Milan vs. Fusion ride, drive and noise

[pghdon]

The Mercury salesman told me tonight that the Milan commands a higher price because it has more sound deadening material than the Fusion and overall it rides, drives and feels nicer. It was my understanding that they drove identically and the differences are cosmetic. It sounded like a sales line to me.

 

Are there any perceivable differences in the ride and drive?

[Rodeo]

I highly doubt there is any difference at all to the amount of sound deadening materials used in these identical cars. The "ride, drive and feel" is a perceived quality that is implied by the sales pitch, nothing more.

[pghdon]

I highly doubt there is any difference at all to the amount of sound deadening materials used in these identical cars. The "ride, drive and feel" is a perceived quality that is implied by the sales pitch, nothing more.

 

I did notice in building identical cars on both the Ford and Mercury websites that the Milan has alloy wheels vs. the Fusion SE's 17" steel wheels with covers, which may account for some of the $800 difference. Unlikely to make a difference in the way the cars drive, though.

[xmech2k]

I'm no expert, but I always assumed in situations like this, the cars might have different suspension 'tunes'. Like different springs, shocks, sway bars, whatever. We'd have to hear from a real car-guy. Have you test drove both?

[Waldo]

There is absulutely no performance difference between the Fusion and Milan for ride, steering or NVH. All the part numbers are the same. The salesman was lying.

[pghdon]

There is absulutely no performance difference between the Fusion and Milan for ride, steering or NVH. All the part numbers are the same. The salesman was lying.

 

This is kind of what I thought. Now I just need to decide if alloy wheels are worth another $800... I suppose they COULD make it handle a little better if they are lighter than the steel wheels with covers, but it may not be worth the extra cost. Wish I could get the 16" wheels with Sync as I would rather have the smaller, lighter wheels for better fuel economy.

[xmech2k]

Just fyi, I was looking at rims on Tirerack.com, and even the affordable ones came in 10 lbs lighter than steel, each. So that's 40 lbs weight savings right there.

[pghdon]

Just fyi, I was looking at rims on Tirerack.com, and even the affordable ones came in 10 lbs lighter than steel, each. So that's 40 lbs weight savings right there.

 

I took a closer look and the mid-level's Milan's wheels are steel also, just like the Fusion SE. They just do not use wheel covers. Can't see paying extra for a Milan now.

[Beachboy]

My salesman also told me there was "no comparision" between Milan and Fusion. He said the Milan was a much better car. I was too polite to tell him he was full of BS. I bought a Milan over a Fusion primarily for a bit more exclusivity -- you see fewer Milans than Fusions, and the perception that Mercury is a premium car compared to a Ford. Also, the Fusion's bright "chrome" grill bars concerned me, as the "chrome" grill on the Mercury Mystique I traded in eventually all flaked off in the car wash. When I traded in the Mystique, there was no chrome whatsoever left on the grill. I didn't want a Fusion if the grill would be half chrome and half black plastic a few years after buying the car.

Edited September 17, 2010 by Beachboy

[Grey]

There may be extra incentives on the Milan since it is being phased out of the lineup. Worth considering.

[akirby]

There may be extra incentives on the Milan since it is being phased out of the lineup. Worth considering.

 

$1500 dealer cash (or with X plan it's an additional $1500 rebate) last time I checked.