Welcome to KizashiSPIN.
Here's the newest addition to my stable a 2012 Kizashi Sport GTS with 10k miles. I picked it up on Wednesday and I love it.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-brZAByno2nE/UMt6VJvU-PI/AAAAAAAACwI/ndjetojRyAs/s640/2012-12-13%252008.18.50.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CqbgzzVeSYQ/UM1py4XulLI/AAAAAAAAC0I/RLSYyxnBsFY/s720/File0_087197_800600.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DfrdkDheC8A/UM1psud4hnI/AAAAAAAACy0/YHytSwuyQIQ/s720/File0_063847_800600.jpg)
As for the Trooper, less than a month after replacing the water pump and t-belt the transmission digests a bearing and destroys itself. While I was en route to sign the papers on the Suzuki. Good riddance.
:ohyeah:
That is the EXACT Kizashi that I would get, color and all. Looks great and I think is a fantastic design. Nice choice!
The chrome accents do not go with the red at all but looks nice otherwise. Price..?
edit: this of all things is my 10,000th post, good grief
Nice! Glad to see it's a manual. :lol:
Do you still have the trooper?
EDIT: nvm, I see the trooper is gone. :cry:
The Trooper is actually still hanging out at my apt complex. I need to sell it, probably as a large 80s paperweight.
And I got it for $15.5k
Nice! Always loved the Kizashi. :ohyeah:
Very smart indeed.
I always had a soft spot for the Kizashi, but selling them in the UK only with a 2.4 litre petrol engine was a sure fire way of making sure that sales remained in the hundreds a year. And they have.
Congrats on the new ride! Looks great in that color and with those rims. :mrcool:
Congratulations on the new ride! Enjoy.
Good car, nice purchase
Quote from: Speed_Racer on December 16, 2012, 12:30:38 AM
The Trooper is actually still hanging out at my apt complex. I need to sell it, probably as a large 80s paperweight.
And I got it for $15.5k
Damn, I wish I could buy it from you. Too far away, though.
Really have a thing for car brands that are dead in the US don't you? :lol:
Very nice Kizashi. Great color, tranny and rims. Congrats.
I like Kizashis. Excellent purchase! :ohyeah:
Congratulations dude!
Wow, very nice. I'm a big fan of the Kizashi.
winspin
Looks nice! I really liked the Kizashi I drove a few weeks ago, shame no one bought it new.
excellent. emphasized by that tall knob near the ebrake..
Wow, 2 Kizashis over a sample size of like 50. CarSPIN is now completely disconnected from reality.
Very nice car!
Today, I saw a gray Kizashi with black rims flying down the highway in the rain. Looked like an exotic car.
Quote from: Mustangfan2003 on December 16, 2012, 02:31:59 PM
Really have a thing for car brands that are dead in the US don't you? :lol:
It was this or an Edsel :)
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on December 16, 2012, 03:27:11 PM
excellent. emphasized by that tall knob near the ebrake..
All this actually came about because there was an identical Kizashi at the local Suzuki dealer, but with the CVT. I thought I'd give it a shot, but couldn't stand it. I went on eBay that night just to browse other rides and this 6-spd was for sale on the other side of town which I bought two days afterwards.
Until I have 37 kids like Ron and need my shifting hand to smack them back into line, I'll be sticking with manuals.
Nice!
Nice ride! The first time I way the Kizashi was at the NYIAS a few years back when it was first being introduced. Looked great then and your ride looks very, very slick. Congrats!
Quote from: Speed_Racer on December 16, 2012, 06:00:23 PM
All this actually came about because there was an identical Kizashi at the local Suzuki dealer, but with the CVT. I thought I'd give it a shot, but couldn't stand it. I went on eBay that night just to browse other rides and this 6-spd was for sale on the other side of town which I bought two days afterwards.
Until I have 37 kids like Ron and need my shifting hand to smack them back into line, I'll be sticking with manuals.
:lol: With practice, you can smack them in perfect synchronization with the tranny, never missing a beat. And you're right - nothing beats a manual, no matter how much us driving enthusiasts pretend our automatics are just as satisfying. In fact, I think my next car will be a stick. It's time!
Well if you can't beat the kid with the stick you can drive erratic and make them vomit. then make them clean up the vomit..
Quote from: sparkplug on December 18, 2012, 01:58:33 AM
Well if you can't beat the kid with the stick you can drive erratic and make them vomit. then make them clean up the vomit..
I don't have leather seats :( If a kid vomits in my car, he's going up for adoption.
Quote from: Laconian on December 16, 2012, 05:14:19 PM
Wow, 2 Kizashis over a sample size of like 50. CarSPIN is now completely disconnected from reality.
Very nice car!
1 LR2, sadly, accomplishes the same thing. :lol:
Didn't we have a guy with a 2CV for a while. That was the ticket. :ohyeah:
Welcome to the Dark Side.
:clap:
Excellent choice. Love mine. I've put on 15,000 miles this year already and have not had a problem thus far. Just oil changes and tires thus far.
With the Fosgate system, you may want to just opt to Bluetooth Audio everything. I am not a huge fan of the iPod interface. I have not been in a car under $30k that seems to have a good one. The only other real complaint is not having a fuel door release in the car.
Otherwise it really is a brilliant mainstreamer.
Very nice
Quote from: WookieOnRitalin on December 20, 2012, 08:09:40 AM
Welcome to the Dark Side.
:clap:
Excellent choice. Love mine. I've put on 15,000 miles this year already and have not had a problem thus far. Just oil changes and tires thus far.
With the Fosgate system, you may want to just opt to Bluetooth Audio everything. I am not a huge fan of the iPod interface. I have not been in a car under $30k that seems to have a good one. The only other real complaint is not having a fuel door release in the car.
Otherwise it really is a brilliant mainstreamer.
Good to hear that yours isn't giving you any trouble.
The iPod interface is a little frustrating in that when scrolling you can't jump ahead by letter...you have to rotate thru each and every artist from A-Z. My solution is that I leave my Nano plugged in and play my library on random and when I want variety, I stream Pandora from the phone via Bluetooth.
Quote from: Speed_Racer on December 21, 2012, 12:08:33 AM
Good to hear that yours isn't giving you any trouble.
The iPod interface is a little frustrating in that when scrolling you can't jump ahead by letter...you have to rotate thru each and every artist from A-Z. My solution is that I leave my Nano plugged in and play my library on random and when I want variety, I stream Pandora from the phone via Bluetooth.
I just Bluetooth it all the time.
In a way, that is the convenience of having all my music on my iPhone as well so I do not have to switch between it and my iPod Touch via Bluetooth.
Quote from: WookieOnRitalin on December 20, 2012, 08:09:40 AM
The only other real complaint is not having a fuel door release in the car.
Huh! I personally like that system -- it's a locking cap that you open while standing next to it. I guess it's a problem if you'd otherwise have the car locked, though.
Anyway, add me to the yay-Kizashi chorus! And as yet another benefit beyond the driving dynamics and interior quality, the Kizashi was one of just two midsize cars (out of 16) to get a Good rating in the latest IIHS crash test.
Quote from: ifcar on December 21, 2012, 07:36:31 AM
Huh! I personally like that system -- it's a locking cap that you open while standing next to it. I guess it's a problem if you'd otherwise have the car locked, though.
Anyway, add me to the yay-Kizashi chorus! And as yet another benefit beyond the driving dynamics and interior quality, the Kizashi was one of just two midsize cars (out of 16) to get a Good rating in the latest IIHS crash test.
It's not a midsize car, it's a compact. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/31731.shtml (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/31731.shtml)
Quote from: ifcar on December 21, 2012, 07:36:31 AM
Huh! I personally like that system -- it's a locking cap that you open while standing next to it. I guess it's a problem if you'd otherwise have the car locked, though.
Anyway, add me to the yay-Kizashi chorus! And as yet another benefit beyond the driving dynamics and interior quality, the Kizashi was one of just two midsize cars (out of 16) to get a Good rating in the latest IIHS crash test.
I don't. When I am going to get gas, I just want to hit a button while I am in the vehicle and have it pop the fuel door open. After awhile, it's second nature to just hit the button or pull the lever. I miss the lever pull in my 89 Mazda 929. So simple and it worked brilliantly until the day it croaked.
Quote from: WookieOnRitalin on December 21, 2012, 08:35:46 AM
I don't. When I am going to get gas, I just want to hit a button while I am in the vehicle and have it pop the fuel door open. After awhile, it's second nature to just hit the button or pull the lever. I miss the lever pull in my 89 Mazda 929. So simple and it worked brilliantly until the day it croaked.
It's funny, I'm the opposite. Despite 8 years of a fuel door release button, I still never completely shook the habit of not having to do that. Now that I'm back to a car that doesn't have a fuel door release button, it feels so natural. I think it's all what you're used to.
Quote from: Raza on December 21, 2012, 08:07:47 AM
It's not a midsize car, it's a compact. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/31731.shtml (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/31731.shtml)
Because frontal crash tests effectively measure a collision with a car of the same weight, that's the metric the IIHS used. Other midsize cars by its metric are the A3, Buick Verano, VW Jetta and Toyota Prius v.
I've never really put as much thought as you guy into fuel filler doors.
Cars 1 & 2 had levers to release. The Trooper was swing open, but with a locking gas cap. Kizashi's gas door is swing open, but it locks and unlocks itself when you lock/unlock the car's doors.
Verdict: as long as I can fill up a car, I don't mind which tricks it uses.
UPDATE:
The car is doing wonderful. I think this is the longest stretch I've owned a car without something randomly breaking/failing. 26 mpg mixed and it gets an odd amount of positive attention. People stopping to ask what it is and look it over.
But all is not well. Bank contacted me today and said they haven't received a title. Called the DMV and it was never submitted by the dealership...which has magically disappeared. Yep, disconnected phone number, website taken down, vacated office. The whole nine yards!
So now I get to involve the Nevada Compliance Enforcement Division to go investigate. It is a dealership registered w/ the state, so I don't foresee any difficulties. I didn't buy it in a back alley with unmarked bills. It'll probably just take a while to resolve, because hey it's the government we're dealing w/ here!
That's a weird situation
jeez. good luck.
Welcome to Vegas!
Cool! (your car...not the situation!)
Still working on the title situation.
But I drove it to SLC and back this weekend and got 34 mpg highway at 80mph. Loving this ride.
I decided to pick up an OEM roofrack while they are still available. It's a Suzuki-branded Yakima rack. $410 at REI, but only $150 thru Suzuki. It was a no brainer. I've got two bike mounts coming shortly so I can start exploring some trails up in the mountains.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vCxax6t4jS4/Uec77PDNG8I/AAAAAAAADAs/cqvWIN0Uq0c/w445-h593-no/2013-07-17+18.25.43.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lJwVP2lDkws/Uec78Swd5zI/AAAAAAAADA8/DuGcmEpHD1Q/w445-h593-no/2013-07-17+18.25.59.jpg)
Over 7 months in and the car has been flawless. I'm up to 16k miles (5k since I bought it). Currently I am only putting ~350 mi/month, since I walk to work. So less time to enjoy it, but my gas and insurance costs have dropped quite a bit.
Dude that's such a good looking car.
Jeez, that's a screamin deal.
With the bike mounted on the fork mount:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qWt7AaDOoRo/UfrGNa-e9EI/AAAAAAAADCM/5jlDMW1jKio/w737-h553-no/2013-07-27+20.04.55.jpg)
Also, still no resolution on the vehicle title issue. Nevada is taking their time and not responding to my calls.
Man, what a good looking car :wub:
Shame about Suzuki
Yeah, it's sad they had to leave.
There are three Suzukis in my family - I have two, my parents have an SX4. My brother is looking to pick up his own SX4 soon, too. They've all been perfectly reliable.
The brand never recovered from the Daewoo years when they peddled trash cars.
At least the bikes aren't going anywhere.
Where do you put the front wheel while it's mounted? The trunk?
You borrow a wheel at the head of whichever trail you visit.
http://youtu.be/-A2dpG2h4Bs (http://youtu.be/-A2dpG2h4Bs)
I'd like to see the video of him stopping. :lol:
Quote from: hotrodalex on August 01, 2013, 06:40:37 PM
Where do you put the front wheel while it's mounted? The trunk?
This is a BGK question if there ever was one. Sheeeesh. :facepalm:
Sorry for asking if it just goes in the trunk or if it mounts on the rack somehow that's not in the picture. Sheeesh. :facepalm:
There's actually a slot in the roof where the front wheel slips comfortably in the cabin.
Ah, genius!
Very attractive car, congrats! Hope they get that paperwork sorted out soon for you.
Quote from: hotrodalex on August 01, 2013, 06:40:37 PM
Where do you put the front wheel while it's mounted? The trunk?
You wear it on your head, like a hat.
One year update:
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/p480x480/1476308_10101205523318579_542611813_n.jpg)
I'll roll over to 20k miles around Jan 2014. Averaging 27 mpg though I'm down to as low as 23mpg w/ my short trips in cold weather. The only issue so far is having a RR strut replaced under warranty/TSB for a design flaw that caused squeaking. Otherwise it's been bulletproof.
Oh, still working on getting that title issue taken care of.
I'm planning on taking it to an open track day or two next summer to finish up my tires before replacing all four. I'll try and grab video if I can find a way to mount my HD vid cam.
Kizashi!
Dosukoi
Three year update:
33.5k total miles and no news to report. I replaced the tires a year ago, but other than that it's just gas and oil changes. I finished paying it off last week so no more car payments either. No mods planned, I'm just going to enjoy having a car that doesn't stress me out like my old ones did :praise:
Parked next to another one this evening:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lpdA4uPf9A1VEtyFQpS8GKSeUfNCB0X0inesr5qcw9Z36QmA_9i5DQZhGUvkL-cjB9Q1h9IuMT9R-aLmNXnBfkBjSUoeU9jayZbzalepv5qicm7UXOOar4BhDYOfdHvSTLCWMc2JOsPxWD9r07yaBC_nVso3_hEglfLT-QzHqhJuAMP57NEh9OYpwRFIAsSYqSbRydng0i_qGHLS23jKKr7KMOA0kfBKJwx7kN7syxrxElqsM5HoTP0vT6LVTmkJal-ya5yTN_-cw4am8IjWBcsJsGU-V_vCdJnh7bvI_Qp_o8iS4nRdctHYDlt_79em7dwLUnl2FTGhU5LyVd-i9AZ2a1j7m7XuH7IxPKcIBQmL70jtIH95ar0jCPXP1Pb4pHoMeIC4JGoFiTnk3j9U5UsD-DlHYPcC1xjkhKY5jQ5rgNHIQmCMuMGXAPZd9Y4kiqqy7t_mfLf-hOttc1opDR6I9YDPhgTKP0IAx9bbsCbjab4EyJTN3ReMOeOEsv9ep7xZ1qnhAmOiaATPpfatcydOyiWYfFH7lllUe8JkJUI3oYo0k2p8yHnpgL4o8bEtqsCgBg=w1366-h578-no)
Quote from: Speed_Racer on December 26, 2015, 08:36:49 PM
Three year update:
33.5k total miles and no news to report. I replaced the tires a year ago, but other than that it's just gas and oil changes. I finished paying it off last week so no more car payments either. No mods planned, I'm just going to enjoy having a car that doesn't stress me out like my old ones did :praise:
Parked next to another one this evening:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lpdA4uPf9A1VEtyFQpS8GKSeUfNCB0X0inesr5qcw9Z36QmA_9i5DQZhGUvkL-cjB9Q1h9IuMT9R-aLmNXnBfkBjSUoeU9jayZbzalepv5qicm7UXOOar4BhDYOfdHvSTLCWMc2JOsPxWD9r07yaBC_nVso3_hEglfLT-QzHqhJuAMP57NEh9OYpwRFIAsSYqSbRydng0i_qGHLS23jKKr7KMOA0kfBKJwx7kN7syxrxElqsM5HoTP0vT6LVTmkJal-ya5yTN_-cw4am8IjWBcsJsGU-V_vCdJnh7bvI_Qp_o8iS4nRdctHYDlt_79em7dwLUnl2FTGhU5LyVd-i9AZ2a1j7m7XuH7IxPKcIBQmL70jtIH95ar0jCPXP1Pb4pHoMeIC4JGoFiTnk3j9U5UsD-DlHYPcC1xjkhKY5jQ5rgNHIQmCMuMGXAPZd9Y4kiqqy7t_mfLf-hOttc1opDR6I9YDPhgTKP0IAx9bbsCbjab4EyJTN3ReMOeOEsv9ep7xZ1qnhAmOiaATPpfatcydOyiWYfFH7lllUe8JkJUI3oYo0k2p8yHnpgL4o8bEtqsCgBg=w1366-h578-no)
Terrific car. Too bad Suzuki didn't have other competitive cars and had to give up the NA market.
Quote from: Rockraven on December 26, 2015, 08:43:12 PM
Terrific car. Too bad Suzuki didn't have other competitive cars and had to give up the NA market.
The Swift almost happened. Then VW formed the "alliance" and wanted to examine all of Suzuki NA's portfolio. Then the Japanese tsunami happened and then the yen tanked
Quote from: Rockraven on December 26, 2015, 08:43:12 PM
Terrific car. Too bad Suzuki didn't have other competitive cars and had to give up the NA market.
The SX4 isn't half bad either. My parents own a 2010 they bought new over an Impreza. The interior is just OK, but it's an absolute beast in the snow w/ AWD + snow tires.
I cant see the picture
I agree 100% though. Having a car that gets me from point a to b with zero fuss is phenomenal. I am too old for car start roulette.
Suzuki should have brought the guys who are on their bikes over to the car side. A real shame. I think a Swift would have been a nice addition to the NA market.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on December 27, 2015, 07:23:21 AM
I agree 100% though. Having a car that gets me from point a to b with zero fuss is phenomenal. I am too old for car start roulette.
My car sounds perfect for you, then.
Fourth year report:
38k total miles and no news is good news. Averaging 22mpg with my short local drives.
I did some rock chip touch-ups on the front end (Dr Colorchip) that turned out great. And after replacing three sets of headlights, I've decided the next time one burns out I'll convert to an HID setup. Otherwise, no plans.
(https://s23.postimg.org/rfk57fhjf/carssss.jpg)
In other news, I have a third Suzuki in the fleet for the time being - my parent's SX4. They just sold their house and are hitting the road as retired wanderers. So until they decide to sell or keep it as an extra vehicle I'll be keeping an eye on it. It's nice to have a winter car again.
(https://s23.postimg.org/w5jq74owb/sx4.jpg)
Congratulations! I guarantee you're the only person in the country with 3 Suzukis :lol:
I have my eyes on a fourth: a V-Strom for long-distance touring. It's a weird addiction I guess.
Deep in the Suzuki headquarters in Japan, I'm sure you're widely talked about as the sole brand ambassador in the US.
Quote from: Speed_Racer on December 19, 2016, 11:19:01 AM
I have my eyes on a fourth: a V-Strom for long-distance touring. It's a weird addiction I guess.
I want a V-Strom too. :rage:
Quote from: MrH on December 19, 2016, 11:37:02 AM
Deep in the Suzuki headquarters in Japan, I'm sure you're widely talked about as the sole brand ambassador in the US.
I wouldn't say no to a wall certificate or plaque
whatever happened with the title?? Gorgeous car btw
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on December 27, 2016, 07:29:11 PM
whatever happened with the title?? Gorgeous car btw
It was such a fiasco!
Quick backstory for everyone: several months after I bought the Kizashi in Vegas, USAA told me they never received the title as collateral. It turns out that the dealer never submitted it to Nevada DMV, closed up shop, and disappeared to who knows where. Disconnected phone, shut off website, abandoned their offices.
I had to open a case with the Nevada DMV's investigation division. I sent a bunch of certified letters to the former dealer location to prove they didn't exist, they had to do research on their end, I had to fill out a bunch of Nevada documents for a duplicate title. Then in the middle of it all I moved back to Utah. I finally got the duplicate NV title issued after
fourteen months of back & forth w/ Nevada DMV, then I had to transfer it to a UT title since Nevada neglected to list USAA as the lienholder and USAA wouldn't accept it.
Five-year report:
The Kizashi is currently at 44.5k miles and nothing to report for the previous 12-months. This autumn I installed fresh rear pads and rotors (quick and easy) and a new battery. Average fuel economy has increased to 25 mpg now that I am doing more hwy miles w/ new job. Other than that it has been another easy, uneventful year.
I got a rock chip that turned into a long crack but since they're ending safety inspections and the roads are full of rocks and construction debris, I won't be replacing the windshield until it gets worse. New tires are on the list for 2018. The BFGs I have now are close to the wear bars, and one has a slow leak from a plugged nail puncture. Plus they're so loud above 40 mph I can't stand it anymore. Paint chips from road debris are still an issue but there's not much I can do to prevent them. I'll just do an annual touch up and call it good.
I'm fairly certain sure my powertrain warranty ends in Q3 2018. IIRC my car had an Aug 2011 build date even though it was sold as a MY2012. From what I'm hearing, parts availability and shipping times are already becoming an issue for this car. With how few miles I drive I don't foresee it becoming a problem for me for a while.
In other Suzuki news, at one point this past year I had four Suzukis in my fleet. Still no trophy from HQ though. :( They need to get on their game. The SX4 I had been storing for my travelling parents was sold in Sept to a guy buying his daughter her first car.
(https://s7.postimg.org/q8tzyak3f/20170820_200316.jpg)
(https://s7.postimg.org/kknp7engr/20170820_200226.jpg)
Safety inspections are ending? Cool
Yeah Herbert signed it into law back in Q1, they're no longer required after 1/1/2018.
Year Six ReportAnother year with nothing exciting to report. I'm now at 51.8k miles.
- I installed fresh tires the very first week of 2018. General Altimax RT43s, and they were an excellent choice. So quiet, good handling in the dry and wet, and alright in light snow.
- Last month I replaced the front pads and rotors, and flushed the brake lines. That was the only maintenance due this year. The next interval is at 60k miles (plugs, valve check) which I may reach in 2019.
- Wind noise has developed at the top corner of the front doors. I'll have to figure out how to adjust the door seals to fix that.
That's all. It simply runs without complaint every single day; I couldn't ask for more.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9MQmZWfk/20180622-180139.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3RzwTsKb/20180318-144010.jpg)
Glad your ride is treating you well. :ohyeah:
Those cars are so rare here that whenever I spot one (they're around) it's like seeing an EXOTIC car. The Swift is very popular here, and I've seen a few Swift Sports around - sexy.
(https://www.suzukiautomobile.ch/fileadmin/media/images/cars/swift-sport/colours/new-swift-sport01.jpg)
Quote from: cawimmer430 on December 18, 2018, 08:46:37 AM
Glad your ride is treating you well. :ohyeah:
Those cars are so rare here that whenever I spot one (they're around) it's like seeing an EXOTIC car. The Swift is very popular here, and I've seen a few Swift Sports around - sexy.
(https://www.suzukiautomobile.ch/fileadmin/media/images/cars/swift-sport/colours/new-swift-sport01.jpg)
Swift!
I've used foam seal tape to plug windy spots with acceptable results. Lots of densities and thicknesses to choose from.
(https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/cec6e0bd-c2e7-44d1-bde8-74fe98610c3c/svn/black-frost-king-foam-tapes-r516h-64_1000.jpg)
Ooh great idea on the foam tape. I'll go find some and start playing around.
If the weather stripping is torn, maybe you can vulcanize it with RTV. Lube all the seals with silicone spray or grease
It's not torn, i think it's just shrinking a little w/ age plus I'm sure the cold weather has something to do with it. If I push on the seal from the inside while driving, it goes away. So it's not a big gap but just enough to give wind noise right above my left ear.
Quote from: Speed_Racer on December 18, 2018, 11:04:51 AM
It's not torn, i think it's just shrinking a little w/ age plus I'm sure the cold weather has something to do with it. If I push on the seal from the inside while driving, it goes away. So it's not a big gap but just enough to give wind noise right above my left ear.
Maybe someone tried to break into your car by wedging the top of the door frame. It can be carefully bent back. :mask: :lol:
The last time someone tried to break into my car, they left some nice gashes in the side window glass.