GoodbyeVW Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Hello; I'm new here. Just looking for some reassurance as I get ready to purchase the second new car I've ever bought in my life... I've owned a VW Passat for 12 years. It's a great car to drive, but if you don't have a trust fund, it is hard on the pocketbook...Premium gas, plastic things break and cost a fortune to fix...the car is an absolute pleasure to drive, but a pain in the neck to maintain... The 2011 Fusion reminds me of my Passat ('99) looks-wise and feel-wise in the driver's seat. I think I'm buying the car Thursday to get the 0% financing deals before Jan. 3....Can you reassure me on the following: 1. I've always driven a manual transmission, and this will be my first automatic (I had a VW Rabbit back in the day....). Will I have as much control of the car? I'm a woman (if that matters...), and I know nothing about cars, but I love the feel of driving a manual. However, I have a long commute to a new job, and I'm not as young as I used to be...(ha!)...and I'm thinking...maybe it's easier/more luxurious to ditch the stickshift at this point in my life...Thoughts? 2. I promised myself I would NEVER buy a new car again after the Passat for $$ reasons, but the good used cars are so pricey, and the 0% seems to make the whole thing a wash...thoughts? reassurance? 3. How does the Fusion handle in the snow and ice? What do you think of the stock tires on the SE? Thanks. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5150mikey Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 If you have the manual shift option in the car you can have just as much control of the shifting of the car, But the quickness of the automatic. I love mine. I live in Alaska and I see alot of other fusions on the road. Mine however is the AWD Sport with winter tires on it and it's a blast and easy as ever to drive in ice and snow. I think You will be very pleased in owning a Fusion, as I do and I traded in a 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution for it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayhawk Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Hello; I'm new here. Just looking for some reassurance as I get ready to purchase the second new car I've ever bought in my life... I've owned a VW Passat for 12 years. It's a great car to drive, but if you don't have a trust fund, it is hard on the pocketbook...Premium gas, plastic things break and cost a fortune to fix...the car is an absolute pleasure to drive, but a pain in the neck to maintain... The 2011 Fusion reminds me of my Passat ('99) looks-wise and feel-wise in the driver's seat. I think I'm buying the car Thursday to get the 0% financing deals before Jan. 3....Can you reassure me on the following: 1. I've always driven a manual transmission, and this will be my first automatic (I had a VW Rabbit back in the day....). Will I have as much control of the car? I'm a woman (if that matters...), and I know nothing about cars, but I love the feel of driving a manual. However, I have a long commute to a new job, and I'm not as young as I used to be...(ha!)...and I'm thinking...maybe it's easier/more luxurious to ditch the stickshift at this point in my life...Thoughts? 2. I promised myself I would NEVER buy a new car again after the Passat for $$ reasons, but the good used cars are so pricey, and the 0% seems to make the whole thing a wash...thoughts? reassurance? 3. How does the Fusion handle in the snow and ice? What do you think of the stock tires on the SE? Thanks. I was also a Passat driver (have had 2 of them) I considered another used 2006-2008 Passat before getting a low mileage 2010 used Fusion. The Fusion handles well and maybe even better than the Passats and I think we get a lot for our money. Not having to use premium fuel is also a plus. Which engine did you get ? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionff Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 (edited) I can only assure you that you will be getting a great car if you purchase the Fusion. I would suggest getting the 6 cylinder and you certainly will enjoy the driving experience. As far as driving in the snow, if you're in an area that gets a lot of snow, maybe an all wheel drive model would be a good idea. I've had front wheel drive cars that handle the snow pretty damn good, and I've heard a lot of positive opinions on the FWD Fusion in the snow. My Fusion doesn't get driven in the snow, so I can't give you a first hand review. This is how my car looks in the snow, from the storm 2 days ago. It's gonna be there for a while! Let us know how you make out, whatever you decide. :beerchug: Edited December 29, 2010 by fusionff 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodbyeVW Posted December 29, 2010 Author Share Posted December 29, 2010 Hello, All: Thank you for your responses. FFF: Great pic! You must be inside with hot chocolate right now...I live in the Philly area, and park on the street, so my car was hibernating Monday. I'm buying on price, more than on features. I have to. After driving a '99 car, anything will be an upgrade.... The car I'm looking at is a 4-cylinder SE, tuxedo black (because I'm partial to black cars...), auto transmission, with the Sync package. Nothing else. I'm looking at a price under 20K with 0 % or 1.9% financing, which I think is pretty good... I've had some dealers tell me the deal I will/may be getting is not possible...too good to be true... I'll see on Thurs. when I visit the dealer I'm planning on buying from.... Kelly Blue Book gives me about $2,300 to $2,600 for my Passat (manual, low miles) but I'm thinking a dealer will weigh in toward $2,000. Will a lifelong manual driver be happy with an automatic? I started getting used to it as I test drove the car, and thought it was pretty cushy.... Is the difference between the 4 cyl and 6 cyl 0-60? Or cruising? I won't be passing lots of people anyway, so not sure it's an issue for me...I mostly stick to the right lane anyway and get there on time and intact... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazztrumpet216 Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Hello, All: Thank you for your responses. FFF: Great pic! You must be inside with hot chocolate right now...I live in the Philly area, and park on the street, so my car was hibernating Monday. I'm buying on price, more than on features. I have to. After driving a '99 car, anything will be an upgrade.... The car I'm looking at is a 4-cylinder SE, tuxedo black (because I'm partial to black cars...), auto transmission, with the Sync package. Nothing else. I'm looking at a price under 20K with 0 % or 1.9% financing, which I think is pretty good... I've had some dealers tell me the deal I will/may be getting is not possible...too good to be true... I'll see on Thurs. when I visit the dealer I'm planning on buying from.... Kelly Blue Book gives me about $2,300 to $2,600 for my Passat (manual, low miles) but I'm thinking a dealer will weigh in toward $2,000. Will a lifelong manual driver be happy with an automatic? I started getting used to it as I test drove the car, and thought it was pretty cushy.... Is the difference between the 4 cyl and 6 cyl 0-60? Or cruising? I won't be passing lots of people anyway, so not sure it's an issue for me...I mostly stick to the right lane anyway and get there on time and intact... If you are not hung up on beating everyone off the line, the 4 cylinder will be fine. It produces more than enough power for everyday driving, and returns great fuel economy (I routinely see 29-30 MPG on my normal commute, and 36-37 isn't out of the question if I'm driving all highway). My 4 cylinder Fusion is the fastest car I've ever driven and I've never found the occasion where I "needed" more power (Where does that come from anyway? You don't "need" more power, you *want* more power. But I digress.). If you cruise a lot, buy the 4 cylinder and thank yourself everytime you fill up with gas. 0-60 it will likely be about 1.5-2 seconds slower than a 3.0 V6 Fusion. (mid- 7 seconds 0-60 for the 4 cyl, which was unheard of 30 years ago). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionff Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 You'll be fine with the 4 cylinder, and sounds like you're getting a great deal. And you will get used to the automatic real quick, and never regret it. Hope it all goes well for you on Thursday. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodbyeVW Posted December 29, 2010 Author Share Posted December 29, 2010 Thanks guys. I will let you know what happens....Just got my Passat washed and vacuumed today for its 'interview' tomorrow...I also cleaned out the trunk. It looks like someone was living back there...fortunately, there was nothing alive, and no signs that anything ever was... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayhawk Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Thanks guys. I will let you know what happens....Just got my Passat washed and vacuumed today for its 'interview' tomorrow...I also cleaned out the trunk. It looks like someone was living back there...fortunately, there was nothing alive, and no signs that anything ever was... good idea to get your car nice and clean. I've purchased a lot of cars and found that even dealers are more likely to offer more when the traded cars look nice. Good luck with the transaction! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyz Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 I own a 2010 Sport with the V6 but frequently rent Fusions with the four cylinder. The four is a bit noisier and shifts more frequently but has more than adequate power for everyday driving. Every time I rent a 4 cylinder Fusion, I am impressed all over again at what Ford has created in a modestly priced car. I think you will enjoy a Fusion - regardless of which engine you choose. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMikeL Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 (edited) I've had a new 2010 Fusion Hybrid since mid-October. I live in Minnesota, so I was curious myself about winter handling on stock tires. I have FWD with the traction control, and I am very impressed with how this car handles in snowy conditions. I don't think you'll have any problems. I test drove the older 2.3L model, the newer 2.5L models and the 3.0L V6 model. I really didn't notice much of a difference between them. Sure, the 4-cyl will be a tad slower, but there's plenty of power (as previously stated) when you need it. Good luck! Edited December 29, 2010 by MrMikeL 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodbyeVW Posted December 31, 2010 Author Share Posted December 31, 2010 Thx for all your replies. After a slightly harrowing 'negotiation' at the dealer, I got the car! It's sitting in front of my house....I drove it home, and left it there for the rest of the afternoon. Need it all to sink in..Will probably take it out this weekend and find some routes to my new job. I'm switching from a 'commute' to a home office to one about 23 miles away, with no direct route to get there...lots of back roads... When I walked into the dealership, the salesmen who had quoted me the price (written on a piece of paper in his handwriting 3 times) told me that that price is not possible and that he made a mistake. Say what?? I went back and forth with him a bit, and then walked out of the dealership. I talked to the guy who was looking over my car to determine the trade value. This guy was an owner of the dealership and of course didn't want me to leave after I told him the story... He said he'd go over the numbers with me, blah blah. To make a long story short, he said the price the salesman quoted is not possible and he had no idea why he did that. He assigned a different sales guy to me and started telling me he'd give me more for the trade, etc. So, I went off in a corner and called another dealer I'd spoken to previously! I asked him for the best price he could give me, and guess what, it was identical to the 'new' higher price at the current dealer, and frankly, identical to the prices I got at 3 other dealers via phone and internet (all w/haggling and incentives, etc.). The bottom line is that I didn't want to do business with ANY of these dealers, and I was standing there, and wanted (or rather needed) the 1.9% financing before Jan. 3... So, I bought the car there for the same price I would have gotten anywhere. They gave me a fair price on the trade, and knocked the price down a tiny bit, but the whole thing left a really sour taste in my mouth. I also produced an ad that was on their website, and they said, oh, that's not true...that includes the $500 student discount, - see the small print? I did, but it didn't indicate it wasn't included... The bottom line is that I couldn't go to another dealer and get the original b.s. price based on their b.s. ad - anywhere! I had actually used this dealer's b.s. price as a bargaining chip at other dealers, and no other dealer could match it. I had one guy say to me...wow...you should buy the car at that place...he had said if it turned out to be a fake price to come back and see him....He's the dealer I called from the showroom... If you private message me, I'll give you the name of the very large, very well known Philadelphia area dealer I'm talking about. I will not recommend this dealer, and frankly, will recommend the dealer where the guy was honest w/me about not being able to match the deal. His dealership was far from my house and far from my new job, and I just held my nose and bought the car at this place, because I just don't have another day with 6 hours in it to do this...and, in the end, the price was fair and fine. But the b.s. involved means I'll never recommend this place..... If they would have been honest with me in the first place, they'd have a recommendation for life. Now they have someone who will recomend against them for life. P.S. In the scheme of things, this is unimportant, but just wanted to share the experience. Bottom line: I have a really nice car at a monthly rate I can afford, and I'm lucky to be in a position to buy a new car! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionff Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Well, congratulations on the new Black Fusion! It's always a great feeling when you're all done at the dealer and you're driving away in a new car. Enjoy your new ride and one more thing......we do like pictures around here. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodbyeVW Posted January 1, 2011 Author Share Posted January 1, 2011 Once I get pix, I will post them....The car is beautiful. I'm about to sign on and figure out how to do the trip part of the sync...have only enabled the bluetooth...any suggestions welcome... Happy New Year! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 When I walked into the dealership, the salesmen who had quoted me the price (written on a piece of paper in his handwriting 3 times) told me that that price is not possible and that he made a mistake. Say what?? I went back and forth with him a bit, and then walked out of the dealership. That sucks. The reason you hear about this more in the car business is because they do individual price negotiations so there is more room for this type of bad behavior. But this happens anywhere you do price negotiations. If you have it in writing and they won't honor it then you could report it to the BBB. I also produced an ad that was on their website, and they said, oh, that's not true...that includes the $500 student discount, - see the small print? I did, but it didn't indicate it wasn't included... Unfortunately that is becoming common and while I think it's highly unethical it's probably not illegal since it is possible to get that price but only if you qualify for ALL of the available incentives which almost never happens. The bottom line is if you get the same price from 3 or 4 dealers then that's probably the best price you can expect and if someone promises less they're gaming you. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uxb2001 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 I am a frequent traveler who rent a lot of cars. The Fusion has one of the best 4 cyl. around and its build and finish is much better than most of the competition for the money. I just recently got my SEL and it has handle wonderfully in the snow we have gotten in the Chicago area so far this winter and in less than 30 days I already have 2300 miles on the car with mileage averaging in the 27-29 mpg. The stock 17 inch Michelins handle very well in the snow and ice! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodbyeVW Posted January 1, 2011 Author Share Posted January 1, 2011 Ux: Thanks for the reassurance on the Michelins; they certainly look nice and sturdy. Glad to hear your other impressions...AK: I responded to your post on the other thread, too. It's exactly what you said. They were gaming me, because I kept coming up w/the same price at the other dealers. So, basically, I would have driven a long distance to get the same price. If I had the time and energy, I would have done just that. But I didn't. It's a science to them. They came up with a fair Kelley Blue Book price on the trade to keep my business. Maybe I could have driven 20 miles and gotten a fair Blue Book trade; maybe not. It's an ugly business. Not all sales is ugly, but car sales is downright sleazy and unethical. Maybe karma will come into play or they'll pay in another life....! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayhawk Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Ux: Thanks for the reassurance on the Michelins; they certainly look nice and sturdy. Glad to hear your other impressions...AK: I responded to your post on the other thread, too. It's exactly what you said. They were gaming me, because I kept coming up w/the same price at the other dealers. So, basically, I would have driven a long distance to get the same price. If I had the time and energy, I would have done just that. But I didn't. It's a science to them. They came up with a fair Kelley Blue Book price on the trade to keep my business. Maybe I could have driven 20 miles and gotten a fair Blue Book trade; maybe not. It's an ugly business. Not all sales is ugly, but car sales is downright sleazy and unethical. Maybe karma will come into play or they'll pay in another life....! Yeah, I think most of us have had times when we were mistreated or plain lied to. I've purchased a lot of cars and I've learned a little about how to negotiate better and keep everything above board. It makes life simpler, less hassle that way. Congrats on the new Fusion-- My only regret was not waiting for and SEL, but I'm enjoying my SE 4 cyl quite a bit. Don't miss my Passat either. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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