Another Potential Buyer

[desertrat]

I want a more comfortable car than my Prius, with a bit more power. I am pretty sure I will buy a Fusion Hybrid but I haven't decided rather to get a 2012 or wait for the 2013 model.

 

The 2013 has higher mileage estimates and looks better to me (from the pictures) than the present model and I don't mind waiting. But the 2013 will be the first year of that model and I have been bitten, twice, by getting a first year car. The 2012 has been around a long time and they must have all of the problems ironed out by now.

 

I test drove a new 2012 yesterday and it was very nice, it just feels like a good solid car that will last a long time.

 

Dispite owning a Toyota I didn't really consider a Hybrid Camry. One problem, if you want any uesful options at all on a Camry they force you to buy their Nav system for a very steep price. IMHO Toyota has the absolute worse Nav system available, I have been using one for 2 1/2 years and I understand the new Nav units are not as good as what I have.

 

Honda is suppose to be introducing another hybrid version of the Accord but rumor has it that it may be a better system than their last attempt, more like the Ford and Toyota systems. I haven't found much information on it yet.

Edited April 23, 2012 by desertrat

[dennisw]

I have years of knowledge of the Prius and have numerous friends that own them. As you said the Fusion is just a better car to drive and in my opinion to the eye. The materials are higher standard in the Fusion and the 7 year reputation of Fords hybrid system is pretty much been flawless as has been the Toyota. My average mileage is higher than two of my friends Prius' and on par with the third, so you don't have to lose much economy if you drive to conserve. The Prius is easier to get high numbers on the open road but I have found that my FFH gets high in town numbers much easier than the Prius. This I attribute to the faster speeds you can travel in town in EV mode in the FFH. Driving 35-40 mph in town for a mile or more between ICE cycles is easy and helps achieve the 50-60 mpg numbers on the short trips of 20 or so miles in town.

 

Car fever is a bad thing to have but if it were me I would hold off for the 2013. If you don't like it buy a leftover 2012.

[jeff_h]

I had a Prius for 128k miles and have now had my 2010 FFH for 117k miles... the FFH is far better. I was not scared off by the first model year of the FFH, my wife had an Escape Hybrid with no issues so I figured it was not Ford's first rodeo with a hybrid, and so I think the same goes here. However when it comes to taking the leap to the Energi, well that will be something new, not sure if I will jump on board or not, will at least take a test drive.

 

Good luck!

[desertrat]

Thanks for the replies, I think I will follow the advice and wait to take a test drive in a 2013. If I don't like it I might get a good price on a 2012.

[coach81]

I was really excited to hear of the energi... but lately I'm starting to wonder if the price premium that it will ultimately be will be worth it.. so now I'm kinda looking at the '13 FFH... less cost, and great technology along with superior fuel savings.... still doing research...

 

Good to hear all the great personal reviews of the vehicle..

 

I have always been a fan of the technology and fuel effeciency (sp) of the Prius....but not so much the looks... so I'm very, very interested in the FFH.... thanks guys

[jeff_h]

With my 2010 FFH now at 127k I'm getting new car fever again, and now debating on another FFH, Fusion Energi (but I agree, will be pricey), C-May Hybrid, or C-Max Energi (about 4-5k more than the hybrid, which makes me guess that the Fusion Energi will be about 3-4k more than the hybrid, so there's my guess).

 

I've priced out 3 of the 4 mentioned since Fusion Energi pricing not released yet... the C-May Hybrid and Fusion hybrid are both powered by the 2.0 hybrid engine and both rated at 47/44 MPG. I have a long commute which diminishes the benefit of having the plug-in hybrid, and the price difference of my "build & price" C-Max and Fusion hybrids are only about $1,500 apart... so I may just get another Fusion hybrid, but want to test drive each first to be sure.

 

But one thing that I was glad I did when buying the 2010 FFH back in '09 was doing a "butt test" in each of the seats of the car with both the cloth and leather interiors. They touted the cloth interior as being some kind of enviro-friendly something-or-other but I didn't find them comfortable at all and have found the leather seats to be great. So as you are on your search, you may want to give a butt test to a 2013 Fusion (doesn't have to be a hybrid) to check for differences in the seats and make sure you are comfortable with the ones that you'll be sitting on for hundreds of hours.

 

Good luck!