What Would You Pick: American Big 3 Edition

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
06/16/2014 at 00:22 • Filed to: None

All 3 have been configured at fully loaded, top-spec models.

Chrysler 200C AWD: $36,860

V6. 9-speed transmission. AWD.

Chevrolet Malibu 2LTZ: $33,685 ($2,000 rebate discount)

2.0T. 6-speed auto. FWD only.

Ford Fusion Titanium: $39,310

2.0T. 6-speed auto. AWD.

Out of these three, I'd probably pick the Malibu. The Ford's too expensive and the 200 is too new to have all of it's kinks worked out yet. If we did the same thing next year, I'd pick the 200 in a heartbeat.

DISCUSSION (40)

Manuél Ferrari > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:22

I'd go with the 200

I don't mind if the kinks haven't been worked out yet. I like to get kinky.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:24

1st. Fusion

2nd. Malibu

Don't know enough about the 200 to choose, but it looks good.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:24

Gimmie the Ford. For sure worth the price, at least compared to the other options.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Manuél Ferrari
06/16/2014 at 00:24

I've just heard too many horror stories from people about first-model-year Chrysler vehicles to trust one.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
06/16/2014 at 00:26

I just don't think it is personally. Not when I could get a decently loaded 320i for the same price.

oldestyoungn > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:26

200 for looks, but Malibu because early gen cars can bite.

Vi517, JDX Racing > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:27

I'd say the 200. There isn't much out yet about it, but it has the potential to be an amazing car.

I'm tempted to say Fusion because it IS amazing, but that price....

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:28

...A 320i was not one of the options.

A FWD Chevy and a Sebring were however

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vi517, JDX Racing
06/16/2014 at 00:28

Yup, the Fusion would be what I would pick, but that's just way too much.

All I did was go through every menu on each configurator and pick every option. I was shocked when I looked down to see the Ford's price.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:28

This goes against everything I believe in as a GM guy, but I say the Fusion.

Manuél Ferrari > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:29

I don't trust first model years from any company. But this car looks kind of cool!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
06/16/2014 at 00:30

I'm just saying that $39,000 is decently loaded 3-series money.

The 200 is so much more than the Sebring ever was. I'm sorry but to even call it that would be stupid.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Where have all the lightweights gone?
06/16/2014 at 00:30

But that price! $40 grand for a Fusion

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Manuél Ferrari
06/16/2014 at 00:31

They're drop dead gorgeous in person.

Manuél Ferrari > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:34

Why is it that this American-Italian alliance works so much better than the American-German days?

FCA is pretty damn awesome.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Manuél Ferrari
06/16/2014 at 00:36

Because all Daimler wanted to do was suck all Chrysler's resources dry and use them on Mercedes instead. At least that's how I feel about it.

Fiat actually needs Chrysler's support. Thus they're putting out kick ass cars for all Chrysler's companies.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:38

I still don't trust Chrysler's reliability, and I know the Fusion is rock solid. Also, because Ecoboost.

Manuél Ferrari > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:39

I agree with that. Daimler was too cocky. They weren't interested in collaborating. They just wanted to take and not give.

The FCA arrangement works well because both companies need each other. Chrysler needed FIAT. And then FIAT was so glad they helped them because Chrysler started bringing in profits right when European car sales went in the dumps.

Long live Dodge. Long live Chrysler. Long live Alfa. Long life Maserati. And long live Ferrari.

PS9 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:42

Kinja'd!!!

For less than one grand over the Fusion, this could be had. I mean...I'm sure the Fusion is good, but is it BMW gran coupe good? (No. No it is not.)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Where have all the lightweights gone?
06/16/2014 at 00:43

Eh, the 2.0T in the Malibu makes 19 more horsepower and 25 more torques than the 2.0T EcoBoost.

EcoTec 2.0T: 259 horsepower / 295 ft-lbs torque

EcoBoost 2.0T: 240 horsepower / 270 ft-lbs torque

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:44

I wanna say 200

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PS9
06/16/2014 at 00:45

Exactly what I was thinking. But I was thinking more along the lines of a decently optioned 320i.

Kinja'd!!!

This or a Fusion? I'm taking this.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:48

It's ugly as sin. I can find a way to make up the horsepower gap.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 00:51

Fusion with the 1.5 Turbo and a 6 speed manual(because that's the only engine available with the stick.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/16/2014 at 00:52

Actually, it's the 1.6T that has the manual. So more power! or at least more displacement!

wiffleballtony > PS9
06/16/2014 at 00:59

Pretty sure you don't get fo choose a random fourth option. Especially a coupe with four doors, wtf.

PS9 > wiffleballtony
06/16/2014 at 01:02

Pretty sure I get to choose whatever I want with my own money.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 01:05

And! While Daimler was sucking the life out of Chrysler, they ended up taking down Mercedes quality at the same time. It was lose / lose.

wiffleballtony > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 01:05

Of those three choices the Fusion. With that said however those pices are nuts.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
06/16/2014 at 01:11

They were just a money hungry corporation

wiffleballtony > PS9
06/16/2014 at 01:13

Indeed you do, if this wasn't just a thought exercise with three specific choices. If it was my money I wouldn't buy any of them. However the thread wasn't which car currently in production would you buy for $40k. It was which of these three cars would you choose.

PS9 > wiffleballtony
06/16/2014 at 01:23

Indeed you do, if this wasn't just a thought exercise with three specific choices.

Buyers make these kinds of thought experiments all the time, and we can't realistically expect actual people to inconvenience their potential options in this way.

However the thread wasn't which car currently in production would you buy for $40k. It was which of these three cars would you choose.

The OP would have made it known if my interjection was unwelcome, which would have been awkward anyway since he was thinking almost the same thing. It is not up to you to enforce the standards of this conversation, and I don't owe it to you specifically to rigidly follow the guidelines. If this conversation thread disturbs you, feel free to not read/participate in it, and go do something more productive with your time.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 02:33

oh neat.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 05:46

Is the 200 the same size as a Fusion? If yes, 300 all day, just because it looks gorgeous.

Alex B > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 09:03

Fusion!

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 12:26

I've heard too many horror stories about Chrysler vehicles period but it's so much sexier than the other two that I'd have a hard time picking the others. The Ford is a close second though.

Mike > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 16:37

Chrysler if I absolutely have to pick one. They're all repulsively bland.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Mike
06/16/2014 at 16:41

They not nearly as bland as they used to be. I wouldn't even call them bland anymore honestly.

twosixteen > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 17:01

That's a tough one, but I'd say Fusion. The 200 is just too new to know if it's going to be any good yet, and I don't trust the Malibu (seems like another minimal effort GM special to me).

On a sort of related note, I'm currently deciding between the Fusion, 200, and a Charger as my next car so this is a very useful thread for me, thanks!

Mike > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/16/2014 at 19:54

Eh. They're FWD saloons, which by their very nature are quite bland and boring. But if I'm gonna drive one, at least give me a Honda or something European. Something that both has character, and doesn't remind me that I live in Detroit.