Need opinions on which fusion to buy

[frdnut]

Hello everyone. I am looking for a used fusion as a first car for my 21 year old son. After looking at a few I have narrowed it down to two cars in really nice rust free shape. They are both SEL models loaded up nicely with options. One is a 2010 model with the  2.5 4 cylinder with only 105,000 kms on it (63000 miles)..The other is a 2012 model  with a 3.0 V-6 with 162,000 kms on it.(100000 miles). The cars are nearly identical other than the year and engine.. The problem is after driving the two I can't decide. I love the power and smoothness of the V6 compared to the 4 cylinder. On the other hand the relatively low mileage on the 2010 can't be ignored.. How many miles are people getting out of the 3.0 liter motors? 

[bangster]

Even for a first car, I don't think the 3.0 is too much power. Anyone can get in trouble with low or high power. I got my daughter a 2.5 powered Fusion (a 2015, but still same basic output) and she really loves driving my Sport with the addional 80+ hp, but I think the 2.5 is enough for most. If I could do it all over again, I would have found a 2010-2012 Hybrid, maybe a Gen 2 Hybrid for her.

 

I personally would go for the 3.0, even with the more miles, but I think the 2.5 will last more miles than the 3.0, but treated right either should be able to give many years of service.

 

I have a 16 year old that is going off to college at the end of this school year, he doesn't have his license or a will to even get it, but like my daughter he eventually will, her sophomore year she realized she needed it, and kinda put me under the gun to get her a car (I know, I got played). I normally wouldn't be as impulsive as I was getting her the car, but my did the same thing with our 2017 Escape and we got the weak 1.5 GTDI instead of the 2.0 GTDI, mistake! even for a calm driver sometimes a little more hp gets you out of a bad spot easier than slowing down.

 

I don't do well with metric conversions, but the fuel mileage difference might be enough for a young driver paying for gas, but possibly not (I know it would be for my daughter):

2.5 mpg - City 22 highway 31 combined 25 (10.6 kpl)

3.0 mpg - City 19 highway 27 combined 22 (9.35 kpl)

 

16,000km a year:

2.5 - 1510 liters of fuel ($1812) ($1.20 per liter?)

3.0 1711 liters of fuel ($2050) ($1.20 per liter?)

Edited October 8, 2019 by bangster

[bbf2530]

3 hours ago, frdnut said:

Hello everyone. I am looking for a used fusion as a first car for my 21 year old son. After looking at a few I have narrowed it down to two cars in really nice rust free shape. They are both SEL models loaded up nicely with options. One is a 2010 model with the  2.5 4 cylinder with only 105,000 kms on it (63000 miles)..The other is a 2012 model  with a 3.0 V-6 with 162,000 kms on it.(100000 miles). The cars are nearly identical other than the year and engine.. The problem is after driving the two I can't decide. I love the power and smoothness of the V6 compared to the 4 cylinder. On the other hand the relatively low mileage on the 2010 can't be ignored.. How many miles are people getting out of the 3.0 liter motors? 

 

Hi frdnut. Both engines are tried true, dependable, and will still give many miles if they were properly maintained by the previous owners.

 

If all other things were equal (such as mileage), I would definitely recommend the 3.0. However, the mileage difference can not be ignored either. So I guess it would really come down to which car is in better condition overall. I would therefore advise having a good mechanic give them a thorough inspection. Then make a decision. Out of curiosity, what does your son say?

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by bbf2530

[frdnut]

11 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi frdnut. Both engines are tried true, dependable, and will still give many miles if they were properly maintained by the previous owners.

 

If all other things were equal (such as mileage), I would definitely recommend the 3.0. However, the mileage difference can not be ignored either. So I guess it would really come down to which car is in better condition overall. I would therefore advise having a good mechanic give them a thorough inspection. Then make a decision. Out of curiosity, what does your son say?

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

 

Unfortunately my son hasn't been able to see or drive them. He works late and they are at a dealership about an hour from where we live so we can't get there before they close. I am worried if we wait till the weekend one or both of them could be sold.I have learned the hard way clean fusions with lower miles at a decent price sell very quickly. Both will be sold certified so they will be in good mechanical condition. I realize how previous owners maintained them will be a huge factor but no way of knowing that now.

[bbf2530]

6 minutes ago, frdnut said:

Unfortunately my son hasn't been able to see or drive them. He works late and they are at a dealership about an hour from where we live so we can't get there before they close. I am worried if we wait till the weekend one or both of them could be sold.I have learned the hard way clean fusions with lower miles at a decent price sell very quickly. Both will be sold certified so they will be in good mechanical condition. I realize how previous owners maintained them will be a huge factor but no way of knowing that now.

 

Hi frdnut. I understand. Then just do your due diligence and rigorously check them out yourself. Check all the fluids, tires etc. Check the carpet and trunk for any water damage or intrusion. Take them both for extended test drives and be sure the engine, transmission and all electronic/electrical accessories are in proper working order. Check the  tires. Are they all the same brand, model and size,? Are they in good condition with plenty of tread or are they worn and in need of replacement soon? Four new tires are a sizable expense. If you can not take the cars for an inspection by a trusted mechanic/shop, check everything you can on your own, then make your best informed decision.

 

"Certified" has its limitations. Better to find any flaws before purchasing than after. Then you can have them repaired before buying or not buy.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Edited October 8, 2019 by bbf2530

[drolds1]

Perhaps it's different in Canada, but the US Ford CPO programs are limited to vehicle 6 years old or less and with less than 80K miles.  

[frdnut]

4 hours ago, drolds1 said:

Perhaps it's different in Canada, but the US Ford CPO programs are limited to vehicle 6 years old or less and with less than 80K miles.  

What is CPO?

 

[sirtanon]

CPO is Certified Pre-Owned.  Basically, used vehicles that have received additional certification (and accompanying warranty) from the dealership/manufacturer.

[confused ford owner]

i like the Toyota fusion

 

[frdnut]

So we went and test drove the vehicles again. My son preferred the power and smoothness of the V6 as well so we ended up getting a different 2010 sel with the 3.0 and only 73000 kms (45000 miles) on it..Haven't picked it up from the dealer yet as it needed a little front end work to pass the safety but it appears to be in great shape. Hopefully it will be a great first car for him.