CapnJack Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I'm thinking about getting a newer car this spring and have it narrowed down to a couple of different options. One of them is a Ford Fusion Titanium AWD and the other is a Forester XT. Both would be 2016+ models. I love the looks of the Fusion and the ability to make some good power out of it. The Sync system is awesome and sounds really good (to me). I've heard they've stepped up their AWD system and it works well, however I'm concerned about reliability and more-so depreciation. I don't see these cars holding their value which is good(when I buy a used one) and bad(when I try to sell it 5 years from now). I also really want to stay with the Subaru family of vehicles, but really don't care for the way the new lineup look. Additionally, they are about 2-3 years behind in the infotainment sector.(compared to the new Sync system) Neither would stay completely stock for long. I just can leave well enough alone. I know what the 2.0 Fusion is capable of and it's appealing. I'm really not interested in a Fusion Sport for reasons I don't want to go into here. Simply not an option... I've heard that the WRX parts fit the FXT and there is some good support for it. True? I would enjoy anyone's opinions on the subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapnJack Posted January 16, 2017 Author Share Posted January 16, 2017 Thinking of going with a Forester XT. They seem a little more difficult to find, but I think it's going to be better in the long term. I'm finding that a lot of WRX parts fit it. First thing would be to get an AP with a stage 1 pro-tune to get it off the factory tune immediately. Next I would add some suspension components to tighten up the suspension (swaybars?). After a few miles, I'd start to look at TMIC, charge pipe, DP, conservative Stage 2 tune, and some brake upgrades depending on how OEM feels. I probably wouldn't go over stage 2 given the stories I've heard about elevated power levels on the CVT. Eventually, I'd consider some coil-overs to have ability to raise/lower it depending on use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fedaykin Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 What about their AWD systems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapnJack Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 What about their AWD systems? The Forester has the tried and true Symmetrical AWD. While it is a lot more electronic than mechanical. It is still very capable. X-Mode appears to be a very good add. Several videos I've seen show it doing some things that are surprising (in a good way) but not being too obtrusive in regular driving. Most of the power goes to the front wheels and transfers power to the rear as needed. The Fusion has a similar system. It is predominately FWD and transfers power to rear as needed. It is a transverse mounted engine so it is susceptible to torque steer and that is noted in some of the fusion sport reviews. The AWD system (from what I can find) is loosely based on the Haldex AWD system. It has an electronically controlled center differential to activate the rear wheels when slip is detected. It is a very electronic system and also very capable. I've read some very good reviews about how it handles cornering and improves traction in the corners. Both systems seem capable so it makes it a tough decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 for the foreser XT, you could find a rear VLSD with the right gear ratio from an older subaru and put it in for more of a mechanical upgrade to the AWD system. they can be had for cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoplightAssassin Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 What about an Edge Sport with the V6TT? They pick up 100hp/tq with just a reflash and 93. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 damn thing is over 4000lbs the v6tt is better in the fusion at only 3400lbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoplightAssassin Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Fusion Sport weighs way more than 3400lbs. Car and Driver weighed theirs at 4127 lbs http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-ford-fusion-sport-with-summer-tires-tested-review Autoweek claims 3982: http://autoweek.com/article/car-reviews/2017-ford-fusion-sport-first-drive-fitting-name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapnJack Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 Gas mileage is important too. I drive 32 miles one way to work in stop and go traffic. I would like to keep average MPG at >24/25ish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapnJack Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 for the foreser XT, you could find a rear VLSD with the right gear ratio from an older subaru and put it in for more of a mechanical upgrade to the AWD system. they can be had for cheap. Do you know of anyone who has done this? Any write ups? This interests me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 ^no, but if its a regular subaru R160 read end, then there is no reason why you cant do some swaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Fusion Sport weighs way more than 3400lbs. Car and Driver weighed theirs at 4127 lbs http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-ford-fusion-sport-with-summer-tires-tested-review Autoweek claims 3982: http://autoweek.com/article/car-reviews/2017-ford-fusion-sport-first-drive-fitting-name funny, wiki says 3427lbs curb https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fusion_(Americas) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fedaykin Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 The Forester has the tried and true Symmetrical AWD. While it is a lot more electronic than mechanical. It is still very capable. X-Mode appears to be a very good add. Several videos I've seen show it doing some things that are surprising (in a good way) but not being too obtrusive in regular driving. Most of the power goes to the front wheels and transfers power to the rear as needed. The Fusion has a similar system. It is predominately FWD and transfers power to rear as needed. It is a transverse mounted engine so it is susceptible to torque steer and that is noted in some of the fusion sport reviews. The AWD system (from what I can find) is loosely based on the Haldex AWD system. It has an electronically controlled center differential to activate the rear wheels when slip is detected. It is a very electronic system and also very capable. I've read some very good reviews about how it handles cornering and improves traction in the corners. Both systems seem capable so it makes it a tough decision. Thanks for the reply. Good insight! I'm not sure how the auto/CVT AWDs in Subarus work these days (I have a manual 5th gen, so I guess I have viscous centre diff?). I figured the Ford would use an electronic centre, but what about the rear diff? Also, stuff like the uphill slip test (or getting stuck on wet grass), where almost all "AWD" crossovers fail but Subaru powers through is what concerns me (later down on track). Oh and I'm not stranger to part time AWD, I have an R32 GT-R (ATTESA, centre diff clutch plates are pressurised by a computer to send torque to the front wheels), so not surprised about the Fusion's capabilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapnJack Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 On the FXT, the center diff is electronically controlled. In normal state, it is a 90/10 split front and rear respectively. I can't find anything about the rear and assume that it is open and controlled via the traction control system. It will apply brakes to the wheel that is spinning and force the other one to spin. I believe the Fusion to be similar. IMHO, what it comes down to is whose programming is better and what it allows the car to do.Theoretically, both should be capable of the uphill slip test if they are programmed similarly. Where I think some cars fail is that when the wheel starts to slip, the programming applies the brake to that wheel, but then decreases engine power to the point that the wheel with traction does not have enough torque to move the car forward or when it starts to move, it can't decide what's happening and starts to apply brakes to that one as well not allowing the car to move. I believe Subaru allows more wheel spin allowance which could help move the car forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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