I'm not familiar with truecar, but IMHO, all negotiations should start at invoice. It appears Suzuki has significant holdbacks because many people are reporting buying their cars at invoice (a few even below invoice).
Being the end of the month and end of the quarter, now is the time to deal.
Considering the Kizashi
Haven't pulled the trigger yet but it is getting more interesting. The dealer closest to my home has a 2010
GTS FWD floor model on offer for $21000. The color was wrong (it was red) and I know problems with the cvt
cropped up during the first model year (the salesman assured me the recall had been done) but it was a compelling offer....or maybe not. It had the RF audio system which I don't really care about and the paddle shifters which, again are not essential but my main concern is the condition of those early cvt's and whether Suzuki really took care of the problem with the recall. The wheels are turning but I wonder what is a fair price
to pay for this Kizashi that is now two model years old?
GTS FWD floor model on offer for $21000. The color was wrong (it was red) and I know problems with the cvt
cropped up during the first model year (the salesman assured me the recall had been done) but it was a compelling offer....or maybe not. It had the RF audio system which I don't really care about and the paddle shifters which, again are not essential but my main concern is the condition of those early cvt's and whether Suzuki really took care of the problem with the recall. The wheels are turning but I wonder what is a fair price
to pay for this Kizashi that is now two model years old?
I would say go lower, but I have seen people pay that much for used ones with 12,000 miles so it probably isn't a bad deal.
what recall are you referring to? I'm unaware of any CVT recalls. There have been a couple bad ones that have been replaced under warranty. Paddles shifters are a god-send when it comes to driving the CVT IMHO. I paid in that price range a year ago (with all incentives applied) on a 2010 GTS AWD. Same deal, wasn't exactly the color I wanted.....GO LOWER. The car is basically over a year old (build date can be found on the plate in the drivers door jamb).
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)I'm not sure there's any real difference from the 2010 transmissions to the 2011 tranmissions. There was some tweak that had to be done to the 2010's but if it was taken care of the cvt shouldn't be an issue. It's a tested and widely used unit. As far as the price.......We paid 22,000 for a 2010 GTS w/AWD in Black a few months ago. They can do better.
The Kizashi uses the JATCO JF011E. Same CVT that is in a few hundred thousand calibers, patriot and Compasses, as well as a bunch of Nisans. As with any transmission, a few bad ones can pop up. I had one of those in my Kizashi, it went bad at 3600 miles. Suzuki replaced it with a new unit and even paid for a rental car for a week.
2010 Kizashi S AWD
2009 Suzuki SX-4 Touring AWD
2008 Smart fortwo Passion Coupe
2007 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD
2009 Suzuki SX-4 Touring AWD
2008 Smart fortwo Passion Coupe
2007 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD
I think I will offer to buy at $20500 and then stand firm. The worst that will occur is his refusal allowing me toRonzuki wrote:what recall are you referring to? I'm unaware of any CVT recalls. There have been a couple bad ones that have been replaced under warranty. Paddles shifters are a god-send when it comes to driving the CVT IMHO. I paid in that price range a year ago (with all incentives applied) on a 2010 GTS AWD. Same deal, wasn't exactly the color I wanted.....GO LOWER. The car is basically over a year old (build date can be found on the plate in the drivers door jamb).
keep the Impala which is running quite well.
-
hocaspocas
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:30 pm
Did you got your Kizashi? If you can't work a deal with one seller, try again later and talk to anotherone. I did that and it worked great. Some sellers have a quota to meet, they are whilling to give up a bit of their comision to get your bussiness.
[quote="hocaspocas"]Did you got your Kizashi? If you can't work a deal with one seller, try again later and talk to anotherone. I did that and it worked great. Some sellers have a quota to meet, they are whilling to give up a bit of their comision to get your bussiness.[/quote)
I haven't pulled the trigger yet but I have been comparison shopping lately. This evening i drove a 2011
Volkswagen Golf with the 2.5L N/A 5-cyl. engine. That famed Germanic fit and finish was in full display throughout the cabin with tight seams between panel joins and reassuringly solid feeling controls (especially the gear selector). The model I drove was the base model with a "convenience" package which consisted of heated seats and mirrors. The cloth seats (very firm and supportive) lacked any power assist and
there was no climate control, sunroof or alloy wheels. It was a black 2 door hatchback and listed for $20465.
Honestly I was rather disappointed with the drive. The 2.5 5-cylinder is stout, moving the car smartly from
the line but the aural signature was somewhat coarse as was the feel. The smart 6-speed transmission was
smooth and unobtrusive and when placed in "sport" mode remained in a lower gear longer before upshifting
but it also exacerbated the strident tone of the engine as it wrung itself out. I find the Kizashi's powertrain
smoother and certainly more companionable on long trips. The Golf's steering was linear and accurate
and in my opinion superior to the system found in the Kizashi but the difference was subtle at best.
The Golf is the distillation of an economical sport hatch. it is precise and involving but also a bit wearying.
The Kizashi tops it because while it may not offer quite the same level of precision (although it comes close) it is also quieter and offers a more refined powertrain.
I haven't pulled the trigger yet but I have been comparison shopping lately. This evening i drove a 2011
Volkswagen Golf with the 2.5L N/A 5-cyl. engine. That famed Germanic fit and finish was in full display throughout the cabin with tight seams between panel joins and reassuringly solid feeling controls (especially the gear selector). The model I drove was the base model with a "convenience" package which consisted of heated seats and mirrors. The cloth seats (very firm and supportive) lacked any power assist and
there was no climate control, sunroof or alloy wheels. It was a black 2 door hatchback and listed for $20465.
Honestly I was rather disappointed with the drive. The 2.5 5-cylinder is stout, moving the car smartly from
the line but the aural signature was somewhat coarse as was the feel. The smart 6-speed transmission was
smooth and unobtrusive and when placed in "sport" mode remained in a lower gear longer before upshifting
but it also exacerbated the strident tone of the engine as it wrung itself out. I find the Kizashi's powertrain
smoother and certainly more companionable on long trips. The Golf's steering was linear and accurate
and in my opinion superior to the system found in the Kizashi but the difference was subtle at best.
The Golf is the distillation of an economical sport hatch. it is precise and involving but also a bit wearying.
The Kizashi tops it because while it may not offer quite the same level of precision (although it comes close) it is also quieter and offers a more refined powertrain.