Thinking of buying a 2017 FFH

[mwr]

I have a 2015 FFH and was recently rear-ended, such that my insurance company is totaling the car. I'm thinking of buying a 2017 FFH. It would be an upgrade for me because (I've read) it would provide Android Auto. Any opinions or comments about me getting a 2017 FFH?

[2014FordFusionSE]

Sorry to hear. Hope you're ok and no one was hurt.

 

I don't see any issues with getting a newer model. They are generally better than older ones.

[HybridAffaciando]

Go for it.  Really like my own 2017 (Platinum). That was the year of the big final refresh (new grill, LED headlights, Sync 3, rotary gear shifter...).  I believe the '18s were identical, then some decontenting started in '19.  If you consider a different trim level, best to check what options/option packages (Appearance, Luxury, Driver Assist and/or Technology) are on it.  FFHs are reliable but with any used car, get your own mechanic to check it out before purchase.  Good luck.

[mwr]

Still driving my current FFH while insurance company figures out what they'll pay me. In looking online for 2017 and 2018 (also 2019) FFHs for sale, I have a few questions:

- What decontenting happened with the 2019 FFH?

- What is the SEL FFH (seems to start with 2019)?

- I want leather seats and the large center screen. Many model SE FFHs don't have those. Do all Titanium models have leather seats and the large center screen?

All comments and suggestions appreciated.

Edited July 19, 2023 by mwr

[Cobra348]

2 hours ago, mwr said:

Still driving my current FFH while insurance company figures out what they'll pay me. In looking online for 2017 and 2018 (also 2019) FFHs for sale, I have a few questions:

- What decontenting happened with the 2019 FFH?

- What is the SEL FFH (seems to start with 2019)?

- I want leather seats and the large center screen. Many model S FFHs don't have those. Do all Titanium models have leather seats and the large center screen?

All comments and suggestions appreciated.

I can help a little ...

Decontenting - 1.  most irritating for me was losing the battery approx charge display.  That is gone - all you get is the battery with the regen swirly thing.

2.  Some (not all) FFH for '19 did not have door badge of "Hybrid".  No '20s had them (not even Energi).

3.  Don't call it decontenting but the small screen displays have shifted slightly ... MyView is in the left screen making the right screen displays the Fuel History, Accel/Brake/Cruise and Efficiency vines only.  Basing this on '20 as '19 and '20 were most of the changes in features, etc.

4.  '19 saw removal of the Parking Assist module.  I'm thinking that was not popular - and I never used it myself.  I do miss the extra sensors it added, tho.

 

SEL - for '19 they changed trim lines by combining features and standardizing some.  SEL was mid trim line in '19 and '20.  I believe Titanium was top end and includes Platinum.  SEL for '19 and '20 include all features as standard and have only the moonroof as optional gear.   Titanium includes all plus moonroof.

 

Seating and Screen - SEL had leather as option.  As for screen, I've not had issues with the stack screen since my '15 so I can't say whether it's larger or not.

 

That's best I can do.  Perhaps someone else can chime in (and probably tell me I'm full of it).  Good luck!

Edited June 18, 2023 by Cobra348

[mwr]

One more question Does anyone know of a free service that provides the window sticker for a car (Ford) from the VIN? I'm tired of google searching and finding only paid services or ones that no longer work.

[VILSIS]

Notting's is today anymore for free. When you have a good connection with your Ford Garage, it is possible you get one for free. 

[mwr]

Today I paid $349 to have a CarMax 2017 FFH SE, with burgundy paint (which I love), tan leather seats, tech package, etc, with 60K miles, shipped from Idaho to the CarMax location in the SF Bay Area where I am. Then I'll test drive it for 24 hours and if I like it, I'll buy it. I'll have it inspected by a Ford dealer near me, and if that doesn't go well I can return the car to CarMax within 30 days for a full refund. I got pre-approved for the loan from them on the phone! If I find a better loan deal, I can pay off the CarMax loan with no penalty. CarMax makes it so easy to buy a car, and offers features and protections you just don't see elsewhere. Here's a pic of that car.

Edited July 5, 2023 by mwr

[VILSIS]

Nice car, gratulation

[mwr]

It's a done deal. I did their 24-hour test drive, and it drove even better (tighter, etc) than my 2015. So I bought it, and CarMax delivered it to me this afternoon. They came with paperwork for me to sign so I don't need to go the DMV office; they do everything and the DMV will mail me the plates.

[2014FordFusionSE]

Congrats! Awesome color!

[HybridAffaciando]

Congratulations!  I bought mine from the same chain and do they make it easy.

[Cobra348]

I like it!  If you want to decrease body roll a bit, add a Strut Tower Brace from Steeda.  Steering tightens up a small bit but body roll is decreased.  Driveway install.  The Steeda hood struts allow open hood without using the bar ... also driveway install.

[Waldo]

15 hours ago, Cobra348 said:

I like it!  If you want to decrease body roll a bit, add a Strut Tower Brace from Steeda.  Steering tightens up a small bit but body roll is decreased.  Driveway install.  The Steeda hood struts allow open hood without using the bar ... also driveway install.

 

A strut tower brace won't decrease body roll.  That's not how physics works.  An thicker anti-roll bar will decrease body roll.

[Cobra348]

Steeda has a rear sway bar that swaps into the stock position using the OEM fasteners.  Problem is the zerk fittings on them get rusted from winter driving.  But funny, my ex-girl who is a DEVOUT Camaro owner (back to '69) sait adding the brace seemed to get the Fusion handling improved. 

 

We tested it out on the twists of US 9 frm Queensbury to Pottersville, NY.  Fun run.

 

 

[mwr]

On 7/16/2023 at 1:47 PM, Cobra348 said:

.Junior: 2020 FFH SEL, Rapid Red, Med Light Stone leather

My "new" car has that same Medium Light Stone leather interior, per the window sticker. How would you describe the color? In the interior photos, it looked tan, although the CarMax description said gray leather. Now, in real life, to my eyes it looks more tan than gray, but to a neighbor's eyes, more gray than tan?

[Cobra348]

19 hours ago, mwr said:

My "new" car has that same Medium Light Stone leather interior, per the window sticker. How would you describe the color? In the interior photos, it looked tan, although the CarMax description said gray leather. Now, in real life, to my eyes it looks more tan than gray, but to a neighbor's eyes, more gray than tan?

Dirty limestone?  I'm not sure.  I'd say a real light putty - like the old IBM PCs used to be colored, but that also fails.  TBH I never really considered it!

[jpohlman]

The other 2019 decontenting items implemented at various times during that year were: 1) Removal of the hood liner 2) Removal of the fender to hood seals 3) right horn deleted 4) spare replaced by tire mobility kit 4) glove box lamp delete 5) side mirror changes, some trims lost turn signal mirror/heat/puddle lamp 6) base of the mirrors not painted, just the top cover 7) SE/TI lower rear valance is no longer body color

[Cobra348]

8 hours ago, jpohlman said:

The other 2019 decontenting items implemented at various times during that year were: 1) Removal of the hood liner 2) Removal of the fender to hood seals 3) right horn deleted 4) spare replaced by tire mobility kit 4) glove box lamp delete 5) side mirror changes, some trims lost turn signal mirror/heat/puddle lamp 6) base of the mirrors not painted, just the top cover 7) SE/TI lower rear valance is no longer body color

My '15 had a mobility kit that I replaced with a compact spare.  My prior '17 used the spare in place of its kit ... and I found on the '20 that some "tailoring" is needed to make the spare work in the car.  Sooo, the TMK was not a decontenting, but a never was IMO.

[djminfll]

On 7/4/2023 at 8:39 PM, mwr said:

Today I paid $349 to have a CarMax 2017 FFH SE, with burgundy paint (which I love), tan leather seats, tech package, etc, with 60K miles, shipped from Idaho to the CarMax location in the SF Bay Area where I am. Then I'll test drive it for 24 hours and if I like it, I'll buy it. I'll have it inspected by a Ford dealer near me, and if that doesn't go well I can return the car to CarMax within 30 days for a full refund. I got pre-approved for the loan from them on the phone! If I find a better loan deal, I can pay off the CarMax loan with no penalty. CarMax makes it so easy to buy a car, and offers features and protections you just don't see elsewhere. Here's a pic of that car.

It looks like you found a Platinum, if it has the tan leather seats and the fog lights from the picture. I had a 2017, kept it until 2021. Make sure you treat the leather, especially on the driver seat, regularly. The leather looks good, but it isn't particularly good quality. I ended up having a professional detailer come to restore the leather in mine. Other than that, Im sure you're gonna love it! Congrats and good luck! 

[mwr]

3 hours ago, djminfll said:

It looks like you found a Platinum, if it has the tan leather seats and the fog lights from the picture. I had a 2017, kept it until 2021. Make sure you treat the leather, especially on the driver seat, regularly. The leather looks good, but it isn't particularly good quality. I ended up having a professional detailer come to restore the leather in mine. Other than that, Im sure you're gonna love it! Congrats and good luck! 

It's an SE with several options.

[mwr]

On 8/20/2023 at 1:52 PM, djminfll said:

I had a 2017, kept it until 2021.

Why did you get rid of your 2017 FFH?

[Cobra348]

On 8/20/2023 at 8:06 PM, mwr said:

It's an SE with several options.

You know ... the grill can be swapped out for a Fusion Sport grille from 2017.  They are not cheap when bought new, but in a salvage yard you might save.  The front faschia needs to be removed for access to the clips, but the Sport stuff will fit nicely. 

 

My '17 had that nice black Sport grill.  And before you ask ... the grille would not fit on my '20.  They changed the clip locations.  Otherwise it would be on the '20.

Edited August 22, 2023 by Cobra348

[mwr]

12 hours ago, Cobra348 said:

You know ... the grill can be swapped out for a Fusion Sport grille from 2017.  They are not cheap when bought new, but in a salvage yard you might save.  The front faschia needs to be removed for access to the clips, but the Sport stuff will fit nicely.

I have no desire to do that.

[MeeLee]

On 6/17/2023 at 8:31 PM, Cobra348 said:

1.  most irritating for me was losing the battery approx charge display.  That is gone - all you get is the battery with the regen swirly thing.

2.  Some (not all) FFH for '19 did not have door badge of "Hybrid".  No '20s had them (not even Energi).

3.  Don't call it decontenting but the small screen displays have shifted slightly ... MyView is in the left screen making the right screen displays the Fuel History, Accel/Brake/Cruise and Efficiency vines only.  Basing this on '20 as '19 and '20 were most of the changes in features, etc.

4.  '19 saw removal of the Parking Assist module.  I'm thinking that was not popular - and I never used it myself.  I do miss the extra sensors it added, tho.

 

That's best I can do.  Perhaps someone else can chime in (and probably tell me I'm full of it).  Good luck!

In my opinion the worst parts of the 19 is less USB and 12V ports, zero in the trunk, and uglier front bumper. No fog light switch on the SE.

 

In response to your points:

 

1- there still is a battery meter. It's in the "empower" menu. The blue bar on the left shows available battery power. Hovers between bar 3 (~30kW) and invisible (0kW) of available battery power.

 

2- My 19 model has it.

 

3- right screen can also display entertainment (radio), phone (call options), and navigation (compass) aside from the fuel consumption display.

 

4- there is no actual parking assist other than the RGB lines on the media center (generic picture attached), and 2 white curves that change in curvature depending on the steering wheel angle (not visible in attached photo).