25th Mar 2009, 11:17
Again, it would be nice to see some supporting data for such a claim. The Fusion is rated 2 full levels above the Camry in predicted reliability and 1 full level above Accord. And no, my friend didn't fall for "advertising". He "fell for" good advice from a friend and tons of supporting documentation indicating the Fusion was the better vehicle. He also drove my 2006 Fusion and agreed it was better handling and had a more solid feel than the brand new 2009 Camry or Accord he had driven.
Selecting a vehicle requires more than reading a sales brochure. It requires checking out reviews, frequency of repair records, and talking to people who actually drive the vehicles. If saving $5000 over the price of a less reliable vehicle was a result of "advertising", then I need to check out more Ford ads.
Members of our family drive full size trucks both in their businesses and for personal use. One relative's 2001 F-150 quad-cab tows a heavy trailer on virtually every trip, and has amassed over 118,000 miles at this point with not a single problem. The other relative also does much towing and takes long trips as well. His 2000 Dodge Ram crew cab has just over 143,000 miles with no problems.
Since this review is about full-sized trucks (which the Tundra barely qualifies for) the comments and evidence presented by actual owners of full sized trucks carries far more weight than any "It's better because I say so" remarks from people who have never owned a full sized truck or new domestic vehicle of any kind.
When my friend read about the last 100 or so comments on this site his comment as he turned off the computer was "WOW!! I see what you are saying! The domestic owner's comments seem a lot more fact-based. Let's go look at some Fusions." The negative (and undocumented) comments did more to convince him to look at Ford than the pro-domestic comments did.
Oh, and I forgot to mention before, but he traded in a 1999 Camry. It had just over 119,000 miles and had been a pretty decent car. He had had several very minor issues only, so he was not a "push-over" in persuading him to look at the Fusion.
As I say, this site alone did 90% of the selling because he felt that no evidence was put forth to justify the claims of import owners while much personal testimony and tons of documentation backed up the claims of domestic owners. He is wild about his Fusion, and is very happy that I showed him this site and encouraged him to do some real research before making a serious mistake.
24th Mar 2009, 16:17
Cars? This is a full size truck review. Honda has absolutely zero full size trucks and are we on Civics, Corollas again?
I have 3 specific applications which indicated a new full size truck only (the topic of this review). I do not want a small car or a small truck, in fact have zero application for either. I have towing applications and need an open full size truck bed.
There could potentially have been a substitution for a large SUV class 3 hitch, preferably Hybrid, but certainly not the perpetual small 2.2 cars, 4 cylinders compact and small miniature trucks. It's an impossible application.
If you wish to recommend otherwise it would involve buying both a full size truck and a small vehicle with limited applications (to buy and maintain 2 vehicles, and insure both).
The focus on vehicles outside the review instead of full size trucks is not going to sway a purchase either. I have personally ridden as a passenger, but it does not instill confidence if you do not have the confidence to buy, own and comment on direct ownership.
These 2009 vehicles cost a lot of money today. Perhaps the actual owners could spend some time on here vs. passerbys or their passengers or third hand think so's. In the interim we are hearing about the 2.2 block as if it's a full size truck godsend.