Fusion or Camry?

[fenrir]

Fusion is going to drop value much quicker. Even if they are worth the same today, they won't be in 2 or 4 yrs.

Since he plans on keeping it around 10 years, value isn't going to much different at that time.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Since he plans on keeping it around 10 years, value isn't going to much different at that time.

If the car runs, the financially responsible move is usually to drive it until it doesn't. Ideal resale value of a car when you get rid of it is zero.

Most people want shiny new cars before they reach that point, however. That's when resale value actually starts to matter.

/$0.02

 

[JulesMaximus]

Not sure why anyone would buy the Camry over a Fusion quite frankly. I had zero problems with my Fusion.

All else being equal, and I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say that they are, the crappy dealer experience has/would put me off ever setting foot in a Ford dealership again.

 

[edcoolio]

If you had to choose between these two offers, which would you choose, and why?
2016 Fusion SE
*42k miles
*14k sticker
2015 Camry LE Hybrid
*45k miles
*14.5k sticker

This is for a daily driver. I expect not to replace it for 10 years. Reliability and low maintenance are priorities.

Whichever one has the superior warranty, as the all else is essentially equal.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

All else being equal, and I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say that they are, the crappy dealer experience has/would put me off ever setting foot in a Ford dealership again.

That's the thing about franchises. Some have really toxic cultures and some don't.

That said, it seems like Car Brand X will usually be cheaper at Dealership Brand Y than at Dealership Brand X anyway, so if you're looking for a Ford, buying at a Buick or Honda dealership is probably a better idea anyway.

 

[NoCreativity]

All else being equal, and I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say that they are, the crappy dealer experience has/would put me off ever setting foot in a Ford dealership again.

I'm guessing both cars are out of warranty (except for perforation, battery, etc.) so trips to the dealer with either car will be minimal or non-existent.

I have a 2008 fusion that's been bulletproof for the 7 years I've had it. I would buy whichever one you like better.

 

[WhiteNoise]

My heart says Ford but my head says Toyota.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm guessing both cars are out of warranty (except for perforation, battery, etc.) so trips to the dealer with either car will be minimal or non-existent.

I have a 2008 fusion that's been bulletproof for the 7 years I've had it. I would buy whichever one you like better.

It's the sales experience at Ford that puts me off. Every one I've set foot in has been horrible.

 

[postmortemIA]

Since he plans on keeping it around 10 years, value isn't going to much different at that time.

Sure, but reality might change unexpectedly and he might be looking for another car... always better to have something worth more, if you start with the same price.

Not saying that Fusion has poor quality, it is just what marked says...

 

[NutBucket]

Eh, can't base every decision purely on finances. That's what makes capitalism great, lots of choices!

 

[Insomniator]

Drive both and buy whatever makes you happy/whichever you like more. The finances and maintenance won't be all that different between them.

Even if its strictly an A to B kinda car, you'll like one of them better (looks, handling, comfort). If the engine blows up in 7 years don't blame yourself for not getting the other one as chances are equal with either car when you keep them long enough.

 

[Pulsar]

I'm a Ford employee and I'll tell you straight up - the Big 2 have closed the gap completely in quality over the last 10 years. At this point, pick the one you like more for whatever reason and you're going to be happy. It's likely they use pretty much the same brand components (like Takata airbags) since the market has gotten so much smaller and more cost effect as suppliers went away.

You'll always have people with anecdotal evidence, but when we're measuring things gone wrong on the order of 1 per 1000 vehicles...... it's 6 of one half dozen of the other.

 

[fenrir]

I will post some pictures after purchase.

We deserve an update!

 

[JulesMaximus]

I rented a Fusion hybrid for a week in Maui recently and didn't care for it at all. The seats were decent but it was gutless and it wasn't very well equipped. Lots of hard plastic everywhere.

The Camry hybrid at least has some grunt... for a hybrid.

 

[AdamK47]

I'd get the Camry because it's grounded to the ground. I mean, who wouldn't want that? With the ground and the grounding and all...

 

[eng2d2]

Wonder why the late 70 european ford escort are dependable and collectible?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Wonder why the late 70 european ford escort are dependable and collectible?

Because Europeans treat their cars differently than people in the US.

Looks like a sweet little ride.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escort_(Europe)#Second_generation_.281974.E2.80.931981.29

 

[vi edit]

Check out the comfort. I've owned two different recent year Fords (Focus and a Cmax) and both of them lack the comfort that my 2012 Camry did. The seats and armrest were much better in the Camry and driving it longer distances was much better. Haven't sat in a Fusion so no clue how it compares. When it comes to economy the Camry being a hybrid will certainly come out ahead. You'll also come out ahead on wear and tear on things like break pads & rotors vs. the straight up ICE version of the Fusion. You'll give up some efficient of the hybrid in the winter due to cold weather and batteries. But then you also give up economy with a normal ICE engine too.

 

[agent00f]

With few exceptions most cars in the same segment are pretty similar, and by design because manufacturers literally copy any significant advantages any competitor might have. Modern cars especially are remarkably similar because there's only one "optimal" way to design/make a general purpose passenger car, like these fwd transaxle stamped unibodies with accessory parts from the same suppliers. The differences various marketing depts use to distinguish themselves are mostly superficial.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

With few exceptions most cars in the same segment are pretty similar, and by design because manufacturers literally copy any significant advantages any competitor might have. Modern cars especially are remarkably similar because there's only one "optimal" way to design/make a general purpose passenger car, like these fwd transaxle stamped unibodies with accessory parts from the same suppliers. The differences various marketing depts use to distinguish themselves are mostly superficial.

True. But every now and then, almost by accident, somebody will design a component that is either particularly reliable or particularly prone to failure. When it's a blinker bulb, nobody notices, but if it's an engine or transmission, well, that's where the brand reputation comes from.