Which one to buy?

[Carguy]

Hi: I’m going to be buying either a Chevy Malibu( 4 cyilinder) or a Fusion in the next 6 weeks or so. Looking at likely a ’11 or a ’10(Most likely a 4 cylinder SEL), wondering how reliable are the Fusion’s in comparison to the Chevy? From what I’ve read so far it seems the Fusion is a excellent choice! Just wondering what weak spots (Say transmission, electircal, etc) to look out for! Thanks for any feedback!!!

[Disturbed1]

Do a Google search for "Fusion 6f35 transmission problems" , those are the transmissions in all of the Fusion models but the Sport. Don't know much about the Malibu though. Hope that helps.

[Carguy]

Thanks Disturbed: I now am thinking that either I should look at the Chevy(I prefer the Fusion) however if the transmission is a piece of you know what then it really doesn't matter about how good the car feels/drives otherwise. Going to look at some imports too mainly Nissan. Thanks again!!!

[motorcyclist]

I would not worry about the transmission, my 2011 sel has had no problems so far in 15k miles, and I am sure if one were to talk to the thousands of fusion owners with the 6f35, with much higher mileage, they would tell you the same.

[durasel]

You can solve the delimma by just purchasing a Sport.

That's what I did!!

[GCFF2010]

This might be a little irrelevant and all, but I have a SE with a manual transmission. No problems so far, smooth as butter on the shifts! Very reliable car overall. Mind you I drove the automatic before I drove the stick, and they both felt amazing. Now I also drove a Chevy Malibu and it was nice. It had some feats that the fusion didn't have as vica versa. I love and I mean love the SYNC system on my 2010 fusion and I don't think Chevy offers something that accurate, smooth, convenient and safe. Overall I'm not a big Chevy fan at all because of the history that my family has had with them, but I'm trying not to be biased when I say go for the fusion if you want to have a fun car to drive. The Chevy is somewhat on the more luxury side (that might be an overstatement depending on how you look at it).

[Bojib]

If the transmission worries you, you may want to consider that Ford and GM went in together to be it.

 

Ford calls it a 6F35, GM calls their's something else, the name eludes me at the moment.

 

If you search around the net a little, you will find a few complaints with them as well.

 

So you may want to see if the Malibu has the similar transmission in it.

 

Search long enough with any model though, and you'll find issues.

 

If you get a Fusion, just talk them into a great deal on an extended service plan.

[Carguy]

Thanks for all the feedback much appreciated!! I think the best way to look at is all cars have problems these days (which is quite reasonable considering all the computer controlled things in them) so I’m still heavily leaning towards the Fusion SEL. Going to join a consumer group up here in Canada soon and get their thoughts on this and going to go and check out another Fusion or 2 and go from there. If you guys have more feedback keep it coming, again thanks!!!!

[Carguy]

UPDATE: Well I've decided to get a 2010/2011 SEL as read up & drove a 2011 Hyundi Sonta GLS , also a 2011 Maliblu LT and have discovered that most cars have some sort of transmission trouble(each one to some extent or other) and after driving all of them just felt the Ford felt the most comfortable,solid by a good margin and most features for the dolar IMO!!! So going to get Ford ESP (at a discount of course ) and just enjoy the car as it should be!!! When I get it I'll post pic's it will likley be either Steel Blue, or Burgundy, or Black!! Stay tunned!!!

Edited August 18, 2012 by Carguy

[Carguy]

If I buy a 2010 I'm thinking I should buy one that was put on the road "late" in that model year? Thanks for any replies!!

[durasel]

There was at least one change after job 1.

 

There were some controls that were under the light switch area that were moved to the steering wheel.

 

Both of our Fusions were later built models (April 2010).

 

Remember, a loaded 2010 SEL will probably be close in price compared to a Sport model.

[Carguy]

Update to the update,LOL. I drove a SEL w/sport Appearance pkg. which included the sport suspension was very impressed it makes a noticeable improvement(not quite to my old Grand Prix GT but close enough)so now just to decide whether an SE or SEL and 4 or 6!!! Tried out a Maliblu LTZ nice car but the ride was too fim for me and still couldn't quite keep up in the handling department.

Edited August 26, 2012 by Carguy

[Fourman]

its been a while since you posted, but i wanted to proide some perspectve since i sold my 99 GTP and picked up a 2010 SEL 3.0. i was a big fan of the malibu until i drove one. i just did not like it, even though it was a loaded 3.6 LTZ. interior felt cheap (funny comment coming from a late-90s GM owner, eh? haha), handled like a boat, brakes felt awful. i left the dealer disappointed. went to the dealer next door and looked at an 08 or 09 fusion. drove it. loved it. i didnt look for anything else afterwards... just a 2010+ (i prefer the style) with the options/color i wanted. within a few weeks i had my '10. its been a bit over 6 months now and i still love it.

[geost1]

Update to the update,LOL. I drove a SEL w/sport Appearance pkg. which included the sport suspension was very impressed it makes a noticeable improvement(not quite to my old Grand Prix GT but close enough)so now just to decide whether an SE or SEL and 4 or 6!!!

 

As a point of clarification, the SPORT model has a different drivetrain in it than a standard Fusion with the Sport Appearance pkg. The SPORT has the same 3.5L V6 and transmission as the Lincoln MKZ, not to mention special rims. :shades:

 

Personally I'm not a fan of the 4cly in the Fusions as they are a little underpowered. If you live in any area that has hills, or want some pep in your ride, go with the V6. That's going to be the most important decision you can make, especially if you plan on keeping the car for a while.