az99 wrote:
We really liked the Fusion size wise because of our MKZ. When I drove one it was a very neutral experience. Did not really love it or hate it. Actually the dealer talked me out of it. In our mountainous area he said people were just not getting the mileage that is advertised. Then when I described my highway driving style, he said skip the hybrid as he did not feel we would ever make up the price difference. So there is at least one honest car dealer.:)
Well, indeed, it is great to see that you found a good, honest dealer. There are still a few, like you said. :)
The sales rep is probably right, you may well not have seen the advertised mileage of the hybrid. I have read where some people are not, for various reasons.
However, I will say that for us, we would not have cared much if we didn't get the advertised mileage. That wasn't the point. We were willing to pay the extra $$ for the hybrid just because of how simple and easy it is to tow compared to everything else we looked at. That, and we really like the looks of it and how it drove. Mileage was just an added bonus for us.
That, and regardless of mileage, its just really, really cool having a car that shuts off the engine and runs totally silent, using ZERO fuel and putting out zero emissions when stopped or going at slow speeds. Its especially nice to have when camping, as it allows you to move around campgrounds or parks very quietly (and emission free) without bothering anyone. Its like owning a big, comfortable, powerful golf cart, haha. :)
We wound up getting a new Focus to tow.....Finally done car shopping.
Well, glad you found a vehicle that works for you.
I know its water under the bridge now since you've already purchased the Focus, but I will tell you the main thing that turned me away from the Focus and toward the Fusion, was the towing procedures required of the Focus.
See a recent thread on here, 'Towing with a Ford Focus'. Note that you have to disconnect the battery any time you tow a Focus, and re-connect afterward and have to reset some things on the dash. That, and if you don't start it up fairly quickly after towing, you may have to deal with some trouble codes it generates as well.
This was one of the main reasons I preferred the Fusion hybrid, as don't have to deal with any of that battery disconnect junk.
Anyway, like I said, I know its water under the bridge for you. I just wanted to mention it, for the benefit of anyone else that comes along trying to decide which vehicle to go with. :)
