I know...the name is ridiculous...plus it's a Suzuki? I've been kinda following the road tests and researching this car since it came out in 2010. Suzuki really pulled out the stops on this car and the road tests and owner reviews are great. It's available with AWD and a 6 speed manual or 2 speed CVT. The cars are really loaded and nicely turned out. The local dealer has a 2010 with the CVT that they say was used as a loaner car...it has 9,500 miles. They're asking $20,000 for it (about $3,500 less than new). I'm thinking about it and could really use the AWD as my job has me on the road a lot (over 35,000 miles last year) and the winters here can be nasty. I notice on their website that Suzuki is offering 0% financing for 60 months on 2011's. At that rate, I'd end up paying about the same amount of money for a brand new one considering the financing difference. What I DON'T like about the 2011's is that the SE model comes with 18 inch wheels rather than the 17's on the 2010 (plus they use the lousy Dunlop 7000 tires...the ones on the car I tested were loud and poor riding...they'd need to go before winter). My OTHER option is just forget the whole deal and wait awhile...which is the way I'm leaning (this new car bug is a terrible thing...takes hold of you and won't let go...maybe a cold shower?). Anyone out there familiar with this vehicle?...what do you think?
Considering a Suzuki Kizashi...
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I think that this car is a great choice. That said, the American market does not seem to agree, only buying a handful of these cars. My suggestion would be to let the dealer hang on to that loaner and work out a deal on a new car that meets your specs.
One last thing, the reviewers seem to like the front-wheel-drive, manual cars, with all other configurations slowing things down a bit.
I looked into a leftover earlier this year and was getting quotes at $300-400 below invoice without trying too hard. If you are hooked on this loaner car, I'd be looking for a few more grand in the deal.
The car is in my view an excellent choice, but the market is very competitive and something has gone very wrong with the way that Suzuki has positioned and promoted this car. This and the free financing on the new car should all work in your favor and you should be very firm with the dealers.
Good luck and let us know how this pans out.
One last thing, the reviewers seem to like the front-wheel-drive, manual cars, with all other configurations slowing things down a bit.
I looked into a leftover earlier this year and was getting quotes at $300-400 below invoice without trying too hard. If you are hooked on this loaner car, I'd be looking for a few more grand in the deal.
The car is in my view an excellent choice, but the market is very competitive and something has gone very wrong with the way that Suzuki has positioned and promoted this car. This and the free financing on the new car should all work in your favor and you should be very firm with the dealers.
Good luck and let us know how this pans out.
As far as the name goes, Kizashi roughly translates to "Prelude". I'm suprised that Honda hasn't said anything yet.
Suzuki has finally built a passenger car worthy of praise for North America. It shouldn't suprise anyone that Suzuki can actually build a good car. They have countless world championships in racing and have repeatedly held the "world's quickest mass produced vehicle" title. What suprises me is that it took them this long to do it.
The car bug is a terrible thing. Fortunately for my old Mazda, car manufacturers don't make what I want, in a price that I can afford.
Suzuki has finally built a passenger car worthy of praise for North America. It shouldn't suprise anyone that Suzuki can actually build a good car. They have countless world championships in racing and have repeatedly held the "world's quickest mass produced vehicle" title. What suprises me is that it took them this long to do it.
The car bug is a terrible thing. Fortunately for my old Mazda, car manufacturers don't make what I want, in a price that I can afford.
I'd bite if you can get a good deal.
I got the new car bug after my old one demonstrated it was beyond saving. There are deals out there to be had. Strangely enough, my 2012 came in cheaper than ANY 2011 I negotiated on.
I got the new car bug after my old one demonstrated it was beyond saving. There are deals out there to be had. Strangely enough, my 2012 came in cheaper than ANY 2011 I negotiated on.
I was just about to go down to the dealership and thought I'd check in here first. Now I'm asking myself why the hurry? This is a nice vehicle (something tells me that the engineering that went into it is first rate...even if their dealer network isn't) and I don't really have enough time to take advantage of the 60 month financing deal...that ends Wednesday...and I have a work appointment tomorrow. They never did budge on their asking price but gave me a good offer on my trade-in...at least a grand more than anyone else. The other thing is the first oil change was done at 7,700 miles...maybe not a big deal but I never let the first oil change go that long. It was also a loaner...who knows who drove the thing...or how (when's the last time you babied a loner?). The dealer said they used it for several training trips for the staff in other states...again, maybe not a big deal. A new one would cost me about $4,500 more. I'm going to sit tight and wait for them to contact me back...maybe they'll sweeten the deal (I was planning to ask them to throw in the XM radio and all-season floor mats...about $600 if I have to purchase them). The radio stations here are incredibly bad...especially the farmer with his own talk show. I don't think I'm going to rush down there to sign anything...you're right...lots of good deals out there.
That's not much of a discount with such high miles (loaner, demo, whatever they call it). I'd buy new.
Not enough of a discount, buy a new one. Seem to be good underrated cars, I'd go for it.
Ive had one twice for a loaner, same 2011 first with 150 miles on it then with 3k on it. The trans is odd, but is just a familiarality issue. By the cars footprint it should be a little bigger inside. The 18" wheels make the car look very good. The brakes seem more than capable. The usb compatable stereo was nice. Needed leather and a moonroof (the Volvos in my sig have me spoiled). Trunk was good sized. Overall performed well, good looking except for the stupid front marker lights that look like an afterthought (low mounted on bumper). Open the hood and it looks accesable and simple.
I would want to pay less than that for a "new" car that has 9.5k on it. Somebody probably was rough on it during the break in who knows.
Originally Posted By: Anies
careful about parts, tend to have some really wonky prices for some parts
Any time I've cross shopped parts from the local GM and Suzuki dealers for my Tracker, the Suzuki dealer charges literally half as much for the same part from the same factory.
But probably for the Kizashi, many parts will only be available from the dealer but for the first 5 or 6 years hopefully it won't be an issue.
careful about parts, tend to have some really wonky prices for some parts
Any time I've cross shopped parts from the local GM and Suzuki dealers for my Tracker, the Suzuki dealer charges literally half as much for the same part from the same factory.
But probably for the Kizashi, many parts will only be available from the dealer but for the first 5 or 6 years hopefully it won't be an issue.
If you were to trade in a car like that with 9,500 miles on it they would give you a lot less, so why pay that much for a used car? Go new, but best comment made so far was look at the Subaru's if that is the kind of vehicle you are shopping for, build quality should be better, just my opinion.
Well, I pulled the trigger and bought the car. I managed to get a little better deal on it plus the dealer is installing the XM radio kit for no charge ($500 for the integrated unit...I didn't want the after market one installed when it was already prepped through the factory stereo). In the end it would have cost several thousand more for a new one. I checked prices/condition of competing similar models and am happy with the deal. The car is awesome and I understand all the great reviews and surveys...Suzuki did a great job on this car. Handling is first rate and power is good. The CVT (Jatco unit similar to the Chrysler/Nissan models)takes a little getting used to but works fine...I'm actually getting to like the smooth power delivery (it doesn't seem to rev and "moan" as much as the Chrysler CVT vehicles I've driven). What really impresses me is the quality of this vehicle. The build quality and materials are first-rate. I'll be taking it on a 1,000 mile trip next week...anxious to see what kind of mileage it gets. The real advantage will be this winter...looking forward to testing out the AWD (from what I've read it works well). Ground clearance isn't great but I'm not looking for a snow plow...just want the traction and stability advantages. All in all I'm happy with my decision. It's funny how a "new" car can get the 'ol juices flowing...it's hard to explain to people who view their cars as an appliance (although my sister-in-law said she could sorta relate...she gets the same way when she discovers a good shoe sale). I've been a car nut since I was a kid. I remember having my dad stop at a couple of local dealerships so I could pick up brochures on the new models...was utterly facinated (this was for the 1967 model year). Almost 45 years later I still get excited. I'll post a review of the car after I've driven it awhile.
Glad to hear you got a deal you can live with on it! Can't wait to hear your impressions, and what kind of fuel mileage you're getting with it.
Any winter tire plans?
Any winter tire plans?
Pics.
Congrats! They're nice looking cars. Looking forward to your review.
Originally Posted By: NateDN10
Congrats! They're nice looking cars. Looking forward to your review.
I am too because I pondered taking one of those for a test drive. Seems like a great car on paper and it looks great in person.
Congrats! They're nice looking cars. Looking forward to your review.
I am too because I pondered taking one of those for a test drive. Seems like a great car on paper and it looks great in person.
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