What Did You Do With Your Kizashi Today?

LPSISRL · Tue Nov 01, 2016 5:53 pm

Last night took my 2011 SLS to 100 MPH for the first time. Very smooth getting there and did not feel as fast as I was going. Felt like I was going 70. A few months ago I drove a buddy's Mustang GT to 100 MPH and it felt like I was going 100 MPH. This was totally different.

FrankoLaMoya · Tue Nov 01, 2016 6:50 pm

Hey KuroNekko what would you recommend? We are planning 3 days in Bangkok when we arrive (Amphawa floating market with the small temple Inside the tree + wat phra kaeow). 1 week in Koh Tao/Koh Phangan/Koh Samui (slight chance of taking diving class/PADI certification + full moon party on november 15), 4 days in Ko Phi Phi islands and 3-4 days in Chiang Mai (trekking, elephants, etc.) and 1-2 days in Chiang Rai including Wat Rong Khun. What do you think? Any hotel you recommend?

Hey LPSISRL I know exactly what you mean...it is a solid/heavy car versus other brands like my girlfriend's previous 2012 Hyundai Elantra.

Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:44 pm

FrankoLaMoya wrote:Hey KuroNekko what would you recommend? We are planning 3 days in Bangkok when we arrive (Amphawa floating market with the small temple Inside the tree + wat phra kaeow). 1 week in Koh Tao/Koh Phangan/Koh Samui (slight chance of taking diving class/PADI certification + full moon party on november 15), 4 days in Ko Phi Phi islands and 3-4 days in Chiang Mai (trekking, elephants, etc.) and 1-2 days in Chiang Rai including Wat Rong Khun. What do you think? Any hotel you recommend?

Hey LPSISRL I know exactly what you mean...it is a solid/heavy car versus other brands like my girlfriend's previous 2012 Hyundai Elantra.

When I was in Thailand, I went to Bangkok for about 2 days, Koh Chang for about 4, and then Chiang Mai for about 3. Looks like you're going to a lot more islands. In Bangkok, I stayed at the Banyan Tree Hotel and they have an amazing roof top restaurant and bar. I'd recommend going to the restaurant/bar even if you don't stay at the hotel. It has an amazing view of the city. It's called Vertigo and Moon Bar.

Koh Chang was cool but getting there from Bangkok was not. Had to take a bus for several hours, a pick-up truck taxi, and then a ferry. I did like the island resort experience of that place though. I think Koh Samui is rather popular with foreign tourists as I recall a lot of them trying to get there from Chiang Mai. A friend of mine went to Phuket and said it was a tourist trap and he saw more tourists than locals there. He's also into scuba diving.

Chiang Mai is said to be the cultural capital of Thailand and I must agree. It reminded me of Kyoto in Japan given Chiang Mai has a lot of temples in the city and has a different vibe from Bangkok. It's far less busy and a better place to feel relaxed, IMO. We were first in a small resort in the mountains but decided to move to the city due to the lack of anything to do at night. This was especially a concern given Chiang Mai's famous night bazaar. I'm so glad we did given the night bazaar is a lot of fun with all sorts of vendors, food, and attractions. We ended up staying at a hotel called the Le Meridien in Chiang Mai which was very conveniently located to the night bazaar location and had a rather neat ledge pool overlooking the city.

Given you're spending a lot more time in the country, I think you'll have a great time especially at the islands with the beaches. Sounds like you're in for a beach resort vacation for the most part.

Lastly, if you're into scuba/snorkeling, I must recommend Kona, Hawaii. I was there in July and even just snorkeling around with minimal gear, saw an amazing amount of tropical fish. Sea turtles were abundant and literally swim around you just off the shore. One of my good friends lives there and showed me some favorite spots of the locals which was on point. I would actually recommend the Big Island for someone more into the outdoors and nature than a typical tourist experience in Hawaii on Oahu or Maui.

LPSISRL · Thu Nov 03, 2016 2:52 pm

I was traveling in a construction zone for a huge twin bridge project that is just about complete. All kinds of traffic cones around for all the new lane openings and such. It was dusk and some yo-yo hit a cone and set it tumbling right into my path. No way to avoid it. Some scuffs on the bumper which I can live with but it took out the side marker light from the left front bumper. Wonder how much that's going to cost me. I'm 99% sure I can put it in as I've had the bumper off several times for the notorious headlight bulb change. Grrrrr...

Side marker was $53 including shipping from Monster Factory Parts. They were 10 bucks cheaper than anyone else.

golftango · Fri Nov 04, 2016 3:46 am

^ ouch! Sorry, but sounds like you faired okay!

Admired my gauges tonight while sitting and waiting for friends.

Fri Nov 04, 2016 5:11 am

Great photos.

Fri Nov 04, 2016 12:54 pm

The K's gauge cluster is one of the nicest I've ever owned/experienced. Simple, intuitive, elegant, and very functional. No obnoxious colors, lights or in-your-face gimics. The only thing undesirable is the daytime running light indicator always on.

great pics.

LPSISRL · Fri Nov 04, 2016 6:54 pm

OK, here's what NOT to do with your Kizashi any day. I was cleaning my throttle body and a screwdriver being used to prop open the throttle body got loose and went down into my intake manifold. Dropped totally out of site. There a hole' about 10 inches in that it slipped down. So I not only had to find it, it had to make a right angle turn. After five hours of trying everything I could think of to get it out, I finally retrieved it. A magnet on some fish line connected to a dowel, a grabber tool with a strong button magnet on the end of it and a plastic trim removal tool. And a flashlight held between my teeth. WHEW! I thought I had a tow and an embarrassing date with the service center (not to mention $$$) trying to explain how a screw driver got down the intake. Note to self and everyone else: If your throttle body needs cleaning, REMOVE IT! It's not hard and you will have a cleaner throttle body and no foreign objects to be found in your intake!

LPSISRL · Fri Nov 04, 2016 7:01 pm

Ronzuki wrote:The K's gauge cluster is one of the nicest I've ever owned/experienced. Simple, intuitive, elegant, and very functional. No obnoxious colors, lights or in-your-face gimics. The only thing undesirable is the daytime running light indicator always on.

great pics.

I really liked the red dash my SX4 had. I wish the Kizashi had the same. I don't care for the red on the climate and sound system side and the white gauges. I've wondered how to make them all red.

Fri Nov 04, 2016 8:29 pm

LPSISRL wrote:OK, here's what NOT to do with your Kizashi any day. I was cleaning my throttle body and a screwdriver being used to prop open the throttle body got loose and went down into my intake manifold. Dropped totally out of site. There a hole' about 10 inches in that it slipped down. So I not only had to find it, it had to make a right angle turn. After five hours of trying everything I could think of to get it out, I finally retrieved it. A magnet on some fish line connected to a dowel, a grabber tool with a strong button magnet on the end of it and a plastic trim removal tool. And a flashlight held between my teeth. WHEW! I thought I had a tow and an embarrassing date with the service center (not to mention $$$) trying to explain how a screw driver got down the intake. Note to self and everyone else: If your throttle body needs cleaning, REMOVE IT! It's not hard and you will have a cleaner throttle body and no foreign objects to be found in your intake!

Wow. Sounds like a nightmare.
Years ago, I realized that a magnetic pick-up tool was very useful for engine work. I've had one for years and it's been very useful for picking up dropped screws and bolts. I used it the other day for some engine work on the VW bus.
Also, what's your mileage again? How dirty was your throttle body?