Ford Fusion vs Crysler 200

MelroseHawkins

MelroseHawkins

Well-Known Member
Off topic thread here so beware. Wife's 2004 Honda CRV with stuck valve so probably needs valve job and head refinish. Anyway, mechanic says prob just as easy or just as much to swap out the engine as when get in there could find other things wrong. The car is a 2004 and we've been thinking of upgrading anyway at some point. Only has 105,000 miles. Other than the valve sticking and now misfiring, all has been good with it.

It's a great "mechanic's special" for someone. Anyway, not here to sell it on here but pm if anyone interested.

So, I just want to know if any of you have either a Ford Fusion or Chrysler 200 to offer your thoughts and what you like or dislike. Both are really nice looking vehicles and kind of similar. Anybody think the back is a bit cramped in the 200? Engine doggy?

Again, it's wifey's car so she wants better gas mileage which I think the Fusion gets as well as a snappier engine.

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.
 
I rented a 2013 Ford Fusion years ago and LOVED it.
We drove through Washington, Idaho and Montana and probably averaging at least 75 mph and we got over 30 mpg average in the Fusion. Plus, it felt like one of those nice, roomy European cars.

I own a Toyota Sienna and a Honda Civic Hybrid, and am looking at a Ford Fusion, down the road after the Civic.
The Fusion hybrids are a little pricey. On average, you'll save about $500/year in fuel costs with the Hybrid, so, do the math.
The Fusion Titanium are sweet, but with the mark-up on those, you might as well buy another make and model, comparable.
 
Test drove both, 2015s', Chrysler 200 was junk, floated like a big boat and under powered. Really liked the Fusion and ended up with that, very happy with it.
 
Fusions seem like the nicer of the two if that's what you've kinda narrowed it down to anyway. I'm a pickup guy myself. I can't hardly stand sitting so low to the ground anymore. When I drive anything other then a truck or SUV it just feels so weird.
 
Hawkfnntn said:
Fusions seem like the nicer of the two if that's what you've kinda narrowed it down to anyway. I'm a pickup guy myself. I can't hardly stand sitting so low to the ground anymore. When I drive anything other then a truck or SUV it just feels so weird.
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Yea, that's me. Haven't driven a car in probably 16 yrs. Wife and I have had SUV or van since 2004 when she bought that CRV new. I like sitting up as well but looking forward to driving the Fusion.

I think you guys sold me on the Fusion. I was leaning that way anyway. When I think of Chrysler/Dodge I think of trannies, and not the cross dressing type.
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Thanks.
 
Have three VWs...Two Golf diesels, one Jetta GLI...

One diesel is being bought back and wife ordered the Golf Sportwagon with 4WD...not here yet. They look nice.

When my diesel is no more, 400,000 and ticking...I covet the Passat SEL with the V6. It is like an A6 but bigger interior room.

My two cents...have a Ford 3/4 ton 4WD and have had others.

I have heard good things about the Fusion...Chrysler...stop.
 
I havr 3 cars totaling 700k miles and 59 years of age. 1 Honda and 2 Chryslers. 2 in great shape and 1 in great running condition but looks like crap w rust and teen drivers. Original drive trains and no major repairs. Probably gojng to put the one to sleep.

Currently I would stay away from Chrysler. However i would never swap and engine but i would shop a valve job. In college a friend and i did a valve job in the college parking lot and the car ran terrific for another 70k before i got rid of it.

Any rust?
 
If you're going to test drive a Fusion and want a few more comfort options try out a Lincoln MKZ as well. Nice ride and the cooled and heated leather seats are worth the extra coin IMO.
 
HawkGold said:
I havr 3 cars totaling 700k miles and 59 years of age. 1 Honda and 2 Chryslers. 2 in great shape and 1 in great running condition but looks like crap w rust and teen drivers. Original drive trains and no major repairs. Probably gojng to put the one to sleep.

Currently I would stay away from Chrysler. However i would never swap and engine but i would shop a valve job. In college a friend and i did a valve job in the college parking lot and the car ran terrific for another 70k before i got rid of it.

Any rust?
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No rust. Pretty low miles for age with 105,000. When running prior to valve issue, no knocks and pretty quiet. Pretty clean car.
 
HawkGold said:
For some of us the Alamo and buggies.
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With rising interest rates and a glut of late car sales, used cars are going to slide in value. One reason to wait, unless money is no object.

The change in vehicles in the next 5 yeas will be incredible. Another reason just to fix it. What is funny was I took my boys to Rogue 1 and used the rusty old thing because of road salt. They laughed as they got out of the car. I asked what that was about and they said,, "an attorney, two engineers and a banker all getting out of a car missing a wheel cover (I vowed never to spend more money on the rust bucket), a different colored finder, and one had to be let out of the door that wouldn't open. Too funny.

A clean 2004 with a valve job can run you a long time. You should get another 100k easily. But we all have different opinions. Imagine that on this board
 
MelroseHawkins said:
Yea, that's me. Haven't driven a car in probably 16 yrs. Wife and I have had SUV or van since 2004 when she bought that CRV new. I like sitting up as well but looking forward to driving the Fusion.

I think you guys sold me on the Fusion. I was leaning that way anyway. When I think of Chrysler/Dodge I think of trannies, and not the cross dressing type.
Transmission-2.jpg




Thanks.
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I have an 09 Sivarado I bought brand new. Just went over 100k on it and plan on putting another 100k on it hopefully. We'll see. Every now and then I get the itch to look around then I remember how much I hate payments...
 
I believe the Chrysler 200 has been discontinued. The 300 is still a popular seller I have mixed emotions about it, some days I love the look other days I think they are ugly.
 
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Stay away from the 200. I would recommend you expand your choices to more than two. I drive cars for a rental company and drive several sedan models. The best value sedans in my ranking system are the Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and Ford Fusion. These choices are based on seating comfort, fuel economy, reliability. If you are not in a hurry do some weekend rentals of these models.
 
We have had two ford cars, 1 dodge car, and 2 dodge Caravans. I would say the Fords held up better with quite a bit less maintenance costs and problems. The Dodge's all had tranny problems at times.

I would go Ford before the old Dodge-Chrysler alliance. Plus the last few years Ford's have received some much higher quality ratings.

I tend to keep my cars for a lot of miles so maybe if I sold or traded in sooner it would have been harder to distinguish between them.

But I still look at what percentage of parts are made in US and how much assembled in US if you can find that data. I didnt buy my first Toyota until about 85% of it was made and assembled in the US while Ford's are being made in Mexico.
 
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