Buying Chevy Malibu or Ford Fusion

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

One thing that I don't understand is why some American manufacturers that already dominate the diesel technology (GM and Ford have a wide offer of diesel engines in overseas markets) and not offer it for local customers. Maybe that 1.8L TDCi used by Ford in the current generation of the Belgian-made Mondeo (that had been offered in the U.S. as Contour in its 2 earlier generations) could fit well in a Fusion, and GM has a lot of options from 1.9L to 2.0L that could be good options in a Malibu and are currently offered in its European counterpart Opel Insignia.

 

[Zembonez]

Americans as a rule do not like diesel vehicles (other than the redneck types and wanna be big riggers). They stink. The fuel stinks. Every time they are offered, they do not sell in any real numbers.

I for one will never drive a diesel vehicle.

 

[bobkyle2]

Im getting ready to put a multifunction switch in a 07(i beleive) .. I drove it the other day .. And abolutley loved it.. Its got the V6.. The owner has over 200k on it.. Its had some brake problems a few different time (something about the rear brakes .. i think)... I dont know what kind of mileage it gets but i know its good.. He drives it on trips all over the world...

I have no clue about the fusion

 

[Nick The Great]

I really like them both.

I had a Fusion for a rental last summer and was really impressed by it. I liked the looks and it rode fairly nice. I'm not a Ford guy but I said I'd get one if I needed a little commuter car thing. The GF's aunt and uncle bought a Malibu new in 2009 and really love it. No problems that I'm aware of. I would guess the Malibu is a little bigger, but I don't know that for sure.

 

[Mixedbreed]

the seating in the mailibu is not child seat friendly, i just remembered that.


*BUT!!!! the front seats hold you like the dickens!!!!*

 

[slims]

Mom has a malibu. Never had problems.

 

[dietz4ibanez]

Personally I can't figure out why anybody would limit themselves to these two mediocre cars when there are so many more out there that offer up better build quality and resale value when it comes time to sell... plus a much better driving experience while you own them.

You do realize that on average you pay a lot more for better quality and just to have a higher resale value. You also pay a lot more for repairs and maintenance especially if you follow Honda's Routine Maintenance schedule... In the end can both cars last just as long as the other. YES. A Chevy Malibu or Ford Fusion will last just as long as Honda or any other make. If you change the oil like you should in the end you will pay less either way you look at it.

Did you Jim buy the best vehicle for you and your wife? Yes you did. Because in the end you know that you might keep that vehicle for 2-3 years. You expect it to hold some value for resale later..

Just within my family alone we have 4-5 vehicles that are mediocre compared to others but have average of 180k miles on them. We have replaced tires, brakes, and bushings(2 to be exact ) here and there not forgetting oil changes switch out filters ect. And that's it.


I don't see why the average person would want to spend $2000-4000 more for a vehicle just so that its worth what KBB says its worth a couple years down the road. Also considering that for the average person that Foreign cars will have problems just like any other car and cost you a lot more. There is no such thing as a inferior motor company. People just buy what they like.

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Americans as a rule do not like diesel vehicles (other than the redneck types and wanna be big riggers). They stink. The fuel stinks. Every time they are offered, they do not sell in any real numbers.

I for one will never drive a diesel vehicle.

Not just rednecks or wannabe big-riggers would like a diesel car, there are also those shopping-mall-hippies who love Volkswagen diesels and other people who would consider to get one if there were diesel Chevy or Ford cars in the USDM again. There is actually a demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles that aren't so mechanically-complex as some hybrids and not dependent of a small refueling infrastructure like happens with the CNG-powered Civic GX, for example.

 

[svensk]

Daniel, US regulations make it extremely tough for auto makers to develop and sell a diesel in this country. It costs a tremendous amount of money manufacturers will never get back due to low volume.

 

[Zembonez]

Personally I can't figure out why anybody would limit themselves to these two mediocre cars when there are so many more out there that offer up better build quality and resale value when it comes time to sell... plus a much better driving experience while you own them.

You do realize that on average you pay a lot more for better quality and just to have a higher resale value. You also pay a lot more for repairs and maintenance especially if you follow Honda's Routine Maintenance schedule... In the end can both cars last just as long as the other. YES. A Chevy Malibu or Ford Fusion will last just as long as Honda or any other make. If you change the oil like you should in the end you will pay less either way you look at it.

Did you Jim buy the best vehicle for you and your wife? Yes you did. Because in the end you know that you might keep that vehicle for 2-3 years. You expect it to hold some value for resale later..

Just within my family alone we have 4-5 vehicles that are mediocre compared to others but have average of 180k miles on them. We have replaced tires, brakes, and bushings(2 to be exact ) here and there not forgetting oil changes switch out filters ect. And that's it.


I don't see why the average person would want to spend $2000-4000 more for a vehicle just so that its worth what KBB says its worth a couple years down the road. Also considering that for the average person that Foreign cars will have problems just like any other car and cost you a lot more. There is no such thing as a inferior motor company. People just buy what they like.

Brian Brian Brian.

Our Honda actually ended up costing about a thousand LESS than the Malibu we looked at once we made our deal (Chevy's red tag sale price VS our deal at Honda). Both stickered for around $26,500 and I bought the Honda for $20,500. In three years time, it will be worth about $4,000 MORE than the Malibu on the used car market. Remember I do this stuff for a living.... I don't remember what the Fusion was selling for because we did not like it. It felt cheap and we don't like cheap. Scheduled maintenance is no different on the Honda than it is for any other vehicle. Making a case against a car simply because you do not like the manufacturer is pointless.

If people want to settle for less resale value in a car that is their business. I prefer to buy the best I can get for the money. The Malibu and Fusion are both best bought used so that the buyer doesn't get fleeced by the bad resale value (the worst part is in the first 18 months). I never said they were not dependable cars.