No Budget Reviews: 2005 Ford Fusion 1.6 Fusion+ - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

[@richardhowlett9424]

Thank you David for letting Mr Lloyd review your fine Fusion ! Wonderful condition inside and out . Very practical small car .

[@David_H-73]

Yes thanks, and I do like the beige interior aswell.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It was a rather enjoyable experience, actually. David keeps his cars in excellent condition.

[@jasejj]

I think you missed what I would consider to be the Fusion's main selling point - the rear seats fold almost flat, giving almost small van like loading space in something that still drives like a car rather than a van (Berlingo ). I wouldn't have looked at one new but am seriously thinking of having one as a knockabout second car for dragging stuff around when I move house later this year. Great video as always though!

[@David_H-73]

Getting the rear seats completely flat is a bit of a fiddle when your short of time, but as you say it turns into a small van. The folding front seat is very handy from Christmas trees and things like the tall IKEA Billy bookcase ( dismantled) will fit in. The boot opening is also wide and low, much better than a Jazz in that respect.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We didn't really have the time to fiddle with the seats too much on the day, as this was the fourth review I had done that day, and the sixth video I had made in total, so it was just a question of getting through the standard No Budget Reviews format, I am afraid. The practicality seems to be beyond question, though.

[@jasejj]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting It wasn't a criticism just an observation, your video still helped make my mind up about the car and for that I am grateful 😁

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@jasejj , it did come across as a bit critical (that is just my honest observation, things are always different written down as opposed to in person), but thank you nevertheless for watching and commenting.

[@HektorBandimar]

We've had two 1.6 Fusions, they are terrific little motors, ours have both been automatics, they are like a mini SUV. I must admit that I have always felt that the auto gear box could do with an extra gear, but it is what it is, a good practical work horse.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, they really are very good for the money, and had a very long production run. Thank ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@Lot76CARS]

Great review Joseph, these are underrated. Despite the marketing BS positioning that Ford was pitching it at “urban loft dwellers”, yes, really! By chance I has one as a hire car for a week on holiday and it was brilliant for space and suitcases and not too shabby to drive either. It will never win handling awards but it’s versatile family transport.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Urban loft dwellers? Very strange... These have quite a following, but with a completely different demographic. They don't handle too badly, actually.

[@roygardiner2229]

Well....I like it! I agree the beige interior is very pleasing and overall the interior quality is better than most. And a very practical boot, to boot 🙂.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Glad you like it, sir! The interior quality really isn't that bad, as it? A good practical car for not a huge amount of money.

[@tomeasterbrook9486]

Had a 52-53 reg 1.4 (cough ) TDi one of these for work a few years back absolutely loved it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Very good, sir! Shame we can't talk about it, though..

[@seancooke7332]

My family and I spent a magical week at a Haven Park in Grange over Sands in 1997, such a beautiful area. As for the much maligned Ford Fusion. It did sell very steadily and anyone that I ever knew that owned one was very happy to drive it long term. Owners would praise the practicality, comfort, economy, reliability and versatility of their Fusions. I can understand that Mr Clarkson enjoys Lamborghinis and V8 Mercedes Benzes but cars like this simple but very cleverly designed Fusion are what people want everyday. I would love to come across a Titanium Fusion.

[@David_H-73]

Grange over sands is a very special place, I lived there for many years. Yes my Fusion is very versatile much in the same way as the Jazz was. There are some Fusion Titaniums out there, easily identified by chrome door handles and boot trim and different alloys but basically the same as the Fusion plus.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We do like it, sir, it's probably even more practical than the Jazz in some ways. Never seen a Fusion Titanium myself.

[@deanwebb4809]

I never really got the fusion maybe I've missed something but each to your own and you like what you like

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's basically just a Mark VI Fiesta that's a bit more practical. I think that's about it, really!

[@trabali5168]

Yeah, about 10 years ago i went with my 60 year old aunt to car giant (not the best place to buy a car but hey its easy and they have a lot of choice)! We were gonna buy this exact car as she had a fiesta mk5 2003 but wanted something higher and roomier.......................but she fell in love with an 10 plate nissan note 1.6 N-tec auto satnav!............................said she liked "telly" on the dashboard!!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I imagine that the average buyer for the Fusion in 2012 would have been around your aunt's age. Very easy to live with if she was a Fiesta owner. Was the Note a better car?

[@trabali5168]

@@lloydvehicleconsultingIt had a lot more extras, It served her well for 5 years but i think shes stopped driving now.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@trabali5168 , this was about as luxurious as a Fusion got, I am afraid! I did source one in 2018, actually.

[@49ccMopedWorld]

Our Fusion from 2003 or so is the best I've ever had. Never ever big problems with it. 250k now with almost 100k of my own. So much space I can use it almost as a mini van when backseats are down. Great performance. Very reliable familycar. Ps Only take care of rainwater it could reach your sparkplughole so I changed the way water flows down from my window.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, yes, water ingress into the spark plug tubes seems to be quite common on these for some reason. Glad to hear that yours has served you reliably for such a long time.

[@49ccMopedWorld]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting we are using it for 7 years now, enjoying it in extra time, the late fall or early winter of her being on the Dutch roads. If she goes through her annual test which we call Apk here, we will keep her. She doesn't look to good anymore because some trailer hit her and I myself hit a wall so we are free to treet her well but free as we can and actually are. No new cars for us. In this fine but 'a little older' condition now we use it as we like. We clean it once a year and the windows twice a year from the inside because I am a smoker. As said: best car we have ever had up till now!!!!!!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

So no Titanium X version with rear electric windows, wood trim and a beige leather interior 🤔 I think these are a handy and practical car in reality.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

No sir, I am afraid not, but we did have a beige interior in this one, and it did drive rather nicely.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yes looked like it drove nicely, seen a 2021 Ford Focus Vignale, that was very striking and plush indeed MR Lloyd.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. , one of the last ever Vignales, then sir!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Has the Vignales been discontinued

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. , indeed, sir!

[@stephenvictorbailey4055]

Just bought a 2007 1.6 automatic....good old car...getting used to driving it now

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

These cars are starting to make an awful lot of sense all these years after they were current, aren't they?

[@davidbennett906]

Another good review Joesph. Also! You needn't have corrected yourself about the location of Grange Over Sands, It is indeed in the historic County of Lancashire! Cumbria (and I hate talking about false counties on your channel) is an administrative lump created in 1974, that engulfed the true counties of Lancashire, Westmorland and Cumberland. Our historic British counties are still valid and should not be overlooked as the media (and lazy politicians) would prefer us to do. Keep up the great work sir!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, sir! Let us not mention the county reforms of 1965 and 1974, since otherwise we will end up in a lot of trouble.

[@davidbennett906]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Indeed! Unfortunately it is a subject close to my heart, but I will strive to bite my tongue as we do about the unspeakable fuel!

[@David_H-73]

You may already know but Cumbria County Council ( but not Cumbria itself)is being abolished in 2023. To be replaced by two new unitary authorities, Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@davidbennett906 , probably best you don't speak about either then, sir!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@David_H-73 , were you about to express your opinion about this as well, sir?

[@1973ts]

I have the Fusion Zetec Climate 1.6 auto. Mine is mint, I bought it from a colleague. Only negatives are 1) my wife says the power steering is heavy for her, and 2) the ride is a bit poor on Northamptonshire's carefully maintained roads. Great review of an underrated car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting! I think that the heaviness of the steering depends on what you are used to, I didn't notice it being a problem. I imagine lots of cars will probably have issues if there are too many potholes, etc, to deal with!

[@1973ts]

@lloydvehicleconsulting I think it's because my wife has got used to the EPAS in her Peugeot 2008 and previous Corsa D.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Absolutely, both would have very light steering in comparison.

[@David_H-73]

Thanks again Joseph for another review. Pleased you liked the beige interior even without wood and leather. I am actually looking forward to driving it again later in the year.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's a very good car, actually. Not the most exciting or glamorous, but rather a lot of appeal for many nevertheless.

[@frothe42]

Very interesting! Quite versatile, reminds me of a mini estate! Excellent review Joseph !

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, sort like a very small estate car. Glad you liked it, sir!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Excellent review of David's Fusion looks spot on with beige interior, and with it being based on a mark 6 fiesta it will have been a excellent drive as well.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It was indeed a most agreeable car, sir, and we did enjoy it very much. Thank you again for watching once again!

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thank you for this video! I had no idea such a car existed. Of course, being a motorsport fan, I associated 'Ford Fusion' with NASCAR, i.e American sedan. I have honestly never seen one of these UK Fusions in New Zealand, although it reminds me of a similar mini crossover from the same period called a Holden Cruze (NOT the later GM Sedan!), that from memory was a re-engineered Suzuki. This looks like a proto-Kuga, very much the shape of things to come!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The Holden Cruze was sold over here as the Suzuki Ignis. The American Fusion has nothing to do with this one at all.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Not to stray from the topic much, but bizarrely we also received some 'grey import' Chevrolet versions of the Cruze in question. Still some of those around.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@alaricbragg7843 , yes, sold with a Chevy badge in some markets.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting GM sure had some weird ideas and designs during the 2000s. When that IS200 you reviewed was launched Holden felt so threatened that they went to the trouble of producing a direct IS200 competitor called the Torana (After the legendary 70s mid sized Holden car!). Unlike the IS200 it would have had a V6 AND 4WD but after producing a prototype, GM, for reasons best known to themselves, cancelled the project.

[@Richard-Bullock]

In 2017 I had a '55' plate Fusion myself. Zetec Climate 1.6 automatic. It was Ford's old 3 speed plus overdrive box. I really liked that car, but the fuel consumption was hideous! Averaged 27 to 28 mpg driving carefully. Even on a long motorway run staying under the speed limit, it barely touched 30 mpg. I replaced it with an '09' plate Fiat Panda 1.2 Eco Dynamic. Even thrashing the bollocks off that car, it wouldn't go under 45 mpg.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the automatic 1.6 probably isn't very economical. Even my 45 V6 does around 29-30 mpg, which is interesting. A Panda will have much better fuel economy, of course.

[@Richard-Bullock]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting What disappointed me was, the Fusion was only very slightly more economical than my 1998 Mercedes W210 E280, with a 2.8 V6 petrol engine. You accept poor economy on a car like that. Not so much on a small hatchback.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@Richard-Bullock , that does sound rather disappointing, sir...

[@vitorpassos309]

I own a Ford Fusion from 2010 like this one but in blue and mine is a 1.25cc engine and takes us everywhere needed. It's our second car but it's the home "workhorse" let's say and just never goes wrong (our mileage eater around here is a 2017 TCe90 Clio IV).

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, we wouldn't have got that engine in this country, but clearly it was available elsewhere. I have driven multiple Fiestas with the 1.25, however, and they are very good. I also drove a 2017 Clio on the channel, but it was the 1.2 non-turbo....

[@vitorpassos309]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting When I was buying my Clio about 5 years ago I also tested that 1.2 but it was so slow. The 1.25 of the Fusion seems F1 fast compared to it hahaha

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's not just slow, it doesn't sound very good either! Any other engine in the Clio is about a million times better.

[@vitorpassos309]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Fully agree. My 0.9 TCe has been super reliable and cheap to maintain.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Just don't put it in Eco mode, otherwise they are unbelievably slow!

[@look397612]

I have a diesel version 1.4 and the 1.4 petrol . Very nice and spacious car it is , i usually get tired during long journeys but since when I am using this car i don't have any stress in my shoulder and neck. Its seats are very good and relaxing position. It is a true FUSION of a SUV and SALOON .i don't know why Ford replaced it with ECOSPORT

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The replacement for this was actually the Ford B-Max. The Ecosport and B-Max were sold alongside each other for a number of years, actually. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@prostmahlzeit]

Bought my 2007 1.6 ford fusion in 2014 with 90k for 4500€. Still have it but now with 235k on it. Plan on keeping it just to find out when the engine will blow up. So far everything besides the engine was broken once and i did all the repairs on my own with either used original or third party parts. Over the last decade ive spent around 3k in parts for repairs and oil changes. But in comparison with newer cars the weak brakes and loud driving noises are becoming a major discomfort.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's an awful lot of miles! I suppose the value of it is so low now that you may as well just keep it until the engine lets go. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

Never released in AU ..looks a bit like competition for the Golf Plus which we also never received..no great loss I guess.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I suppose it depends on the sort of person you are really, sir. The Golf Plus is a significantly bigger car.

[@camperlustig68]

Good Evening Sir

[@camperlustig68]

Hope you are well?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Why, good evening, sir!

[@deanwebb4809]

Sir what are your true opinion of the new dacia more so the jogger

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I will have to tell you, sir, when I actually get my hands on one properly!

[@Jonathan-rz8jk]

Good review thanks . .. I have seen for sale here in France this car the fusion plus 94 k but the price is 3000 euros !! .. I guess this is way over priced ? .. my brother lives in Grange over sands he likes it

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's a funny one... At the moment, used car prices for small economical cars like this one are holding up quite well, and given the relatively low mileage (I assume in kilometres), as well as the exchange rate, then 3000 EUR probably isn't too bad. That's right, it's a lovely part of the world. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@cliveprocter3698]

Ford early attempt at the small SUV market that is now replacing hatchbacks. Went the pactical route so not a big seller unlike the Fester based new PUMA that majors on style/fashion and sells fanastically well.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's absolutely right! Very practical car, the antithesis of the Puma, really, which is now far more popular than the Fiesta that it is based on.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Ah you found a place for the secret mission documents. 🙂 This car would have been a hit in my country.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's essentially just a Mark VI Fiesta which is a bit more spacious.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting It's actually very cool and functional, even 17 years on. Love the compartments under the seat!

[@nigel.w]

Lovely example.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, it is kept in fabulous condition, isn't it?

[@LANMAR-m5w]

Super filmik 🎉👍

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching!

[@cinquecento1985]

Its the perfect car if you get the last facelift with the front defroster. Just a car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I have seen some on a 61 or a 12 plate, I think those are the very last ones...

[@zzhughesd]

I definately don’t remember 1.25 Fusion !!!! It’s just a bad info lead. Sold 15 odd of these typically 1.4 and odd 1.6. The Autos were made in both torque converter and Fords robotised manual auto called an, errrrr.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I don't remember the 1.25 Fusion either, I just included it for the sake of completeness, it was probably offered in some non-UK markets. The standard torque converter would be the one to go for, I imagine.

[@zzhughesd]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I now almost want to know which EU country got the 1.25, inquisitive

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@zzhughesd , probably Southern Europe, I imagine.

[@zzhughesd]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I’ll no doubt have to find out. Kinda bugging. Seams no reason why 1.25 wouldn’t be in fusions as base cars.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@zzhughesd , that engine is OK in the Mark VI Fiesta (the Polo had lots of lower powered ones), so it probably wouldn't be too bad in the Fusion either.

[@nickyboy.]

4th

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Very good, sir!

[@gauravpal9043]

Price please

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Not for sale, I am afraid...

[@pizzalover3]

Great review sir as always. Personally found the seats of very poor quality (facelift Style model) and given me lots of back ache. Disappointing given Ford's previous high quality seats.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, that does sound like a shame. The seats on this one did seem a bit nicer than that.