Test drive - Insight and Fusion

Well, you did buy the Prius so of course you would conclude the others are not as nice.

 

How were you able to confuse the computer on the Fusion to the point where it wouldn't start? Doesn't sound like Ford has everything sorted out properly if it's possible to do that.

I can't imagine being able to confuse the computer on a Prius to the point where it wouldn't start (and I've tried).

 

The fact that the backseat on the Fusion did not come down was an immediate deal killer for me. I didn't even want the test drive.

The space and power of the Prius was what sold me on buying it.

 

fusion is a different class of car. what kind of mileage were you getting?

 

I don't think the car's computer got confused, it is the analog computer that got confused.

 

that is fabulous mileage tony. my wife's hycam has never gotten more than 45 and probably averages 42-43. how do you think ford did it? we love the camry but will definately have to try the fusion next time around.

 

I did try the Fusion Hybrid before I bought my Prius. (A) I don't like the hump on the floor at the rear because the middle seat passenger won't be very comfortable, (B) I didn't like the sales manager's attitude because she didn't even want to show me the Fusion Hybrid. She just pointed to the regular Fusion on the showroom floor and told me it's the same car inside except the difference in engine and dash board design. This "Ford attitude" immediately turned me away from buying a Ford. Needless to say, I have no regret buying the Prius.

 

This "Ford attitude" immediately turned me away from buying a Ford

Just to go off topic, I do not understand how if you do not like a person sales mannerisms you can say the whole comany is crap

 

some of us may go into a dealership with preconceived notions,, and the sales people need to be prepared to overcome them. if they are order takers, we might leave thinking rightly or wrongly about the manufacturer, "same ol' same ol'" and move on down the road. these so called salespeople are representing the manufacturer. many believe they are actually part of the company. it behooves the mfg to do some better training and random anonomous visits. everyone wants to experience mike the 'tough jobs' guy from the ads!

 

Interesting thread. I too drove the Insight and Fusion. The Insight was a non starter as engine was gutless and the back seat was way too small for my family. On the Fusion I have two instances of evaluating it. Before I bought my Gen III, I test drove the Fusion and really liked it performance and styling wise, but the trunk was useless as the back seats no longer folded down and 30% of the trunk is taken by the battery module and therefore significantly reduced utility, the mileage is lower that the Prius and it cost more finalized my decision on the Prius - note I did not own a previous hybrid so my Prius is my first hybrid experience (and loving it).

Next I was visiting relatives in Canada north or Toronto and my mother-in-law really wanted to buy a Fusion. I told her great car but limited trunk space but that is a none issue for her so no issue there. We went to the dealer together and they were beyond clueless - they tried to tell us a hybrid only works to 42mph, that it had AWD, and that it was only really useful if you do 80% city driving. I explained to my mother-in-law these were all wrong facts and given I would be 1800 miles away day to day the dealer definitely turned her off - net net she kept her old car.

 

I cross-shopped the FFH, Insight, HCH, Prius and VW Jetta TDi. They all have their pros and cons. (What doesn't?)

For me, the dealbreaker for the FFH was the lack of cargo space. I need to carry a bike inside the car, without damaging the leather I paid a lot for. If my main needs were hauling 4 adults and a modicum of stuff, it would be the way to go. I really liked driving the car. But (when I was shopping anyway, about a year ago) they were hard to come by, optioned out the wazoo and thus expensive, and there was no dickering (to be fair, Toyota dealers weren't dickering either).

The Insight just felt, well, insubstantial. It was a fair amount less expensive, but you get what you pay for and you pay for what you get. Oh, and that no AC at stoplights issue has to be addressed...

The Prius IV has a lumbar support which for me was a necessity.

I liked many things about the TDi--comfort, driving dynamics, all that VW-touted stuff (it's true), but the diesel price premium--expect it more when (if) the economy turns around and trucking picks up--as well as the questionable reliability issue turned me off. (Note to VW fans--I know plenty who have had wonderful experiences, and I like VWs, so I mean no insult, but...).

The cargo space/hatchback, lumbar support and price (yes, price) did it for me. Can't say it's the most raw fun-to-drive vehicle out there, but that's not what I'm looking for at this point.

But back to topic, I think the FFH is a great car if it meets your needs. I'm glad the Insight is out there for folks who want one. And, to echo an above poster, if you are mistreated at one dealership, find another.

 

I agree that you shouldn't allow the mannerisms or even the total failure of single person, or even dealership to taint your feelings about a whole company or a product they are selling.

However, dealerships and salespeople need to understand that for a lot of people they become the face of the company, the first direct contact they have.

An "attitude" can and will have a direct impact. Actually coming into a dealership to physically look at an automobile is a big thing for most people.

If I came in to look at a Ford Fusion Hybrid, and a salesperson pointed at a "regular" Fusion tellling me they were mostly the same? I'd find that to be unacceptable.

It might not really be much more than poor salesmenship by a single person but it still is going to be the first direct reflection of Ford as a company.

I think all dealerships are slipping. The past 2 years, my dealings with all of them Ford, Honda, Toyota, have all been disappointing.

 

Thanks to the reply from "The Electric Me" in regards to my "Ford attitude" statement. (Quoted: "The dealerships and salespeople need to understand that for a lot of people they become the face of the company, the first direct contact they have.")

I blame it on Ford for their failure to better-train their front line workers. The motor company must be accountable for all the processes until the warranty expires. It applies to manufacturing, marketing, sales and after-sales services. Consumers will percieve it as failure of the brand if any of these process failed the expectation of the consumers. It is not a question of fair or unfair. It is how the consumers work in the real world.

 

I experienced similar "Ford attitude" at a local dealer here. I went in several times before I made the decision to buy the Prius. Wearing shorts and a polo shirt, I was probably not the demographic they were interested in. All they had on the show room floor and close to the building were f-150s and Mustangs. Fusions were on the very farthest part of the lot. The only time I was approached by a salesman was when I looked at the sticker of an F-150. Other than that I was ignored during my entire 3 or 4 visits.
Granted, F-150s are made here in KC and this is the midwest, but they were definitely not interested in selling me a car.

 

I once was a Ford man...having owned a Mustang and then trading for a Taurus...I'm here to say it wasn't the car's fault but the dealer experience from the sale to the last service made me want to never cross paths with Ford again. We're talking incomplete warranty work...multiple trips to fix the same (simple) thing. Dangerous cover up work (try packing grease and putty into the steering wheel rack to fix a squeak in a rear seat spring). Three botched rotor turnings...at 48,000 miles my Taurus looked brand new and I ran...not walked...to the Nissan Dealer!

Maybe things have changed...maybe not...who cares I never want to be fooled twice! It only takes one bad experience to loose a customer forever...that's the lesson GM and Ford have learned with their continually declining market share.

 

+1. around here, they have poured a fortune into brick and mortor, but try finding a salesperson who speaks english? it's like trying to find a doctor who speaks english.