Have first-gen Fusions really gone down in price so much?

"WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe" (wesbarton89)
11/05/2014 at 15:52 • Filed to: None

I was browsing my local CL, and found two different '06 Fusions, both surprisingly cheap, but with relatively high miles, which I'm sure contributes somewhat to the lower prices, but still.

Example A: Higher mileage, A/T, lower price

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Example B: Less mileage (still high), loaded, with a stick, a little pricier

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I can't believe they've dropped in price. They seem like decent vehicles, though I don't think the design has aged too well. I've ridden in a couple first-gen Fusions, and they seem ok. Still thought they'd be at least $7k and up though.

DISCUSSION (20)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 15:56

Well the 100k one is probably right at blue book. Actually with 175k on the red one, that one probably is right on blue book as well.

I actually just looked up my 07 Mercury Milan V6 today on KBB.

The other one just has a ridiculous amount of miles.

They are great cars, the Milan is a good way to get a nicer interior at literally no extra cost.

100k miles is not bad at all for an 8 year old car either.

Coty > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 15:56

Private sale that doesn't seem too far off.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/05/2014 at 15:59

Gotcha. I guess it seems high because 2006 doesn't seem like it was 8 years ago, honestly. I know they're not "new" anymore, but they don't seem like they'd be that old either, I guess. And yes, the Milan is better, I think.

Raphmoe > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 16:09

Well, 2006 model year cars were produced sometime in late 2005. Which makes them 9 year old cars now. A 9 year old car with 180,000 miles has seen 20,000 miles a year. These are no spring chickens.

With proper maintenance they might be ok; but it looks like a lot of cars hit the "$3,000-$5,000" eh, hope for the best range after 8 years.

Margin Of Error > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 16:10

At this point, the question you need to ask yourself is can I get a better car for my money ?

BigBlock440 > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 16:11

$3,800 for an 8 year old car with 176k on it seems high to me. Not low. I paid $8,000 for my current DD 2 years ago, a 2005 with 30K. $7k for is easily in Rob Ford territory.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Margin Of Error
11/05/2014 at 16:12

Oh, I absolutely know I can. I already have my eye on a much cheaper (yet few years older) car. I just browse my local CL out of boredom and looking for amusement.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 16:32

Yeah it's crazy to think that. It means my Milan is 7 years old too which is nuts.

I've got 90k miles on mine (almost) and i've put 45k of those on in 2.5 years. So I put it through it's paces. They are sincerely good cars. V6 is solid and surprisingly sporty.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > BigBlock440
11/05/2014 at 16:43

What did you buy for 8k with only 30k on it?

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/05/2014 at 16:44

It really is crazy. I always worry about newer cars, how easily they'll handle 75-100k miles. It seems like anymore, I don't feel like they're made as durable as they used to be. It's like a lot of other things, you get it, use it for a couple years, and replace it with the latest thing. Sure, I'd love a new-ish/new car, but I can at least trust a somewhat older car to be built better, since miles have already been put on it, and still works like it should. I mean, honestly, in 2030, will we still see these late 2000s/early 2010s vehicles running well on the road?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 16:50

Probably not lol.

I think the mazda 6/ford fusion/mercury milan/ lincoln MKZ are GREAT cars and my intention is to run my car to 175-200k miles.

If I can get at least 3-4 more years out of it I'm happy with the purchase.

It's pretty common to run these cars to 175-200k, I've seen them up at 250.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/05/2014 at 16:55

Well, if they can get up to 250k miles, then there is something to be said about their reliability, for the most part. I mean, if that 250k miles includes rebuilt/replaced engines and trannies several times, then no, that doesn't count, but if it has the same necessary running parts it came with from the factory, then yes, that's excellent. I'd be proud of putting that many miles on a car, it makes the purchase worth it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 16:59

yep. It's the first car I bought with the intention of running past 100k. I bought it at 45k with the goal if 175-200. The examples I've seen at 200k+ all have original engine/trans.

I'm trying to do it right, no matter what people tell me I use syn blend or full synthetic oil changes every 3k/3months. I don't care if it's overkill I'd rather do 1 or 2 extra oil changes a year.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/05/2014 at 17:03

You can never go too far when taking care of your car. Better to do too much, than not enough.

ranwhenparked > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/05/2014 at 18:36

Well, they are nearly 10 years old now, so I guess that's to be expected. Also, Ford moved the model on so drastically - the really heavy Mark I.5 facelift and than the totally different and vastly upgraded Mark II, it made the original generation appear age even more rapidly than a more organic evolution would have.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > ranwhenparked
11/05/2014 at 18:52

Yeah, they really did. It was essentially to the point that I thought the refresh was the second-gen model for awhile. I mean, yes, refreshes are much more subtle, generally. Take a look at the NB and NC Miatas for example, minor changes in their refreshes, but noticeable nonetheless. I think the Fusion should have received a more softened refresh than the one it got. I'm already kind of tired of the new one though, I see them everywhere.

BigBlock440 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2014 at 08:09

2005 Stratus. I think it may have been a rental, should have checked before hand, but haven't run into anything major yet. It was still a 7-8 year old car when I bought it. And I paid over blue book for it too.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > BigBlock440
11/06/2014 at 09:30

well there's pluses and minuses to buying a used rental, I hear they have pretty solid maintenance practices at most rental compnies.

almost anything at 30k miles for 8k is a steal.

I got my 07 milan 2.5 years ago with 45k miles on the clock for 11k and I think I damn near stole it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
11/06/2014 at 09:33

That's my theory!

We'll see if it pays off down the line.

BigBlock440 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2014 at 10:15

I think age is a bigger factor in resale value than mileage is. I'm happy with the price though, that's why I bought it. And, like I said, nothing major yet, just a lower radiator hose at 36K and a wheel bearing at 75K. I'm closing in on 100K now, so just getting to where most cars this old are and figure I'm in the clear. Anything related to rental abuse should have shown up by now. But to the original point, an 8 year old car with 176K, $4k is a little high IMO.