Custom Order - Titanium or SE

[malibu3105]

Thought I would try for an opinion here, I am doing a custom order. The big thing I want is Remote start, Adaptive Cruise, and Navigation. I don't really want to pay for lane assist, etc., and want the Dune leather instead of black to reduce heat.

 

I was told that to get the better audio system (Sony Premium Audio w/12 speakers) that I had to choose a Titanium. Does anyone know if this is correct?

 

As far as remote start, I am also requesting the dealer install a Viper security system with Smart Start. Has anyone else done this? Can the dealer install this for me?

 

Suggestions / Opinions welcome.

 

Malibu.

 

[Riggo]

Yep, you have to get the Titanium to get the Sony system.

[malibu3105]

Do you know the difference between the Sony system, and what would be there otherwise in the SE? Is there that big of a difference?

[Riggo]

To me the Sony sound system is far superior in sound quality to the non-Sony stereo. I personally like the look of the sony systems layout on the dash as well. I would go to your dealer and listen to the stereo in both the se and titanium model. It doesn't have to be a hybrid model, the gas versions have the same stereos. It's all subjective. You may not find the difference to be enough to opt for the titanium.

[malibu3105]

ok, thanks for the information. I will probably do that. I really comes down to price, and the fact that I want the dune leather and seems that is not an option for the Titanium. So I may have to choose between the Dune Leather, and the Sony sound system.

 

Sort of sad that I have to make that choice. Ford should give a choice of leather for the more expensive car. Black is very hot when you live in the dessert and its over 110 degrees every day.

[JSKershaw]

I have the standard 6 speaker stereo and it sounds great. More speakers seem nice, but for me, no big deal since my last car had only 6 speakers.

 

As for installing a remote starter, I think the dealer will only install Ford branded starters. If you want a different make they will outsource it to another shop to install it for you. If that's the case it's cheaper to get it installed at a Viper authorized dealer to get the better price since the dealer will want to take a cut.

 

It will come down to what you want more... Sony stereo or Dune leather. Window tinting can help with the heat in hot summer days and the auto window down feature can help cool the cabin when you approach the car.

[rjent]

My dealer has told me (no personal experience yet :() that the sound cancellation is much better in the Ti because of the 12 speaker system. They designed it that way. I like the dune leather as well, but ordered the Ti for a lot of reasons: button start, sound system, the leather is an upgrade from the SE, all of the options I wanted in the SE basically were already in the Ti.

 

I have been around cars for many decades. The more expensive models almost always give you more features, even ones that aren't listed or talked about. Sound deadening, undercoating, better equipment, etc. I don't know if that is true with the Fusion, but historically it has been with all manufacturers ....

 

JMHO

[acdii]

When you have a car with the Sony system, the SE sounds muddy. It just sux that you cant get the Sony unless you get the Ti. The better sound system would make the not so great $@$#$ in mine bother me much less. If it were the HyTI, I probably would not care as much about the mileage as it would be the perfect car to me.

 

Other than the drive train, the Ti's are identical, unlike the SE. The SE Hybrid you can get more options in it than the gas SE. So if you can look at a Ti that has the options you want, check it out, if you like it all, go for it!

[acdii]

My dealer has told me (no personal experience yet :() that the sound cancellation is much better in the Ti because of the 12 speaker system. They designed it that way. I like the dune leather as well, but ordered the Ti for a lot of reasons: button start, sound system, the leather is an upgrade from the SE, all of the options I wanted in the SE basically were already in the Ti.

 

I have been around cars for many decades. The more expensive models almost always give you more features, even ones that aren't listed or talked about. Sound deadening, undercoating, better equipment, etc. I don't know if that is true with the Fusion, but historically it has been with all manufacturers ....

 

JMHO

I do know that my 2010 has sound deadening in it. Not sure if it was added on after it was delivered, since the car was ordered with cloth but had Nav, and aftermarket seat heaters were installed, so may have been added then. I had after market leather installed, but the person who installed the seat heaters broke the plastic covers on the outside of the seat bottom, so I have to get new ones.

 

Here's something to consider, you can always swap out the seat leather to a different color aftermarket on the higher end cars, but it is much much more difficult to change out the stereo to a higher end one on the lower end models. I priced it out and to get something comparable to the Sony, just in speakers and amps alone, would run about $1000. Top it off with the speakers being exposed, and not fully concealed like the Ti ones are, and you would be better off getting the HyTi.

[malibu3105]

Great information. The more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards the TI. Plus I like the sound cancelation feature, that may not be available in the SE. I can deal with black leather.

 

Can you elaborate on the auto window down feature? Are you saying I can put down my windows remotely?

 

I know I can do that if I get the Viper system installed, but can I do that with the TI Remote start system?

[rjent]

Yes, the fob has a all windows down capability that lets you cool the car down while you are walking to it :)

 

I also really like the keyless system that lets you just touch the door handle to unlock the doors.

[hermans]

Great information. The more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards the TI. Plus I like the sound cancelation feature, that may not be available in the SE. I can deal with black leather.

 

Can you elaborate on the auto window down feature? Are you saying I can put down my windows remotely?

 

I know I can do that if I get the Viper system installed, but can I do that with the TI Remote start system?

The sound cancellation comes with the hybrid - SE and Ti.. The "auto down" is the global opening that also comes on the SE and Ti. All you do is hold the door unlock button and all four windows and the moon roof open, I wanted Dune interior so no TI for me. I made a great choice.

Edited March 15, 2013 by hermans

[malibu3105]

Well... Now I am rethinking the Viper. Sounds like the Remote Start / Keyless Entry already does most of what I want, and spending $1k to use an iPhone app, or get a cool color remote is probably not a good investment :)

 

That could go towards a moon roof :)

[acdii]

Aftermarket remote starts dont tie in as well with the new cars as the factory ordered ones do. It's nice having the keyfob have the remote start on it too. The F150 I had came with remote start, where the trunk button is on my 2010 key, is the remote start button, tap twice and the truck started, tap again to extend it 15 minutes, once more to shut it down.

[malibu3105]

That sounds great, but is there feedback? for instance, if you forget whether you hit the button to turn off, or extend 15 minutes, is there any feedback? Or maybe didn't hold it down long enough or too long.

[acdii]

lights flash on the vehicle, so you have to watch it to know.

[B25Nut]

Two days ago it was 85 degrees and I forgot to open the vent on the moonroof. Walking to my FFH after work I held down the unlock button and a few seconds later all windows were down and the moonroof vent opened (which I feel is a large factor for a quick cooldown and makes the moonroof worth the price, especially since it also gives you Homelink). The car was very comfortable when I sat in it. This may not have been the case if I had the Charcoal interior, which would have been much hotter to begin with. You will never hate the Dune interior or the SE's sound system. You'll love the Sony system, but is it worth the times you'll hate the dark interior? I don't think so.

I also don't see any reason to get the Remote Start. Will your Fusion be parked outside? My ICE has started only once when I turned the key to start out in the morning. This was only due to the very low battery charge level that was the result of learning the ins and outs of MFT the evening before. Being in So. Cal., I don't think you'll see any advantage having Remote Start.

Edited March 15, 2013 by B25Nut

[malibu3105]

I see your point. Much to concider. I service several office in the Inland Empire, and it gets very hot, and my car is always parked outside. So having remote start to cool the car is a big plus. But if I get the SE, with the Dune leather, and it doesn't have remote start, I can always add the Viper system that does have it.

[B25Nut]

So far, I don't think anyone has had the opportunity to test how long it will take the AC to cool down the air inside a hot FFH. I don't think it will take long, especially with the roof vent open. Charcoal seats, however, take a long time to cool. I guess that's why the $45K+ vehicles offer the seat cooling option. The FFH's AC works off the battery, not the ICE.

[acdii]

I tend to like the hot seats, relaxes my back! Heck there are times in the summer I turn the seat heaters on!