But I'm starting to seriously waver.
I don't know if you guys remember, but I started a thread a while back about trying to track down a low mileage GTS/SLS with a 6MT and not having much luck without traveling 900+ miles away from where I live. Well, I'm still in the market for a new (used) car, and I can't seem to get the Kizashi out of my mind.
The situation has only gotten worse, for example: doing a nationwide search on Autotrader for Kizashi with a manual only brings up 5 cars. 2 of those are S models which I don't want, 1 is a GTS with a CVT, (dummies at used car lots think paddle shifters= MANUAL!!) and the other two consist of a GTS with over 60k miles and another GTS with no pics. (no way to confirm 6MT status) Oh, and all are 900-1600 miles from where I live even if there were a good candidate.
I'm wavering not only because of the lack of availability, but also because 2013 Honda Accord Sport 6MT's are starting to show up used. I test drove one with 18k miles on the clock nearly 2 weeks ago and really liked it. Interior is nice, shifter was like butter, engine smooth and handled pretty well. The problems: While much better looking than the previous gen, still not as distinctive as the Kiz, no sunroof and the stereo system wasn't great. Also, the dealership would not back down from their $21k+ asking price which is probably $5-7k more than I would pay for a nice kizashi 6MT.
So now I'm back to where I started, the only 6MT Accord sport within decent driving distance is more than I want to pay, and 6MT Kizashi's have all found a good home it seems. So...what do I do now? I will NOT buy brand new ever again (let someone else take the depreciation hit) but the only two cars that really appeal to me are so hard to find..
Are there other sub $20k used cars (2010 MY and up) comparable to the Kizashi that I should consider?
Still have the Kizashi on my list..
The cars that come close other than the Accord are the:
Subaru Legacy GT (Turbo, AWD, Manual)
Buick Regal GS (Turbo, Manual)
Acura TSX
I'm not sure if you need a midsize 4 door, but there are more manual transmission choices if you don't mind going smaller to a sport compact or getting a hatchback.
There are also choices in the luxury segment, but they'd be older for that price range. These would be like the Lexus IS, Infiniti G, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, etc.
It's rather hard to find a nicely equipped midsize car that has a manual transmission. Most companies only offer the lowest trim in manual. The Kizashi was a welcome exception, but even Suzuki resorted to that in 2013 before the pull-out.
Simply put, you'd have a much better selection if you don't mind going for a sports compact, muscle car, or a hot hatch. These guys have good power and stay loyal to 3 pedals.
Otherwise, you're going to have to travel to get something like a Kizashi GTS or SLS with a manual. Most are on the East Coast so you have a disadvantage being in Texas.
Subaru Legacy GT (Turbo, AWD, Manual)
Buick Regal GS (Turbo, Manual)
Acura TSX
I'm not sure if you need a midsize 4 door, but there are more manual transmission choices if you don't mind going smaller to a sport compact or getting a hatchback.
There are also choices in the luxury segment, but they'd be older for that price range. These would be like the Lexus IS, Infiniti G, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, etc.
It's rather hard to find a nicely equipped midsize car that has a manual transmission. Most companies only offer the lowest trim in manual. The Kizashi was a welcome exception, but even Suzuki resorted to that in 2013 before the pull-out.
Simply put, you'd have a much better selection if you don't mind going for a sports compact, muscle car, or a hot hatch. These guys have good power and stay loyal to 3 pedals.
Otherwise, you're going to have to travel to get something like a Kizashi GTS or SLS with a manual. Most are on the East Coast so you have a disadvantage being in Texas.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Hmmmm. The new Accord Sport sounds like a very good vehicle http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/10/2013 ... iew-video/ and the Kizashi is a lot older design.
There seems to be a few Kizashi owners in the USA having issues with warranty/ dealer support. I also noticed today OEM suzuki parts website appears to have shut down http://www.oemsuzukiparts.com/ - so parts could be an issue. Parts prices could also climb with lack of competition. Someone posted a few days back that there were nil OEM shock absorbers in the USA to suit a Kizashi and a long wait to get them!?
If it was me, I'd be looking at the Honda.
There seems to be a few Kizashi owners in the USA having issues with warranty/ dealer support. I also noticed today OEM suzuki parts website appears to have shut down http://www.oemsuzukiparts.com/ - so parts could be an issue. Parts prices could also climb with lack of competition. Someone posted a few days back that there were nil OEM shock absorbers in the USA to suit a Kizashi and a long wait to get them!?
If it was me, I'd be looking at the Honda.
David
KuroNekko-
I've thought about both the Regal and TSX, and may add them to my test drive list. From what I understand the TSX is the Euro Accord with a few extra luxury bits thrown in, and the Regal is a reskinned Opel Insignia..right? Subaru's just don't appeal to me, mostly because of the looks inside and out.
From what I've read of those two, the Regal doesn't quite back up what the athletic looking body promises, and the TSX is quite good, but also has the Honda resale value. (meaning sellers have the upper hand)
Murcod-
I didn't know the Suzuki parts site shut down, the physical location is about 40 miles away from me and still listed as an authorized service center. (but dropped the Suzuki from the dealership name a while back) Anyway, I knew even when I first got the Kizashi bug over a year ago that there could be parts/service issues, but it still doesn't scare me away because the Kizashi is actually a pretty simple car and can be worked on by just about any import shop. The engine was used in the Grand Vitara prior to the Kizashi, and the suspension setup is a pretty straightforward Macpherson strut/muti-link setup. I would be wary of the CVT however, and Kizashi specific interior bits, body panels etc..could be hard to come by if you ever needed them. (not impossible like Saab though, Suzuki is still a live company) The bottom line is that a 6MT Kizashi (I can make a clutch last well over 100k) with low mileage, regular maintenance and the right price would definitely still be on my shopping list.
I've thought about both the Regal and TSX, and may add them to my test drive list. From what I understand the TSX is the Euro Accord with a few extra luxury bits thrown in, and the Regal is a reskinned Opel Insignia..right? Subaru's just don't appeal to me, mostly because of the looks inside and out.
From what I've read of those two, the Regal doesn't quite back up what the athletic looking body promises, and the TSX is quite good, but also has the Honda resale value. (meaning sellers have the upper hand)
Murcod-
I didn't know the Suzuki parts site shut down, the physical location is about 40 miles away from me and still listed as an authorized service center. (but dropped the Suzuki from the dealership name a while back) Anyway, I knew even when I first got the Kizashi bug over a year ago that there could be parts/service issues, but it still doesn't scare me away because the Kizashi is actually a pretty simple car and can be worked on by just about any import shop. The engine was used in the Grand Vitara prior to the Kizashi, and the suspension setup is a pretty straightforward Macpherson strut/muti-link setup. I would be wary of the CVT however, and Kizashi specific interior bits, body panels etc..could be hard to come by if you ever needed them. (not impossible like Saab though, Suzuki is still a live company) The bottom line is that a 6MT Kizashi (I can make a clutch last well over 100k) with low mileage, regular maintenance and the right price would definitely still be on my shopping list.
I hate to say it, but I'd go for the Honda Accord Sport myself. It's a great looking car, yet conservatively styled. That's something few can pull off well. Hondas also have great shifters while the one in the Kizashi can use some improvement. Resale value, warranty, and parts are all in favor of the Honda by a land slide.
I personally like the Mazda6 better, but I'm talking about the brand new one. I know you are in the used market so if you can nab a car like in the article Murcod posted, you'd be set.
I think Weshoot2 also praised these new Accords and he sells them so he knows them well.
I personally like the Mazda6 better, but I'm talking about the brand new one. I know you are in the used market so if you can nab a car like in the article Murcod posted, you'd be set.
I think Weshoot2 also praised these new Accords and he sells them so he knows them well.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
You are correct about both the TSX and Regal's origins. I've also read that the Buick Regal can use some improvement on the handling department. Personally, I'd rather go for the Cadillac ATS, but that's pretty new so it will be up there in price.
The TSX is a good car and it's actually what Suzuki had in their sights when they developed the Kizashi. They wanted the Kizashi to be a cheaper alternative to entry-level sports sedans like the TSX.
Also, the TSX is getting killed off soon from the Acura line up. Acura will release an all new TLX as the new TL. It's rumored to be somewhere in size between the TSX and TL. With the new ILX already available, they wanted to have less overlap so the TSX is getting phased out.
About that http://www.oemsuzukiparts.com/ site. It's actually a former Suzuki dealer in Texas that sells Suzuki parts online. They are still active in selling other brands.
It's the parts department for these guys: http://www.southwestautogroup.com/
Not sure if the site closure is temporary or if they halted all Suzuki parts sales permanently. However, I do recall that they did have a no refunds, no returns policy because of the Suzuki pull-out.
Regardless, there are tens of thousands of Suzuki cars still on the road in the US so it's unlikely that internet parts sales will die off completely.
The TSX is a good car and it's actually what Suzuki had in their sights when they developed the Kizashi. They wanted the Kizashi to be a cheaper alternative to entry-level sports sedans like the TSX.
Also, the TSX is getting killed off soon from the Acura line up. Acura will release an all new TLX as the new TL. It's rumored to be somewhere in size between the TSX and TL. With the new ILX already available, they wanted to have less overlap so the TSX is getting phased out.
About that http://www.oemsuzukiparts.com/ site. It's actually a former Suzuki dealer in Texas that sells Suzuki parts online. They are still active in selling other brands.
It's the parts department for these guys: http://www.southwestautogroup.com/
Not sure if the site closure is temporary or if they halted all Suzuki parts sales permanently. However, I do recall that they did have a no refunds, no returns policy because of the Suzuki pull-out.
Regardless, there are tens of thousands of Suzuki cars still on the road in the US so it's unlikely that internet parts sales will die off completely.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
If I could get in a low mileage 2013 Accord sport for around $18k out the door I'd do it, but that doesn't look possible unless I wait a while longer. The TSX can be had for that much, but I'd have to go with an older model with more miles on the clock. I'm sure the new 6 is a great car, but it will be a while before those show up second hand...and my last car (before the 02 Civic that I'm using in the meantime) was an 04 Mazda 6 that was starting to become a semi-reliable rattle trap before I sold it. In my experience (and stories from others) Mazda's don't age as well as some other makes.
If the right Kizashi pops up for the right price (low enough that spending thousands more on a newer car with dealerships in every city wouldn't be worth it) then I will jump on it. The new Accords are nice, but they will still be here next year..and the year after...and probably keep getting better. Time is running out to own a Kizashi with at least token support from the company that built it..
If the right Kizashi pops up for the right price (low enough that spending thousands more on a newer car with dealerships in every city wouldn't be worth it) then I will jump on it. The new Accords are nice, but they will still be here next year..and the year after...and probably keep getting better. Time is running out to own a Kizashi with at least token support from the company that built it..
We bought a new GG1032 MY06 Mazda 6 and I don't know if I'd go there again. The Kizashi is certainly a lot better made and everything works better (eg. no more A/C struggling to cool the vehicle....) The auto trans (5 spd) was a bit flakey in it's operation and the manual mode was a waste of time and effort.
I'm sure the new model is vastly better, but there's a lot of unproven new technology on it too.
That Accord Sport though- nice. Very nice....
I don't know what Suzuki USA is doing, but it seems (from reading on here) that dealers are shutting up shop everywhere? The remaining dealers seem to not be interested in helping eg. http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... =13&t=2813 . Wear and tear parts (like the struts/ shocks) should be stocked in the USA but apparently aren't
If Suzuki do fail to provide the parts support Kizashi prices will inevitably drop further. Aftermarket parts support just doesn't seem to be there yet eg. only one aftermarket shock option.
I'm sure the new model is vastly better, but there's a lot of unproven new technology on it too.
That Accord Sport though- nice. Very nice....
I don't know what Suzuki USA is doing, but it seems (from reading on here) that dealers are shutting up shop everywhere? The remaining dealers seem to not be interested in helping eg. http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... =13&t=2813 . Wear and tear parts (like the struts/ shocks) should be stocked in the USA but apparently aren't
What happens if you have an accident and require some harder to find bits? You could be waiting 3mths for the parts, before repairs can even start. If it can't be driven and is your only transport......"Rock Auto DONT HAVE THE KYB 349141 SHOCKS FOR NOW"
As you all know I ordered the shocks @ Rock Auto and early this week I've received an email from Customer Service indicating that the warehouse "B" didn't have them (although it indicates they have 10 in stock).
So, I can't get the KYB shocks from them. I'd really want to get the original ones for my Sport SLS but they are nowhere to be found in US. I've been told to put an order and wait ~ 3 mo. until they are shipped directly from Japan!
Do any of you with Sport GTS/SLS have replaced this special OEM shocks (41810-57L50)?
Since it has been so difficult for me to find those I'd appreciate if someone here in the forum can lead me to a dealer or vendor who can have them in stock.
If Suzuki do fail to provide the parts support Kizashi prices will inevitably drop further. Aftermarket parts support just doesn't seem to be there yet eg. only one aftermarket shock option.
David
Armykizyguy has his SLS for sale in New Jersey. Take a couple of days off work, fly up there, and drive it back. Nice little adventure.
http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... =10&t=2844
http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... =10&t=2844
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
Should be a convenience store, not a government agency
Should be a convenience store, not a government agency
While Texas to New Jersey/New York is a hell of a distance, finding a SLS manual is really a rare opportunity. I mean, the car is like an albino whale. Very few even own them. Odds of finding one for sale? Pyramid1, if you want the top trim Kizashi with a manual, this is it.Woodie wrote:Armykizyguy has his SLS for sale in New Jersey. Take a couple of days off work, fly up there, and drive it back. Nice little adventure.
http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... =10&t=2844
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)