barjon Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Last year it was time to part with my 2000 Taurus. As much as I loved that car, it seemed to reach the point where one thing after another was going wrong. I took it to my local Ford dealer’s service dept. one morning to check out a new rattle, and found out it was going to cost more than I wanted to spend to repair it. I made an on-the-spot decision to trade in the Taurus and drove home a 2012 Fusion that afternoon. I couldn’t be happier. The question is, if my Taurus had lasted a year or so longer, would I now replace it with a 2013 Fusion? I’m not one of the people who were instantly impressed by the styling of the new Fusion. In several previous posts I’ve been skeptical of the high beltline and wide center console, but my opinions had only been based on photos and videos. For the first time this morning, while at the dealer for an oil change, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a 2013 Fusion in the showroom. While I didn’t get to drive one, I was able to sit inside and form a better opinion. On the outside, yes, it is a good looking car. There were no surprises seeing the car in person, as I’ve seen photos of just about every angle online. It was the interior that concerned me the most. The interior, I have to say, is very comfortable and inviting. The cloth seats are much smoother and softer than those in my 2012 (not sure about durability), and it’s noticeably wider. It actually felt, in size, comparable to being inside the 2000 Taurus. To me, the upper door frames and seals also look very similar to those on the 1996-2006 Taurus. That’s a good thing. The car I sat in had no moonroof (I’m 6’4” tall, so I never buy a car with a moonroof because I don’t want to give up the headroom). There was enough headroom to allow me to raise the power driver’s seat to a position where outward visibility all around was actually very good and my head was still far enough away from the headliner. While the center stack is wider, higher, and more intrusive than I’d like, it’s not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. The tray and power outlet under the control panel is nice, but it’s awkward to get to with the shifter in the way, and reaching around to the side openings isn’t very easy. Also, I found the left foot rest to be too close to the door opening, not allowing my leg to stretch out as much as in the 2012, something that the sales manager said others at the dealership had already noticed. Oh, by the way, for 2010-2012 Fusion owners that complained about the sun visors being sprung to only stay in 2 positions – either up on the ceiling or all the way out to the windshield – that problem is gone. The new sun visors will stay anywhere in between. The rear seat was comfortable. Anyone under 6’ tall would have plenty of room, even with the driver’s seat where I placed it for my long legs. What really surprised and disappointed me, however, was the trunk. I already knew it was less roomy than the 2012, but I wasn’t expecting to see that the rear deck lid only lifts up as high as my shoulders. To get anything in or out I would have to bend down and duck under the lid. I’ve never had to do that with any other car! I took the picture to show how the opening is actually more horizontal than vertical, due to the swooping rear window. For what it’s worth, there’s a handle on the left side that lets you pull the lid down from the inside, without having to touch the outside. Just a couple more small points; I was concerned about how far the side mirrors stick out, especially when navigating in and out of a standard garage door opening or when parked outside a busy shopping center, but they do fold in. I especially like the keyless entry keypad hidden in the upper door frame of the driver’s door, and how it’s standard on the SE. That’s something I actually use a lot. Again, I didn’t actually get to drive this car, but from what I’ve read, I’m sure it would be as nice as, or better than mine. So back to my original question, if timing had worked out differently and I was in the market for a new car now, would I buy the new Fusion? Yes. I’m still just as happy with my 2012, though. I wonder what the 2023 Fusion will be like. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geost1 Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) ...What really surprised and disappointed me, however, was the trunk. I already knew it was less roomy than the 2012, but I wasn’t expecting to see that the rear deck lid only lifts up as high as my shoulders. To get anything in or out I would have to bend down and duck under the lid. I’ve never had to do that with any other car! I took the picture to show how the opening is actually more horizontal than vertical, due to the swooping rear window. For what it’s worth, there’s a handle on the left side that lets you pull the lid down from the inside, without having to touch the outside.... Nice review of the redesign, I'm sure Consumer Reports will share with your complaints when they review the car. Really disappointed to see that trunk opening, especially considering how spacous the 2010-2012 trunks are. Incidently, my 2012 SPORT also has a handle on the inside of the trunk lid to pull it shut. Thought that was a standard feature but guess it's not. Personally, there are three reasons I'm not at all interested in the 2013 Fusion. 1st, the styling just isn't to my tastes. 2nd, NO V6 option. I don't care how fast the ECOBOOST motors are supposed to be there are those of us that want a V6, especially since the MKZ gets one! 3rd, it's the first year of a redesign. The 2010-2012 models were tried and try, I'll let someone else work out the bugs of the redesigned model. We'll just have to see how well the redesign works out... Edited October 8, 2012 by geost1 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyz Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 I'm sure it will be a very nice car. However, the 2012 Sport has a great balance of performance, practicality and dependability. That is why I traded my 2010 Sport on a 2012. The Fusion has also been rated as one of the most reliable used cars to purchase. My 2010 Sport was trouble free. However, it had 62K miles and I wanted another car with similar reliablity. All new cars tend to have "kinks" that have to be worked out in the first couple of years. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjon Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Incidently, my 2012 SPORT also has a handle on the inside of the trunk lid to pull it shut. Thought that was a standard feature but guess it's not. The inside strap is standard on the 2012. My SE has it. The 2013 has a 4 inch cutout inside the lid with a bar going across that you can pull down on. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geost1 Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 The inside strap is standard on the 2012. My SE has it. The 2013 has a 4 inch cutout inside the lid with a bar going across that you can pull down on. Interesting. Still in a good place with 2012 SPORT though... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfire06 Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 the one my dealer had was a base model with hubcaps. it was also sold and locked but it looked good. but the no V6 is my big issue. i bought the 12 so i could get a v6 even though mine is "challenged" i would consider another one someday but i really do miss my 06 SE V6 that was THE best car i ever owned 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2011se25 Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 When I saw the '13s at my dealer I went in not knowing much more than some exterior photos. They looked better in person than the photos, or I'm warming up to it, I don't know. When I sat in the show room model I did notice that the car was noticably wider, and the center console was needlessly wide and high, impeeding leg room. The steering wheel and instrument cluster has obvious family resemblence with Focus and Fiesta. I did like the keyless keypad. Very slick. I think the Taurus has had it there for a while. Much slicker than the obvious addon apearance above the door handle. Seats were comfortable and I did wonder about the material durability compared to my '11. I would probably consider one, but I bought my '11 because I fell in love with the '07s that work had, this is a completely different car. With the same crappy transmission no one likes. Always be skeptical of first model years. See also, crappy 6F35. Also I've seen more reliability problems on the new Focus than I'd like (considering I'd highly consider it if I were living in the city). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLC Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 No, I drove a 2013 Fusion. I opted for a brand new loaded 2012 Fusion SEL. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyToronto Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Try finding the latch to pull down to move the telscoptic steering wheel, even the salesperson could't figure it out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) Try finding the latch to pull down to move the telscoptic steering wheel, even the salesperson could't figure it out. Salesman is an idiot who did not even take the time to familiarize himself with what he is selling.. I had no problem finding it the first time I sat in a 2013 Fusion. The latch is in the same place as the previous 7 years. Underside of the steering column. Push it down to tilt/telescope, push it back up to lock. Not exactly brain surgery. And Joey, no offense, but isn't it about time you stopped looking for silly things to complain about? I can go sit in any new car which I am not familiar with and have a hard time finding any button, switch or latch, since all cars have them located in different places, are different sizes, shapes etc.. But once a person buys a car and familiarizes themselves with their new vehicle, it is all second nature. This is simple common sense. Edited November 7, 2012 by bbf2530 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) Try finding the latch to pull down to move the telscoptic steering wheel, even the salesperson could't figure it out. Gee, wouldn't it be a great idea if automakers included some kind of reference book or owners guide in each car to explain how things work? The glovebox would be a great place to put said reference book. Edited November 7, 2012 by drolds1 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackBetty Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) If I wrote off my Sport and needed a new car I would either.. A- get a used SHO B- get a cheap winter car and a Mustang GT. I really like the Fusion Sport and I love the styling of the new Fusions but for me it's just lacking in the power department. The Sport is a great mix of everything for a daily. I'm hoping in a few years to be getting a Mustang GT anyways. Now if my wife sold her Focus I'd strongly look at the new Fusion for her since power means a lot less to her. Edited November 7, 2012 by BlackBetty 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Gee, wouldn't it be a great idea if automakers included some kind of reference book or owners guide in each car to explain how things work? The glovebox would be a great place to put said reference book. Hey - that's MY line! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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