Used Car Dealers Line Up Against Volkswagen

Automatic or Manual trans?

@PrincipalDan DSG. "Dynamic, luxurious, and with a remarkably efficient Diesel, this outstanding low-mileage Beetle TDI is still under full warranty! A push of the ignition button brings to life a 2.0l 4-cylinder turbodiesel that packs 140hp and a walloping 236lb-ft of torque for commanding acceleration off the line and out on the open road. Paired with a slick-shifting 6-speed DSG"

Shut up and take my money. Btw Flybrian last I checked diesels are emissions exempt in PA registration, it actually says "emissions testing requires/diesel vehicles exempt" on the registration card.

@28-Cars-Later I want his 2012 Fusion. The price is reasonable and it has the good appearance package.

@bball40dtw CD3 Zephyr > CD3 Fusion

@28-Cars-Later I dunno. 3.5L V6 > 3.0L V6. There is basically no difference in fuel economy and the 3.5L is smoother and faster. The right answer is CD3 Fusion Sport, but they are hard to find. It depends what you want in a car. in many cases, the MkZephyr is the right answer.

@28-Cars-Later Fusion sport had the 3.5? Otherwise this sounds like heresy.

@28-Cars-Later Yes, the Fusion Sport has the 3.5. Ford should have carried it over to the current car. The price vs mileage on Flybrian's Fusion is awesome. Expect to pay about $3-$4K more for a similar mileage MKZ.

@28-Cars-Later Zephyrs go for slightly less than Fusions on average despite being more car, laugh at the shyster that sells you otherwise (ha, a pun!).

@28-Cars-Later I actually think the sweet spot for the CD3 Fusion is the I4 2.5L. It's a good commuter to purchase on the used market. Most of the time when you want a V6, MKZ. Unless you want the Fusion Sport. My parents have an MKZ with the Sport Package that is similar.

@28-Cars-Later You know what, I read your first post wrong. I thought you were saying CD3 Fusion > CD3 Zephyr. I don't know why. Too much work this week.... We agree. Zephyr is the answer. I should just go home and work from the back porch with a beer.

@28-Cars-Later The Lincoln dealership by me just got a glut of 2013 MKSs. They have 25 of them!

@28-Cars-Later A beer would be nice about now, go home and have one.

Why does the 2012 E350 diesel on your lot have Winrun tires? Hahahaha. I expect Triangle, Golden Happiness, Linglong, or Superior Assurance tires on my E350.

@28-Cars-Later I agree with you that the MKZ is the more rational choice, but that monochrome Fusion looks so much prettier than any first-gen MKZ I think I'd have to choose it anyway. Then rip out the first-gen Sync and put in a modern double-DIN nav HU.

@28-Cars-Later My father had a Fusion Sport AWD with the 3.5, and honestly, it did not feel very quick, plus it downshifted to 5th or 4th on even slight grades at highway speeds (~65mph). And it got pretty bad gas mileage, 20mpg combined or so. Now, the EB's theoretical EPA advantage is overrated, but I'm pretty confident the AWD fusion 2.0 EB would do better than 20mpg combined. My last dislike about the car was the lifeless steering---the car probably handled pretty well, but the steering felt like an old 80s cadillac---overboosted to the extreme, and no feel at all. In short, I would put this particular model very low on my list of cars to own. And I had an earlier FWD version of this platform, an '08 Mercury Milan with the 4cylinder. The engine was gutless, but I liked the interior, and it handled great for a base 4dr family sedan. Makes me wonder how Ford managed to screw up this particular Fusion's steering so bad---maybe it was their first attempt at electric assist?

@bball40dtw Mercedes Lease Return. I assume the lease conditions specify tires of "xxx" tread depth, not brand. Anyway, they ride very well, like magestic spirit swan of many forefathers.

@28-Cars-Later Interestingly, this thing has had quite some attention over the past week. A local young lady wanted to trade in her '02 Beetle 2.0 on it, but I got her budget-friendly payments on a pearl white '11 Edge SEL instead. I also got a guy in off the internet, but his wife wants him to get a convertible, so now he's looking at my '10 Cooper S 6-speed. I also had someone in Alaska call me about it, but I haven't heard tell from him in days now, so I assume that deal is dead. Its also on eBay and bringing what I need from it, so any more is gravy as far as I'm concerned. Bid to win, baby! I genuinely believe my luck to have two high-profile diesels the week this diesel scandal breaks. If the market is kind on the wholesale side next week, heck, I'll buy some more TDIs for the right price because apparently people DO NOT CARE.