old V6 in favor of the new 3.5 V6 for the MKZ. People love that engine and it was one of wards 10 best engines in 2006 or 2007. Along with that the MKZ sales have been up 56% year-to-date.
Yes, Ford made a couple mistakes with the Duratec V6.
First, they put the 203 HP version of this 3.0L into the Ford Five-Hundred (new Taurus) and the Mercury Montego (new Sable), which are larger cars than the Fusion/Milan. They had to correct that mistake by replacing the 3.0L with the 3.5L in the Taurus (old Five-Hundred) and the Sable (old Montego).
Second mistake, they did the same thing with Zephyr/MKZ. The Zephyr at least got the 221 HP version to begin with. But when you're competing against the Cadillac CTSs and Acura TLs of the world, it seemed like Ford didn't come fully loaded to the fight.
I don't think we'll see those mistakes with the current regime once they recover from all of the mistakes of the past.
That's correct. The DT was first introduced in 2.5L form in 1993, and was offered in the Contour. The Taurus didn't get the DT until 1996, when the 3.0L debuted, replacing the 3.8L V6. The 3.0L Vulcan V6 was still considered the "base" engine, with the DT as an "option".
Today, I own a Silver Birch Clearcoat Metallic 2006 Milan Premier with the 3.0L V6, with the Medium Light Stone two-tone leather seats, and Wales Mahogany Wood Trim Package. Very happy and satisfied 22,000 miles so far. No mechanical issues at all. Zero, None. Totally reliable.
Then you read all the Toyota Camry reviews with the continuous auto transmission problems and you realize that reality hasn't caught up with the perception.
Ford Focus with 2.3L Duratec feels like sports car compared with my Sable with 3.0L Duratec. Ford can replace 3.0L Duratec with I4 with turbo. It will make nose lighter also, takes less space under hood and easier to maintain.
it looked good on the lot, but looks great on the street.
getting a lot of looks from drivers of other mid sizers.
the awd doesn't seem to be as 'front drivey' as the focus,
which is good for me because i like rwd.
steering/handling is not as taut as the focus(zts), but pretty balanced.
compared to the focus i traded, the headlights are way better.
gas mileage won't be in the same league (duh!),
but i can't tell how it will shake out, yet.
i also have an explorer, but don't drive it often.
the fusion still seems big, compared to the focus i was used to driving.
me: But the 2.3L I4 in the new Fusion uses modern technology to produce 160 hp which is 5 more hp than the V6 in your 94 Taurus.
Oh I know I don't want a 4 cylinder I had one back in the 80s and that car couldn't get out of its own way.
Mark
I remember when I was 14yo reading a review about the new 1986 Ford Taurus in Popular Mechanics and they were gushing about the new Vulcan V6. Times change. Ford stuck with that engine for so long because it met the needs of the Taurus customer and was basically bullet proof.
Mark
my last car had a clutch, so i like the dead pedal.
the heat seems to work really well, too. pretty high on my list.
back when i was in college in vermont, i drove a vw thing.
it had a gas heater, but that dropped the gas mileage.
i used to soak towels in water then put them around the windows.
they would freeze for a few months and keep the breeze out.
I would like to think that in the survey, they just pulled the 250 HP number out of the air. I think they are still looking at getting more power out of the 3.0 - something like 240 in some applications, if I recall. A 250 HP 3.5 doesn't make sense.
Nostalgia corner / concerning the hoary old Vulcan V6. i was selling Fords back in 1986. That 3.0l V6 was pretty advanced at that time. 140 net hp/160 ftlb torque, sequential multiport fi. Accord and Camry didn't offer V6's as I recall, and there was GM's 2.8l V6 and Chrysler was using a Mitsubishi-sourced 3.0l V6. The early Vulcans had an aggressive throttle tip-in- they'd really launch away from a stoplight.