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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 10 of 22

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

May 31, 2011 (6:02 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (May 31, 2011 4:19 am)
I just had my 2010 Azure Grey Kizashi painted for the second time. It turned out great (they even took out a door ding just to be nice) but it was quite a fight to get it done. My rep told me they know there is a problem with the 2010 Grey and Red colors. He said he even had a red one and realized his has chipping pretty bad. Mine were all over the place...where it wouldn't matter how I drove it... (such as the bumper) I haven't even taken it out still on a dirt road because I'm scared It has been a huge headache but the car is SO worth it and I definitly have to give props to Suzuki. Every time I have called them, things have gotten done quickly and they always call to see how everything went. I would definitly just call them and express your concerns, take pictures, and watch posting like this to see if anyone else is having problems with the 2011. It helped get my car repainted when I could show the rep that others have had the same problem and that Suzuki DOES know about it. Good luck and besides the paint issues, the car rocks, have fun!

#91 of 217 boosuzuki... by iluvmysephia1

Jun 02, 2011 (12:52 am)

is your Suzuki Kizashi an automatic or stick shift? I love this car and may buy one in a couple of years. I really don't expect Suzuki to leave the U.S. car market.

#92 of 217 Suzuki Kizashi - Paint Chip Problems!!!!!!!! by wickensboy

Aug 11, 2011 (6:02 am)

Well it has been 1 year now since I purchased my Kizashi AWD ( Black ) and I have very mixed feelings about this car. Since day 1 I have had a big issue with the paint chipping. The first day I owned the car, I noticed several paint chips on the doors and hood. Suzuki did look at the problem for me , however I was told that’s life!!, and they offered me free mud flaps to prevent they tires from kicking up stones. It is very convenient of Suziki to blame the stone chips on my driving habits, but I have never seen a car chip this easily in my life. My previous car ( Pontiac - G5 also Black ) had only 2 chips stone chips on the hood after 4 years and 70,000 Km. Now after only 1 year and 16,000 Km, I have counted no less than 10 chips in various locations ( Doors, Hood, Roof ) Needless to say, I am very disappointed with the quality of the paint on this car. Because the paint is so important to the appearance and longevity of automobiles I can only offer future Suzuki customers an honest warning.
 
Beware of the Paint Chips Issues with the Kizashi, in most cases Suzuki is not standing behind their product and you will be totally on your own.
 
Based on my first experience with Suzuki, I will say it will also be my last!!!!
That being said the cars performance has been good and if it wasn't for the paint issues I would be very satisfied.

#93 of 217 Re: Suzuki Kizashi - Paint Chip Problems!!!!!!!! [wickensboy] by nace818

Aug 11, 2011 (6:16 am)

Replying to: wickensboy (Aug 11, 2011 6:02 am)
Check for dings also. I've never a car that dinged so easily and I've owned quite a few cars in my lifetime. Seems everytime I washed it I would find a new little dent. None of my other cars had this many dings.

#94 of 217 Re: Not everything is all goodness and light [boosuzuki] by firebot

Aug 13, 2011 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: boosuzuki (May 31, 2011 6:02 am)
boosuzuki, can you tell me how you got Suzuki to paint your car?? My 2010 black Kizashi looks very bad!! Love how it drives though.

#95 of 217 Full repaint approved by nz_kizashi

Aug 21, 2011 (6:03 pm)

Repainting of my 2010 kizashi just been approved within 3 days of contacting dealership.
They going to need the car for 2 weeks, I complained about to many stone chips appearing on sides, yet my swift that drives on same roads got none at all, both have factory mudflaps fitted.
Thankyou Suzuki New Zealand for such a rapid response to my complaint.

#96 of 217 2011 - Overall Car by belaircarguy

Sep 21, 2011 (6:53 pm)

Looking at a new Kizashi and readd about lots of paint chip problems with 2010 models and a few 2011 models. I drove a 2011 SE recently (white) and it drove great! Nice interior with soft touch materials, comfortable seats and quiet cabin. This was an automatic, and not sure I like the CVT transmission. Perhaps you just need to get used to the CVT, with no real shift points, but just a continuous power band. Would like to try a 6 speed manual, but those seem to be pretty rare (at least in Maryland). Wondering if anyone has a manual transmission and could comment on that powertrain.
 
Additionally, have the Kizashi's been reliable and if not, have the dealers been able to fix the problems easily?
 
Any comments and advice would be appreciated.
 
Bel Air Car Guy.

#97 of 217 New Kazashi owner by skinnypop

Sep 24, 2011 (8:38 am)

Hi all,
 
I purchased my new Kazashi at the end of June. A black 2011 Kazashi Sport GTS with the 6 speed manual transmission. At this point, I have not found any paint chips and I have almost 6000 miles on it. 1st oil change was at 5000 miles and all looked fine. I will say that the plastic base that contains the seat cushions for the front passenger seat has a broken plastic clip on it, but that is probably due to carrying an overly large mother-in-law to Orlando and back from Raleigh. I have not shown the clip to the dealership yet. Let's hope they fix it at no cost.
 
I love changing gears in this car! The clutch is super light and I'm getting close to 28mpg in mixed driving. I like the bluetooth with my iPhone also. Calls go through the speaker system and I can listen to music or watch movies w/o a cord attached.
 
I have a couple of small gripes though. I am a short person (5foot6inches) and the center console/armrest is set too far back for me to rest my elbow on. Also, I wish the doors locked automatically when the car gets to 15mph or so. This one doesn't seem to hard of a request. My 8yr old Dodge has done this from day 1 and hasn't needed repairing (yet).
 
Overall, I am a happy owner and love the looks and driving of the car. Speed comes very easy and there is no drama when you are going fast.
 
I don't see any around the Raleigh area, so I'll be watching the forum for updates from other owners. Hope all enjoy the car as much as I do!

#98 of 217 Re: New Kazashi owner [skinnypop] by gregg_vw

Sep 26, 2011 (3:12 pm)

Replying to: skinnypop (Sep 24, 2011 8:38 am)
Just a gentle correction here...you've had the car awhile, so it's time to learn how to spell its name! K-I-Z-A-S-H-I.
 
With regard to the door locks, dealers and others are often able to program these things in via computer. On my previous car, a 2003 VW Golf, the dealer said it couldn't be done, even though my 1999 Passat came equipped that way on delivery. Several years later, when I mentioned it again, this time to my non-dealer, super good mechanic, he whipped out his laptop, hooked it into the VW's computer and within seconds had the doors set up to lock at low speed and unlock when I removed the key from the ignition. Didn't cost me a dime either. Thus, I would think there is also a way to set this up on a car as new as the Kizashi.
 
Also, I am only 5'6 1/2" and find the Kizashi armrest usable (don't own one, but test-drove it a few times before settling on a Volvo S60). Long ago, I got used to a driving position sitting a bit further away from the wheel, knowing that it is not at all a good thing to be sitting really close to the airbag. Try it...you might get used to it.

#99 of 217 Re: New Kazashi owner [gregg_vw] by skinnypop

Sep 27, 2011 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Sep 26, 2011 3:12 pm)
LOL ! I'm such a moron! I spend so much time talking about the car and spelling the name.... and what do I do? Misspell it on a forum. HA!
Thanks for the gentle reminder gregg vw, I'll try to do better....and thanks for the tip on the cpu programming. I have a mechanic in mind who may be able to help.
I took the car into the Raleigh dealership and showed them the passenger seat. They ordered a part and it is already in. No charge for replacing it. They are also going to change the oil and check things over. All no charge.
I'll work on moving the seat back, I just don't want to start lying down to drive. Not my style (know what I mean?) .
 
-skinnypop

Messages Page 10 of 22

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