07 Camry V6 SE or 07 Fusion V6 SEL AWD?

[iGas]

The Fusion is in immaculate shape and so as my Camry, and both are white.

07 Camry V6 SE == 268 HP with 40,026 Km (24,000 mi).

07 Fusion V6 SEL AWD == 221 HP with 120,130 Km (72,000 mi).

I can sell the Camry for $5000~$6000 more than the Fusion.

Should I spring for it, even those the Fusion acceleration is not as peppy as the the Camry? My daily commute is 150 Km (90 mi) to/from work mostly highway.

 

[MJinZ]

Neither, '07 Fusion is painfully anemic, '07 Camry has so many problems with it, you'll just want to kill yourself after a day.

 

[iGas]

Neither, '07 Fusion is painfully anemic, '07 Camry has so many problems with it, you'll just want to kill yourself after a day.

What should I get then, other than a Prius?

PS. So far I put in 12,000 Km on the Camry (some what heavy footed) & 1 oil change (next oil change is 3000 Km more), and the it haven't given me any trouble.

 

[CraigRT]

Altima, Mazda6

 

[MJinZ]

What should I get then, other than a Prius?

PS. So far I put in 12,000 Km on the Camry (some what heavy footed) & 1 oil change (next oil change is 3000 Km more), and the it haven't given me any trouble.

You already drive the car you haven't bought yet?

There are a million TSBs on the 07 Camry, you'll likely have transmission problems, your VVT-i oil line will degrade (this is a recall of sorts), your brakes will become warped soon (and you're probably going to out of your 3 year warranty soon), and those are just the normal occurrences with the '07.

I didn't even mention the recalls, which I'm sure you're aware of. (I declined all of them though).

 

[CurseTheSky]

Neither, '07 Fusion is painfully anemic, '07 Camry has so many problems with it, you'll just want to kill yourself after a day.

221 HP is anemic? Maybe compared to the Camry and Altima with 260+ HP, sure, but unless you're buying it with sports applications in mind, who cares?

At the end of the day, they're all FWD / too heavy / automatic. And yes, I realize the Fusion in question is AWD, but I wouldn't expect the drive train to last very long if you're really pushing it hard (since the wheels will actually catch traction).

For what it's worth, you can buy a $300 tuner for the Fusion and bring it to around 240 HP, while also increasing fuel economy and smoothening the shift points (there are tons of positive testimonials from enthusiasts around the 'net that have used this thing). I personally won't do it because 221 HP is already plenty for me; the only place I'd use any more is getting on the highway. Then again, the extra power would only stand to encourage me to rev it up more often, and we all know what that does to gas mileage.

 

[MJinZ]

221 HP is anemic? Maybe compared to the Camry and Altima with 260+ HP, sure, but unless you're buying it with sports applications in mind, who cares?

At the end of the day, they're all FWD / too heavy / automatic. And yes, I realize the Fusion in question is AWD, but I wouldn't expect the drive train to last very long if you're really pushing it hard (since the wheels will actually catch traction).

For what it's worth, you can buy a $300 tuner for the Fusion and bring it to around 240 HP, while also increasing fuel economy and smoothening the shift points (there are tons of positive testimonials from enthusiasts around the 'net that have used this thing). I personally won't do it because 221 HP is already plenty for me; the only place I'd use any more is getting on the highway. Then again, the extra power would only stand to encourage me to rev it up more often, and we all know what that does to gas mileage.

I'm pushing 280+ and it's slow. I'm in the 5 second range and it's slow.

It just depends on what you expect out of your car, and what you can tolerate.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I'm pushing 280+ and it's slow. I'm in the 5 second range and it's slow.

It just depends on what you expect out of your car, and what you can tolerate.

What kind of car are you driving, though? For me, 4 door + auto + FWD = family sedan, != sports car.

There are exceptions, of course, but I doubt they come with an ~170 HP I4 and ~220 HP V6 as engine options, or a 17-22k price tag...

 

[MJinZ]

What kind of car are you driving, though? For me, 4 door, auto, FWD = family sedan, != sports car.

I'm pretty sure the Cobalt SS can kick just about any car's ass on a track or ring.

Lotus Evora uses the same engine as the Camry.

 

[StageLeft]

I'm pushing 280+ and it's slow. I'm in the 5 second range and it's slow.

It just depends on what you expect out of your car, and what you can tolerate.

I am pushing 450+ and low 4's 0-60 and my car is intolerably slow. Also embarrassing. Next car will have a minimum of 700 horses at the wheels. Holla!

 

[jlee]

I'm pretty sure the Cobalt SS can kick just about any car's ass on a track or ring.

Lotus Evora uses the same engine as the Camry.

Wow, where did you find a four door automatic Cobalt SS?

 

[MJinZ]

I am pushing 450+ and low 4's 0-60 and my car is intolerably slow. Also embarrassing. Next car will have a minimum of 700 horses at the wheels. Holla!

 

[MJinZ]

Wow, where did you find a four door automatic Cobalt SS?

Cobalt is a 4 door, SS just takes 2 off. And SS does have an automatic, last time I looked into it.

 

[jlee]

Cobalt is a 4 door, SS just takes 2 off. And SS does have an automatic, last time I looked into it.

In other words, you didn't.

 

[MJinZ]

In other words, you didn't.

In other words, you could outfit a 4 door Cobalt into an "SS"... it makes no difference that GM did not bother to give the sedan version the SS upgrades, they are virtually the same car.

 

[CurseTheSky]

In regards to the Lotus, it's what, 3000 pounds soaking wet? The Fusion V6 is around 3350 and the Camry V6 is around 3450.

Some cars are made to go fast, many aren't. I love my Fusion; it's the best car I've ever owned, but thinking that it or any of its people-hauling cousins are made to be sporty is like installing a spoiler and an exhaust tip on a Scion Tc. Today's V6 family sedans are pretty quick for what they are, but they're still not meant to hit the drag strip or take a lap around the track. Cars like the Cobalt SS and Neon SRT-4 bridge the gap, but even then only just.

Back to the original topic, don't let 40 HP be the only thing that holds you back on your purchasing decision. Test the Fusion and decide which is the nicer car. If $5-6k is worth the extra 50k miles to you, then go for it. Keep in mind that the car will hit the 100-150k mark a lot sooner, and though their reliability has been raved about, you may end up spending that $5-6k in repairs before too long.

 

[MJinZ]

In regards to the Lotus, it's what, 3000 pounds soaking wet? The Fusion V6 is around 3350 and the Camry V6 is around 3450.

Some cars are made to go fast, many aren't. I love my Fusion; it's the best car I've ever owned, but thinking that it or any of its people-hauling cousins are made to be sporty is like installing a spoiler and an exhaust tip on a Scion Tc. Today's V6 family sedans are pretty quick for what they are, but they're still not meant to hit the drag strip or take a lap around the track. Cars like the Cobalt SS and Neon SRT-4 bridge the gap, but even then only just.

Back to the original topic, don't let 40 HP be the only thing that holds you back on your purchasing decision. Test the Fusion and decide which is the nicer car. If $5-6k is worth the extra 50k miles to you, then go for it. Keep in mind that the car will hit the 100-150k mark a lot sooner, and though their reliability has been raved about, you may end up spending that $5-6k in repairs before too long.

The only reason these "Family" sedans aren't "meant" to do something like this is because of people like you who are 90% of the buyers (who also purchase the 4 banger models in general). Older, slower, boring drivers with "families" to haul.

It doesn't make the Cobalt, Camry, Fusion etc inherently any less capable, just because all of the mid-age mommy and daddy's have decided to buy them.

A TRD Camry/Aurion pushes over 330HP in Australia, and that car goes to the track. I also do not think the Aurion is considered a family car in Australia.

 

[iGas]

You already drive the car you haven't bought yet?

There are a million TSBs on the 07 Camry, you'll likely have transmission problems, your VVT-i oil line will degrade (this is a recall of sorts), your brakes will become warped soon (and you're probably going to out of your 3 year warranty soon), and those are just the normal occurrences with the '07.

I didn't even mention the recalls, which I'm sure you're aware of. (I declined all of them though).

I own the 07 Camry.

I just got back from the Ford stealership that wouldn't let me out of the door and they got my car key for 1.5 hour so that I can't leave the lot. (I was at the dealership for 2.5h)

Test drove the 2010 Fusion Sport 3.5L V6 AWD with premium package, and it perform poorer than my Camry.

Test drove the 2010 Taurus SHO and it was nice & quicker, but not as quiet as the Camry.

They happens to have a 07 Lexus 350ES with nav/backup camera/audio/sunroof/leather seats/etc... and it is just about as snappy as my Camry, however the car is smoother and the wood finish is absolutely gorgeous.

It will comedown to the Lexus or the Taurus if I decide to pull the trigger.

 

[MJinZ]

I own the 07 Camry.

I just got back from the Ford stealership that wouldn't let me out of the door and they got my car key for 1.5 hour so that I can't leave the lot. (I was at the dealership for 2.5h)

Test drove the 2010 Fusion Sport 3.5L V6 AWD with premium package, and it perform poorer than my Camry.

Test drove the 2010 Taurus SHO and it was nice & quicker, but not as quiet as the Camry.

They happens to have a 07 Lexus 350ES with nav/backup camera/audio/sunroof/leather seats/etc... and it is just about as snappy as my Camry, however the car is smoother and the wood finish is absolutely gorgeous.

It will comedown to the Lexus or the Taurus if I decide to pull the trigger.

IF you won't be upside down on a trade-in, I wouldn't hesitate to get rid of the '07. It is probably the worst Camry model year ever in terms of problems.

The same pretty much applies to the '07 Lexus ES, so I would not bother with that either - which is basically buying another '07 Camry only with a different sheetmetal and interior.

I wouldn't touch the Taurus - that thing is an SUV, a boat, whatever you want to call it.

What are you looking for right now?

 

[Arkaign]

Obligatory :

Lightly used 550i/G37/335i/IS350?? FR >> AWD(FWD Based) >> FF

 

[MJinZ]

Obligatory :

Lightly used 550i/G37/335i/IS350?? FR >> AWD(FWD Based) >> FF

It's too bad the 550i would be really expensive, but the other cars - G37, 335i, and IS350 are fugly in sedan form. I'll take an Lexus ES350 sedan over any of those.

 

[Arkaign]

I think those are actually really nice looking sedans, although the 335i does look much better as a coupe.

550i depreciate like mad, they're actually pretty affordable :

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...&doors=&max_price=&cardist=928&standard=false

'06, ~67k miles, $25k, 360HP, gobs of gadgets/etc.

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/5series/2008/testdrive.html

0-60 in 5.1, and they open the article with this :

"This might be the perfect car," exclaimed one of our road test editors after putting the 2008 BMW 550i through its paces at our test track. "It's the perfect size, looks great, it's fast, it handles. Does everything well." You could throw in supremely comfortable, quiet on the highway, luxuriously appointed and beautifully built."

Fuel economy isn't very good, and maintenance would be more though. I just can't see paying a lot of $ for a FWD vehicle unless you just totally don't care about performance.

 

[MJinZ]

$26k is like $10k too expensive for a 5 year old BMW.

 

[Bignate603]

The only reason these "Family" sedans aren't "meant" to do something like this is because of people like you who are 90% of the buyers (who also purchase the 4 banger models in general). Older, slower, boring drivers with "families" to haul.

It doesn't make the Cobalt, Camry, Fusion etc inherently any less capable, just because all of the mid-age mommy and daddy's have decided to buy them.

A TRD Camry/Aurion pushes over 330HP in Australia, and that car goes to the track. I also do not think the Aurion is considered a family car in Australia.

I'm not sure what would make you happy. The Camry and Fusion were designed from the outset as family haulers and the Cobalt was designed as an econo-box. The Cobalt SS and any performance versions based on the Camry are interesting but they weren't made for the market the car was originally designed for.

It's kind of funny when people complain about a car that was originally designed to be a family hauler actually drives like a family hauler.

 

[MJinZ]

I'm not sure what would make you happy. The Camry and Fusion were designed from the outset as family haulers and the Cobalt was designed as an econo-box. The Cobalt SS and any performance versions based on the Camry are interesting but they weren't made for the market the car was originally designed for.

It's kind of funny when people complain about a car that was originally designed to be a family hauler actually drives like a family hauler.

A Lotus Evora.