http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta....roadtests.1.*

I haven't seen onet yet in person but by the pics, article, and specs I've read so far it seems like it could be a very nice all around package. The interior looks great in most regards for its price range, great chassis, new 6-speed auto... only thing I think it may need is a new motor. Even though the power rating is decent ever Ford vehicle I've driven with that basic motor design just seems thrashy and rough around the edges. Though it sounds like they may have a solution for that coming shortly.

 

what's your opinion on the mazda 6?

 

Pretty nice; hard to compare it to the Fusion since I've yet to drive the 6 and yet to even see the Fusion but I'm sure that the Fusion got quite a nice bit of help from the 6.

 

Saw one about a week back.
I thought it looked decent in pics but on the road, it's a moving abomination imo...

 

There's alot riding on the Fusion. I think it and the Milan will do OK, but I really really question the Lincoln Zephyr.

I smell a Cimmaron repeat there.

 

DING DING DING

I've seen a Zephyr... It is the Cimarron reincarnated, IMO. What makes it worth $10k more than a Milan, I have no idea...

But the Milan and the Fusion? Nice rides. The interior is a little nicer than a G6, but I still prefer the G6 outside and the 6 speed manual with the GTP...V6 Fusions are AT only.

 

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...on.r34.500.jpg
did a civic just drive by?

 

The Fusion is a nice car, but I would have to agree that the G6 is sleeker on the outside.

 

Read this tidbit:

" it makes sense that Ford based the Fusion on the fun-to-drive but slightly impractical Mazda 6 sedan."

What makes Mazda6 so impractical?

 

Nice car. I would consider cross-shopping it with accord/altima (hate camry's) once they get the 3.5L v6 in there. The current 220hp 3.0L is decent at best.

The model that will really have my attention in the Fusion lineup will be the SVT version. AWD, 274+hp turbocharged 4, 6spd manual, hmmmmm.

 

220 HP is not that weak if coupled with a 5-speed manual. Mazda 6 with the same engine is really a blast to drive and gets a 1/4 mi in about 15.0 - 15.3 seconds at 91mph.

Their 5-speed auto (mazda) was garbage performance-wise - the quarter mile grew to 16.1 - 16.3

I hope the new 6-speed is better, haven't seen any numbers yet.

 

Well, it isn't weak, but it's only decent. Accord v6 has 245hp, 3.9L g6 sedan will have 240hp, Altima has 250hp now i believe. The benchmark right now seems to be around 240-250hp, and the Fusions 221hp falls short of that. But the new 3.5L should put it right around 250hp when it does come out middle of next year as an 07 model.

 

noice! i like it.

 

I saw the first one I've seen so far this morning. It was illegally parked and blocking traffic, causing three lanes to merge to two, so I got to drive by it fairly slowly. Didn't get to see the front, but I thought that the back and rear 3/4 actually looked nicely detailed and had an air of quality. For my dollar, I'd still rather have a G6, but I think this car could do well for Ford.

 

I bet the opinions will differ quite a bit once it ends up in a magazine article where it competes with 2+ other cars(Accord, Camry, Impala, etc)

Thought I must say, this must be one of the most decent looking interiors to come out of ford. I think the steeing wheel would look much better if the name "Fusion" was on it rather than "Ford". Just like the Chevys, the gold bowtie just doesn't look right on the steering wheel.