What if you were to lose your Kizashi?

Anything related to the Kizashi can go here, but please look at the other headings first. Your topic may fit better under something else.
murcod
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bootymac wrote:
sx4rocious wrote:I really wish our government wasn't so hell-bent on regulating out all the cool Imports. I'd rock that Skoda considering one of my best friends from High School is Czech. I'd look there or to Opel, Renault, or Citreon if we were allowed... I guess I just long for the untouchable...
VW GTI or Audi A3. Close enough :P
Except for the price... and locally you can't get anything better than the base model Golf (1.4l turbo) in a wagon with manual trans. Skoda gives you the full kit in top spec level with the GTi engine. Do A3 wagons even exist?

The price is comparable to a Kizashi Sport AWD, in fact the manual trans Skoda RS sedan (liftback) is only AUS $300 dearer than the CVT Sport AWD! (that's going on recommended drive away prices.)
David
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Woodie
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Firefly wrote:My lease is up next month so that will pretty much do it for me.
I'd buy Firefly's car
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bootymac
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murcod wrote:
bootymac wrote:
sx4rocious wrote:I really wish our government wasn't so hell-bent on regulating out all the cool Imports. I'd rock that Skoda considering one of my best friends from High School is Czech. I'd look there or to Opel, Renault, or Citreon if we were allowed... I guess I just long for the untouchable...
VW GTI or Audi A3. Close enough :P
Except for the price... and locally you can't get anything better than the base model Golf (1.4l turbo) in a wagon with manual trans. Skoda gives you the full kit in top spec level with the GTi engine. Do A3 wagons even exist?

The price is comparable to a Kizashi Sport AWD, in fact the manual trans Skoda RS sedan (liftback) is only AUS $300 dearer than the CVT Sport AWD! (that's going on recommended drive away prices.)
It was a half serious reply, but we're talking different markets with different options and pricing. Those would be the closest we can get to the Skoda in NA.

The A3 is available as a wagon here. Dunno about other markets

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KuroNekko
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The US auto market can be very limiting. A diesel is rare. A station wagon is rare. A manual transmission is rare. A diesel station wagon with a manual transmission in the United States? A unicorn. American car enthusiasts want cars like these, but they are really not offered. I think the only one is a VW Jetta Sportwagon with the VW Golf TDI and Audi A3 coming in close as hatchbacks, but the new Audi A3 is heavily being pushed as a turbo gas sedan. Not sure if the diesel hatch is still offered like it was in the previous gen as it's missing from their website.

Regarding the topic of replacing the Kizashi, I would probably sadly move on to something else. I would first look around for another Kizashi, but I know that I'll never find a deal like how I got this one. Replacements may be cheap, but would come with some mileage and some imperfections. I'd only get a manual too and those are very hard to find in GTS and SLS trim.
However, the most attractive thing about the Kizashi (at least in North America) is the amount of car you get for the money since Suzuki left the US. If you like to wrench on cars and don't need to run to the dealership for things, the Kizashi can actually make an excellent used car. This is my first car I've ever owned under warranty and I've only seen a dealership once for the rear shock replacement (replaced under warranty). My warranty will expire sometime this year and I'm not worried. The powertrain is also covered for much longer.

That being said, if I lost the Kizashi and couldn't find a perfect replacement easily, I'd probably try to get a Subaru WRX given its got AWD and offered in manual. I'm also a big fan of the brand. Fuel economy is also not too different from the Kizashi while it's turbocharged and the aftermarket scene for the car is abundant. The STI and Evo are appealing but a bit too much. I don't mind toning down performance for the sake of comfort and livability.
Another car I'd consider is the Nissan 370Z but that depends on conditions as that's a two-seater RWD. It can be impractical.
The new Mazda6 is probably the most appealing midsize car to me.

If I lived in an area where I could offroad, I'd maybe get a used Suzuki Grand Vitara and modify it for offroad use. Jeep Wranglers are appealing but their reliability and fuel economy are not very enticing for also being everyday drivers. I think I'd rather go with a Nissan Xterra or Toyota 4Runner, but these aren't very fuel efficient either.

However, replacing the Kizashi is only on the condition that it gets totaled. I plan to keep this car a very long time and then probably sell it to a friend or relative like a nephew. Overall, I'm very satisfied with this car so have no plans to part with it any time soon.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
paininthenuts
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Joined: Thu May 01, 2014 4:38 pm

KuroNekko wrote:I know this is an uncomfortable topic for those of us who like the car a lot, but I've been wondering this: what if you lost your Kizashi to an accident or something and had to replace the car? Would you seek another Kizashi? Would you go for something else?

Frankly, this issue has already been a reality for some members and we've heard of people moving on to different cars.
North Americans are limited in choice as Suzuki no longer sells cars so replacing their Kizashi with a new one is not an option. The Kizashi apparently isn't even sold in the UK anymore (it's recently been missing from Suzuki UK's site).

If you had to part with yours would you seek another one? If not, what would you get?
For me it would be a toss up between suicide or a new car. I always buy new cars, and at present there are only two left in the UK, 1 silver and 1 grey. I would buy the grey one. Once they have gone, it would be a big bottle of vodka and some sleeping pills.

If I bottled it and decided to stay alive, well then I would have to think long and hard. I only bought the Kizi because of the redicicuous price. Prior to that I had a two year old Kia ceed that I had no intention of replacing. Kia's are not enthusiasts cars, but they are well priced and incredibly reliable, as well as being well spec'd for what you pay. The Kizi to me is fantastic. I got it for a really great price, I have the Sport, so it has all the bells and whistles, it drives like a great exec car when I want it to be, and a maniac when I don't. It looks great, is very rare, and car lovers have to stop and look. It would be impossible to replace with another car, so I would have to get another one. Ask me in a years time, and the answer may me totally different.
paininthenuts
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Audis are very good cars, but overpriced, and unless you can afford a top of the range one, very boring. The one in the photo looks like a shiny box with wheels
Knightstruth
Posts: 215
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paininthenuts wrote:Image

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Audis are very good cars, but overpriced, and unless you can afford a top of the range one, very boring. The one in the photo looks like a shiny box with wheels[/quote]

Not mention I don't trust Audi's reliability long term. While nice looking not for me.

My choice would also be a WRX even though the CVT robs it of some power. I trust the reliability of Subaru, and I still enjoy having AWD in my cars without paying a hefty premium for the car.
bootymac
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Actually, I'd use the insurance payout towards the new IS250 RWD. I wasn't a fan of the front bumper but it grew on me and actually looks sharp after seeing it in person. I've also come to terms that the 200HP range is plenty for me, but I'd have to test drive it first.

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Knightstruth
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bootymac wrote:Actually, I'd use the insurance payout towards the new IS250 RWD. I wasn't a fan of the front bumper but it grew on me and actually looks sharp after seeing it in person. I've also come to terms that the 200HP range is plenty for me, but I'd have to test drive it first.

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Beautiful car but I believe pricey at least compared with the Kizashi. I also think those pics are of the 350 which has different appeareance than the 250. I could be wrong.
paininthenuts
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Joined: Thu May 01, 2014 4:38 pm

Knightstruth wrote:
bootymac wrote:Actually, I'd use the insurance payout towards the new IS250 RWD. I wasn't a fan of the front bumper but it grew on me and actually looks sharp after seeing it in person. I've also come to terms that the 200HP range is plenty for me, but I'd have to test drive it first.

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Beautiful car but I believe pricey at least compared with the Kizashi. I also think those pics are of the 350 which has different appeareance than the 250. I could be wrong.
I far prefer the Lexus to the Audi, and that car looks nice. I would agree though that it is not the 250. We have the 250 in the Uk, and it isn't like that. In fact, the latest 250 is the car that gets most mixed up with the Kizi. This is the 250
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Last edited by paininthenuts on Wed May 28, 2014 7:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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