Moosehead

Yes, the 6F35 issue was mainly in 2010s. Some people seemed to report stuff in later years but I believe the hardware fixes were done after 2010 so everything else is software. You could probably tell in a test drive. On the other had, I had the Sport with the Aisin so I'm only going by what I read here As for the DSG in the Focus, I'm not sure if Ford ever found a problem with their DSGs or they just considered that most mainstream American buyers weren't "ready" to feel the car shifting. The tradeoff is fuel economy and sportiness, if that's what your looking for. According to this article I found, they did tune things up in late 2011 though: http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2011/1112_ford_focus_powershift_transmission_is_much_improved/ . I wouldn't expect it to be as refined as the VW/Audi DSGs as they've been using them for longer and at a higher price point. Even in the Audi though, you still feel it doing weird unexpected shifts when you are going from sporty driving to more relaxed driving. Of course it has different modes you can put it in, and I'm not sure if Ford offered that kind of adjustability. I think it was wise for Ford to wait a bit before putting a DSG into the new Fusion. Ideally, if they put out a performance model in a few years it would have the DSG. Done well, it's awesome.

http://www.lincoln.c...trs/dispatch.do MSRP starts at $35K but can go as high as $53K for a Preferred/AWD with the fancy roof and the 3.7L V6 and all the tech options and "multi-contour seats" Preliminary, "for research" pricing of course Complicated trim scheme to mix with all the engine options, if you ask me. Premiere->Select->Reserve->Preferred

Got the AC cranked in the heat wave?

Ya, it's supposed to impress you or look cool. A lot of companies are doing stuff like this. Here's a video of the Fusion, I guess just to prove it's normal

Maybe the Fusion Hybrids do pursuits in NYC where you can walk faster than traffic Off topic but I think it's funny that the Caprice has an "undercover/detective/street-appearance" package given that there's no civilian Caprice available. They should just put a Pontiac logo on it!

In the case, sounds like he would need to downsize to 16" tires (might as well make them winter tires) to be legal in the chain control areas while still respecting the owners guide then...? Interesting Or just stay off the roads during the crazier conditions, haha

Yes, I said they weren't as bad in the winter as a Z-rated summer tire, for example

NYPD uses hybrids for some duties There are some other videos on Youtube from some other forces who use it for secondary duties or just demo cars from companies that outfit emergency lights onto cars. A Fusion wouldn't be branded as an Interceptor. That implies a police spec rated for pursuits

They're "performance" tires but their not as bad as Z rated summer tires. Personally in the Eastern Ontario winters (far worse than California, but less mountains) the stock tires seemed ok in the winter when brand new. With more wear on them now, I seem slip all over the place unless I drive like grandma. I was a bit late putting my winters on this past season and I had some close calls. I assume you'll be using chains anyway? Since you have AWD, the snow tires could let you keep the chains in the trunk most of the time. http://www.dot.ca.go...tireschains.htm

There's a lot of scripting and ads. Sometimes if one of the sites serving up the ads is slow, it will slow down the whole thing

Ford specs confirm it will be the 6F35 - http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2013_Fusion_Specs.pdf - I think they worked out most of the issues before the 2012s came out anyway. No 8 speed Powershift dual clutch yet!

The leather seats in the MKZ (even current) are nicer than in the Fusion. It's the Bridge of Weir leather - http://www.lincoln.c...ures/Feature30/ Seats are also heated and cooled in the MKZ. Only heating is available in the Fusion I think an MKZ is always going to be a step down from a 750li, although since yours is older it might wash out. If it wasn't for that I think only the Navigator could compete for features and it's a totally different class.

We still don't know the pricing for the 2013 MKZ but some journalists have implied that it would go up a bit compared to previous m.y. This article http://www.cbsnews.c...igh-tech-sedan/ says Ford is trying to to target customers with an income level 50% higher than the current average, to $160,000/year. Obviously the MKZ is only part of this broader strategy. They can't raise it too much right away because it almost certainly needs to stay below the 2013 MKS which is already on the market. When I bought my 2010 Sport, I was originally buying an MKZ but changed my mind just before signing the paper. The price wasn't that much different (I think I negotiated a good deal on the MKZ but then got a mediocre deal on the Sport... bad way to buy a car.)

Can't be any worse than a convertible!

If you're looking for luxury styling like LED headlights, look at the 2013 MKZ. There are lot of images of the production model on the web now. With the 2013 Fusion, Ford was actually trying to make the headlights more understated. There's an interview or article where the designers say that headlights were taking up too much space on cars now. The current Fusion and Sonata are pretty close in size except the Fusion has a bit less height but the Sonata has a longer wheelbase. This makes sense because they are both in the mid-size segment. Of course it all depends on how it feels and the steering. Maybe Hynduai tunes their Sonata to feel bigger because nobody actually buys their full-size non-luxury car (Azera... I think I saw one on the road last year *maybe*) I'm thinking of going for the MKZ when it comes out but it will depend on pricing. They have a car that looks like it can compete with 1st tier luxury but it will depend on them being able to load in way more tech and features that the established brands will nickle and dime you for. Overall I see Ford trying to bring the Fusion up to a premium level like Buick/Volvo/Acura etc, which is nice. I love the styling but the lack of V6 will hold me back, haha! I was willing to try a turbo 4 but it doesn't seem like they're putting a big enough one in the Fusion.

For me I just can't get used to a CVT. They just "feel" weird to drive. Too smooth. Apparently they've improved it for 2013 but I'm just going from experience with test drives and rentals of other models.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120402/NEWYORK/120409973 http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1074822_2013-lincoln-mkz-preview-2012-new-york-auto-show Pictures look similar to the concept from a few months ago. New info is there will be a 3.7L V6 300hp option with AWD (nice!) in addition to the 2.0L Ecoboost and hybrid. Not the rumoured 8-speed transmission though. The fancy roof is an option but adjustable drive control will be standard though

First, I'll say I'm a 2010 Fusion Sport owner. I love it and it's a great car with more than enough power for any sane 4-door sedan driving. That said it was never really a performance car. It's a decent V6 with a "sporty" firm suspension and the only one outside of luxury brands that offered AWD, except maybe Subaru. It's performance numbers were only competitive with the same year V6 Altima, Mazda6, or Accord. All this to say, that they should save a performance version for something that actually blows the doors off the mainstream competition and can run with the luxury brands without the niceties and expensive badge. A 2.7 V6 or 3.0 V6 EcoBoost could easily deliver that, maybe even a 4-cyl. As bbf2530 mentioned, I can't see the 3.5L Ecoboost going in there. Might steal too many buyers from the Taurus SHO

Info and more pics: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1071427_2013-lincoln-mkz-previewed-by-new-concept-at-2012-detroit-auto-show Pasted from Lincoln's official release:

A bit more info is coming out now. Acording to this site, it's "confirmed" that the Fusion will come with a choice of four engines: a 1.6 or 2.0L Ecoboost 4-cyl or a choice of two hybrids. So if this is true, I guess V6 will be reserved for the MKZ. http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/we-hear-2013-ford-fusion-to-get-two.html Meanwhile a former Ford exec is also comparing the Fusion look to Aston Martin. http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/01/06/fords-radical-plan-a-sexy-family-sedan

The 3.5L is one of the first uses of the newer engine design ("Cyclone"), which was designed for Ti-VCT, turbocharging and direct injection - none of which were implemented in the current Fusion Sport/MKZ. But it's the V6 design Ford will be using for a long time to come, while they are starting to phase out the 1990s Mondeo V6 that the 3.0 uses. So it's "better" in the engineering sense but I doubt this matters to a buyer. Even the older engine has had refinements along the way. One thing to keep in mind is that the 3.5L Fusion/MKZ does not allow FlexFuel/E85. In addition to the more responsive hydraulic steering (because they couldn't fit electronic power assist in!) the Sport (3.5) has a fimer "sportier" suspension - that's really something you'd have to check out on a test drive though to see how noticeable it is to you.

Yes, standard on all trims except the basic 'S'

The Sport still uses the older Aisin (more proven) transmission, so that's something to consider if you are worried about some of the rough shifting issues some people have reported on the other models with the newer 6F35 trans. Possibly a bit exaggerated here due to the nature of internet of forums, but there have been some issues for sure. As for the driver feel, if you are the kind of driver that never takes the car over 3000 rpm and you prefer to slow down for any little bend in the road then you probably won't notice. Otherwise I think the Sport trim is a very good compromise for people who need to stick with a practical 4-door and without getting into the entry-level luxury sport sedan level (A4, 3 series, etc)... or a real sports car.

Some more info here: http://www.fordinsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?7950-Lincoln-Axes-Small-Car-Plans -2013 MKZ pushed back again, to late 2012. Good news though is that they are looking at some new Ecoboost V6s. I wonder if the MKZ would get this or if it would stay with the MKS. (Maybe they realized that to go back to competing with the real luxury brands you need either RWD or AWD and a 300+ HP option... or do they just want to compete with Buick.) I had the 2013 MKZ on my test drive list but it might not be out for when I'm ready to say goodbye to my Fusion -2013 Fusion still on track for mid 2012. Not Fusion-related but: -MKC "luxury Focus" cancelled. -RWD Lincoln based on Mustang being considered, would compete in the near $100,000 price range (!!!)

Also in Canada: When I bought my Ford, they just called GM financing and asked about my record there for the car I was driving at the time. I saw the paperwork on the finance managers desk. Never went to an actual agency (I checked my report later and noticed no inquiry.) Must save them a transaction fee or something.