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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 7 of 22

#61 of 217 Re: gregg vw... [iluvmysephia1] by gregg_vw

Apr 23, 2010 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Apr 23, 2010 1:04 pm)
Of course you don't need Kia. But you are abandoning them just as they are getting really really good.
 
BTW, the 2011 Sonata with a 2.4 liter is available with a 6 speed manual transmission. This, even though there is little call anymore for stick transmissions here. Thus, most manufacturers are selling fewer of them. And it makes sense. The new continuously variable transmissions and the double clutch manuals that can be shifted automatically (like VW and Audi offer, among others) both accelerate about as well as a stick, and as a bonus, tend to offer slightly better mpg. In this way, they are superior to many 6 speed automatics. And of course 7 speed and 8 speed transmissions are available now in some luxury cars and will work their way down to more plebeian rides. All forms of automatic shifting tend to be more durable now than manual shifting units. So, the human operated clutch is just going to get more scarce. I like shifting for myself, but I also know that things change.
 
Anyway, get your Kizashi. Suzuki needs the business and enthusiasm. I haven't (as I have said before) ruled it out. But for me my next ride will not be easy to choose. There is so much good out there now. And that 2011 Kia Optima not only looks be well-engineered, but it is really pretty in a classy sort of way. I like the looks of the Kizashi too, but find it a bit derivative of the last two iterations of the Jetta. Good direction for them though, as Suzuki is likely to be VW's next takeover, after they finish acquiring Porsche fully. As a manufacturer, VW already has the widest array of brands (VW, Skoda, SEAT, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti). Suzuki will get them a much better foothold in India.

#62 of 217 gregg vw... by iluvmysephia1

Apr 23, 2010 (2:14 pm)

if I'm not mistaken VW already owns 20% of Suzuki as I type this pup out. So, they're already in like flint.
 
Yep, VW will take the small kei-class car prowess of Suzuki and it will pay dividends for them wherever people are looking for small values in cars like Suzuki creates.
 
I just grow fonder and fonder of Suzuki as a carmaker everyday. My old boss is Willcox drives a Tracker, sold by Chevy but made by Suzuki. He said it is rock solid and runs great, it's about 10 years old.
 
Yeah, after we get moved and I start my new Respiratory Therapy job in Nevada, and have had a chance ta take one of our Edmunds hosts, steve, out for a coffee and cookies, I'll no doubt order me up a 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS in 6-speeds and either Platinum Metallic Silver, Vivid Red or White Water Pearl in color.
 
Oh, one other thing. Did you know that that very Suzuki will only run me about $22,799 before tax and license? Someone over in the Midsize Sedans 2.0 thread was quoting $26,000 and $27,000 prices for Kizashi's over there. Please people, do your homework before spouting out injustices like that. $23,000 is a lot less than $27,000 and it means a lot ta me when car shopping. For goodness sakes.
 

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS
 
I'm strongly considering getting a white Kizashi, pictured here. Suzuki calls it White Water Pearl. This would be my 3rd white car. I owned a '66 Ford Fairlane in white, and a 1986 Mercury Lynx SW in white. The Lynx SW had red pinstriping, too.
 
That 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS just rocks in white, man. Crikey, I even like that chrome door moulding going at an angle up from the front to the back! I'm in love again! It's such an exciting feeling!

#63 of 217 gregg vw... by iluvmysephia1

Apr 23, 2010 (2:37 pm)

lookie what I found, man.
 
2010 Kizashi
Trim:GTS
Color:Vivid Red
Drivetrain:FWD
Transmission:MT
 
West Valley Suzuki
3146 West 3500 South
West Valley City, UT 84119
801-967-9696
E-mail Suggested Starting Price: $22,849*
Get a Quote
Click here for a map
Distance: 199.0 miles
 
That is the closer one ta Elko, NV, where we're moving in a few weeks. Then there's this one.
 
2010 Kizashi
Trim:GTS
Color:Vivid Red
Drivetrain:FWD
Transmission:MT
 
Doug Smith Suzuki
501 W Main St
American Fork, UT 84003
801-492-1110
E-mail Suggested Starting Price: $22,849*
Get a Quote
Click here for a map
Distance: 209.9 miles
 
Those distances are like a spit in to the wind in Nevada. Note that they're both Vivid Red (my current front-running color for a 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS or a 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS...I'd pay $22,849 for either of them) and they're both manual trannies.
 
WHOO-HOO!
 
I just sent for a "quick-quote" to three dealers. Let's see who wants ta sell me a car the most.
 
BTW-one can't get a 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS in White Water Pearl. It's apparently against Suzuki's rules. I just built my 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS just the way I want it on Suzuki's USA website. And the White Water Pearl color can't be chosen. Just the color I want, Vivid Red, Platinum Silver Metallic, Black Pearl Metallic and Azure Grey Metallic.

#64 of 217 Just a Warning by boosuzuki

Apr 25, 2010 (9:07 pm)

I have had my SLS AWD Kizashi for less that 2 months and this is what has happened...

 
And there is even more damage than that. The Rockford Fosgate system is great BUT there is a Technical Service Bulletin out right now that says the amp is defective. My sound goes up and down randomly. That's another problem, the Technical Service Bulletin's are almost impossible to get if you're not the dealer. Satellite radio does not come standard...the button is there...but the system is more money (and quite a bit more) Besides these issues, it is a great car. I'm a geek and love the USB port and bluetooth. It would've been a perfect car except for these problems. Suzuki says it's not a "known issue" and will do nothing about the paint. Just saying...make sure to check the paint before you buy it. I know I wouldn't have bought the car if I knew this stuff. I told Suzuki my only retribution was to inform the public. They're not standing behing their work.

#65 of 217 boosuzuki... by iluvmysephia1

Apr 29, 2010 (2:56 pm)

wow, that is indeed upsetting. Sorry to hear of this bad news about the paint you experienced with your Kizashi. Can you re-post the bad news about the Rockford Fosgate stereo? It doesn't show up in the above post because your picture is a tad too big. Hope you get better support from your Suzuki dealer in the near future.
 
I have decided to just sit tight and enjoy our 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. It has everything my wife and I need and I really love it's bodystyle more than the 2010-2011 Suzuki Kizashi's bodystyle.
 
I do think that engineering-wise the new Kizashi for 2010 and the 2011 Kizashi Sport will stand the test of time and be safe, reliable, beautiful cars to own and operate.
 
I remain very interested and the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is my 2nd favorite rig on the market right now.

#66 of 217 Not everything is all goodness and light by stapletondoc

Apr 30, 2010 (12:22 pm)

The honeymoon period is over for me. Since the paint chip issue emerged for some Kizashi owners, I have stopped recommending the Kizashi to anyone. I was one of the Kizashi's biggest fans, posting incredibly positive reviews at edmunds.com, cars.com, vehix.com, kbb.com, etc. I will no longer be comparing it to my beloved C-Class Mercedes. Mercedes customer service (or Audi or Acura) would be doing back flips to get any and all new car issues corrected to the customer's satisfaction. Now, I realize that Suzuki is just a budget car company....and that this might be like comparing apples to green beans...but still, Suzuki has everything riding on Kizashi's success. Common sense would dictate that Suzuki would be more pro-active in making Kizashi owners just a little bit more happy than it has thus far.
 
Suzuki corporate culture must be identical to Toyota. Ignore all problems at all costs. Customers are always wrong. Oh, the arrogance! If Suzuki ever plans to play with the big boys in the US, it had better get its act together in regards to customer service. Word gets around very fast if customers are treated well, or otherwise.

#67 of 217 Re: Not everything is all goodness and light [stapletondoc] by gregg_vw

Apr 30, 2010 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: stapletondoc (Apr 30, 2010 12:22 pm)
I think Toyota, if slow with initial response to unintended acceleration, has been bending over backwards trying to address the many problems that have surfaced. The Lexus model for example, was immediately pulled off the market, and a fix is already in place. When Consumer Reports slammed an earlier Suzuki model, Suzuki did nothing to modify the vehicle. Although I like the Kizashi, there are good reasons that Suzuki isn't even an also-ran here in the United States. My SX4 also appears to have paint that does not hold up well on the hood and frontal area.

#68 of 217 Re: Not everything is all goodness and light [stapletondoc] by priggly

Apr 30, 2010 (10:10 pm)

Replying to: stapletondoc (Apr 30, 2010 12:22 pm)
Suzuki is a bit player in the North American car industry, at most. Notwithstanding the salutary features of the Kizashi and in additional consideration of the crappy paint on the car, the non-existent dealer network for this brand easily relegates it to the status of an also-ran. Too bad. I had an initial interest in the Kizashi but upon learning of the cheapness of the car, as exemplified by the paint, and the very poor dealer network, I came to my senses.

#69 of 217 My 2010 Suzuki Kizashi wins... by iluvmysephia1

May 22, 2010 (10:11 am)

Auto Pacific's 2010 Customer Satisfaction award, along with the Lincloln MKT. I still love this car and if I didn't love our 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS so much I may have and drive a Kizashi as I type this post out. Great news for Suzuki and their dealership experience is now mid-pack among carmakers.
 

 
This is indeed good news for Suzuki, as the brand has been facing dealership service issues in recent years. In the latest J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), an annual measure of dealer service performance over three years of ownership, the automaker ranked at the bottom, among all brands. But Suzuki has made gains in Power's Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) and now ranks mid-pack—an indicator that the automaker has made some substantial changes at the dealership level.
 
The 2010 Lincoln MKT was the highest-rated vehicle among trucks and SUVs in AutoPacific's annual satisfaction measure.
 
Vehicles are rated in 48 different categories that pertain to various areas of the ownership experience, and overall results are based on the research firm's polling of more than 42,000 new-vehicle owners during the first few months of ownership.
 
http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1045370_2010-suzuki-kizashi-lincoln-m- kt-top-satisfaction-ratings
 

 

#70 of 217 disappointing Suzuki by mikey63

Aug 10, 2010 (9:30 am)

We purchased our 2010 Kizashi in February with the assurance Suzuki is making a big sales effort in the U.S.. Not true! They are actually pulling back and now, at least in Mass., it's difficult to get to a dealer for service. And there already two recalls. They have let us down with no support. The Fosgate radio has static on most stations. And has been mentioned in other entries, the paint chips easily.

Messages Page 7 of 22

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