CmelChappy Report post Posted January 21, 2010 My Ford Fusion Hybrid is really super in all respects but one. I waited six months for my local dealer to get another so that I could compare it to mine. It has a softer ride and no severe jolting like mine. My hybrid was manufactured in June of '09 and the new one, this January, so it appears that Ford has made some changes to the suspension, or else I have a problem with my rear suspension. The new car was more pleasant to drive as all the bumps and surface imperfections could be felt, but less severely. When I drive over a repair running across the road that has sunk down a bit, my rear suspension bounces and when coming down, feels as though the chasis is hitting the road. I tried driving up a washboard dirt road and had to stop and turn around because the shaking and jolting was terrible. Manhole coverers, sometimes three or four to a block are very disagreeable and tar strips almost the same. I am sure that something went amiss when they put my hybrid together. I was told the suspension would loosen up after a few thousand miles, but it hasn't, it has gotten worse. My tires are at 33 lbs. My mileage is 3,500 miles. My problem is how to complain! The local service department pushed me out the door with "don't call us, we'll call you," and FOMOCO's custormer satisfaction department told me, "better luck next time! I doubt if I could qualify under the "Lemon Law" and am in doubt as to whether Ford can make mid season changes without correcting earlier production models. I really enjoy driving my hybrid but weary of having to avoid a number of streets that have surface imperfections. The January '10 Hybid has the same Michelans as mine, so it must not be the tires. As of now, my only recourse is to grit my teeth and buy a 2011 5.0 Mustang this spring, it couldn't possibly ride any harder and would be a lot more fun to drive. Sure would appreciate any and all imput. The new Fusion Hybrid I drove is really great and with a very comfortable ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junehhan Report post Posted January 21, 2010 Out of curiosity, have you ever owned a Mustang or sporty car in general? They typically will have a very firm ride. I have owned one before, and the Fusion has a ride quality about on par. I think it is like the Lincoln MKS owners that you hear on the internet who continue to complain about their car riding too stiff. For most of us, this car has been exactly as we would have expected from a performance tuned suspension combined with low profile tires. I pulled an emergency move just a few minutes ago coming home at night as there was a bumper in the middle of the highway. The car handled exactly as I would have expected it to. I even had a blast on the sharp curve along the Ronald Reagan highway where I zinged by a Nissan Maxima along the sharp curve. He clearly felt threatened as he floored it, and pulled ahead of me. The point of my ramble is that handling seems to be one of the strongest points of this car. This car doesn't handle like every other hybrid on the market, as it really handles well. It rides about what I expected, but handles far better and more predictably than I would have ever imagined. If the newer hybrids have a softer suspension as you concluded on your test drive, it is likely going to be at the expense of handling. I suspose that if you do not like the stiff ride, an alternative would be to try looking at finding a set of 16 inch alloys from a Fusion S which will likely have a more forgiving ride. I think Ford engineers clearly realized that they will never be able to make everyone happy, and they have done a good job in trying to make most of us happy. If you are interested in a new Mustang, I hope you enjoy it as there is nothing to hate about the new 5.0 that is coming out! However, with Mustang GT's coming with 18 and 19 inch rims these days, you are likely going to encounter a ride quality that is much more unforgiving than your Hybrid. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CmelChappy Report post Posted January 21, 2010 (edited) Out of curiosity, have you ever owned a Mustang or sporty car in general? They typically will have a very firm ride. I have owned one before, and the Fusion has a ride quality about on par. I think it is like the Lincoln MKS owners that you hear on the internet who continue to complain about their car riding too stiff. For most of us, this car has been exactly as we would have expected from a performance tuned suspension combined with low profile tires. I pulled an emergency move just a few minutes ago coming home at night as there was a bumper in the middle of the highway. The car handled exactly as I would have expected it to. I even had a blast on the sharp curve along the Ronald Reagan highway where I zinged by a Nissan Maxima along the sharp curve. He clearly felt threatened as he floored it, and pulled ahead of me. The point of my ramble is that handling seems to be one of the strongest points of this car. This car doesn't handle like every other hybrid on the market, as it really handles well. It rides about what I expected, but handles far better and more predictably than I would have ever imagined. If the newer hybrids have a softer suspension as you concluded on your test drive, it is likely going to be at the expense of handling. I suspose that if you do not like the stiff ride, an alternative would be to try looking at finding a set of 16 inch alloys from a Fusion S which will likely have a more forgiving ride. I think Ford engineers clearly realized that they will never be able to make everyone happy, and they have done a good job in trying to make most of us happy. If you are interested in a new Mustang, I hope you enjoy it as there is nothing to hate about the new 5.0 that is coming out! However, with Mustang GT's coming with 18 and 19 inch rims these days, you are likely going to encounter a ride quality that is much more unforgiving than your Hybrid.I purchased a '65 Mustang hatchback that was great riding and handling at 3200 lbs. It was not sprung like the modern GT's, but most pleasing to drive. I have learned a lesson about buying cars after finding that companies like Ford are taking family sedans and giving them rock hard suspensions. If that was my preference I would have purchased a Mustang to start with. At age 83, I enjoy a more pleasant ride like the Toyota Avalon, which ranks #1 for full sized family sedans, and does not have a super firm suspension. It comes down to a matter of choice! I will drive the 2011 5.0 Mustang and if it is worse riding than what I've got, I'll walk away talking to myself. Anyway, the styling of most new cars is so radical that I'll probably go to a car show/auction and buy a fully restored auto from the sixties and seventees. Thanks for your imput, especially about the 16 inch Fusion S tires. Edited January 21, 2010 by CmelChappy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junehhan Report post Posted January 21, 2010 I purchased a '65 Mustang hatchback that was great riding and handling at 3200 lbs. It was not sprung like the modern GT's, but most pleasing to drive. I have learned a lesson about buying cars after finding that companies like Ford are taking family sedans and giving them rock hard suspensions. If that was my preference I would have purchased a Mustang to start with. At age 83, I enjoy a more pleasant ride like the Toyota Avalon, which ranks #1 for full sized family sedans, and does not have a super firm suspension. It comes down to a matter of choice! I will drive the 2011 5.0 Mustang and if it is worse riding than what I've got, I'll walk away talking to myself. Anyway, the styling of most new cars is so radical that I'll probably go to a car show/auction and buy a fully restored auto from the sixties and seventees. Thanks for your imput, especially about the 16 inch Fusion S tires. Goodness, didn't realize you were so old! My dad just recently traded in his old Crown Victoria for a brand new 2010 Fusion S, which is supposed to arrive anyday now. He has rode in my hybrid a few times and was so impressed by it that he wanted one as well. He went with the S because of fuel economy, and because it is likely one of the best automotive deals on the market when you consider all the standard features you get for that price. He too thought my hybrid rode firmer than he expected, but then again he drives a Crown Victoria. Either way, I really hope you will like the new Mustang. I am a huge Mustang fan and am so glad that Ford is stepping up the power on that new 5.0. Even that new V6 is going to be amazing as i'm finally glad that Ford is also getting serious about stepping that up as well. I suspect that if the upcoming 2011 Mustang is going to be like the way Mustangs currently are, the V6 will likely have a much more forgiving ride. I have rented a V6 current gen Mustang and was surprised by how soft the ride actually was. The difference is that this new V6 is going to be pretty badass as you will get upto 30mpg, and still have as much horsepower as the original SVT Cobra's had. Radical styling is becoming a problem unfortunately, as I am not too much of a fan of some of these new age designs that look wierd. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silver FFH Report post Posted January 21, 2010 OP - Aren't you the same guy who wanted to sell his FFH because the dashboard lights were to bright? Now you are threatening the dealer with the lemon law because the suspension is too sporty. Of course the dealer pushed you out the door, you probably complain about something new every week and they are tired of hearing from you. Next you will complain that you can't hear the engine when you are at a complete stop. Take the hit and trade the car in for something else that you can complain about. At 83 years old, what are you saving your money for? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites