RR93LWB

Thanks for everyone's help/input! Sorry, but I've changed my mind. I won't be joining the FFH club. After mulling it over, something just kept nagging at me. I wanted a real test drive, so I rented a gas Titanium for a few days this week. I love how the car feels and drives. I think it's the best driving mid-size car out there right now. There are a lot of things I like about it, but the A and B pillars bug the heck out of me. Then I've got one or the other D pillar in the rearview mirror. I feel confined, while at the same time I have no sense of where the corners or front and back are. I parked it in my snug garage and it felt like when I test parked an Avalon a while back. The headlights (besides being a little dim) didn't give me any sense of where the front of the car was in relation to the wall. I see top of dash (wipers top edge of hood) and the rest of the front end is out there somewhere. Now, I'm sure with time and repitition, I would find a system that worked or getting the package with the front sensors. But, that gut reaction pulling into my garage was a panicked "this car is huge!". I have no sense of the exterior dimesions. Instead of being able to look past the A pillars, they are constantly in the way. The ability to drive the rental as much and for as long as I wanted aquainted me with small ergonomic quirks that bug me, but weren't deal killers. The door armrest is too low and the window sill is a tad high to rest my elbow and drive comfortably. But, the center console armrest/lid is perfect for resting my right elbow and my hand on the shifter. But, the center console is a bit wide for my (apparently) fat thighs. I habitually have my keys in my right pocket and my thigh already rests close to the console so anything in my pocket gets pushed into my thigh. That gets tiresome. Initially, ipod would not shuffle until I turned shuffle off and back on. Seemed to retain the settings after that. The rearview mirror vibrates with the road and with bass. Trunk opening could be problematic with some items, but again, not a deal killer. I stopped by a friends house and he came out to talk to me. He came up to the car like one normally does and I had to duck down to look up at him. He ended up taking a few steps back so we could see each other without the ducking. I'm sure a drive-thru would be fun. I know of a few with high windows that would be a pain to interact with. I should try before I return the car. Just in normal driving, I find the windows too short which adds to the sense of being confined. Really the only reason I'm not going to purchase is the visibility. I find that with the seat adjusted for me at 6'3" the A pillars create an uncomfortable blind spot. I let my friend who's 6'2" drive it and he had the same reaction I did without my telling him my thoughts first. I felt relieved it wasn't just me. Every turn, I find myself having to bob my head looking ahead and behind the A pillar to make sure I haven't missed someone or something. While driving straight, they both fall into my peripheral vision in such a way as to feel kind of like blinders. Then if I turn my head to look in the side/rear blindspot I get a face full of B pillar which is less troublesome without a rear window sticker, but still slightly more than I'd like. I could probably live with that if the A pillar wasn't such a distraction. But, the combination of these things has led me to look elsewhere. Thanks again! Maybe I'll see you in a few years after some updates and revisions to the Fusion!

Well, played around with USAA/TrueCar and was given a great price on a car with heated/cooled seats, moonroof, cruise, park, driver assist and navigation. I took it to the USAA dealer (different from the original I mentioned) who eventually found the car in South Carolina, but it has the inflatable rear seatbelts which "changes the price". I said I'd only do it if the price changed the price of the seatbelt; thinking $190. After their group huddle (seriously had 4 or 5 people working on this), they came back "it'll be $600 more with the seatbelts and probably $500 for shipping". "They're going to keep working on it." The dealer buyer tried to go into his system and change an order he'd just put in Wednesday, but it wouldn't let him change anything. I rebuilt the car on USAA adding the inflatable seatbelts and the price only went up $173. I realize it's a starting point for negotiations, but I find it a little insulting they tried to tell me the seatbelts would be $600 more. Plus, seeing as they had no problem with the original quote and were offering me other colors similarly equipped for less, they aren't hurting. The USAA price on a 2015 is $1200 more than the price on the 2014. But, as the 2015s aren't out yet, I don't know whether the dealer would honor that price. Much prefer buying off the lot. If I order or have the 2014 transferred, I'll be a nervous wreck until I have have hands on the car and can inspect it. If they honor the USAA price for the South Carolina car, my out the door would be $35,839.66 plus $319 for tags and title = $36,158.66 plus shipping ~$500. I think that's pretty good.

Ha Ha! Then it looks like Baltimore was at least a half truth... Well, it serves only to remind me to remain skeptical of car dealers, however well you may think you know the person you're dealing with... On another note. I was using USAA's car build, which is based on or run by TrueCar, it shows a $1500 cash back rebate and a $1000 ecoboost cash back rebate until 7/7/2014. The Ford website only shows the $1500. Does anyone know if TrueCar is accurate about the rebates? I didn't know if they had special access to some secret list or something. Of course, assuming a 2014 of what I'm looking for is found. Nevermind, they apparently corrected it this morning. USAA and TrueCar only show the $1500 this morning. Shoot, thought they had some inside knowledge.

hybridbear: Thanks for the info. We didn't get deep into the ordering Monday as I was thinking I'd just get the car that's on its way. I suppose there won't be any rebates for the 2015. I think the 17" wheels, heated steering wheel and passenger 10 way power adjust seat are now standard, so kind of a plus. And user configurable DRL. Will have to find out tomorrow. jeff_h: All I can say is that I was told that they come by ship to Baltimore. They seemed proud of that fact (or myth). I too read here that they come by train, but I didn't feel it was worth getting into with the person. I just sort of startled a "really?" and he reiterated that they come by ship. And no, he did not say "they ship to Baltimore", twice. The Window Sticker they sent me says RAIL, so I'll have to give him a hard time about it next time I see him. I would agree that there are a lot of Fusion SE's on lots. Within whatever Ford database this dealer accessed, there were 5 Fusion Hybrid Titaniums with heated/cooled seats in Ingot silver. 4 with black interior. 1 with medium soft ceramic. One of the 5 was fully loaded, so it was out. (I remember Cincinnati being one city, so maybe it was less than 700 radius: 500?) Of those cars, only the one in transport and the fully loaded were listed as available/not sold. I sat and looked at the screen with them. I'm pretty sure it's a Ford Company database of some sort. I don't know how the dealer swap stuff works for sure. I don't know whether certain dealers have relationships with certain out of state dealerships or if it's wide open so long as it's a Ford dealer in a specific radius. I've been in contact with 5 dealers total and none have an Ingot silver Titanium with heated/cooled seats on the lot, but they all "can find it or order it". If I go on cars.com and do a new car search with a 500 mile radius, ~25 silver Fusion Hybrid Titaniums come up. If I search the exact phrase "cooled". 2 cars come up. One is local and is sold (was one of the 5 on the dealer's system). The other is in South Carolina. I can't say that cars.com is the most accurate resource, but I think it paints a relatively clear picture that the specific package I'm looking for is not readily available.

Curious if anyone has the medium soft ceramic interior installed in an Ingot silver Fusion and could share pictures. I'm considering getting the medium soft ceramic (MSC) interior but I cannot find a car locally with that color combo. Everything is black interior. I've seen MSC in a Platinum White Fusion and it didn't look too bad in that combination. By itself, I like the MSC, but for my eyes, I don't know if it will work with Ingot silver. Thanks!

As with everything, if money was of no concern I could just purchase a fully loaded Fusion Hybrid Titanium and not worry with trying to work the system, so to speak. As it stands, I'm stuck trying to figure out the options. I would get an SE, but I want the Sony stereo and heated cooled seats that provide the 10way power passenger seat... I like the "cross traffic alert" option because the visibility isn't good. I know I'll have a few close calls backing out of parking spaces. But, I don't like BLIS. I actually think the integrated blind spot mirrors are superior. Just look at the mirror and see the car in your blindspot. The alert doesn't let you see where they are. Maybe if they combined the warning light with the integrated mirror. As it is with BLIS, I find the B pillar and headrest make it difficult for me to look over and see that area. I'm 6'3" and the wide and thick B pillar is right in my face if I turn my head. If it wasn't so thick, the width wouldn't be an issue, I think. But does it really need to be that big to begin with? I could also do without the auto wipers and auto high beams, as well as the lane keep and driver monitor. Though, I can see the lane keep and driver monitor being a benefit on long trips. I would like front sensors for parking in my garage and elsewhere to avoid hitting walls. I don't need or want the full, park itself system. I don't want adaptive cruise, but I would like the "forward collision alert". It would be nice to have an audible and visual alert; especially with the traffic in the DC area. I could do without the Navigation as I can use my cell phone, but it would be a nice backup. I can do without the heated steering wheel. I had one in my BMW and only used it a handful of times in 10yrs. I'd also prefer to have the 17" wheels for slightly better ride comfort, better mileage, better replacement tire availability and cheaper replacement tire cost; even though I think the 18"s fill the wheel wells out better. I read here that the 2015 will have 17" standard, but I don't care for the wheel they've chosen and I'm not looking to wait until those vehicles are available. Maybe I'd sell/swap for 17" after purchase. I'd take the SE leather seats if they came with the 10 way power passenger that requires the heated/cooled option in the TItanium. While a little lumpy, I think the SE seats are a little more comfortable for bigger people than the Titanium sport seats. I can do without the sunroof and universal garage door opener. Though I wouldn't mind having the universal opener. Right now, I have an offer for a 2014 Hybrid Titanium with moonroof, heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel and navigation for $35k total. It is out of the factory being shipped to a sister dealership with an unspecified arrival date. Dealer says it comes by boat to Baltimore. I'm specific on color and the heated/cooled seats. This was the only available one they could find in a 700 mile radius. I held off putting a deposit until tomorrow. Initially, I didn't want to wait for a custom order, but after thinking on it, I'm leaning towards ordering. I'm also thinking no sunroof, as I never use it to begin with, though I do think it looks good. Here's what has been rattling around in my head. I'm aware my price will go up, but I'm trying to stay close to my original or roughly within $1000. I don't know if ordering will create more leeway on the price: Base: Titanium + Sony stereo + heated cooled seats: - Active Park Assist + Adaptive Cruise ($35.7 MSRP) - Active Park Assist + Adaptive Cruise + Nav ($36.5 MSRP) - Active Park Assist + Adaptive Cruise + Driver Assist package ($36.9 MSRP) [cutting it close] - Active Park Assist + Adaptive Cruise + Driver Assist package + Nav ($37.7 MSRP) not really looking to go that high. - Active Park Assist + Driver Assist ($35.9) - Active Park Assist + Driver Assist + Nav ($36.7) Based off the current offer, the final price including title, tax and tags will be close to MSRP. If you made it this far, thank you. What are opinions on or experiences with the various packages/options? I will rescan the forum for ordering info, but if you want to reshare here, please do. If not, please share the link or point me to the link of the conversation if you have it. Opinions and your time are greatly appreciated!

Thanks again for all of the responses. I'm still on the fence about getting a Fusion Hybrid. I'll probably post some other questions I have in the other part specific areas here. To get a Titanium in the color I want, let alone the options, I'd have to order and I really don't want to and really can't wait 2-4 months. I need something in the more immediate future. I also do not have much faith in my local dealers. I hate dealing with dealers to begin with and my experience locally is that the Ford dealers (well, really a lot of brand specific dealers) are still operating with the same old annoying sales tactics. Just point me to what I specifically ask to see and leave me alone. If I have a question, I'll ask. If you don't have what I want, apologize and offer to get it for me. If I decline, drop it. Don't drag over your "manager" who gives me the same spiel. Don't start trying to sell me on something else; a lower trim and an undesirable color. That said, in regards to the sunroof, if I did order I would be tempted to go without a sunroof to save money or put the money towards one of the safety/tech features. I rarely, if ever, use a sunroof plus long term don't have to worry about a sunroof leak. Though, I do like the look of a sunroof. Something about how it breaks up the expanse of the roof is pleasing to the eye. I give Ford credit for making a sunroof optional on a top trim model. A lot of companies force the sunroof in their higher trim packages. Granted, it would be nice if the universal garage opener wasn't tied to it, especially seeing as it's mounted on a visor and not the headliner. Thanks again!

I appreciate the responses. I just found it odd and thought I'd see if it was a known quirk, so to speak. Unfortunately, now that I noticed it, I'm going to be looking for it on every car.

I am car shopping. Have been for a while now, trying to make up my mind. I finally got around to test driving the new Fusion Hybrid thinking Ford might have the wrinkles mostly ironed out by now, seeing as it's roughly into year 3. One of the first things I noticed was that the passenger side of the sunroof was not flush with the roof like the other 3 edges of the sunroof. The gasket stuck up above the roof, whereas the other three sides were equal or a shade below. Not a huge deal, but as well fitted as everything else appeared on the car, it stuck out. Well, except for the flimsy feel of the headliner when I tried opening and closing the sunroof to see if that fixed the problem. There were 3 other Fusion Hybrids (I think one was an Energi, actually) right there, and sure enough all of them had the same exact issue or non-issue, depending on how you see things. My concern initially was whether it would cause wind noise or water leaks more readily with time, but then I found a post here about a 2013+ cracked moonroof. I'm wondering if there is a correlation. Not so, I guess, if there's only one report out of thousands, but still curious about other's sunroof installs.