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Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan: Tell Ford What You Want!
What suggestions would you make to Ford for a better Fusion/Milan?
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It would be really great if Ford would offer a performance model of the Fusion with this engine and the 6-speed manual transaxle from the Mazda.
There's good reason for Ford to do it, since it doesn't appear to be in any hurry to put the 3.5 liter V6 in the Fusion or to offer a manual transmission with any V6 in the model. The Fusion is the model Ford chose to associate with its NASCAR racing effort, so it really has to do something to support that performance image on the street.
Pimped rides and Roush "appearance packages" aren't enough. There has to be some serious "go" somewhere in the equation.
Is anyone in Dearborn reading this forum?
Only when you want to put Mustang owners in their place.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
If Ford wants to sell more cars, then yes.
I bet a lot of potential buyers are like me. They want a car that's fun to drive, with a firmer ride, tighter steering, and better braking. A sedan that doesn't ride like a boat or fall over on itself in a tight curve. These people also have a family, or carry items for a business. In other words, they NEED a four-door, because kids, potential clients, even their boss doesn't want to climb into the back seat of a two-door. Folding rear seats are nice to have as well.
The ideal solution is to have two cars, obviously. But most people (like me) can't afford two cars, or don't have the room. Hence the "performance" sedan...
Granted, they won't out-handle or accelerate faster than a Porsche 911, but they allow a driver to feel more connected to the road, making the drive more enjoyable. They're not as big as an SUV or minivan, but they do have a real back seat and four doors. In essence, it's the Jack of all trades, but master of none.
These sedans are rare, and due to the (unfounded) popularity of the Camry (which rides like a Buick and plows through highway off-ramps worse than a bus), other automakers are abandoning them to sell more "vanilla" sedans. Look at the '07 Maxima for example. Nissan decided to DROP the 6-speed manual transmission completely from it's flagship sedan, a decision that they'll soon regret I bet...
Ford has the opportunity of stepping up and marketing a "performance" sedan, with the 3.5L or the turbo-4 from the MS6, a genuine 6-speed manual (as an option to replace the pathetic "manu-matic" slushbox or CVT that's now being peddled these days), a firmer suspension, more agressive looks (without the boy-racer airplane wing on the trunk), at a price that undercuts BMW, Audi and Acura.
I know it'd make my short list, and a lot of others as well.
The Fusion does.
1. As I mentioned, the Fords in NASCAR's Busch and Nextel Cup series all have "FUSION" painted in bigt letters on their noses. This racing effort needs to be backed up by serious street cred.
2. The Fusion has such good handling that it begs for more power or at least a manual transaxle to compliment it. Then it will be a true "driver's car."
3. Midsize sedans are the most competitve class of cars on the market. For Ford to win this segment, the Fusion has to offer equal or better performance than the best runners in the class. The Altima 3.5, Legacy 2.5 GT and Passat 2.0T are all performance-oriented. And the Pontiac G6 and even the Accord V6 at least offer potential drivers the choice of shifting for themselves.
4. For a young couple with small children who can only afford one vehicle, a Mustang just isn't practical. For those who fit this description and desire a car which rewards its driver, the "sports sedan" is their answer. I can remember when the only sports sedans came from Europe and were limited to the Alfa Romeo Berlinetta and the BMW Bavaria.
Why cars cost so much today, I think the American people have succumbed to what is taught in marketing 101.
Old Mike
I guess not...you point out yourself the popularity of the camry. If there were a lot of buyers looking for what you are, I don't think Camry would be #1.
I doubt Nissan will regret dropping the manual transmission on Maxima. Instead I think it's more likely that Mazda regrets not having an automatic available for the Mazdaspeed6.
Hardly. Mazda designed the Speed 6 for a niche market of demanding drivers. As Car and Driver said "The Mazdaspeed 6 comes only in sedan form, with a base price of $28,555 and a six-speed stick. No wagons, no wussy automatics."
I wonder if they would be reluctant to do so so as not to step on Mazda's zoom-zoom toes.
Remember, they did this before (performance FWD sedan) with the Taurus SHO. Not saying it's not a good idea, just that the market may not justify the effort.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
In the first quarter of 2006, Mazda sales were up 5% over a year ago. What's more, Mazda, after years of losses, is running in the black. In the year ended March 31, consolidated profits were a record $568 million. It seems that "zoom zoom" sells cars.
The Mazdaspeed 6 hasn't even been on the U.S. market for a full year yet. The first units came here in November. Only 5,000 units of the model per year are allocated to ship to the States, keeping sales volume relatively low. Mazda has hardly even begun to market this model yet, and were it not for reviews in a few magazines and on a few websites, I would have never heard of it.
I don't know what you have against performance sedans, but the performance image certainly hasn't hurt BMW or Audi any. Likewise, Subaru has benefitted from its participation in World Rally Cup competition, and Ford's NASCAR effort makes the Fusion conspicuous for the lack of a sporting version. There's an old saying among the manufacturers about racing - "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday."
Pontiac sees fit to offer a 4-door G6 GTP sedan with a 3.0 liter HO V6 with 240 HP and a 6-speed manual. VW dealers have the Passat 2.0T with a 200 HP Turbo Four and a 6-speed stick to sell. Even conservative Honda makes the Accord 4-door sedan available with a 244 HP V6 and a 6-speed manual box. Even the plain old Mazda 6 can be purchased with a manual transaxle mated to the 3.0 V6.
All I want Ford to do is to give is to give me a choice, like Subaru, Pontiac and Honda do. I would really rather buy a Fusion, but if Ford doesn't offer a performance option for me and others like me, we will wind up taking our business to the competition.
You forgot the biggie which is the Monte Carlo SS. GM was wise to drop that V8 in there and spruce up the exterior (not that I like the ugly beast myself). I see them around here all the time with #24, #3, #8, etc. stickers in the windows and framing the plates. Those guys don't care that the torque steer will rip your arms off, all they want to do is be like their Sunday heroes. Ford NEEDS to tap that market especially since Toyota will be racing the Camry next year. :sick:
Mind you, this is not a NASCAR town either. Sure we have our fair share of fans, myself included, but a certain NFL team always takes precedence.
This seems to indicate they are not selling even at the anticipated low volume rate. Total Mazda 6 sales ytd are nearly 40,000 units. For a full year projection might be 70,000 to 80,000, based on ytd number. This would put the speed 6 at about 6% of total volume...yet in my 50 mile radius they represent 30% of current inventory. Sure seems to indicate that the car is not selling.
I don't know how much of a factor the manual transmission being the only choice is. But, few americans want a manual transmission, not sure what Mazda was thinking in not making an automatic available here :confuse: . I'd be surprised if Ford made any car with manual only. Having a choice of manual trans is much different than having only manual available.
If Ford did the opposite of Mazda and made a particular version of the Fusion (or even all Fusions) with automatic only, they really would not lose many sales in the US. I am not saying that I think they should do that, just that having a manual trans available is not an issue for probably 99.44% of Americans.
I'd like to see a manual performance version of the Fusion with 250+ hp but not having it won't hurt overall sales. Besides, they're selling all they can make as it is and that's before the AWD version arrives.
I'd like to see a manual performance version of the Fusion with 250+ hp
So would I, I really think Ford should make a 300+HP Zephyr with a 6 speed manual.
My Caddy has a manual (this trim only comes in a manual) and its a blast. But it is hard to find a regular trim CTS with a stick (autos are an option).
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Yep and there are fewer who can as time goes by. I did my part and taught my 3 kids to drive a manual. However, my next car will be an automatic...even though the kids will cricize me for it .
I'm very surprised to hear that any Cadillac would come only in manual trans...or even be available with a manual. And I thought we were unusual when we used to have a manual transmission minivan .
My daily drive is, and always will be, an auto simply because of my daily commute.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Traffic is one factor, but I really think many Americans are just getting lazy. BMW has a new system that will park your car for you in the garage. Not parallel park, mind you - just pull your car straight into the parking space. If you can't pull your car straight into the garage by yourself then you probably don't need to be driving. I guess the theory is you can squeeze the car into tight spots without having to open the driver's door to get out but the demo didn't say anything about the ability to back the car out automatically.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjtIhLyUy74&search=bmw
I know, but that makes more sense since parallel parking is hard if you don't practice it a lot. And it doesn't require a reflective sticker on the wall.
Here in the northern suburbs of Atlanta there aren't any parallel spaces left anyway. I haven't parallel parked in years and don't expect to anytime in the near future.
Consumer Reports is saying that future plans for the Fusion include a turbocharged version and a hybrid. Sounds like the Fusion performance model we've been talking about is coming, and it will use a version of Mazda's MZR 2.3 four that powers the Mazdaspeed6 and the new CX-7 sport ute.
Although I would be happy if Ford would simply make the 3.0 V6 available with a 6-speed manual, the zoom-zoom engine with the manual transaxle would make the Fusion highly entertaining to drive.
BTW - those manual taurus models had 220 hp ... I had one.
it after a coupla' years to give room for the sho. West-Central IL winters(and salt) were Brutal to the body. It
fit my needs,at the time, and was a blast to operate and easy at the pump.
2. satellite radio, mp3 player input, navigation
3. hybrid engine option
4. xenon headlight option
5. traction control or AWD
If any of my wishes are in the pipeline does anyone know when Ford plans to introduce these upgrades?
And speedometer and tachometer shouldn't stay so far away from each other. I have a habit to monitor both of them at the same time.
2) I want Fusions to start offering memory seats/mirrors.
3) I want a car that has the power of a V6 but gets 40mpg in the city.
4) I want all this for less than $25,000
2) A less noisy 4-cyl engine.
3) Standard ABS on all Fusions.
4) Map lights located on forward edge of the ceiling, not in the center, like in the models equipped with sunroof.
5) Longer front door map pockets.
6) Separate rear headrests, not built-in ones.
7) Turn signal stalk angled at 0 degrees, not at 45 degrees.
8) More slimmmer, compact key.
Thank you, Ford!
Stiff steering is okay. Fusion is probably more driver oriented vs cruiser like Camry or Taurus.
Not for me, I like it. If you want lighter steering, try the Milan.
The car did not have enough power to get moving.
So you just sat there in the rental car lot, since it would not move, or... :confuse: .
Seriously, did you push the gas pedal to the floor and feel that it did not accelerate fast enough? The 4 cyl has adequate power for me. If you want more then try the V-6.
The handling made it feel smaller than it really is.
I am hoping you meant that as a positive comment and not a complaint.
1)there is no "one-swipe" wiper trigger
2) interior lighting is not so good (single dome light in roof reeks of the penny pinching accountant), footwell lights and a rear seat dome light would be very nice.
3) engine noise from the 4 cyl is greater than necessary, but that could be because the rest of the car is so quiet that you hear the engine more easily. 4 cyl power is fine, not great, but more than adequate. I haven't driven enough miles to establish gas mileage #s, but I'm optimistic.
4) safety...abs and side airbags should be standard, not optional (side airbags are std on 07 models)
5) the trunk is huge, and needs some hooks or a net to control cargo
6) rear vision is limited...a victim of awesome styling, enhanced trunk room, and a very nice rear seat. how about adding back up sensors at least as an option? My van has these, and I scoffed at first but now I love them.
7th and final) a 5 speed fan would be great...the 4 speed fan seems noisy, again that may be because the rest of the car is so quiet you hear the fan. also rear seat vents would be nice.
NOW, I love the car, and so far have zero regrets about purchasing it. And, something I haven't seen a comment on yet, my SE 4cyl auto was nearly $90 a year cheaper on insurance than a similar Camry.
4)
The handling...it was more like driving a smaller (and older) car in that I could feel every bump. The car just felt flimsy. Even the Hunai Accent, and the Lancer, felt/rode/handled/performed much better. The Accord felt wider and more stable and solid than the Fusion.
With each of these cars, I was only renting them for a day each. I wasn't shopping for one. But renting cars gives me the opportunity to try different cars. This one was disappointing.
This tin can car is a P-O-S!
A Bentley gets 10 mpg. A Honda Accord averages 30 mpg.
What is the lemon law on returning cars with BELOW avg mpg??
With a V6 in NY City???
Very doubtful. In CRs tests midsize V6s, including Fusion/Milan and Accord, typically get 13-15 mpg in their city driving test.
It must be the ridiculously wide turning circle causing this low city mpg, you can't parallel park in one try and you can't do a U turn on most NYC streets, only K turns.
The Milan sucks!
Honda Accord has 16 mpg city, here's what CR has published:
Tested Model
2006 Honda Accord EX sedan, 3.0-liter V6, 5-speed automatic
Fuel economy
CU's overall mileage, mpg 23
CU's city/highway, mpg 16/32
CU's 150-mile trip, mpg 27
Annual fuel: gal./cost 665/$1920
Cruising range, mi. 430
Tested Model
2006 Ford Fusion SEL sedan, 3.0-liter V6, 6-speed automatic
Fuel economy
CU's overall mileage, mpg 20
CU's city/highway, mpg 14/29
CU's 150-mile trip, mpg 25
Annual fuel: gal./cost 740/$2140
Cruising range, mi. 410
Ford sent me a letter inviting me to attend special emergency meeting with Ford engineers to get feedback offering $125 to come. I called marketing company that handles event and told they already filled the slot for my demographic.
What a joke! Ford is lucky I didn't show up and tell them what a cheap POS the Milan is. And $125 would just about cover the gas for 120 mile roundtrip to go to Mahwah, NJ on this gas hog.
I guess I would not see 2 mpg as a significant difference. If you are that concerned about gas mileage, why even get a V6?
Even if the Accord saves $100 or so a year in gas, it also costs significanty more to buy...so not sure there is any net savings. I never looked into the V6s, but in the 4 the Accord would cost about $1500 more comparably equipped and net of rebates, IIRC. That savings would pay for a lot of gas.
I am sure you don't mean an Accord V6 automatic. right?
This is for an Accord 5spd 4cyl... lets be fair and clear here..
Let me know where those "folks" live. Should I sell my house and move to the boonies in order to get 23-27 mpg?
Maybe if Ford pays my closing costs.
It's a POS because of low mpg AND the cheapness and design defects I've already published in another discussion.