Honda Car Forum

"tww1491" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:nc%%i.188$sM1.91@newsfe16.lga...
> Supposedly, Ford has made a huge step forward in quality and reliability
> with the new Fusion and Mercury Milan. The same is claimed for GM's new
> Malibu. The impediment (says the media) to buyers flocking to Ford and GM
> showrooms to buy these automobiles is the distrust of things domestic
> built up over years of disappointment. While, the Fusion and others may be
> competitive when new, the question I have is what the car will like after
> 10 years of ownership -- still comparable to an Accord of similar age and
> mileage.
>
> I guess I don't see the Fusion in the same light as I see my Accord,
> frankly. But, I may be wrong. Any imput out there.

Havent had my Fusion long enuf to make any good comparisons yet. However, I
did notice that the appointments, trim fit, etc., will compare with any
Toyoater, Honda, etc. Perhaps Ford took a page from Jaguar's book.

DaveD
>
>
>

"Nobody" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns99ECD87EF9EE3IDTOKENnobodyIDTOKEN@66.250.1 46.128...
> "tww1491" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in news:nc%%i.188$sM1.91@newsfe16.lga:
>
>> Supposedly, Ford has made a huge step forward in quality and
>> reliability with the new Fusion and Mercury Milan. The same is
>> claimed for GM's new Malibu. The impediment (says the media) to buyers
>> flocking to Ford and GM showrooms to buy these automobiles is the
>> distrust of things domestic built up over years of disappointment.
>> While, the Fusion and others may be competitive when new, the question
>> I have is what the car will like after 10 years of ownership -- still
>> comparable to an Accord of similar age and mileage.
>>
>> I guess I don't see the Fusion in the same light as I see my Accord,
>> frankly. But, I may be wrong. Any imput out there.
>>
>>
>>
>
> Fords don't come with a locking gas cap/door

And this is a bad thing? I hate locking gas caps. The inside latch is just
an unessesary pain in the ass. Ford used to inflict that ticky tack stuff on
me, but they finally got wise and dropped it. I have not once missed having
to go back to the inside of the car to trip the stupid gas door. And I sure
as heck don't want a key on the gas door or cap.

> and no air filtration system.

Two of my last three Fords did have cabin filters. My current Nissan
Frontier has one. I haven't detected any advantage to the cabin filters. If
they were optional, I wouldn't order them. The replacement cabin filters are
more expensive than the engine air filters - makes no sense to me. The
cabin filter in the Nissan is totally worthless. I spend a lot of time on
dirt roads and in fields, and the Nissan filter doesn't appear to stop
anything. The inside of the truck is coated with dust. And there is a group
of trees I regularly pass with some sort of nasty pollen that the filters
never stop.

Ed

> 'nuf said.

"tww1491" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:nc%%i.188$sM1.91@newsfe16.lga...
> Supposedly, Ford has made a huge step forward in quality and reliability
> with the new Fusion and Mercury Milan. The same is claimed for GM's new
> Malibu. The impediment (says the media) to buyers flocking to Ford and GM
> showrooms to buy these automobiles is the distrust of things domestic
> built up over years of disappointment. While, the Fusion and others may be
> competitive when new, the question I have is what the car will like after
> 10 years of ownership -- still comparable to an Accord of similar age and
> mileage.
>
> I guess I don't see the Fusion in the same light as I see my Accord,
> frankly. But, I may be wrong. Any imput out there.

I own a 2007 Fusion. My Sister has a 1997 Civic. My son has a 2005 Accord.
None have required any major repairs. The Fusion is 1 year old and has over
18,000 miles. I prefer the Fusion to the other two vehicles, but it is a
personal thing. My family has owned Fords for man years. My old 1992 F150
was still going strong after 14 years when I traded it on a 2006 Nissan
Frontier.The F150 was in much better condition when I traded it than my
sisters 10 year old Civic. Her Civic runs fine, but it is a sad looking
thing - faded paint, paint off the bumpers in spots, interior faded, plastic
parts very brittle, engine uses oil, engine compartment is coated with oil,
etc. - but it still runs. She is happy. In the 11 years she has owned it, it
has needed two mufflers and one set of plug wires. That is all. Of course I
think the clutch is due to fail any day now. I consider Fords and Hondas to
be on a par as far as reliability. If you are going to abuse the vehcile,
I'd give the edge to a Ford. If you are going to take good care of the
vehicle, the Honda will hold it's resale value better. I generally find the
drivers layout better in Fords, but I am a tall/big guy. Just my opinion.

Ed

"Paul" <pkmueller@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:tC80j.23203$JD.15601@newssvr21.news.prodigy.n et...

[SNIP]

> Isn't the Fusion basically a Mazda with a Ford badge? There's your quality
> and reliability.

Not really. It is definitely based on the Mazda 6 design, but it has a
longer wheelbase, a completely different body structure, and a completely
different interior. The V6 is a Ford design built in a Ford plant (also used
in US built Mazdas). The automatic used with the V6 is a Aisin-Warner 6
speed from the same family as the Camry 6 speed. The four cylinder engine is
a Mazda design, but built by Ford in a Ford plant. The manual transmission
is a Mazda item. The 4 cylinder automatic is a Ford design. Of course since
Ford controls Mazda, it is a Ford design either way.

> Not sure about 10 years down the road, but I've had my '00 Accord for 7
> 1/2 years and about 93,000 miles and it still feels and drives like a new
> car in almost every respect. I doubt I could say that about any Ford at
> that age, even my '66 Mustang.

When did you last own a Ford? How reliable do you think a 1966 Honda was?
All cars are much better now, than even 10 years ago. Over the years I have
owned Fords, Mazdas, Audis, Plymouths, Toyotas, and an assortment of British
cars. Family members have owned Hondas (3), VWs (2), Mazdas, etc. Currently
my SO has a Toyota RAV4, her Daughter a VW Jetta, and her son has a Honda
Civic. My older Sister has a Civic. My younger Sister has an Escape. One of
my Sons has an Accord. The other Son has a Mustang. My Mother has a
Freestyle and a Ranger. I have a Fusion and a Nissan Frontier. None of these
vehicles is especially unreliable. In general everyone seems happy with what
they have (well except for my SO's daughter, she wants to ditch the VW).
I've never had an especially unreliable Ford. Can't say the same about
Toyotas or Audis or Plymouths. My Sister has had good luck with the two
Hondas she owned, if you don't count the rust, and weak doors of her 1980
Accord. Personally I'll consider almost any vehicle that isn't built by Land
Rover, VW/Audi, or BMW. I wouldn't put one of the Korean models high on the
list, but I would consider them.

Ed

Chevrolet has finally belted out a home run with the new Malibu. Most
reviews are ecstatic, and suggest that the Malibu clearly outshines its
competitors in many areas. Before anyone rips the Malibu (or domestic
cars in general) I suggest you have a look at this new Chevy first. It
just might change your perception. On the other hand, the new Accord's
reviews have been lukewarm at best. I don't see the new Accord as a
major hit in any respect, compared to the Malibu. EZ

In article <15621-47448A68-633@storefull-3316.bay.webtv.net>,
PaulEZ@webtv.net (Paul EZ) wrote:

> Before anyone rips the Malibu (or domestic
> cars in general) I suggest you have a look at this new Chevy first. It
> just might change your perception. On the other hand, the new Accord's
> reviews have been lukewarm at best. I don't see the new Accord as a
> major hit in any respect, compared to the Malibu.

no, what you're seeing is that the Accord was already so good,
improvements are by definition incremental. And the Chevy was so bad,
even moderate improvements are earth-shatteringly large.

"Paul EZ" <PaulEZ@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:15621-47448A68-633@storefull-3316.bay.webtv.net...
> Chevrolet has finally belted out a home run with the new Malibu. Most
> reviews are ecstatic, and suggest that the Malibu clearly outshines its
> competitors in many areas. Before anyone rips the Malibu (or domestic
> cars in general) I suggest you have a look at this new Chevy first. It
> just might change your perception. On the other hand, the new Accord's
> reviews have been lukewarm at best. I don't see the new Accord as a
> major hit in any respect, compared to the Malibu. EZ
>
I think it has the standard EcoTech engine which has been described as
thrashy and not smooth like Honda's I4. Other vehicles like the Soltice
were greeted with the same estatic reviews and have now been graded as Not
Recomended by CU. I think this will have to be "wait and see" proposition
given GMs previous failures.
I hope it is a "home run" for GMs sake, but initial reviews mean nothing
until the car has been out there for while.

Paul EZ wrote:
> Chevrolet has finally belted out a home run with the new Malibu. Most
> reviews are ecstatic, and suggest that the Malibu clearly outshines its
> competitors in many areas. Before anyone rips the Malibu (or domestic
> cars in general) I suggest you have a look at this new Chevy first. It
> just might change your perception. On the other hand, the new Accord's
> reviews have been lukewarm at best. I don't see the new Accord as a
> major hit in any respect, compared to the Malibu. EZ
>


Hmmm, I've read a bunch of reviews of both and it didn't come across
that way at all. I would bet that four years from now the Accord will
have much higher resale value as well.

On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 04:55:26 GMT, John Horner <jthorner@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>Paul EZ wrote:
>> Chevrolet has finally belted out a home run with the new Malibu. Most
>> reviews are ecstatic, and suggest that the Malibu clearly outshines its
>> competitors in many areas. Before anyone rips the Malibu (or domestic
>> cars in general) I suggest you have a look at this new Chevy first. It
>> just might change your perception. On the other hand, the new Accord's
>> reviews have been lukewarm at best. I don't see the new Accord as a
>> major hit in any respect, compared to the Malibu. EZ
>>
>
>
>Hmmm, I've read a bunch of reviews of both and it didn't come across
>that way at all. I would bet that four years from now the Accord will
>have much higher resale value as well.


I'm sorry... I'm American... and I wish we built the best vehicles...
I'm patriotic, but I know when I'm beat...

Yeah.. The Malibu, come on... seriously... the car you knew america
couldn't build...

Just another cadavalier.... Puhleeze....

"C. E. White" <cewhite3@mindspring.com> wrote in
news:13k6dhk77t6ltd6@corp.supernews.com:

> And this is a bad thing? I hate locking gas caps. The inside latch is
> just an unessesary pain in the ass. Ford used to inflict that ticky
> tack stuff on me, but they finally got wise and dropped it. I have not
> once missed having to go back to the inside of the car to trip the
> stupid gas door. And I sure as heck don't want a key on the gas door
> or cap.

What's your address so I can come over and dump some shit in your gas tank.

> Two of my last three Fords did have cabin filters. My current Nissan
> Frontier has one. I haven't detected any advantage to the cabin
> filters. If they were optional, I wouldn't order them. The replacement
> cabin filters are more expensive than the engine air filters - makes
> no sense to me. The cabin filter in the Nissan is totally worthless.
> I spend a lot of time on dirt roads and in fields, and the Nissan
> filter doesn't appear to stop anything. The inside of the truck is
> coated with dust. And there is a group of trees I regularly pass with
> some sort of nasty pollen that the filters never stop.

The Honda ones work very well. $15 or so every three years for a filter is
not that expensive and that's the dealer part. Of course, the dealer will
try to charge you $100 to install it when it takes like 1 minute.