Hi: I’m still in the researching mode planning to buy though in the next 2-3 weeks trying to decide between a 2010 Ford Fusion SEL V-6 or a 2007-2008 Acura TL as either car will have between 65,000-85,000km’s on them which would be a better choice to have for say 5-6 years? If I go with the TL(which I prefer) what problems do they have (Like say transmission, etc?) also what about parts cost for both cars/availability?

 

I'm guessing on an Acura forum you're gonna get allot of TL recommendations. I've had 3 TLs and currently own an 08 Type S and an 07 MDX tech and LOVE THEM BOTH!

 

Izzy: True and that is why I joined to find out from owners of the TL as I already know the weak spots on the Fusion now want to find out about the Acura vs it.

 

The Acura has a rattle spot in the cabin that comes and goes.
The Acura looks better IMO and with proper care I'd be willing to bet it would outlast the Fusion.
Plus you can't beat that Acura interior. That's what turned me off from the Corvette and most domestics. For such a great looking car the inside was absolute cheap garbage.

The Japanese and the Germans seem to cut less corners.

 

I would get TL instead because it offer more HP than Ford Fusion V6 and better fuel economy. TL interior and exterior is out class Fusion by far, don't get me wrong Ford Fusion is a great car especially in blue with black interior leather but when compare to TL no doubt 3rd gen TL will beat it hand down. If you afraid about the AT issue then go with the 07-08 AT or 04-06 MT TL, trust me you won't be disappointed. 07-08 TL has better AT and like everyone else said that rattling and LED interior light love to go out one after another.

 

The Fusion is a nice car, I actually do like it. But I LOVE the TL. I had an '05, strayed (new Maxima) and came back to a Type S. You just can't beat the combination of styling, performance, and reliability. IMO, the looks of the TL will continue to age better than the Fusion as well.

 

I know nothing in detail about the Fusion. I have liked them since they came out, but never been in one nor have I driven one. The TL took a single test drive and I was hooked.....which unfortunately was obvious to the salesman.

More commonly reported issues:
- Rattles
- Cracked Dash
- Auto Trans failure
- Cracked Suspension Bushings
- Finicky as all hell on alignments/tires

Of course "most" cars don't have those issues, but those seem to cover a large part of the rants in the "Problems & Fixes" section.

- Parts - It is basically an Accord so "most" parts are reasonable (there are exceptions)
- Rattles - My '05 does not have any major/annoying rattles
- Maintenance - No different than any other car. Can take to Honda dealership for more reasonable prices.

Related to parts, most mechanical parts are the same as the Accord and are usually reasonable. However there are quite a few Acura specific parts especially when you get into the electronics and can be far from reasonable.

 

I had 118,000 miles on my 06 TL and after the timing belt service, it still felt as solid and strong as new. Get the Acura, no question.

 

Well, the TL is a Honda engine, which should run and run and run. Plus, it is the better looking car.

 

Honestly if the Ford seat belt chime can be disabled or the wires can be cut, that might be something to consider. I hate to say it, but sometimes I miss the dead silence of my 03 Corolla when that shit is beep beeeeep beeeeping in my face for no reason.

Don't let the rattles drive you insane. I tortured myself 1000's of miles because you cannot drive and find rattles at the same time. Get a friend or pay someone to ride with you 100 miles the first day and stick felt everywhere and wedge paper into every crack! Happy as hell now that mine are all solved.

 

There is a pretty easy solution to this.... wear your seatbelt!!! But either way, my dad has an 05 F150 and there is instructions in the manual for disabling the seatbelt sensor. Something to do with plugging and unplugging the seatbelt in combination with turning the car on and off or something.

 

I, too, have owned multiple Acuras: 2 x 3rd Gen TL's (currently my DD is an '08 6MT CBP TL-S), and a 2007 MDX Sports & Entertainment package. I absolutely love them both.


Though I've never been partial to American cars, with very few exceptions. They just seem cheaply made and, in most instances, the design is utter shit in one place or the other (e.g. the interior is usually where they fail for me).

 

you dont think the chime in our cars is annoying? ive never had to yell at so many passengers in my life to buckle up lol

get the TL. when it comes to sedans Honda>ford

 

Im sorry if I missed anything but I dont think the tl is good enough to be compared with the fusion.

 

Both look good, around the same power, etc etc etc but its the interior on the fusion that just turns me off, its cheap and you'll have to pay extra to get the good stuff, while on the TL, leather, seat heaters, etc comes standard except for the sat nav. My buddy went for the fusion so I know all this.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the dashes in the '07-'08 different and aren't prone to cracking? Also, aren't the trannies in those better?

lol. I'm sure every TL owner knows that feeling. Or the people who like to take their seat belt off as you're pulling up to drop them off. There should definitely be a way to disable it.... or maybe have a sound that's less obnoxious. I understand the reason for it, but there should definitely be an option to turn it off. We're big kids.

As far as the Fusion Vs. TL, long term wise, I would definitely say get the TL. Quality wise I would say get the TL. I considered the Fusion when looking at the TL too, but the TL just seemed like a step up in every way. But if you choose the Fusion I don't think you'll be disappointed either.

 

i don't have anything else to add besides, go with the TL for all the above reasons

 

I hate ford. $0.02

 

That's just the thing... I get confused when I get comments like this because I never have passengers and I never have driven across even a parking lot without a seat belt... the design is broken. Why is it beeping in my face before I even had time to put my g**damn seat belt on, I'm not super human.

It makes sense to start the car before buckling up because it takes time for backup cam to boot up and I want it to be ready by time I'm ready to go. Same with my music.

 

its stupid and ignorant to say this about a certain brand.

 

LOL it is a company it doesn't have feelings, so if anything way less stupid and ignorant than speaking about a person

But anyway, aren't they the only ones who didn't get a bailout? So pretty much only domestic brand I would ever consider -- the others have no right to exist, morally, and so they are dead to me, DEAD TO ME Boycott the disgusting symbols of anti-capitalism: GM, Chrysler...

 

The Fusion is more comparable to the Accord. Standard 4-door sedan. Either can be hopped up to be more "sporty" but they're not designed to be sports cars off the line. Neither is the TL necessarily but it has more "sport" and certainly more luxury than either. In other words, I don't think it's a fair comparison.

The TL wins on looks IMO as well as history. Toyota and Honda have been putting out good cars for 30+ years. I work in Quality Assurance and I'll tell you from first hand experience, the japanese are the inventors of quality standards. Ford, GM and Hyundai are comming into the limelight but they've only been putting out good cars for about 5 years now. I would love to purchase a domestic but I won't trust them for at least another 5 years. Reliability is my #1 concern in a vehicle and I just don't have faith in them yet (of course, I don't have any more faith in a Honda with an automatic transmission.....). American trucks have always been fair to decent. But their cars have historically sucked ass. It's gonna take at least a 10 year record of not putting out crap before they get my attention. Only recently has the American way of doing business changed for Ford, Chrysler and GM (ie. short term gains at the price of long term losses). And I'm still not entirely sure it's changed........

 

How can anyone hate something like this?


+1

 

the new focus ST looks amazing. I'd test drive it.

But between the fusion and TL, i'd go TL. Other than a few unscheduled items like motor mounts, i havent had any issues, really, and mine's 8 years old.

 

The Ford-150 and the GT are the only domestics I would ever consider buying.
The GT is a beauty.

Like everyone said, the Honda will outlast and out class the Fusion.

 

TL, all the way. The Fusion isn't even in it's class.

 

comparison between the two companies says go with Acura for better longevity, but it all completely depends on the care taken for each car.

 

Long term 5-6 years on a used car already you will have much better luck with the Acura than the ford. First 3-5 years of the cars life both might be fine. Its once you get older that the better made cars really start showing their potential.

 

I have owned 2 Acuras so far. Currently have a 2008 Acura TL Type-S I bought with 61k miles on it. The one before, 2000 Acura TL bought at 52K and blow a tranny at 120K. However, I did get nearly 70K miles out of it worry free and maybe $500 in unexpected maintenance. I just love the feel of an Acura. I can be going 80 miles an hour in the rain and feel like nothing bad is going to happen. The Ford Fusion is nice, but you ever notice how many Honda's and Acura's are still on the road. If you are looking to save money buy a Ford, cheaper maintenance, cheaper car, but if you are looking to have something more luxurious look no further!

 

Another vote for the Acura.

 

I hope you asked a Fusion forum, kinda a one sided dice in here.

 

Funny how OP toss out a post, got a bunch of response and never check back and left feedback on other member post.

 

Hi: Thanks for the feedback it is very helpful!!!! I've been reading up on the Fusion and it has a few problems(nothing too major but still seems not quite as reliable as the TL. I was dealing with a freinds family member who is very sick(Cancer,+ more problems) so the car took a backseat,now that things have settled down(hopefully) I'll be trying to compare the maintance/parts cost difference between the 2 cars and then start to shop for my pick of the 2. Again thanks