Interested in purchasing new FFH - Help!

[Pebbleskn]

Hi ,

 

I am considering purchasing a 2013/2014 FFH. I have been reading everyone's posts and wanted to see if anyone could provide any helpful tips or information to help me.

 

With as hot as it gets here, I am miserable with the leather seats in my van so I definitely don't want the leather. In my search though, there are a lot of new features that seem to only come with the luxury package that includes the leather. What options does everyone highly recommond - are there any that you don't think are worth the money? What about battery life? I tried going through some of the forums, but ended up a little confused :(. I understand that Ford gives you the 8/100,000 mile warranty. Has anyone researched what the cost for replacing the battery outside of warranty is and when it would likely need to be replaced? I plan on keeping this car a while and ideally turning it over to my daughter in 7 or so years when she starts driving, so I want something dependable and this car gets a really good reliability rating.

 

I drive mostly around town, but am always on the go so I am definitely excited about the mileage and am hopeful that it is at least close to the EPA rating, but don't want to overpay and be let down with multiple problems (I saw that a lot of the early manufactured 2013s had and lot of mechanical/electrical issues right after purchase).

 

Sorry for the rambling. Any help readers here can provide will be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thank you!

[acdii]

The reason you aren't finding anything regarding the HVB(High Voltage Battery) is because, so far, no one has had to replace one, and the few that did have an issue were replaced under warranty. When and if the time comes to replace it, consider it about the same cost as to replace a transmission. The lifetime on the pack is roughly the equivalent to a well designed transmission, good for at least 300K miles. With the computer management systems keeping the charge/discharge rates in set parameters, the batteries will last the life of the car.

 

It is too bad you cant get many of the nice features unless you go all out, but for me, the HyTi was well worth it. Great car, just wish the seats were as comfortable as the SE Luxury package, thats the only grip I have. The drivers assist package is well worth the money, and the adaptive cruise is great if you do a lot of highway driving.

[dalesky]

I love the trim level and handling of my HyTi, and only wish I could have chosen the light colored leather seats. Leather is the only way to go, and they are actually cooler, and warmer, than cloth. I think the leather is a very high grade, thick and sturdy.

 

Get a good windshield cover, and get your windows tinted. If you are sure it won't rain, crack the sunroof- you are getting sunroof, aren't you?- and or get the plastic window vent covers which allow you to crack the windows without being noticed, or susceptible to rain getting in.

 

I don't have the auto cruise thingy, but love the BLIS and cross traffic features, and use the ECO cruise constantly.

Mileage is mostly a matter of driving like a hybrid is designed to be driven, which is an adjustment perhaps, but results in very good mileage. My first freeway trip netter 44 MPG, to 40 MPG at between 60 to 75 MPH. In town I can frequently get low or high forties, even low fifties at times.

 

My car has been 100% perfect with the exception of the drivers window auto up and down. I learned how to fix that so it's not a problem. Might be fixed with a software tweak by the dealer, but it's infrequent, and I avoid the dealer if possible.

 

I find the seats to be very supportive. I am average size and weight, and they fit me great. That means close to 6 ft, and under 175 lb. My wife is closer to 5 ft and they fit her well also. Have to have the memory seats too.

 

Good luck with your decision, and remember to bargain with the salesperson, who will negotiate if pressed.

[jeffo65]

We have the SE Hybrid and chose it because there really was not anything on the HyTi that we felt we would miss. We did not want leather seats and my wife refused to buy the car with the standard 18" HyTi rims. She said they were ugly. The 19" H-Spoke rims and sweet.

 

The only option that would have been nice to have, that we do not have, would have been the Memory feature for the power drivers seat since I am 6' 1" and my wife is 5' 6".

 

The adaptive cruise is great.

 

I would really like AppLink to be made available as well.

Edited September 17, 2013 by jeffo65

[eyesonly57]

I was in your position, I didn't really want the leather seats but for me it was really important to have the memory seat and mirrors so both my wife and I can drive the car without needed to mess up someone eases settings once they find the sweet spot. I also really enjoy the electrochromic mirrors that came in the Luxury Package. If I could have gotten those features without the luxury package I might have have skipped it but that is why I got the SE + Luxury. I must admit the seats really are comfortable and the leather just makes it look slick.

Edited September 17, 2013 by eyesonly57

[dkegel]

If you wait a bit you can get the cooled leather seats. We had those in our Lincoln LS and they are nice!

 

Dave

[jeff_h]

If seats are important to you, it's probably worth a trip to the dealer to try each one. In 2009 when I was looking for my 2010 FFH I went to my dealer and asked for them to get the keys for a Fusion that had cloth seats and one that had leather, as I didn't see a need for leather since I believed cloth was better in hot/cold weather, and said I wanted to do a 'butt test' to see which one I liked better. When I went there I was definitely leaning toward the cloth, but after that test I was definitely on favor of the leather (and the 2013's leather is more comfy than the 2010, IMHO). So probably good to take a trip over and see for yourself, and go from there.

 

And don't worry about the hybrid battery, I swear that is the first thing I hear people worry about when we talk about hybrids. My 2005 Prius (now owned by co-worker) has just passed 200K miles and HVB is fine, and my 2010 FFH (now owned by wife's friend) has just passed 163K miles and HVB is fine.

Edited September 17, 2013 by jeff_h

[B25Nut]

For me, this is the priority list of the available options:

 

1. Equip Group 502A. Get the Dune color and it takes care of the hot seat problem.

2. Moonroof. This helps keep the interior cooler, but the Universal Garage Door Opener is of even greater importance to me.

(Since how good my car looks is very important to me, the following have a higher priority)

3. White Platinum or Ruby Red paint.

4. 18" Luxury Wheels.

5. MFT Tech Package.

6. Push Button Start.

7. Reverse Sensing System.

8. Navigation.

 

A lot of people won't agree with me, but the Driver Assist options fall below these priorities. With the mirrors adjusted correctly, there are no blind spots when combined with the Rear View Camera. I just noticed on the Ford website that the Interior Light Kit is again listed as an Accessory option for the SE. I just called my dealer to have him find out if it can be retrofitted to our 2013s.

[hybridbear]

I would highly recommend the luxury package like others. Memory seats are great when you frequently are switching drivers. I also highly recommend the Reverse Sensors. Even if you have a back up camera (part of the MFT package) I think the reverse sensors make it much easier to park. Our other car has a back up camera but no sensors and we find it is much harder to park and I worry that I'm going to back into something because the camera doesn't provide enough warning. I second the comments about how comfortable the seats are in the SE Hybrid with the Luxury Package.

[B25Nut]

I agree on the reverse sensing. Twice it has warned me of something that didn't catch my eye in the rear view camera.

[Bob Teddy]

Didnt see anyone mention it yet so ill shoot it out their, the 2014 job 2 cars which production starts on november 4th come with cooled seats if selected. (About a 550 dollar option) - That may help your case?? Cause I want all the features of the titanium without the leather as well and i saw that as my fix :)

[B25Nut]

The cooled seats will also be height adjustable for the front passenger, so if your anticipated occupant is short (under 5'4") it may be worth waiting for them.

[dkegel]

Didnt see anyone mention it yet so ill shoot it out their, the 2014 job 2 cars which production starts on november 4th come with cooled seats if selected. (About a 550 dollar option) - That may help your case?? Cause I want all the features of the titanium without the leather as well and i saw that as my fix :)

I don't understand this. Are you saying that the cooled seats will be available in cloth? I highly doubt that.

 

Dave

[Bob Teddy]

I don't understand this. Are you saying that the cooled seats will be available in cloth? I highly doubt that.

 

Dave

No, what im saying is I don't like leather for the same reason as the OP. It gets too hot in the summer, so I have a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium on order with Leather Cooled Seats which should (hopefully) reduce the heat of the seats and make them bearable in the summer. I don't like sticking to my seats.

[dkegel]

No, what im saying is I don't like leather for the same reason as the OP. It gets too hot in the summer, so I have a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium on order with Leather Cooled Seats which should (hopefully) reduce the heat of the seats and make them bearable in the summer. I don't like sticking to my seats.

Ah OK. You confused me with the "Cause I want all the features of the titanium without the leather" comment. My wife really wanted the cooled seats as well but we didn't have the option of ordering and waiting for one.

 

Dave

[Bob Teddy]

Well, I can tell you im trying not to kill my self everyday while waiting for just cooled seats..... I almost broke down the other day and bought one but luckily their was not one in the state to buy..... (Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium 2014) So... Worked out

[djminfll]

For me, the features that make all the difference are the safety and technology features. These would include The MFT/Rear View Camera, Reverse Sensing System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Asst Pkg/Lane Keeping System, and BLIS.

 

And FYI, here in South Florida, it is REALLY hot in the summer, and even with the Charcoal Black Leather interior, the car never feels uncomfortable or hot. I use the remote window feature and open all the windows before I get into the car. This makes a huge difference. Before you decide not to get the Luxury Package, try this at the dealer and see if the interior is too hot for you.

 

Best of luck, whatever you decide! No matter what model/trim/options you choose, I'm sure you're gonna LOVE IT!

[GrayStrider]

I have a 2005 Saturn VUE with light gray leather seats, first time having leather. I live in hot So Cal and those leather seats could get rather warm being in the sun. We have a 2013 FFH with black leather seats, and amazingly, I don't recall a single day this summer that I've found the seats uncomfortably warm (not true for the VUE). Just FYI.

[corncobs]

For me, the features that make all the difference are the safety and technology features. These would include The MFT/Rear View Camera, Reverse Sensing System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Asst Pkg/Lane Keeping System, and BLIS.

 

And FYI, here in South Florida, it is REALLY hot in the summer, and even with the Charcoal Black Leather interior, the car never feels uncomfortable or hot. I use the remote window feature and open all the windows before I get into the car. This makes a huge difference. Before you decide not to get the Luxury Package, try this at the dealer and see if the interior is too hot for you.

 

Best of luck, whatever you decide! No matter what model/trim/options you choose, I'm sure you're gonna LOVE IT!

^^^^ You can't say it much better than this ^^^^

[Pebbleskn]

Thanks everyone!! All of this information is really helpful!

[acdii]

I seem to recall cloth seats being just as hot as the leather, only difference is the cloth absorbs your sweat. EWWW, they tend to get sweaty stinky after a few years. Leather isnt half as bad as vinyl was! Those were nasty hot sticky in the summer, at least the leather breaths, and cools down quickly. My HyTi is black, and I have yet had a time where the seats were unbearably hot when getting in. I too use the global down feature to cool the car down when its how. Heck I have driven it quite a few days in the high 80's low 90's with the windows down, and AC off, and was comfortable.

 

 

One thing I have found, and this may be true for others, if the leather has a gloss to it, they tend to be hot and sticky like vinyl, but if the surface is dull, like they are in the Fusion, they dont feel as hot, or hold the heat. I also noticed that seat like that tend to crack and look as though the surface is coming off, which apparently it is, I believe there is a coating on the leather, and that is what is holding the heat. The seats in the F350 were like that and they were Prairie Tan in color, very light, like the Dune, but they were hot! None of my other cars had seats like that, and I cant recall any of them being that hot.

[dalesky]

For me, the features that make all the difference are the safety and technology features. These would include The MFT/Rear View Camera, Reverse Sensing System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Asst Pkg/Lane Keeping System, and BLIS.

 

And FYI, here in South Florida, it is REALLY hot in the summer, and even with the Charcoal Black Leather interior, the car never feels uncomfortable or hot. I use the remote window feature and open all the windows before I get into the car. This makes a huge difference. Before you decide not to get the Luxury Package, try this at the dealer and see if the interior is too hot for you.

 

Best of luck, whatever you decide! No matter what model/trim/options you choose, I'm sure you're gonna LOVE IT!

I have used the remote start many times, and I live in South Carolina, plus I travel to Florida, where I am now in my 2nd week here in the southern end. Yes, the remote down windows are nice, which includes the sun roof, but really, just using remote start is enough, because in 30 seconds the interior is much more comfortable when I park in the sun. I used to use the auto down feature on my last car, which did help get some heat out as I walked up to the car, but the remote start is even better. 'course, I am not saving fuel using that, but I love it regardless.

[Geremy13]

I agree on the reverse sensing. Twice it has warned me of something that didn't catch my eye in the rear view camera.

 

I agree with B25Nut whole heartedly.... but I am warned quite often. (hehe).. I figure since it's there to help me.. just put it in reverse and push the go pedal. It someone with a shopping cart is stupid enough to walk behind my car they are lucky that I have that on our car.

 

But truly... I am warned every morning as I back out of our garage. It warns me that a car is approaching from the right side... (which is actually our trash can)... and I am so thankful that it warned me..... before I put a dent or scratch on that big piece of blue plastic trash can.! Or more importantly,, knock it over and dump a bunch of empty beer cans in our driveway that the wife would have to clean up.

 

Off to work.........

[Eddie Sessum]

This is what I was able to find quickly to help answer your question..

 

The whole battery assembly for the trunk which includes tons of electronics, cooling, etc etc. MSRP (You can usually get around 20-25% off this price depending on dealer)

 

$3537.26

 

I cant find just the replacement battery listed thru ford but im sure its out there as a part number. My guess would be somewhere in the 1700-2000 range for the battery alone.

[Geremy13]

And FYI, here in South Florida, it is REALLY hot in the summer, and even with the Charcoal Black Leather interior, the car never feels uncomfortable or hot.

 

I have to agree 100%. I don't live in Florida but here in Indiana it can get pretty darn hot as well. I was VERY concerned when the wife wanted black on black and thought that the leather seats were going to be unbearable. BUT.... never ever has been an issue. The heat in the car was like any other car,,, and like djminfll I would automatically roll down the windows to let normal heat out that any other car couldn't do... BUT to my surprise the seats were never an issue. I am very happy about that.