Saturn, Ford, Toyota?

Question

I have narrowed my search down to 3 cars. The toyota camry, Ford Fusion, and Saturn aura. All V6. The fusion is AWD and the saturn is to. I live in NE so the AWD is nice. Which car is the best bang for the buck? I havent heard much about the Aura. Any input welcome

Answer 1

Well 1st of all the Saturn is Front wheel drive, not AWD. It is a little more expensive than the AWD Fusion, but ABS is standard. If you add the optional ABS to the Fusion, you narrow the price gap, But the Fusion is still slightly less expensive.
I searched the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations Office of Defects Investigations (NHTSA-odi) & only found 2 formal consumer complaints. You may want to read them, to see if either would be an issue, or acceptable to you.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2007&make=SATURN&model=AURA&component_id=0&PrintVersion=YES

The Camry (XLE-V6) is about $4500 more than either of the above comparably priced vehicles (Fusion-SEL- v6- AWD- w/optional ABS, & Aura-XR Sedan-V6-FWD )
I did the same consumer complaint search at the NHTSA-odi, & found MANY (over 100) customer complaints. Read 'em & see if this is acceptable to you:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2007&make=TOYOTA&model=CAMRY&component_id=0&PrintVersion=YES

Now the '07 Fusion on the other hand, has absolutely ZERO complaints.
It is less expensive than the other 2 comparably equipped vehicles.
It Does have the advantage of AWD.
& Consumer Report Magazine rated it highly.

Now some have mentioned the Camry is named Motor Trend Magazines Car of the Year.
I ask you why would this happen, when there are sooooo many CONSUMER complaints ?
The answer should be obviouse. Motor Trends income doesn't come from consumers. It comes from advertizing.

I did a 4 way side by side comparison for you ( I added the Accord for yuks), so you can check my facts.:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/compare/details/?vehicles=20289|19107|18951|20086

(In case you don't believe me about the Zero complaints on the Fusion--I wouldn't hold it against you--I, also, am a skeptic. Here is the link to search yourself: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/results.cfm)

So.....bang for the buck?????
Fusion --------Hands Down!

Answer 2

Some factors to consider:

Fusion is the only of the three that offers AWD. However, given that the Aura and Camry are FWD, they should handle well in your area, even in poor driving conditions.

The Aura has ABS and standard traction control on the lowest model, and stability control standard on the uplevel model. Camry also has ABS standard, but is optional on traction control and stability control. Fusion doesn't offer stability control, and ABS is optional.

On safety ratings, the Aura and Camry both get five stars from the government in all four crash test metrics. The Fusion gets four stars in both frontal crash tests, and 4*/5* in the two side-impact tests.

Since you're looking at AWD on Fusion, then you're already comparable to the Aura XR. That car also has remote start, so you can get your heater and seat warmers going before you jump in when it is cold.

I think, if you start to look at pricing, you'll find the Aura to be the best value when you add comparable equipment. Don't listen to the irrational people who write off the Aura or Fusion based on domestic vs. import. That reasoning is increasingly going away. The Aura even has a 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty. So, if you are concerned about the reliability thing, you're covered.

Also, the Aura XR has 18inch alloys standard, while the Fusion and Camry have 16s.

So, basically, they're all good cars. Camry won Motor Trend Car of the Year. Aura won North American Car of the Year, which is given by 49 automotive journalists from across the US and Canada. AutoWeek did a comparo between Aura and Camry and unanimously recommended the Aura for its driving, design and value (see the link).

Take a look around and go take test drives. But, I'd pick the Aura.

Answer 3

Allright, i am a mazda 6 owner and my cousin drives a 2007 camry and i know everything about fusion/mazda6 and camry. First of all forget about the aura, its a shitty car and the plant where its build is know for the shitty cars. Mazda has completly engineered the fusion (completly a clone of mazda 6), so you will be getting a mazda 6 with ford logo on it, but the engine of V6 fusion is made by ford not mazda 6 (most people thing fusion is mazda, which is true only for V4 case but not V6). If you want fusion get the V4 so that you will get the true japanese quality and reliability. If you want speed get the fusion V4 with manual tranny, but if you want V6 camry is the only way to go as you will get the reliability and quality. As a V4 mazda 6 owner i would recommed the fusion V4. Speaking about the camry, dont get the 2007 camry, they have a glitch in their tranny (ask any 07 camry owners they will tell you). To retain the MPG for the increased weight of camry they added an extra gear for the standard auto tranny, which is a good thing for MPG but if you want instant acceleration on highway you wont get and the tranny kicks to a lower gear and you will feel a jerk. Having said that the jerky motion in tranny is much less for a V6 camry than the V4. Toyota seems to find the solution and for the 08 model they will be fixed.

I hope my review helped you.

Answer 4

The Camry would be the best choice. Proven reliability and good resale. The V6 versions finish at the top of every comparison test I have read. The V6 is easily the best of the bunch. The Camry overall is the most refined, and is the platform for the much more expensive Lexus ES350.

The Fusion looks promising, and has tested well. Initial reliability has been good. Fords tend to depreciate quickly and not be all that reliable down the road. It is a nice looking car, and has a nice interior for a Ford. The current 3.0 V6 may be replaced by the new 3.5 V6, thus hurting the value of the 3.0 V6 cars.

The Aura looks nice, and is fairly competitive in the upscale version with the 3.6 liter V6. Reliability and resale will probably be poor. Fit, finish and overall interior/exterior quality still need a little refining.

Answer 5

Don't get the Camry-totally over rated and over priced. The Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan are awesome mid size sport cars.

Answer 6

The Fusion and Aura are new models. I've heard good things about the Fusion when compared to imports. I personally like the looks of the Aura except the interior is a tad dull to me. And don't believe all that "toyota's run forever" crap! A car is only as good as you take care of it.

Answer 7

I had an 05 spoil out and had no problems with it in any respect! It replaced into tremendous in snow, and felt basically the proper length! you'll get prolonged assure in case you sleep more beneficial useful so that you may purchase until eventually you've the generating facility assure. i imagine the Jeep will devour a lof of gas! The Rav4 or the CRV is the finest out of those %., me, i'd %. Toyota over the CRV, those 2 will carry the fee the finest, maximum solid and tremendous on gas. The Rav4 is provided in V6 too, that's extremely quick and could nevertheless be more beneficial useful on gas than the Jeep. i don't like the ingredient, I attempt drove it and felt very gradual and that i'd not positioned my young ones in the back, it basically strange... yet in case you basically like the Ford, you should get that, its you, who is going to ought to stay with it! I see soooo many of the recent bodystyle, it may't be that undesirable! sturdy success!

Answer 8

If I were you I would choose the Ford Fusion because it Looks like a sports car even though it's not and its AWD

Answer 9

Fusion all the way, the V6 and AWD drive is awesome.

Answer 10

Ford