Looking to buy a kizashi awd

[~tc~]

I would much rather have steering wheel audio controls instead of phone, but otherwise, I agree the nav system isn't all that great.... But it works when you don't have data coverage, which your phone won't.

I also disagree on the CVT. While the driving experience is certainly different, I find it responsive and enjoyable to drive.

[KuroNekko]

I would much rather have steering wheel audio controls instead of phone, but otherwise, I agree the nav system isn't all that great.... But it works when you don't have data coverage, which your phone won't.

While phones use Assisted GPS which may leave them more dependent on cell sites, this is also an advantage. They use Assisted GPS from wifi signals and cell sites so they get a location within seconds instead of the minutes (could even be dozens) that true GPS systems take. I used to have to wait a while for my Garmin GPS to find my location and navigate. There is no waiting with the iPhone thanks to A-GPS and I'm almost never in a spot without cell coverage. In many ways, the cell phone GPS navigation is better for most people's uses.

The only advantage to true GPS is if you are in the middle of nowhere, but those places rarely have paved roads in most of the first world.
I honestly have my true GPS devices (my handheld Magellan GPS and my Garmin nav) collecting dust and they have been for years. I almost need to make up reasons to use them since getting the iPhone which has made them nearly obsolete.

[bootymac]

I also disagree on the CVT. While the driving experience is certainly different, I find it responsive and enjoyable to drive.

Agreed. I love rowing my own gears, but I'd take the Kizashi's CVT over any sloppy shifter that has no aftermarket solutions. I don't know what Suzuki changed, but the CVT on my model doesn't have any of the characteristics of other criticized CVTs. I enjoy it a lot and not once did I wish for a manual.

For what it's worth, my GTI has solid shifter bushings and end links with an Audi TT counterweight. This set up has a very direct feel and a sporty throw to it. No boy racer stupid short shifter here!

[~tc~]

I wasn't referring to cell service to locate you, but data service with good enough speed to download/update the maps.

[smsmart]

I also disagree on the CVT. While the driving experience is certainly different, I find it responsive and enjoyable to drive.

That was just my experience, for what it's worth. Maybe I have a bad version of the CVT...IDK. However, I believe there was another thread here where one or two other people also echoed the same "rubber band" effect of the CVT. Granted, after two years of ownership I've been able to get used to how the CVT works, so I'm more able to get it to respond the way I want it to...but other people I've let drive the car have tried "flooring it" (well, maybe not literally--but hard acceleration) and they've also been surprised by its lack of initial "pull" compared to a standard auto. It can be particularly frustrating when you're trying to turn from a side street onto a busy street, and you have to jump into traffic as quickly as you can if you don't want to be hit by the oncoming car .

[bootymac]

I also disagree on the CVT. While the driving experience is certainly different, I find it responsive and enjoyable to drive.

That was just my experience, for what it's worth. Maybe I have a bad version of the CVT...IDK. However, I believe there was another thread here where one or two other people also echoed the same "rubber band" effect of the CVT. Granted, after two years of ownership I've been able to get used to how the CVT works, so I'm more able to get it to respond the way I want it to...but other people I've let drive the car have tried "flooring it" (well, maybe not literally--but hard acceleration) and they've also been surprised by its lack of initial "pull" compared to a standard auto. It can be particularly frustrating when you're trying to turn from a side street onto a busy street, and you have to jump into traffic as quickly as you can if you don't want to be hit by the oncoming car .

I've heard about the rubber banding issues with certain models. If I remember correctly, I believe there was a TSB that supposedly fixed/improved it?

My 2012 CVT responds very quickly and doesn't "hang" at all in normal driving

[SamirD]

And will finding oem all weather mats be really that hard?


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Welcome! I initially was looking for an Aerio SX since I knew those were awd and cheap. The wife wanted something bigger, so we settled on the Subaru Legacy, but that was too expensive. Then we stumbled onto the Kizashi and found our perfect fit.

We have the exact car you want--2011 SLS sport fully loaded with Nav, RF system, and backup cam. It is a serious amount of luxury and features for the price. The value is pretty unreal.

Finding OEM all-weather mats will be next to impossible as it was tough enough for me to find a dealership with a set still in stock. They are a discontinued item.

But most other parts are still pretty easy to find, and even stuff like the mats just takes some persistance with phone calls. Someone out there has a set, and they'd probably be glad to get rid of it too.

That's one thing that's great about the car, people want to get rid of their part stocks!

Worse case scenario, weathertech does make a set of mats. And I'd really consider it if you have black like we do. The hump in the back will need a good cleaning as it has salt all over it. The weathertech mats will cover this, but cost at least 3x the oems with a good discount.

I own a 2011 Sport-SLS...it has all the bells and whistles except for AWD. Here are some thoughts:

1. Like mentioned, if you want the Rockford Fosgate "sound", then go for a model without the Navi. In the 2011 model, the Kenwood Navi unit was wired in such a way that you lose a lot of the RF system's fidelity and power. On top of that, the unit is also not that great--a little cumbersome to use sometimes (basically you don't have any steering wheel controls for navigating the unit's menus--all you can do is change volume, presets, and "modes"), the Bluetooth often does not connect to your phone automatically and you have to go through a series of three different screens to connect manually, and unless you find yourself driving around in unfamiliar places a lot, the navigation system itself has questionable use. Not to mention that you basically can't manipulate the navi (things like finding addresses) while your driving. Oh and also, you lose the steering wheel phone controls.

The RF system in ours is quite good (thanks to your setup help ). I'm not sure how much better the non-navi RF system is, but I remember driving an SE with it in it before ours and it was about the same. If navi is important, you won't miss the 10%+/- sound difference imo.

The navi can be a bit cumbersome until you're used to it, especially the smaller aftermarket sized buttons, but it works pretty well. I've never had a problem with bluetooth connecting automatically unless it was an issue with my phone (turning bt on and off on the phone fixes it instantly).

You can bypass the 'safe mode' that disables the navi input when moving by grounding one wire, so it's an easy fix if you want it. Personally, I just wait until the next light or just pull over in a parking lot.

Car navs get outdated relatively quick and need updated maps that require money. On the contrary, smartphone app-based navs are updated more frequently and most are available for free. You also can use alternative apps (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, etc.) unlike the car nav which only supports its own system.

And what's great about these with the navi system, is that when my wife uses her iphone 4s and google maps, it comes through the speakers just like the factory nav. Being that MKE has grown since 2011, we have found that our maps do need updating. $100 isn't too bad for that though since it's as painless as swapping an sd card.

[SamirD]

You'll be hard-pressed to find a 2011 SLS sport awd with low miles and under warranty like ours, but you can find them with some higher mileage and still in great shape. I was considering driving to Ohio to look at one with 53k miles on it (all highway) that was a one owner. Knowing what I know about the car, I definitely wouldn't hesitate to look at one even with higher mileage.

Just be sure to check the rear shocks for clunking noises (rear shock stop TSB issue), check the tire wear on the insides (TSB alignment issue), and ask the owner if they've had any issues with extended cranking/not starting (TSB). Also, check the TPMS light to make sure it is off or that's another issue you have to deal with.

[SamirD]

It can be particularly frustrating when you're trying to turn from a side street onto a busy street, and you have to jump into traffic as quickly as you can if you don't want to be hit by the oncoming car .

I thought it to be frustrating until I had to actually do this. It actually reacted quite well, taking off fast enough to keep from being rear-ended.

[KuroNekko]

I also disagree on the CVT. While the driving experience is certainly different, I find it responsive and enjoyable to drive.

Agreed. I love rowing my own gears, but I'd take the Kizashi's CVT over any sloppy shifter that has no aftermarket solutions. I don't know what Suzuki changed, but the CVT on my model doesn't have any of the characteristics of other criticized CVTs. I enjoy it a lot and not once did I wish for a manual.

For what it's worth, my GTI has solid shifter bushings and end links with an Audi TT counterweight. This set up has a very direct feel and a sporty throw to it. No boy racer stupid short shifter here!

Don't get me wrong. The Kizashi's shifter isn't trash. It's simply not as good as it could be. While I'm glad that your CVT works fine, it's rather inconsistent in reliability and performance across the board. Some folks like you and Weshoot2 have no qualms about the CVT while others have horror stories rivaling Chrysler transmissions.

At least the manual transmissions are pretty much all consistent. However, the Kizashi's shifter is no match to your GTI's step up and it will never be due to the lack of aftermarket parts.

Despite my criticism of the shifter, I really like the clutch feel on the Kizashi. It's not too hard and firm, yet not too soft and vague.