[escape]

<flame suit on>

Finally got a chance to test drive one today. While it is a lot of power for the money, I don't think I will be buying one for a number of reasons. I realize most of this is personal and extremely subjective, so please be sure to test drive it yourself and come to your own conclusions.

Here are some of these reasons, in no particular order:

1. Transmission - TCU programming does not seem to be well sorted out, even in sport mode. Upshifts aren't quick enough and responses to paddle shifter inputs are also slow. Maybe it's just the inherent characteristics of this transmission, or maybe an aftermarket TCU tune will fix this, but in its stock form it just does not feel sporty enough. This is in comparison to trans programming in cars like the 340i or the XE.

2. Suspension - felt kind of soft overall, even in sport mode. Again, this will be great for hwy cruising, but for tearing through twisty roads, it does not feel tight enough.

3. Steering - somewhat vague, numb.

4. Interior - my biggest gripe is with the interior color. It is just too light. Ford really needs to offer another interior color option here.

5. Exterior - as superficial/shallow as it may sound, the fact that this car looks just like tens of thousands of other fusions on the road wouk bother me eventually. I owned an Accord once, and seeing a ton of other Accords all around me while driving it just did not sit well with me. Call it snobbery, but I want my car to stand out just a little more from the crowd. Again, this is very subjective.

6. Sound effects - others commented on this already... while it does not sound bad, it does sound fake inside.


Some might find it ridiculous that I made comparisons to much more expensive cars. The reason for this is that I wanted to find out if I could save a lot of money and still get comparable performance/excitement. With this Fusion Sport, unfortunately the answer is no, for me.

</flame suit off>

 

[Franti]

Semi-valid points. I had similar feelings on initial test drive but the car has become a different animal after a few hundred miles.

If you want flash/stand out then this is not the car for you. That being said, by me, the XE and 340 are everywhere. You'll have to step up to an M to stand out at all. Not an entry level BM fan.

Eric

 

[escape]

Semi-valid points. I had similar feelings on initial test drive but the car has become a different animal after a few hundred miles.

Can you be more specific? What has changed?

If you want flash/stand out then this is not the car for you. That being said, by me, the XE and 340 are everywhere. You'll have to step up to an M to stand out at all. Not an entry level BM fan.

Eric

While I agree the 3-series is not that unique, it is a lot less common than the Fusion, at least around where I live. As for the XE, I find it very hard to believe that it's "everywhere". Where do you live?

With that said, after driving the XE, I wasn't all that impressed with its driving engagement either, and the interior was a strange mix of upscale elements and cheap plastics. Between the two, I much preferred the 340i as an overall package.

 

[BobMcBobville]

I actually have an Ingot Silver on order but have not driven one either yet. I put a refundable $500 deposit down. I'm hoping its an engaging ride and personally really like the idea of it being a "common" car. I have several regional manglers visit every month and I need to be a "starving salesperson". I'm quite sure none of them will realize it's got 325HP and 380TQ...and I won't put my foot in it with any of them in the car.

 

[Franti]

Live in NYC.

As for specific differences, it may have been specific to my test drive, but the car didn't have any oomph for a car with its specs. I guess the car adapts to your driving or opens up over time because that's not the case now after 600 or so miles.

I also think you have to weight the cost of a similarly equipped import. And be realistic of what this car is...for me, a practical daily driver with enough room for the family and enough power to be pleasurable to drive. It's not meant to be a sports car.

 

[Miguelius]

Good points. I have not driven the Fusion Sport yet, so I cannot judge its performance. BMWs are a dime a dozen (well, actually more like $50,000) around Denver, and they are notoriously under-equipped for the high price (backup camera optional? Vinyl seats standard. C'mon, BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche!). Interior color is clearly a personal choice. Having liked the light grey interior in my Cadillac ATS, I don't mind the color of the Sport's interior.

As to the Jaguar XE, the fact that their V6 engine is actually a V8 block with two cylinders blanked off is a deal-breaker for me. Inexcusable for a luxury carmaker! Actually, it would be inexcusable for any manufacturer in my book. And then you get the vaunted British reliability thrown in for good measure.

So it's a tough choice. I've been considering a low-miles 2011 to 2013 BMW 335 Xdrive with a manual (nobody else makes a comparable AWD, six cylinder high-performance car with a manual). Concerned about reliability in an expensive, complex car with little or no warranty left. We will see after I've driven a Sport.

 

[DuFFman]

I bought my Dart for the tech. Three years later I hate everything except the tech. Going to a new car I wanted 3 things, AWD, cooled seats and Android Auto(as well as all of the tech I had in the Dart). I'm easily pleased and I'm happy about that. I'd love e to have a BMW and I test drove an A3, but tech'ed out how I want them they're crazy expensive.

I like bells and whistles. I want to go quickly when necessary, but I'm not trying to break the sound barrier. Also, the Fusion Sport is the faster car I've ever driven and I'm happy about that!

Tesla Model 3 after this lease is done!

 

[escape]

I'd love e to have a BMW and I test drove an A3, but tech'ed out how I want them they're crazy expensive.

That is actually another aspect I forgot to mention. I tend to keep my cars for a long time, 10 years or so. So while I don't mind the tech, I don't focus on it too much because I know in 3 years it'll all be outdated. So instead I focus on the driving excitement because that will not get old. And while a higher end car is notably more expensive upfront, when you spread that extra cost over 10 years, it isn't that tough to swallow, although I am acutely aware that repairs on an older Euro car can be pricey. My current 5-series is 14-years-old. Still, keeping it on the road costs less than a new car payment.

I am not going to buy anything right now. I am not super excited about anything currently out there that would make me open up my wallet. I'll wait another year or two and see if anything new pops up. Call me hard to please.

 

[lskarha]

I agree with DuFFman. It would also be the fastest car I ever owned and I like tech. I’m currently driving a 2012 Fusion.


The Fusion Sport has its market. I’m 55 years old male and would like to own a “performance” car once in my life. My wife thinks it’s too much of a car for me and thinks I should just get a Titanium. My head says Titanium, my heart says Sport. I love the idea of a “Sleeper” car. But how fast and I really going to go in boring SE Michigan with no real fun drives around. Corn fields and highways.


I also love the safety features of the Sport. ACC and lane keeping are a huge plus. (I have them in our 2015 Edge.)


With incentives ($3,250) expiring tomorrow I need to decide what I am doing. I am Ford A/Z plan and a 10,500 miles, 36 month lease with $1000 down will be $336 a month. (A Titanium will be even less.) BMW and AUDI are just out of my league price wise.


Also, I would be able to purchase the Titanium off lease if I had too. The residual on the Sport is more and I’m not sure I want to own a “First year Sport”. Maybe they’ll give it an 8 speed transmission in the future.


Thoughts?

 

[Kevin74]

I agree with DuFFman. It would also be the fastest car I ever owned and I like tech. I’m currently driving a 2012 Fusion.


The Fusion Sport has its market. I’m 55 years old male and would like to own a “performance” car once in my life. My wife thinks it’s too much of a car for me and thinks I should just get a Titanium. My head says Titanium, my heart says Sport. I love the idea of a “Sleeper” car..........


Thoughts?

Will the Sport be better in a couple years, sure I hope so, but then so will the titanium. I feel you, but how much cheaper really is the titanium. I test drove a ti loaded like you want and it stickered higher than my Sport. Yes a comparable Sport would have been about $1000 more, but that is not much really I'm my opinion. I didn't get a lease price on the ti, is it significantly cheaper? As a 42 y/o male with young son and a desire to drive something sporty, engaging, the Sport has been just awesome. I live in Metro Detroit, have mostly just commuted to work in the Sport and it has provided me with lots of smiles. Let me repeat, smiles while driving to work. This car shines in everyday driving. Need power to pass that slow poke, merge onto freeway, she will give you more than you need(smile). Rush hour traffic stops unexpectedly, check! Brakes are excellent. Need to make an evasive maneuver? Check! Car handles, brakes, and accelerates excellent in day to day situations. Yes there are a lot of complaints here about 0-60, 0-100 acceleration, slow manual shifting. Would I like these to be better? Of course, but I can't justify spending the money that everyone is trying to compare this car to. I promise you this car DESTROYS all in it's target segment. I feel it handles much better than what some have reported here. THE SPORT ABSOLUTELY SHINES IN 95% OF THE SITUATIONS YOU WILL PUT IT IN as a daily driver. 80% in joyriding. The Sport is more than just it's numbers, more than what those who have just test drove the car are reporting. I am a very happy owner, not a "Ford guy"(before anyone makes any accusations) This is my first Ford since an 88 escort gt I had in college.

You absolutely should choose the Sport over the ti, no question. Your wife will forgive you, your soul will thank you, and your mind will agree with your heart after one week.

 

[Kevin74]

Also don't read too much into my reference to daily driver either. My point here is that for most of us 90% of our seat time in the car is going to be for transportation right? Look this car is fast, handles very well. Puts a smile on my face. It is in my opinion a performance car. But it is not a current gen V8 pony car. You can fit 4 humans in it and drive it in a MI winter. It is not a $50,000+ luxury performance sedan. Although for much less money, and aftermarket help, I do think it can get to their performance levels.

 

[escape]

It is not a $50,000+ luxury performance sedan.

Yes, that is basically what I was trying to say. I was secretly hoping that it could be.

Although for much less money, and aftermarket help, I do think it can get to their performance levels.

That's just wishful thinking at this point. And then you will likely be throwing your warranty out the window.

 

[Kevin74]

Yes, that is basically what I was trying to say. I was secretly hoping that it could be.

That's just wishful thinking at this point. And then you will likely be throwing your warranty out the window.

Lincoln may have a car for you if want to stay with Ford.

Yes, I suppose it is wishful thinking, but just look what they have done for the Focus ST(under warranty), not to mention other applications of the 2.7tt. I don't think my wishful thinking is too misguided. Plus for what I paid I'm very satisfied. Show me something better for the money. Sometimes I just think that the Sport is suffering on this forum for not meeting unrealistic expectations as you yourself said you were "secretly hoping". Not meeting unrealistic expectations doesn't make this car any less special.

 

[DuFFman]

Show me something better for the money.

That has to be easily the biggest takeaway. We are all looking for value, we all make differing amounts of money and we can all afford different cars. What we all want is the best value for our money. Best value for our 40k(CDN). If there was another car spec'ed similar with AWD then I would have taken that into account. But the closest car I could get feature wise around the same price is the Kia Optima, and that car has less power and FWD. Winters don't suck in Toronto but they arent great either. AWD isn't a 'need', it's definitely a 'want', but it's a safety want, so that's important.

Sunday drinks and rambling.

Anyway. If there was a car in the price range with similar features, I'd be more than happy to give it a fair shake. I didn't even want a Ford when I first started looking and I work in a Ford Plant!

 

[escape]

I made this thread specifically to come clean and explain how my unrealistic expectations came head to head with reality. I built up these unrealistic expectations by reading the various reviews on here and watching youtube videos. If you want to blame me for falling for it, I am guilty as charged.

Nowhere did I state that Fusion Sport is not special. All I stated is that it is not for me. if you think that I committed blashphemy by stating my opinion, please ask the moderator to have this thread deleted.

 

[DuFFman]

I made this thread specifically to come clean and explain how my unrealistic expectations came head to head with reality. I built up these unrealistic expectations by reading the various reviews on here and watching youtube videos. If you want to blame me for falling for it, I am guilty as charged.

Nowhere did I state that Fusion Sport is not special. All I stated is that it is not for me. if you think that I committed blashphemy by stating my opinion, please ask the moderator to have this thread deleted.

Sorry brother, I was more just replying to him as opposed to this thread being a sum of it's parts. I'm happy that you didn't order something that you decided wasn't for you. Buying a car 99% of the time is a blackhole of money. At the very least you should get exactly what you want. That's more what I was going for, I'm happy that I got exactly what I wanted in my price range, and I genuinely hope the same happens for you

 

[Wildcat Birdie]

The main takeaway here is "to each, his own."

That's why cars come in different specs, colors, etc. That is also why there are so many different car brands and models.

In the same general price range with close to similar performance, you can look at the Evo, the STi, and you could realistically throw the Focus RS in it, although you are looking at realistically at least around $5,000 more as a good deal can be found on a Fusion, while the RS from what I have seen if you get it right at MSRP you are lucky (most are higher). Those three are smaller cars, and less comfortable cars, with generally (other than the RS) much less creature comforts.

If the fusion isn't for you, than its not for you. If you can afford a different car that you like better, go for it.

A lot of the people who are buying the Fusion Sport I would guarantee wish they could afford an M car, or an AMG Merc, or something along those lines, but we are being realistic. We are looking for a car no higher than $40K, that we can have fun driving, and rely on completely without breaking the bank for any repairs that are needed down the line.

To each his own. Get what you want. If you want the Fusion, get it. If you don't, than don't.

 

[Kevin74]

Yes, that is basically what I was trying to say. I was secretly hoping that it could be.

That's just wishful thinking at this point. And then you will likely be throwing your warranty out the window.

I made this thread specifically to come clean and explain how my unrealistic expectations came head to head with reality. I built up these unrealistic expectations by reading the various reviews on here and watching youtube videos. If you want to blame me for falling for it, I am guilty as charged.

Nowhere did I state that Fusion Sport is not special. All I stated is that it is not for me. if you think that I committed blashphemy by stating my opinion, please ask the moderator to have this thread deleted.

Sorry if my rant, which started with a quote from lskarha, came across as an attack on you the originator of this thread. Not my intention. In my long winded attempt to give lskarha my thoughts on buying a Titanium or Sport, I addressed frustration regarding a lot of negative reviews of the Sport which by far and away did not all come from you. Although you did make comparisons to BMW and Jaguar, an idea I admittedly attacked, sorry, you did point out the "unfairness" of those comparisons. I didn't really have an issue with your post in the context you put it. I honestly wasn't even thinking specifically about your original post when I ranted. I guess I was just hoping this forum continued to support the Sport as much as it did before it went on sale, and was frustrated by all the recent negative posts.
I do feel that lskarha's post may have been better served with it's own thread. My intention was to help Iskarha and those who are in the market for a $35000 sport sedan see how good a car this is, and not get lost in all the recent posts complaining about how it is not as good as it should be, or how it isn't as good as a BMW. We are all certainly welcome to our opinions. The very fact that those who are looking for something along the lines of a BMW are looking at the Sport, has to say something good about it I guess. I don't think anyone would compare lskarha's titanium to a BMW.
I digress...
Apologies again, wasn't targeting escape's original post, but I do stand behind my statements. If you don't want to spend more than $33-39000, want to spend it on a four door sedan, then the 2017 Fusion Sport should be on the top of your list.

 

[uncletatty]

Will the Sport be better in a couple years, sure I hope so, but then so will the titanium. I feel you, but how much cheaper really is the titanium. I test drove a ti loaded like you want and it stickered higher than my Sport. Yes a comparable Sport would have been about $1000 more, but that is not much really I'm my opinion. I didn't get a lease price on the ti, is it significantly cheaper? As a 42 y/o male with young son and a desire to drive something sporty, engaging, the Sport has been just awesome. I live in Metro Detroit, have mostly just commuted to work in the Sport and it has provided me with lots of smiles. Let me repeat, smiles while driving to work. This car shines in everyday driving. Need power to pass that slow poke, merge onto freeway, she will give you more than you need(smile). Rush hour traffic stops unexpectedly, check! Brakes are excellent. Need to make an evasive maneuver? Check! Car handles, brakes, and accelerates excellent in day to day situations. Yes there are a lot of complaints here about 0-60, 0-100 acceleration, slow manual shifting. Would I like these to be better? Of course, but I can't justify spending the money that everyone is trying to compare this car to. I promise you this car DESTROYS all in it's target segment. I feel it handles much better than what some have reported here. THE SPORT ABSOLUTELY SHINES IN 95% OF THE SITUATIONS YOU WILL PUT IT IN as a daily driver. 80% in joyriding. The Sport is more than just it's numbers, more than what those who have just test drove the car are reporting. I am a very happy owner, not a "Ford guy"(before anyone makes any accusations) This is my first Ford since an 88 escort gt I had in college.

You absolutely should choose the Sport over the ti, no question. Your wife will forgive you, your soul will thank you, and your mind will agree with your heart after one week.

I totally agree with my Michigan brother (I'm also located in SE MI)- buy the Sport! It's not significantly more than the Titanium and it will pay you back dividends in smiles. I bought the '10 Sport in 2011 and it has been the most enjoyable overall car I've ever owned. Sure, I could have bought the high end 2010 SEL, which would be just as comfortable for all the driving I do, but this car is special...it is fast enough and handled better than most of the boring domestic cars you see in SE Michigan and it feels special to drive ... My GF's 09 SEL does not. It also gets more looks than one would think. The '17 Sport, I'm assuming, will be significantly more fun to drive than the '10 (I hope to drive one this week).
Also of note, I've been a bit bummed lately hearing about initial 0-60 times....it's refreshing to hear EVERY current owner of one so far is posting very positive reviews and how impressive the car is. That says a lot. Time will tell if these engines are flawed in some way and are not putting down the power they are supposed to be, but as a likely future owner I'm glad to hear that the guys and gals currently daily driving these things are loving them!

 

[Dconlan4]

As a former Audi A6 and a BMW 3 series owner I am pleased to say that the Fusion is a strong competitor for these cars. I chose both of them mainly based on the availability of AWD, the fact that they were enjoyable to drive and the technology that was available in them. The BMW was 2013 and if I had know that the Fusion was going to be offered the next near with AWD I would have bought the Fusion over the BMW. Well the 3series was a decent car, but not "The ultimate Driving Machine" that I had expected. It was a quick, decent handling car with some neat features, but after having numerous problems with those neat features the car was a big disappointment. I have access to A-Plan so when I got rid of the BMW I went for the '16 AWD Titanium and I will honestly say that is is a better car for me and all of the "neat features" all work! It's true what has been said about the fact that the Fusion isn't going to be an exclusive car and you will inevitably see yourself coming and going from time to time. I had the same experience with the $55K BMW and it was much more of a let down to me, I have come to realize there will always be a newer, faster more exclusive car. I guess I have accepted that the Fusion Sport is not the fastest, most unique car, but it is a great car for me regardless!