I took Kitsune on a family road trip to Colorado last week for my sister-in-law's wedding. I didn't see a single Kizashi on the whole trip besides mine. I did find probably one of the rarest cars in the entire United States at our hotel though...
I first saw it as I was driving by looking for a parking space, and I could not freakin' believe it. It blew my mind that one of these was in the U.S. considering how strict our car import regulations are. When I was finally able to get up close to it for the photo op, everything made sense. According to the license plates, someone brought the car all the way from Chihuahua, Mexico. And it was a 6MT to boot.
I found a Suzuki rarer than the Kizashi...
My Cars (Their Names)
'93 Ford Escort (Jorge - Prior)
'06 Kia Optima EX (Sakuya - Prior)
'11 Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD (Azumi)
'09 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Base 5MT(Akari - Prior)
'11 Chevy Cruze Eco 6MT (Erika - Prior)
'12 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS AWD (Kitsune)
'93 Ford Escort (Jorge - Prior)
'06 Kia Optima EX (Sakuya - Prior)
'11 Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD (Azumi)
'09 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Base 5MT(Akari - Prior)
'11 Chevy Cruze Eco 6MT (Erika - Prior)
'12 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS AWD (Kitsune)
LOL. Selfies in front of someone else's car... that's not an exotic supercar. Now, that is a true car enthusiast!
I've also seen a current generation Swift in the US, but I'm certain it was from Mexico much like that Swift. I occasionally see non-USDM cars on the road here from Mexico given I live in Southern California where traffic between the border is common. About a week ago, I saw a Mitsubishi L200/Triton on the freeway with Mexican tags.
I've also seen a current generation Swift in the US, but I'm certain it was from Mexico much like that Swift. I occasionally see non-USDM cars on the road here from Mexico given I live in Southern California where traffic between the border is common. About a week ago, I saw a Mitsubishi L200/Triton on the freeway with Mexican tags.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
Yeah, I would expect Mexican cars to appear regularly in Southern CA or TX, but not in the middle of CO.
I also didn't realize until I saw this Swift up close that it's actually a 4-door, hatchback. I thought Swifts were 2-door.
I also didn't realize until I saw this Swift up close that it's actually a 4-door, hatchback. I thought Swifts were 2-door.
My Cars (Their Names)
'93 Ford Escort (Jorge - Prior)
'06 Kia Optima EX (Sakuya - Prior)
'11 Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD (Azumi)
'09 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Base 5MT(Akari - Prior)
'11 Chevy Cruze Eco 6MT (Erika - Prior)
'12 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS AWD (Kitsune)
'93 Ford Escort (Jorge - Prior)
'06 Kia Optima EX (Sakuya - Prior)
'11 Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD (Azumi)
'09 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Base 5MT(Akari - Prior)
'11 Chevy Cruze Eco 6MT (Erika - Prior)
'12 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS AWD (Kitsune)
Nice! Never seen a swift in the USA ever so super-rare find!
This just gave me ideas on how to import a new suzuki to the u.s
Im currently in the market for a new car. And my kizashi has been good to me the past 4 years and I'm looking to buy another suzuki and the swift is one of my favorites
Im currently in the market for a new car. And my kizashi has been good to me the past 4 years and I'm looking to buy another suzuki and the swift is one of my favorites
Good luck. Some US states aren't friendly towards non-USDM cars, even after the 25 year rule and have even taken measures such as de-registration.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/42057/rho ... -its-hands
https://www.thedrive.com/news/41590/mai ... s-sure-why
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
Southeast US has a couple of states that don't give a hoot. So many of the people I know with rat rods are just straight piped to the sky.
The crux is that at least the base vehicle for the rat rod was once an American vehicle legally approved for the road and they likely aged out of emissions restrictions. What the matter seems to be here with states is that they are trying to ban any vehicle never legally sold in the US at any given time. While you'd think 25 years is long enough to await import for owners to understand and assume risks, it might still be a liability issue for the state. For example, if someone is injured or dies in or by a JDM kei car on a public US road, they can possibly sue the government for allowing such a vehicle on the road that never met any federal or state safety standards or regulations at any given time. It's an interesting issue.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
"ya know, pretty soon we're going to be 'the safest nation on the planet'...doing absolutely nothing"
Quote from one of our shop's Master Electricians after a discussion/review of some over-the-top safety requirements we are being forced to implement on a job that are rather...circuitous, to say the least. Abbott and Costello's 'Third Base' routine came to mind, and I couldn't have agreed with him more, even though he was chewing me a new one about it all.
Anyway, thought it was a great quote, and most certainly applies to automotive 'technology' as evidenced by the outrageous costs of a new anything on 4 wheels. These mandates are certainly high among the reasons why Suzuki bailed here. You can bet on that.
The wife wants to know if she can get one of those Swifts somewhere...
Quote from one of our shop's Master Electricians after a discussion/review of some over-the-top safety requirements we are being forced to implement on a job that are rather...circuitous, to say the least. Abbott and Costello's 'Third Base' routine came to mind, and I couldn't have agreed with him more, even though he was chewing me a new one about it all.
Anyway, thought it was a great quote, and most certainly applies to automotive 'technology' as evidenced by the outrageous costs of a new anything on 4 wheels. These mandates are certainly high among the reasons why Suzuki bailed here. You can bet on that.
The wife wants to know if she can get one of those Swifts somewhere...
Ron
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( sold)
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( sold)