The TL needed new tires...
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I'm Craig
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
Very nice choice! For the money, I think that's one of the best looking, and well optioned, cars you can get. The tint goes perfect with the exterior color, without it being way too dark (I think my white car would look weird with any unless it was like 50% or something). But as for locking your keys in the car, wouldn't the car think you're in the area and still let you open the door if it has sensors on the handle?
Side note: just remembered that when I posted something on MacRumors a long time ago you replied saying that you were from here too.
Side note: just remembered that when I posted something on MacRumors a long time ago you replied saying that you were from here too.
And nope. You just leave the fob in the car, shut the door, lock it with the number pad on the door, and that'll override the keyless entry system.
It is quite neat looking.


Wonder where they came from.
The down payment was covered graciously by my mom.
And meh. Modding will be light. Its a lease after all.
Thread Starter
I'm Craig
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Thanks!
All is great.
Thank you! I test drove the new Accord multiple times. It was a hard decision leaving the Honda family but I figured it'd be good to experience something different.
All is great.
Thank you! I test drove the new Accord multiple times. It was a hard decision leaving the Honda family but I figured it'd be good to experience something different.
Thread Starter
I'm Craig
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
Two weeks today since I picked the car up. Packed 600 miles on since...which is scary seeing as I have 12,000 miles a year but circumstances currently require me to drive a bit more during this semester of school. It should balance out eventually.
Pros:
-Technology. OMG this car has so many toys and gadgets. Keyless entry, rearview camera with parking sensors, adaptive cruise, collision avoidance, MyFord Touch, bluetooth audio, two-way remote start...its heaven for a Management Information Systems major like myself. Shouldn't come as a surprise seeing as the car is 9 years newer than my TL, believe it or not.
-Looks. The car is simply stunning. Drove past a group of guys on campus the other day who stared and I heard "That's such a dope car." I'll take it.
-Refinement. My mom has a 2013 ML350 and this car drives just as nice as that, if not better as its more nimble. Point is, the car feels way more European and upscale than it should.
-EcoBoost. Turbo turbo turbo. So much fun. Driving it, you'd never know it was a four cylinder. Doesn't sound like it one bit either (while driving at least).
Cons:
-NO HIDs!! Ford...really? The Escape Titanium/Focus ST can have them, along with LED running lights, but not the Fusion. Not even an option.
-Climate controls. Why do I need to fool around with a touchscreen to change my climate settings and turn my seat heater on?
-The noise of the EcoBoost at idle sounds rather clattery. Combination of direction injection and four cylinder engine though.
-Transmission shifts can be a little sloppy at low speeds, but coming from the 5AT in the TL, its still a huge improvement.
Overall, head over heels for the car. Curious to see how reliability will be over the course of my 36 months with it.
Pros:
-Technology. OMG this car has so many toys and gadgets. Keyless entry, rearview camera with parking sensors, adaptive cruise, collision avoidance, MyFord Touch, bluetooth audio, two-way remote start...its heaven for a Management Information Systems major like myself. Shouldn't come as a surprise seeing as the car is 9 years newer than my TL, believe it or not.

-Looks. The car is simply stunning. Drove past a group of guys on campus the other day who stared and I heard "That's such a dope car." I'll take it.
-Refinement. My mom has a 2013 ML350 and this car drives just as nice as that, if not better as its more nimble. Point is, the car feels way more European and upscale than it should.
-EcoBoost. Turbo turbo turbo. So much fun. Driving it, you'd never know it was a four cylinder. Doesn't sound like it one bit either (while driving at least).
Cons:
-NO HIDs!! Ford...really? The Escape Titanium/Focus ST can have them, along with LED running lights, but not the Fusion. Not even an option.
-Climate controls. Why do I need to fool around with a touchscreen to change my climate settings and turn my seat heater on?
-The noise of the EcoBoost at idle sounds rather clattery. Combination of direction injection and four cylinder engine though.
-Transmission shifts can be a little sloppy at low speeds, but coming from the 5AT in the TL, its still a huge improvement.
Overall, head over heels for the car. Curious to see how reliability will be over the course of my 36 months with it.
Nice list Craig! I'm shocked that at that price point, HIDs aren't standard, nor an option. It's not a deal breaker for me but after having them in my CL and TL, it would be a necessity. The kits are relatively cheap so hop on it 
Did you dad ever get that, um, German 2-door thing?

Did you dad ever get that, um, German 2-door thing?
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I'm Craig
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From: Grand Rapids, MI

Nice list Craig! I'm shocked that at that price point, HIDs aren't standard, nor an option. It's not a deal breaker for me but after having them in my CL and TL, it would be a necessity. The kits are relatively cheap so hop on it 
Did you dad ever get that, um, German 2-door thing?

Did you dad ever get that, um, German 2-door thing?

And haha nope...he's so indecisive. He'll test drive something, get serious about it, then decide to keep the Z06. He's quite enthralled by his X3. The Z collects dust.
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I'm Craig
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I'd stay away from random eBay kits since my friends has gone through so many bulbs and ballasts in his Scion it's ridiculous. Meanwhile, I've had my 5000k DDM Tuning kit for a few months and they've been trouble free (aside from tweaking my headlight aim since they had been either too low or too high)
Thread Starter
I'm Craig
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I'd stay away from random eBay kits since my friends has gone through so many bulbs and ballasts in his Scion it's ridiculous. Meanwhile, I've had my 5000k DDM Tuning kit for a few months and they've been trouble free (aside from tweaking my headlight aim since they had been either too low or too high)

Twerd. At least it has that.
Is there that much of a difference? Doesn't seem to do any harm in my friend's Scion since the cutoff is still there and it still lights up everything (not as much as mine since he has 8000k)
If you go DDM, just go on their website, pick out your socket, desired color temperature, and wattage. For color, your TL had 4300k and the closest they have is 4500k. My 5000k look great to me since I didn't like how bluish the 6000k ones looked. And the typical kit is 35W; I don't really know anyone who has gone with 55W. Shipping from them took two weeks each time I ordered since they ship from their warehouse in China. Installing was easy, you just need to find spots to mount the ballasts (my friend for some stupid reason used his coolant overflow for two of his) and then it's just plugging in wires.
For other lighting, you could change out the interior bulbs to LEDs (if Ford still uses incandescents you can pull out and replace). I'm not sure if Ford uses CANBUS, so you may need LEDs with resistors built in to simulate regular filament bulbs. I went with VLEDs (best design and quality me and my friends have used) 5000k everywhere since I have beige interior, but since you have black I'd think even 6000k ones would look good.
I'm trying to hunt down a decent kit. The Fusion forums blow compared to AcuraZine. 
Is it possible to change the halogen projector bulb to a cooler color? Hell I'm a moron when it comes to lighting. I just hate the yellow look. HIDs would be nice but I'm not confident in my ability to fux with ballasts and wiring...

Is it possible to change the halogen projector bulb to a cooler color? Hell I'm a moron when it comes to lighting. I just hate the yellow look. HIDs would be nice but I'm not confident in my ability to fux with ballasts and wiring...
For other lighting, you could change out the interior bulbs to LEDs (if Ford still uses incandescents you can pull out and replace). I'm not sure if Ford uses CANBUS, so you may need LEDs with resistors built in to simulate regular filament bulbs. I went with VLEDs (best design and quality me and my friends have used) 5000k everywhere since I have beige interior, but since you have black I'd think even 6000k ones would look good.
Last edited by MaxMike93; Oct 8, 2013 at 11:54 PM.
Thread Starter
I'm Craig
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HIDs. Mods will be minor with this car seeing as its a lease. 
LaminX. They're great quality, as is the taillight tint. BUT none of it fits right at all. Had to use a hair dryer to stretch and pull it so it fit, had to cut excess, etc. Really was a painstaking process. Even still its not perfect. There are a couple of bubbles I have to work out.
LaminX. They're great quality, as is the taillight tint. BUT none of it fits right at all. Had to use a hair dryer to stretch and pull it so it fit, had to cut excess, etc. Really was a painstaking process. Even still its not perfect. There are a couple of bubbles I have to work out.
Stay Out Of the Left Lane




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From: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
I got a Fusion rental last week in Chicago and its a nice car. At first I wasn't sure if it was a 4 or 6, but after driving for a bit and looking under the hood, it was a four. It was fine but felt it was missing just a little more get up and go.
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I'm Craig
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Ignore the filth.
Last edited by cjTL; Oct 29, 2013 at 07:32 PM.
Thread Starter
I'm Craig
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Hmm. You know what trim level it was? There's three different four cylinder engines available depending on the trim. Titaniums come standard with the 2.0 EcoBoost, optional on the SE, which comes standard with a 1.6 EcoBoost. Then the S has a n/a four. The 2.0 is equally if not more peppy than my TL was. More torque. 
That pic does make them look nearly black. It's not as dramatic as the picture makes it look. Its actually the second lightest shade Lamin-X offers. Here's a side by side.

Ignore the filth.

That pic does make them look nearly black. It's not as dramatic as the picture makes it look. Its actually the second lightest shade Lamin-X offers. Here's a side by side.

Ignore the filth.

Ignore the filth on such a new gorgeous car? Never!!
Thread Starter
I'm Craig
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
It got a bath yesterday. We've just had so much rain the past few weeks that there hadn't been a point in trying to clean it.
Yeah it's like a dark cherry red.
But the BOV sounds nice. For reference the number of performance mods on my TL was 0.
Yeah it's like a dark cherry red.
Thread Starter
I'm Craig
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
What's the mileage of your TL sitting at?












