this might have been talked about on the old board, but i was wondering if any one has taken a ford fusion out on a auto cross course? my wife is expecting our first baby and we need a new car. i live in edmonton and we get a fair bit of snow and so i am looking at a car with awd. the two that i have narrowed it down to are a bit opposite. option (a) the awd ford fusion, a lease return 2007 fully loaded runs around 19k with about 20,000 km on the clock. option (b) the new pontiac vibe awd. the one i want is around 25k. just wondering what you guys and gals think.
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July 19, 2008 11:32 a.m. boofighter HalfDork
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July 19, 2008 11:55 a.m. joshx99 New Reader
Aren't the AWD Fusions only available with an automatic transmission?
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July 19, 2008 1:12 p.m. HappyAndy New Reader
ordanarily I tell my friends and family not to waste money on awd, and to buy real snow tires instead... that advice may be less valid in the great white north though...
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July 19, 2008 1:35 p.m. JohnGalt New Reader
I am fairly sure that it shares a platform with the mazda 6, so i don't think it would be the worst car for AutoX.
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July 19, 2008 3:24 p.m. bruceman New Reader
I've used a rental Mercury Milan 4 cylinder auto for atuocross once when I was out of town in AZ. I was impressed with it although being auto really blew getting a quick start. But the handling was good.
I'm from MI and believe for snow, snow tires >>>> all season tires FWD >>> RWD AWD > FWD
AWD does not prevent you from sliding off the road but it may help you get back on if you have snow tires.
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July 19, 2008 6:39 p.m. neon4891 HalfDork
How 'bout a lease return wrangler unlimited, those go for 20K, and use it to tow your track car...J/K
back to the original question, how is it to AutoX an AWD Vibe, and how well do the different cars fit you and your growing family?
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July 19, 2008 8:44 p.m. jrw1621 New Reader
An AWD Vibe will still deliver fuel ecomony. The V6 AWD Fusion will not.
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July 20, 2008 1:38 a.m. boofighter HalfDork
i know that awd drive is not the end all and be all of the traction issue. i have had a set of winter rims with blizzaks on them for the past few years. the awd is for getting away from stop lights and for traveling down streets that have not been plowed for months. for me the best option would be the awd and a set of good winter tires.
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July 20, 2008 4:33 a.m. integraguy New Reader
Since the Fusion is AWD with a V6 and automatic, and the Vibe could possibly be AWD with a 4 cylinder and manual or auto (tho I think it's auto only, too) with the price of gas...I'd go with the Vibe.
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July 20, 2008 9:13 a.m. boofighter HalfDork
the vibe will only come with a four speed auto when you option the awd, the fusion has a six speed auto.
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July 20, 2008 9:54 a.m. ignorant SuperDork
awd v6 fusion will struggle to get 21mpg highway. Atleast in the hands of my parents friends it does. They are happy they have a vehicle that gets such good gas mileage.
I think they are berkeley tards and tell them so every chance I get.
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July 20, 2008 3:58 p.m. mattmacklind SuperDork
I can't imagine autocrossing a Fusion or a Milan, but I just saw a Lincoln Mark VIII at the SCCA event today so what do I know. The Fusion is a nice car. One of my carpool friends drives one, and I was impressed with the interior finish and the overall feel of the car. They are sharp looking, too. I've driven a Vibe manual though and I can say that it was definitely a lot of fun to drive.
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July 20, 2008 4:03 p.m. jrw1621 New Reader
Source www.fueleconomy.gov
2009 Fusion AWD: 17/20/25
2009 Vibe AWD w/24L: 21/24/29
2008 Vibe AWD w/1.8L: 25/27/31
I think the 2008 Vibe is a better choice than the 2009 which just got heavy.
Other AWD choices may be: Ford Five Hundred/Taurus AWD
Suzuki SX4
Anything Subaru
Toyota Rav4
Honda CRV
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July 20, 2008 7:37 p.m. ManofFewWords New Reader
Resale on Vibes is poor
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July 20, 2008 7:39 p.m. ignorant SuperDork
ManofFewWords wrote:
Resale on Vibes is poor
and it's going to be so much better on a ford.
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July 20, 2008 8:12 p.m. jrw1621 New Reader
ManofFewWords wrote:
Resale on Vibes is poor
All the more reason to buy a used one. Best would likely be a 3 year old version that has been treated well.
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July 20, 2008 8:45 p.m. ManofFewWords New Reader
jrw1621 wrote:
ManofFewWords wrote:
Resale on Vibes is poor
All the more reason to buy a used one. Best would likely be a 3 year old version that has been treated well.
interesting logic.
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July 20, 2008 8:51 p.m. 92dxman New Reader
Get Sx4 with 5 speed manual. Good car for the money. I did some promo work for Suzuki and many people were shocked that a fully loaded Sx4 goes for only $17k us.
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July 22, 2008 2:20 p.m. boofighter HalfDork
thanks for all the responses, i am still working on this and i will let you guys and gals know the out come when i bring the car home. which ever that car may be.
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July 22, 2008 2:28 p.m. pigeon New Reader
You guys are missing the most important part here:
boofighter wrote: my wife is expecting our first baby and we need a new car.
My advice - if you haven't already, purchase the rear-facing car seat the child will be using, then try to install it in the vehicles you are considering. You will figure out very, very quickly which ones are simply too small. Also consider the amount of "stuff" you have to haul around with a small child. Then, go find a 3-year-old Odyssey, get some snows and be done with it.
Scott
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July 22, 2008 2:36 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork
ManofFewWords wrote: Resale on Vibes is poor
That's because it's a Pontiac. Now, if it was a Toyota, resale would be great.
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July 22, 2008 2:54 p.m. pigeon New Reader
Dr. Hess wrote:
ManofFewWords wrote: Resale on Vibes is poor
That's because it's a Pontiac. Now, if it was a Toyota, resale would be great.
LOL!
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July 22, 2008 10:51 p.m. neon4891 HalfDork
poor resale is great for buying used, but it bites you in the a$$ when it comes to an insurance claime
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July 23, 2008 9:29 a.m. btp76 New Reader
I just bought a vibe to haul the kids around. Mine just turned three and five, so they haven't been rear facing in a while. It definitely doesn't have the room inside our Mountaineer had, but it seems to be OK. I think the rear facing seat would fit on the passengers side. Here in TX the Matrix and Vibe bring the same money.
