Apr 12, 2007 05:05 PM
11092 Views
I bought the new Fusion in 2006 - September. I guess its over six months now and I felt I should drive my car for sometime before venturing out to write a review. I shall give a quick background about me to set the context: I am based out of Bangalore where you require THE DRIVING SKILL to go out of home and return back without a dent or scratch. I have not driven a car before and I bought Fusion against the populist belief that some one new to driving should always buy an used car and enhance the skill before buying one though I had a valid driving license after spending a fortnight with a driving school.
- What cars I was considering before buying Fusion?
When I decided to buy a car, I had a few parameters like space, power, performance and milege to finalize on a car. It was a time everyone gaga over Suzuki Swift. I went to Pratham motors and sat on Swift both at driver seat and rear seat. I was not comfortable as I am 180 cm tall. I like the package though. I was quite interested about Swift ZXI with a good corporate discount and I could have got it for 5.10 Lakh. I didnt want to take this car not fully convinced.
The second car I was looking at was Baleno, though it has an amazing engine and a best suspension the cheap plastics inside made me run out of it. Pratham motor promised me 1 Lakh discount on both LXi and VXi variant.
Having put these two in front of Fusion, it does not mean it is not my most prefered car. I finally settled for the new Fusion due to the reduced price which came without really taking out on the important features. I bought it thoroughly knowing that I would get pittence when I re-sell this car and I would have some one earning specifically to maintain the car.
Likes:
Like everyone the unique look
1.6 Petrol engine at 6.5 Lakh OTR price is good value for money with key-less entry, 4 power windows, defogger etc.
One of the best engine from Ford in recent times
High ground clearance
Good space inside. Three people can sit very comfortably on long drives.
Its so damn sturdy in highways even if you are ripping thru 130 Kmph speed. No wobbling, no viberation.
It handles corners so smoothly and you cant imagine this when you look at the height and shape.
Very decent milege: 11 Kmph in Bangalore city with AC on and 14-15 Kmph with AC on. I guess I could get more in highways if I can cruise along 80-100 Kmph. Why would I do that when there is a good road and Fusion.
The hydrolic power steering is fun to drive in highways
Dislikes:
This is a heavy vehicle and it generates un-tolerable tyre noice. When I checked with the Metro ford from where I bought this they said this is something cant be fixed. They tried to rotate the tyres and give it a try but it didnt change much.
Rattling: This seems not to go atleast in my car. I had to give twice or thrise to workshop to fix this. Finally it looks like fixed now. But you would not like this car when you drive over cluttered pot holes.
High spare part costs: This is one major parameter people would validate before opting for Fusion. Imagine you paying 1700 INR for a door side mirror. I had a small dent near the rear bumper when I asked how much it would take to replace the rear bumper. Take a breath I got a quote of 15 K to replace bumper and fix a dent of size half inch.
Very low resell value: I dont think people would keen to buy this car.
My driving experience so for with this car is so good that I found the difference when I drove my friends Santro in highways and realized how good Fusion is at high speeds. Very reliable at high speeds. You can stay at fourth gear with AC on and apply break and go over a hump as slow as possible without changing the gear. Yes it takes time to get the momentum but once the tacho shows reading over 1200 RPM you have too much power on hand.
I would suggest this car to someone who is passionate about performance and power and does not car for the cost attached to maintaining it. If you are a person whose preference is milege and resell value then run away from this car.
