Kizashi Club

Hello! I'm 16 and just inherited my Dad's 2012 Suzuki Kizashi SLS AWD as my first car. It has 86k miles on it and runs great, no issues this far in its life (other than the recalls). Just wanted to say hi to everyone and I look forward to learning about this unique car!

Welcome to the forums. It sounds like you’re based in the US?
I’m guessing your dad has told you at least some things about maintaining the Kizashi. It’s a good car but the ownership experience definitely has its quirks.

Welcome!

Get the transmission serviced.

Woodie wrote:Welcome!

Get the transmission serviced.

X2!

Hello, new member here from sunny Arizona. I am looking forward to being a Kizashi owner soon. I loved the car when it 1st came out and always wanted one for a daily driver. I currently own and daily another vehicle that is no longer sold in the US, a Toyota FJ Cruiser and I love it!
I look forward to chatting and learning about the Kizashi with all of you good folks.
BTW, if anyone knows a a good used low mileage Kizashi feel free to direct me to them. Thanks!

Hello, I am 17 and I have inherited my mom’s 2011 Suzuki Kizashi and it has 105,000 miles on it and many more to go... I have little experience and more to come in the future

Welcome to both of you! Two new members in less than four hours!

If you have the automatic transmission, get the fluid and filters changed now. It's a little bit fragile and the original recommended maintenance was none.

Woodie wrote:Welcome to both of you! Two new members in less than four hours!

If you have the automatic transmission, get the fluid and filters changed now. It's a little bit fragile and the original recommended maintenance was none.

Mine car is at 126k now, and I know about the Jatco tranny's failing early in our cars, but so far- my is okay.

Is pulling the pan down, and changing the fluid, etc something that I should still DEFINITELY consider doing?
Hmm... wonder if I could do it in my driveway... with the right parts and the reading more on here? Or should I have a dealer do it, or my guy (who is great and I trust- but, really specializes in cooling systems/ac/hvac repairs) ?

https://kizashiclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5224

If I had the CVT I would take my car to old tech as soon as humanly possible. Especially since you are in Pennsylvania (I know that's a big state, but you can drive the entire length of it in a day, no problem) he's just north of Pittsburgh if I recall correctly. You can change the fluid and filters yourself, but he's got an update that adds a lot of life expectancy, and has done 50 CVT repairs, not likely to get surprised by anything.

I personally think the Kizashi is an excellent hand-me-down first car given it's safe and not a chintzy POS. Not powerful but not agonizingly slow. Not too small but not bigger than it needs to be.
Other than CVT woes, it should be a great first car. Like others have suggested, properly service the CVT if it has been ignored.