I've joined the waiting game

[c152driver]

Hi Everyone,

 

I ordered my Hybrid Fusion SE on March 28th. I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival. This will be the first Ford I have purchased, and indeed it will be the first time I won't have a GM vehicle in the family. When I bought my Saturn Aura 6 years ago, I wanted a Hybrid, but I didn't think the technology was mature enough yet. The 2013 Fusion is the first hybrid to really interest me, and I can't wait!

 

I ordered the Fusion through the Costco Auto Program, and I think I got a pretty good deal. I am paying $1000 below invoice after the $500 Ford rebate. However, the dealer has a $500 handling fee, so in my mind I'm going to end up paying $500 below invoice.

 

Thanks everyone for the information you share here. I've learned a lot just by lurking the past few weeks.

 

 

[jeff_h]

Sounds like you got a good deal... I was also nothing bu GM for almost 20 years, and switched back in 2005 since I needed a hybrid and there was nothing viable on the GM menu, so I went with a Prius - and after 3½ years of driving that the FFH was released and I like these much better.

[CombsAuthor]

How exciting!

Welcome to the forum.

What color did you order? Do you know when it is scheduled to arrive?

This is a fantastic car and you will be amazed at the build quality.

[hybridbear]

Congrats and welcome. We all look forward to hearing your experiences. The new FFH is truly a driver's car. It's a pleasure every time I get to drive it.

[djminfll]

Welcome to the forum, and best of luck with your Fusion! How did you get yours equipped? Make sure to post pictures when you get it!

[elle]

Congratulations on your order, and welcome to the forum :)

[c152driver]

Thanks everyone!

 

I ordered it in Oxford White with a Dune Interior, 505A Luxury Package, Moonroof, Technology Package with MFT, Driver Assist package, and Navigation System. Ice Storm was a tempting color, but I decided to go with white, which I don't think ever goes out of style.

 

I was tempted by the Adaptive Cruise Control after reading the positive reviews here, but I don't think I do enough cross country driving to make it worth the extra cost.

 

I don't have a VIN or any other status updates yet. It will be three weeks this Friday, so I'll be following up with my dealer if I don't hear by then. I'm trying to be patient!

[djminfll]

You might want to rethink the Adaptive Cruise Control! I think I am the #1 fan of that, it is probably my favorite part of the FFH. You don't just use it when you are driving cross country - that would be the case with standard cruise control, but the Adaptive can be used all the time. If you are on a regular street, say you set the ACC for 45mph. When the traffic ahead is going slower, the car brakes for you, almost to a full stop. Then when the traffic accelerates, the ACC brings you back up to 45mph. I think this is actually a great tool for increasing mpg, not to mention a great safety feature. In my opinion, I'd pass on the Navigation system (I actually did) since new portable GPS are probably better, and they can be used in more than one car. If it was me, I'd check with the salesperson to see if they can add ACC to your car. Just my opinion...

[jeff_h]

You might want to rethink the Adaptive Cruise Control! I think I am the #1 fan of that, it is probably my favorite part of the FFH.

 

And this is why I chose to go with if when looking for my wife's car, based on the rave reviews by others here regarding the ACC, I said OK we want that.

[acdii]

ACC is great to have. I have used it in 35 MPH traffic, keeps a good distance, and if someone cuts in front of you ti slows you down. It also includes the Collision Avoidance, which preps the brakes for faster stopping power, but can be annoying at times. I have this now in the Flex, and find it just as handy in that as I did in the Fusion. Well worth the cost, more than Park assist will ever be.

[CombsAuthor]

ACC is great to have. I have used it in 35 MPH traffic, keeps a good distance, and if someone cuts in front of you ti slows you down. It also includes the Collision Avoidance, which preps the brakes for faster stopping power, but can be annoying at times. I have this now in the Flex, and find it just as handy in that as I did in the Fusion. Well worth the cost, more than Park assist will ever be.

 

Big fan of it here too.

 

I use it in school zones, highway driving, just about everywhere. I'm finding that after a local trip on the highway to go somewhere that I am MUCH more relaxed when I get out of the car. It helps you to become a better driver by not dividing your attention up with keeping the "two second rule."

[DeeCee]

You might want to rethink the Adaptive Cruise Control! I think I am the #1 fan of that, it is probably my favorite part of the FFH. You don't just use it when you are driving cross country - that would be the case with standard cruise control, but the Adaptive can be used all the time. If you are on a regular street, say you set the ACC for 45mph. When the traffic ahead is going slower, the car brakes for you, almost to a full stop. Then when the traffic accelerates, the ACC brings you back up to 45mph. I think this is actually a great tool for increasing mpg, not to mention a great safety feature. In my opinion, I'd pass on the Navigation system (I actually did) since new portable GPS are probably better, and they can be used in more than one car. If it was me, I'd check with the salesperson to see if they can add ACC to your car. Just my opinion...

 

Fully agree with dj.

Edited April 17, 2013 by DeeCee

[djminfll]

Big fan of it here too.

 

I use it in school zones, highway driving, just about everywhere. I'm finding that after a local trip on the highway to go somewhere that I am MUCH more relaxed when I get out of the car. It helps you to become a better driver by not dividing your attention up with keeping the "two second rule."

I guess I'm not the only big fan of ACC! I totally agree with CombsAuthor as well, I am much more relaxed when I get out of the car thanks to ACC.

Have we changed your mind yet, c152driver? :talkhand:

[dalesky]

Hi Everyone,

 

I ordered my Hybrid Fusion SE on March 28th. I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival. This will be the first Ford I have purchased, and indeed it will be the first time I won't have a GM vehicle in the family. When I bought my Saturn Aura 6 years ago, I wanted a Hybrid, but I didn't think the technology was mature enough yet. The 2013 Fusion is the first hybrid to really interest me, and I can't wait!

 

I ordered the Fusion through the Costco Auto Program, and I think I got a pretty good deal. I am paying $1000 below invoice after the $500 Ford rebate. However, the dealer has a $500 handling fee, so in my mind I'm going to end up paying $500 below invoice.

 

Thanks everyone for the information you share here. I've learned a lot just by lurking the past few weeks.

 

 

Hope your wait isn't as long as mine. Congrats. By the by, I told my dealer I would not pay the profit inflating charge of $500, and it was waived.

[fusionTX]

I agree with all about ACC. It works really well and takes the edge off. Today I used it going to work on highway, which is 60 MPH limit. With traffic, it manages the speed for you, and does so in a very efficient way. On the way home it was raining so I took the back roads, 35 MPH limit. Again used it very effectively.

 

I find it is very efficient. Got 47.7 and 43 MPG going to work the last two days. Got 46 and 52 coming home. I find it does a great job and makes the drive very stress- free. None of this would be possible with regular cruise control.

[c152driver]

Is there some Ford commission program on upgrades that I'm not aware of? :)

 

Truth be told, I could do without the navigation system. That's mainly a concession to my wife. Our other car has built in nav, and she became spoiled by not having to futz with our portable GPS.

 

I'm still on the fence regarding ACC. If it were $500 instead of $995 it would be an easier decision. I'm probably pushing our budget as it stands. I've decided that if it's too late to change my order when I check in with my dealer on Friday, I'll go without, otherwise I think I'll add it. But don't hold me to it!

[c152driver]

After patiently waiting for about 7 weeks, we picked up our Oxford White Fusion SE Hybrid this past Tuesday!

 

Thanks to the forum, I knew what places to check for possible defects, but was happy to find nothing amiss.

 

It was a long three hours at the dealer, as we ended up having to wait for the F&I guy to be available. I regret not having financing lined up ahead of time, as they tried to dump us in a 36 month loan at 6.5%. With credit scores around 800 and over 50% down, I found that offensive. We had to threaten to walk in order to get offered a more reasonable 3.7% for 48 months, which I know is still slightly above market rate. We plan on paying the car off in a few months, anyway, so it was more about the principle of the matter than anything else. I'm disappointed dealerships still play these games. It soured what had been up until then a mostly positive experience.

 

I am glad I got my trade, a 2007 Saturn Aura, appraised by Carmax ahead of time. The Ford dealer wasn't willing to match Carmax's offer, so we ended up driving both cars home and selling the Saturn to Carmax the following day. I must say I was surprised that they wouldn't match Carmax's offer. If Carmax figured they could make money at the offered prices, why not the Ford dealer?

 

After lurking here in the forums for awhile, I had lowered my MPG expectations. However, I was thrilled that, according to the car, I got 48.5 MPG on the 45 mile, mostly interstate drive home from the dealership. My current commute is 35 miles each way, again mostly highway and interstate, and I've been getting between 45-47 MPG each way. It really leaves me perplexed why some people have been reporting such poor MPG figures. Granted, the weather has been pretty mild, but I wasn't even really trying that hard to maximize MPG. Granted, I'm generally not a super aggressive driver.

 

So far, I'm really enjoying my Fusion, and look forward to learning more about all of its capabilities.

[hybridbear]

Glad you got your car. Sorry about financing. It seems to help to know the best rate you could get to ask dealer to beat

[Aquineas]

Gratz on getting the ride! One question though, if you don't mind listing the defect problem areas I should look for when my wife and I take delivery? I know it can probably be found on the forums, but it would be wonderfully convenient to have it succinctly listed in one place. Thanks!

[c152driver]

Gratz on getting the ride! One question though, if you don't mind listing the defect problem areas I should look for when my wife and I take delivery? I know it can probably be found on the forums, but it would be wonderfully convenient to have it succinctly listed in one place. Thanks!

 

Here the ones I specifically checked for:

 

• Wrinkled headliner
• Paint defects where plastic and metal body pieces meet
• Dents around sunroof

I'm sure there are a few others that I might have missed. I think it's always a good idea to take time to look things over before you sign on the dotted line!

[TX NRG]

One question though, if you don't mind listing the defect problem areas I should look for when my wife and I take delivery? I know it can probably be found on the forums, but it would be wonderfully convenient to have it succinctly listed in one place. Thanks!

There's a thread covering some of that, probably more: http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6470-what-was-wrong-with-your-fusion-hybrid-when-you-picked-it-up/