2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid for the right price or a (more expensive) hatch that I want?

So, I’m finally retiring my old 1994 Geo Prizm. We had a good long run together.

My parents are thinking about unloading their 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium (highest trim) and have asked if I’m interested in buying it. The thing has only 30,000 miles on it (!) and they’re willing to let it go for ~$6k. At the same time, I’m still shopping around. I’ve always wanted a hatchback (have loved them since I was a kid) and am looking at cars like the Elantra GT, Golf, 2018 Mazda 3, etc. Since the cost of one of these would be considerably more than the $6k Fusion, they’ve mentioned that they’d be willing to help out a bit (just finished grad school so money’s a bit tight and this would be sort of a graduation present). But I’m still going to be paying considerably more than $6k...we haven’t talked specifics but I’d imagine I’d be paying at least $13-14k.

I really don’t mind the styling of the Fusion and the interior really is nice. I honestly couldn’t believe it was a Ford when I first sat in it. And it gets wonderful gas mileage (40+) relative to the more current options I’m considering. Financially, it makes sense for me to take the Fusion...seems like a no-brainer. But at the same time, I’ve been driving my Geo since I got my learners permit 13 years ago. Maybe I do deserve to treat myself? And I love the utility of the hatch. I’m a big skiier and scuba diver so having the extra room for gear would be great; not that I couldn’t just get some racks for the Fusion but that’s another expense right off the bat.

I realize this probably isn’t the best forum to pose this question since the community is almost entirely enthusiasts but thought I’d throw it out there and see what everyone thinks. Can’t decide and keep going back and forth. Would love some outside input.

Edit: And I should add, while there were times in my life where I enjoyed some spirited driving, those days are largely behind me. As a young professional, 90% of my driving is from home to work/errands. While I would undoubtedly enjoy the performance of some of the hatches, it's not necessarily something that would make or break this decision for me.

It sounds like it would make sense to take the Fusion at this point.  It'll already hold significantly more than the Prism I'd expect (by virtue of being a larger car).  And I've driven the non hybrid version of that generation Fusion and liked it more than I expected (other than the very underpowered rental spec 4 cylinder).  You can always look for a second car or an eventual upgrade down the road.  

I'll buy the fusion if you don't. 

Take the Fusion. It's a great deal.

You're fresh out of school; save the "this is the one I WANT" car for when you have a nice gig and can buy it 100% with your own money. It'll mean so much more to you.

That’s a killer deal for the Fusion. Even if you end up driving it for just a couple years while saving for something that truly interests you, I bet you could still sell it for what you paid if not even a little more 

Yup. Practicality and PAID FOR go a hell of a long way when just starting out. When me and my wife married, i had a 300k mile dakota, and she had a 300k mile saturn. A few years later, we were in much better financial shape to buy stuff we sort of wanted. 

Get the best head start you can, ehich in my mind AIN'T a car payment. Is a 6k paid for hybrid fusion with 30k.

What else can you get for 6k ? Now what can you sell that car for in 3 years ?  

Fusion. I wouldn't even waste time trying to get a small hatch. Ski racks are under $500 and if two people's worth of scuba gear can fit in an RX-8 it'll certainly fit in a fusion.

Only bad things about a Fusion I can think of is they get hit HARD by depreciation, and the looks..

You've missed the depreciation, and I'm just kidding on the looks. I actually really like them. Do it, THEN use the money you would have spent on a newer hatch and get a Biturbo.

Take the Fusion and therefore be able to afford to go scuba diving/skiing /biking. 

Thanks all for being the voice of reason. Told my parents I'll be picking up the Fusion. Can't wait.

 As a highly cynical college educated millenial who likewise didn't 'finish' his education until ~13 years after i started driving, I have full grasp of the litany of possible extenuating circumstances for your situation, but........

I think when you ask whether you should treat yourself by letting your parents spend more money on you and then consider a ski rack on a fusion as a knock against it because it costs you a few hundred dollars, you should just take the quickest route to financial independence possible and squash any issues of personal preference until who's  actually treating you, is actually you. A super nice, super economical newish car for way under book value and cheaper than your other options is definitely the best option when you look at it that way.

Edit: too late, but glad you picked the Fusion. And congrats on grad degree. 

+1 to Fusion. The Hybrid isn't going to light your world on fire with acceleration, but they're pretty nice places to spend time and do well on gas for their size.

I drive a Ford Fusion hybrid as my company car. Put about 40k miles a year. My last one needed a brake job, tires, and oil changes when the company took it back at 100k miles.

They are Volvo S60 based. Interior is a comfy place to be and the fuel mileage is pretty great. 

Fot 6k I would own one personally. Only real downfall is trunk space due to batteries. But the back seats fold down.

In reply to Vigo :

Well said! 

$6k for a Fusion Hybrid?  Sign me the berk up.

Ford hybrids are GTOs.  Feed them gas, tires, and oil, and they are good to go.

Perhaps swap in the suspension from the Fusion sport?

The backseat does fold down in a Fusion Hybrid and will swallow a bike w/front wheel off. I got Lyft ride home in one w/my bike. It was a comfy ride when I rode in it. The driver said he gets close to 40 mpg in it..

Good choice! Being poor sucks more than driving a fusion, so you made the right choice.

The seats fold down?? No ski rack needed. Even more good news!

In reply to BattlePope :

wife an i looked at a fusion plug in hybrid as a potential future kid hauler, and while the standard fusion has a generous trunk, the battery for the hybrid system takes up most of the space between the wheels, and makes the pass through to the back seats pretty narrow.  We punted on the hybrid and ended up finding her a 2015 titanium 2.0 EB off lease and she has loved it.  this was coming from a 2009 c30 t5.  

I know you say your spirited driving days are behind you, but we just put a set of firestone indy 500 (rebadged bridgestone potenzas from europe) on hers and it makes things much more fun in the corners. 

be aware that there are different options on top of the titanium trim.  we found that most of them had heated seats only and no navigation.  the one we found had everything (nav, heated/cooled seats) except for the adaptive cruise control and self parking.