Ford Fusion: Life Till 55K and beyond. EDIT: Sold!

frequentflyer · 20th October 2009, 21:11

I just got back from Kumarakom and Munnar in my Fusion. Great places. The car behvaed extremely well on all types of roads. I only spared the Fusion the rough ride o the highest tea factory in the world at Munnar, as it is a jeepable road only.

sachinayak · 20th October 2009, 21:38

Great to see a Fusion ownership review. Not many of them here. Hopefully, I shall post an "initial ownership" review soon - my drive is still in transit. Am watching this thread with log of interest. Am really surprised that the Fusion did not sell in larger numbers (it may not have set the sales records, but it definitely deserved a better response than what it managed). I think its perfect for Indian driving conditions (albeit the initial price is a bit too steep), sadly let down badly by Ford's step-motherly treatment.

ampere · 20th October 2009, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by frequentflyer

I just got back from Kumarakom and Munnar in my Fusion. Great places. The car behvaed extremely well on all types of roads. I only spared the Fusion the rough ride o the highest tea factory in the world at Munnar, as it is a jeepable road only.

@Freqentflyer,

Great to hear this. You know what; I am doing this exact circuit in Dec first week ! (In a Fusion obviously

) But I will do this from Bangalore.

ampere · 25th October 2009, 21:12

Just did 600km over the weekend. BLR -> Tirvannamalai and back. Saw an FE of 18.2 without AC!

ampere · 5th July 2010, 08:24

Not any major updates to report. Just that added another 12K to the ODO.
The vehicle runs as smooth as ever. Covered a full round of Kerala (Munnar/Kumarakom/Trichur/Guruvayur/Mysore) last Dec.

I then did Ooty a couple of times, all the nearby areas of Bangalore umpteen number of times, a few Chennai visits.
The arsenal added : Garmin Nuvi 205W with Satguide maps. Serves me very well with long drives and collects statistics.

Add to this distance the daily world war of commuting to office and back and the exploration of near-by areas of Bangalore.
Underwent one more service in between. No major works. Fixes planned: Minor (Wiper blades, HU change maybe!)

Mileage continues to be 15-18 depending in AC usage. Without AC; on the highways; I get a continuous 18.

Fordmanchau · 5th July 2010, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

The vehicle runs as smooth as ever. Covered a full round of Kerala (Munnar/Kumarakom/Trichur/Guruvayur/Mysore) last Dec.
I then did Ooty a couple of times, all the nearby areas of Bangalore umpteen number of times, a few Chennai visits.

Full kerala trip and no travelogues?You are not doing justice to the travelogue forum!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

Mileage continues to be 15-18 depending in AC usage. Without AC; on the highways; I get a continuous 18.

Great mileage for the car. It's a petrol right!!
I have never seen this figure on my Ikon, max I got was 16.5kmpl on hyd-blr run with full A/c.

ampere · 5th July 2010, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

Full kerala trip and no travelogues?You are not doing justice to the travelogue forum!!

Great mileage for the car. It's a petrol right!!
I have never seen this figure on my Ikon, max I got was 16.5kmpl on hyd-blr run with full A/c.

@FM,
Munnar was inspired by Pramod's trip (Honeymoon I guess). Just that I had a one half year old kid to worry about!
Also I am not a major hand at writing. Inspite of CL and Star pushing me with all their might I have been resisting!

The mileage of 18 is only when I dont use AC. (In fact some times it even rises north of it!)
Else its always between 15-17 depending on the terrain. Yes mine is a petrol.

And I am not a major fan for NFS !!! (My newly acquired terminology, thanks to Bens TL)!
I Drive mostly 80-90 and not more. That also aids the mileage.

Fordmanchau · 5th July 2010, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

Just that I had a one half year old kid to worry about!

Cool!! its ONE, half a year kid or One and half a year kid!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

Also I am not a major hand at writing. Inspite of CL and Star pushing me with all their might I have been resisting!

Don't resist!! and no major hands are required for writing the travelogue, just normal hands with five fingers each and decent keyboard skills will do

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

The mileage of 18 is only when I dont use AC. (In fact some times it even rises north of it!).Else its always between 15-17 depending on the terrain. Yes mine is a petrol.
I Drive mostly 80-90 and not more. That also aids the mileage.

Good that you extract the maximum out of the fuel. I am also trying to maximise the fuel efficiency. Yesterday night was driving in the city at 50kmph at 5th gear, talk about effects of rising petrol costs!!!.

shubhodeepdas@g · 12th July 2010, 12:14

Hi Ampere,
Eager to know if you have changed your tyres as yet. If so which ones you have opted for. Bad roads and excessive highway trips have taken a toll on mine.

ampere · 12th July 2010, 13:34

@shubhodeepdas@g

I changed my at 55K itself. (Its mentioned in my first post).
I replaced them by the same stock tyres (Goodyear G3).
I initially thought to change to Michellin (Primacy LC, which was just then lauched). But I did not as the price was 100% more!

This costed me 12K while Primacy would have 22

Anyway no complaints on this set. Works decently for me, as I dont do very high speeds!

shubhodeepdas@g · 12th July 2010, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

@shubhodeepdas@g

I changed my at 55K itself. (Its mentioned in my first post).
I replaced them by the same stock tyres (Goodyear G3).
I initially thought to change to Michellin (Primacy LC, which was just then lauched). But I did not as the price was 100% more!

This costed me 12K while Primacy would have 22

Anyway no complaints on this set. Works decently for me, as I dont do very high speeds!

Thats good to know. I am at the juncture where I have to pick between Goodyear GT3, Bridgestone ER60 and Michelin Primacy LC. Would like to go with GT3 as they have been good till now. I would say they are fairly good at high speeds as well, 150+ and holds. But it's the road noise thats very annoying.

ampere · 12th July 2010, 21:04

I rarely go over 100 ! Hence no engine noise for me! I am not sure if ER60 were the one! I think was it not Potenza?
I read some where they were pretty Hard?

Nikhil, should know the answers!

It was mainly a fight between Goodyear and Michellin for me and ultimately mind won over the heart.
Yesterday replaced the wiper blades as the rubber had become hard.

Another service due by this month end.

joshguy · 12th July 2010, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

Just did 600km over the weekend. BLR -> Tirvannamalai and back. Saw an FE of 18.2 without AC!

Petrol fusion returning 18.2? You must be a lucky chap

Anyways coming to my story,i love this car and when i sold my 2004 indica in 2008 i was in look out for a good example ,but all i got to see was 2003 and earlier models in "not so good" condition.

I could not afford for a new one as by budget was 6 L.One common problem i saw i all the cars was-Dashboard rattling,coins compartment lid broken (99%).

Amartya · 13th July 2010, 03:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

I rarely go over 100 ! Hence no engine noise for me! I am not sure if ER60 were the one! I think was it not Potenza?
I read some where they were pretty Hard?

Nikhil, should know the answers!

It was mainly a fight between Goodyear and Michellin for me and ultimately mind won over the heart.
Yesterday replaced the wiper blades as the rubber had become hard.

Another service due by this month end.

My parents bought a 2005 Fusion (preowned) 1.6 Petrol based on my recommendation. No car in India (other than the Adventure) suited their needs as well as this car. My Dad knows a lot about cars and enjoys driving - I guess my love for cars is a genetic affair - and the Fusion just seemed right. My parents love traveling to the mountains (Uttarakhand + Leh etc.) and the Fusion seems tailor made for it.

It's been a shaky start to the ownership experience, nothing major though (mainly a few rattles), and they recently replaced the tires to the standard Goodyears.

ampere · 13th July 2010, 11:23

As I said in my earlier post, I time my drives to office such that most cases I am in 4th and 5th gear.
That helps the city commute FE. On the highways, I dont drive past 100, which is the max.
Mostly its 80-90. If without AC, Fusion returns an amazing FE. On GQ I have seen 20 as well!!!
(That only on GQ. The moment I shift to other roads it falls.)

Another thing which I follow sincerely from the day of the purchase, is never let the fuel level go below 30%.
When it comes to one-third I fill the tank again. (Some how I dont keep the empty-tank syndrome at the back of my mind!
Dont like to drive with that feeling).

The storage box (the one on the dash) broke for me as well.
When I went to Metro ford in Bangalore to get it fixed he said about 8K. Immediately I responded,
please put a tape and close it for ever! Anyway I never use it.

20th October 2009, 21:11	#16
frequentflyer BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 223 Thanked: 34 Times	I just got back from Kumarakom and Munnar in my Fusion. Great places. The car behvaed extremely well on all types of roads. I only spared the Fusion the rough ride o the highest tea factory in the world at Munnar, as it is a jeepable road only.
	() Thanks

20th October 2009, 21:38	#17
sachinayak BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 783 Thanked: 3,183 Times View My Garage	Great to see a Fusion ownership review. Not many of them here. Hopefully, I shall post an "initial ownership" review soon - my drive is still in transit. Am watching this thread with log of interest. Am really surprised that the Fusion did not sell in larger numbers (it may not have set the sales records, but it definitely deserved a better response than what it managed). I think its perfect for Indian driving conditions (albeit the initial price is a bit too steep), sadly let down badly by Ford's step-motherly treatment. Last edited by sachinayak : 20th October 2009 at 21:41.
	() Thanks

25th October 2009, 21:12	#19
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,324 Thanked: 13,602 Times View My Garage	Just did 600km over the weekend. BLR -> Tirvannamalai and back. Saw an FE of 18.2 without AC!
	() Thanks

5th July 2010, 08:24	#20
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,324 Thanked: 13,602 Times View My Garage	Not any major updates to report. Just that added another 12K to the ODO. The vehicle runs as smooth as ever. Covered a full round of Kerala (Munnar/Kumarakom/Trichur/Guruvayur/Mysore) last Dec. I then did Ooty a couple of times, all the nearby areas of Bangalore umpteen number of times, a few Chennai visits. The arsenal added : Garmin Nuvi 205W with Satguide maps. Serves me very well with long drives and collects statistics. Add to this distance the daily world war of commuting to office and back and the exploration of near-by areas of Bangalore. Underwent one more service in between. No major works. Fixes planned: Minor (Wiper blades, HU change maybe!) Mileage continues to be 15-18 depending in AC usage. Without AC; on the highways; I get a continuous 18. Last edited by ampere : 5th July 2010 at 08:26.
	() Thanks

12th July 2010, 12:14	#24
shubhodeepdas@g BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 386 Thanked: 558 Times View My Garage	Hi Ampere, Eager to know if you have changed your tyres as yet. If so which ones you have opted for. Bad roads and excessive highway trips have taken a toll on mine.
	() Thanks

12th July 2010, 13:34	#25
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,324 Thanked: 13,602 Times View My Garage	@shubhodeepdas@g I changed my at 55K itself. (Its mentioned in my first post). I replaced them by the same stock tyres (Goodyear G3). I initially thought to change to Michellin (Primacy LC, which was just then lauched). But I did not as the price was 100% more! This costed me 12K while Primacy would have 22 Anyway no complaints on this set. Works decently for me, as I dont do very high speeds!
	() Thanks

12th July 2010, 21:04	#27
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,324 Thanked: 13,602 Times View My Garage	I rarely go over 100 ! Hence no engine noise for me! I am not sure if ER60 were the one! I think was it not Potenza? I read some where they were pretty Hard? Nikhil, should know the answers! It was mainly a fight between Goodyear and Michellin for me and ultimately mind won over the heart. Yesterday replaced the wiper blades as the rubber had become hard. Another service due by this month end.
	() Thanks

13th July 2010, 11:23	#30
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,324 Thanked: 13,602 Times View My Garage	As I said in my earlier post, I time my drives to office such that most cases I am in 4th and 5th gear. That helps the city commute FE. On the highways, I dont drive past 100, which is the max. Mostly its 80-90. If without AC, Fusion returns an amazing FE. On GQ I have seen 20 as well!!! (That only on GQ. The moment I shift to other roads it falls.) Another thing which I follow sincerely from the day of the purchase, is never let the fuel level go below 30%. When it comes to one-third I fill the tank again. (Some how I dont keep the empty-tank syndrome at the back of my mind! Dont like to drive with that feeling). The storage box (the one on the dash) broke for me as well. When I went to Metro ford in Bangalore to get it fixed he said about 8K. Immediately I responded, please put a tape and close it for ever! Anyway I never use it. Last edited by ampere : 13th July 2010 at 11:25.
	() Thanks