Focus ST or Dart RT or VW GTI??

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by xpartmgr

It is not as cool looking either! It gets impressive mileage, but at some point I have to enjoy it also! The Fusion is really looking appealing. What is it about Ford that keep sucking back into their fold?!?! Must be the MFT system!

I didn't like the 2012 Fusion I had when they were failing to address the concern I have with the heated seats not meeting the published specifications in the service manuals. The only 2013 that anyone has let me drive was a camouflaged hybrid compared against a Camry hybrid, and it did seem smoother and quieter to drive, but as it wasn't a production spec car it was giving all sorts of warnings and errors about the blind spot monitoring system. I'd have preferred the chance to try a 1.6 L EcoBoost with the 6 MT.

[oritpro]

Originally Posted by xpartmgr

With fuel prices so high a V6 is not a big selling point for me. I mean it is nice, but I will be happy to save the fuel. I bought the Focus to save at the pump and have enjoyed that and hope to continue enjoying it. I have been looking at other options and frankly not many look as appealing as the fusion in that category. I might go look at the C-Max, but I am not so sure what to expect there.

You're kind of in the same boat as me. The Focus has everything; looks, it's economical, comfortable, fun to drive, and lots of fun toys. But then again it seems to have problems, some worse than others.

I want to keep mine though reliability is a big concern, yet there's really nothing else out there that meets the requirements I was after in the first place.

[xpartmgr]

Originally Posted by Kabigon

The Fusion is simply gorgeous.

You would have a new problem: People drooling all over your car.

Haha true! I am really leaning toward a titanium version. I want to go drive one around a while and see how I like it, but man it looks awesome! Kinda bitter sweet because the Focus has so much potential to be great.

[unclebrud]

GTI Mk 7 if you can wait. I would also check out the ST (the ST2 w/moonroof really looks great), but I think I'd wait to buy one of those until next Summer (when any issues are likely to be solved).

If it was my money and I needed a car now, it would be the GTI Mk 6 5-door (6-speed).

[Wildsailor]

The 2013 Fusion is available with the 1.6L Ecoboost and a manual trans (and you can bet that the only way you will ever see one is by having to order it!). The only thing that made me look funny at the specs was that the car was more than my SE Sport with a smaller engine so I passed. However, I have since looked at the powertrain in more detail and I wish it came in the Focus!

I believe you need to get at least a Fusion SE to check that box. It may make an extremely nice sport sedan!

[Holden]

Originally Posted by bball40dtw

The MKVII US GTI will most likely be made in Mexico instead of Germany. Another point for the ST.

Given the way many of these US MKIII Focuses have been put together, that's not necessarily another point for the ST...

[mac.mogul]

Originally Posted by suss6052

but as it wasn't a production spec car it was giving all sorts of warnings and errors about the blind spot monitoring system. I'd have preferred the chance to try a 1.6 L EcoBoost with the 6 MT.

Seems C&D had that same issue last month. They liked the 1.6/6m Fusion, but everything was flashing and beeping.

Hoping Ford gets the kinks worked out because they NEED the Fusion to be perfect.

[xpartmgr]

Originally Posted by mac.mogul

Seems C&D had that same issue last month. They liked the 1.6/6m Fusion, but everything was flashing and beeping.

Hoping Ford gets the kinks worked out because they NEED the Fusion to be perfect.

Crap! You are saying the Fusion is just as buggy as the Focus?

[mac.mogul]

Originally Posted by xpartmgr

Crap! You are saying the Fusion is just as buggy as the Focus?

The article mentioned that it was not a production model.

I don't know what to expect of production models.

Although, my guess is that most enthusiasts who buy the 1.6t/6m model are not going to opt for all of the extra driving nannies and shouldn't have any issues. Also, the 6a transmission is not the DCT. I would expect any issues from the Fusion to be completely software related.

[xpartmgr]

Well I learned my lesson and plan to do a more extended test drive. Play with the bells and whistles and try to find any problems. Since I am opting for the titanium I assume it will have some of the features that could mess up. Perhaps I should look at an SE and just add some options!