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Suzuki Kizashi

217 messages,  Last post on Apr 12, 2013 at 10:32 AM

You are in the Suzuki Kizashi Forum.

What is this discussion about? Suzuki Kizashi, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 13 of 23

#113 of 217 Re: Suzuki Kizashi - Paint Chip Problems!!!!!!!! [wickensboy] by leeza2

Oct 28, 2011 (6:05 am)

Replying to: wickensboy (Aug 11, 2011 6:02 am)
I am a first time Suzuki owner. I bought a 2011 Kizashi based on the reviews. But I am EXTREMELY unhappy about the paint chips!!!!! I thought it was my imagination, until I read other REAL reviews. I can not believe how poor the quality of the paint is. I hand wash the car and every week there are more and more chips. It only has 5k miles and looks worse than any car I have with 100k. I bought a hood protector and never put it on after I realized how bad the bumper looked, why bother! Also I have had the tire pressure sensor light go off 3 times within the first 5k miles-anyone else having this problem???

#114 of 217 Paint Chips by nace818

Oct 28, 2011 (6:30 am)

Just a word precaution, if you use the car washes wit the pressure wands, don't hold it too close to a chipped spot. Yhe paint will flake right off, then you'll have a large black paintless spot. I had the bumper repainted on my Verona just to have it flake off afain. Also everytime I washed it, I found a new ding. So it also easily dented.

#115 of 217 Re: Suzuki Kizashi - Paint Chip Problems!!!!!!!! [leeza2] by skinnypop

Oct 28, 2011 (9:22 am)

Replying to: leeza2 (Oct 28, 2011 6:05 am)
I am also a 1st time suzuki owner. I purchased the Black Kizashi, and have had it for about 4 months now. I have 7500 miles on it and have traveled gravel roads through the mountains of NC. I have no paint chips yet. I did have the tire pressure sensor go off while I was in the mountains. (just came back from a week's vacation up there). On my final morning there, the tire pressure warning went off. I checked the pressure on all 4 tires and they all read 36. Recommended pressure is 38. A little sunshine and about 30 miles and the warning went away. I was thinking that it was a combination of air pressure and cold that set it off. Seemed weird to me, but I still like the car.

#116 of 217 Kizashi after three months ownership by edbearnz

Nov 01, 2011 (12:41 pm)

I researched for 6wks before choosing the Suzuki Kizashi, I got what is called the Limited model over here in NZ. I compared specs, road tests and reports and drove several cars myself before deciding the Kizashi was the best value for money.
 
I compared the new Hyundai Sonata, (or i45 over here), the Honda Accord Euro, the VW Passat, the new European Ford Mondeo among others. My criteria was it had to be comfortable for my broken back, being new it had to be the latest technology, and it had to match the fuel economy of our Nissan Pulsar SLX which was a 1600cc auto sedan.
 
I sum up the Kizashi thus... It looks fantastic in our Prussian Blue and is the envy of everyone I know, especially the neighbours. It has all the bells and whistles you can think of and some you didn't, it goes like a V6, drinks like a small four and if you need more performance you need a V8!
 
It handles more like our Miata than a sedan has a right to and while the ride is more sporty than luxo it remains controlled and accurate at any speed on any road, something the others can only dream about!
 
The engine may not be quite as refined as a Honda but it is smooth and powerful, extremely quiet at cruising speed, rorty under hard acceleration and I can achieve over 30mpgUS on a trip with ease.
 
It took a wee while to get used to the CVT transmission but now I find it odd to drive an automatic and hear and feel it changing gears, I'm used to, and prefer, the absolute smoothness of the CVT. It is tuned for economy and quickly rises to the highest ratio which means the revs drop to 1200rpm which is disconcerting at first until you realise you are still accelerating! It has so much torque you just don't need to rev it and 60mph is only about 1800rpm!
 
The manual mode is fun and the paddle-shifters easy to use and for maximum acceleration locking it in the ratio's mimimises the slippage of the CVT. However if you modulate the throttle, you can get very satisfying acceleration in drive. I have no doubt it will easily attain its stated top speed of 125mph, as 100mph is a piece of cake and it could easily cruise all day at 80-90mph should you have the conditions to do so.
 
Wind noise is the best of all and teh only gripe I have is that teh Yokohama 235 x 18's it comes with are a bit noisy on New Zealands coarse chip seal. When they eventually wear out, I'll look for a tyre more suited. On the smoother tarmac they are silent.
 
One would have to spend at least double the NZ$40k, ($32kUSD), it cost me to get anything to match or possibly better it. We both love it and love driving it!

#117 of 217 edbearnz... by iluvmysephia1

Nov 01, 2011 (11:40 pm)

I test drove a '10 Suzuki Kizashi and fell in love with it, too. Negotiations trading in our '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS went sour at the dealer I test drove at or we'd now be driving a red '10 Suzuki Kizashi in 6-speed manual transmission form.
 
Your report only further confirms what I learned during my test drive in April 2010. This is one awesome smallish midsize car from Suzuki! Feel free to pop in with frequent updates on your Kizashi.
 

2011 Suzuki Kizashi in "that" red
 
I still may own one of these cars one day. Chances are actually pretty good!

#118 of 217 Re: Think about it... [iluvmysephia1] by rcopa1

Nov 08, 2011 (4:56 pm)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Oct 10, 2011 4:37 am)
I am not crazy about the transmission and still bought the car. The positives out weigh this one negative. The groaning the transmisson makes is annoying. But with the radio on it's muted a bit. I have had my 2011 SE white car for about 7 months and have had no issues with paint or chipping. Have had no problems period. I love this car, it's a fun to drive and handles great. I only wish it came with an XM radio unit. $550 is a lot to pay for something many cars have as standard equipment. Even the Soul Kia has XM at little or no cost for the unit.

#119 of 217 Re: Think about it... [rcopa1] by edbearnz

Nov 08, 2011 (5:17 pm)

Replying to: rcopa1 (Nov 08, 2011 4:56 pm)
What's an XM radio? Forgive my ignorance, here...

#120 of 217 Re: Think about it... [edbearnz] by rcopa1

Nov 08, 2011 (6:23 pm)

Replying to: edbearnz (Nov 08, 2011 5:17 pm)
It's satilite radio. Suzuki charges $550 for the reciever.

#121 of 217 That Kisashi Is Now In My Garage by maranelloguy

Nov 10, 2011 (3:09 pm)

Hi, remember me in post # 102? Well, I ended up purchasing the very 2011 Kisashi Sport GTS I test drove. Funny thing about the whole purchase thing is that when I originally test drove it at my local dealer, I figured it would still be there at least two weeks out (when I was intending on making my move). It turned out it was was not, so my wife and I scanned a 100 mile radius from us for the same year, color and trim, and a dealer some two hrs away had one in inventory. We made arrangements to go look at and knew we were more than likely going to buy it. As I test drove it and looked at it in detail, it seems odly familiar to me. On a hunch, I asked the salesman if they had taken in this particular car on a "dealer swap", he had no idea. I looked closely at the window sticker, and right there in bold letters it indicated the original dealer delivery! (my local dealer!) I drove 100 miles round trip for the very car I could have purchased 10 miles away! We've had it for almost three weeks now, and love it. What they say about the quality of meterials is non an understatement. The steering feels solid and accurate. Comfort is as good as any european sedan, and the ergonomics of the dash layout are just where you'd expect them. Most all functions are easy to operate, and it feels roomy for a car in this class range. Only complaint perhaps would be the rear seat belt latching - if you have a wide booster seat for your kids, it takes a little wrestling to buckle your little ones. Fot the money though, it's a darn good buy.

#122 of 217 I agree... by iluvmysephia1

Nov 12, 2011 (2:26 pm)

Suzuki really out-did theirselves on this one. A great bargain, good-looking and fun to drive, and worth every penny. Like I say, I may own one some day!
 

Messages Page 13 of 23

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