About to buy a kizashi...advice needed

[Ehibb034]

Hello.
I am looking to buy a 2011 awd kizashi gts sport in auto (so unfortunate that manual fwd models aree so scarce) in gray with cloth seats and navigation. The car has 21k miles on it n. and is in good condition. Dealer wants 20k for it, I have them down to 19.5 with an amazing deal on my trade. I have some hesitations and was hoping you could help.
First, the depreciation on this car is significant! 33% of the price gone in one year! Where do you think the value of this ride will be in four years?! I know its because the car has limited appeal but I love it.
Second, is the price a good deal?
Third, I am somewhat of a hypermiler...are people really only getting 22 miles to the gallon in this car?
If so, how are you guys happy with this? Is 30+ miles per gallon reasonable?

Lastly, this will be my first automatic car since I cannot find a manual. Is the cvt really as bad as people say?
I love the car and have yet to drive it and I already have the price down so im excited. I just need toget some answers to these questions so I can separate my excitement from the,reality of ownership. Thank you all. My test drive is on friday!

[DelliReeus]

why don't you get the s or something, & I have a 2010 kizashi s awd/fwd cvt & I do get up to 30 mpg, on highway I even get 31/32 mpg, the cvt is pretty slow lol, but I would recommend a manual sls or w.e is that model which is sporty & has the manual transmission, because I didn't think about this before buying the car, wasn't out of my pocket buy whatever, just saying that I love this car, handling, braking, everything is amazing, just needs more speed

[chazyouwin]

I would price out new ones with the current discounts, and see how they compare. You can call various dealers across the country for pricing. 20K/19K isn't 33% depreciation, I think, it is something less especially off of the price actually paid.

[Firefly]

Drive it. I think you'll like the road feel and handling. You'll be impressed by the quality of the materials. Somewhat German in feel. If you're a hypermiler the cvt shouldn't bother you. I get around 20mpg in and out of Manhattan everyday. With AWD and 18" wheels that's not bad. On the highway I can get up around 30 or so.
Depreciation could be due to lack of demand. I may buy this one out after the lease is up and get a great deal on an excellent car.

[Ronzuki]

Due to the fact that it's not a high demand car, I'd use that to your advantage. They more than likely didn't give the original owner squat for it in real dollars when they traded it. Low ball them, stay interested, but don't be in a hurry. Time will reveal how low they want to go to move a low demand car.

CVT, well, I drove a 2012 VW Jetta 2.5 SE w/ conventioanl auto this weekend to Baltimore and back and couldn't stand the trans. I've gotten quite used to the smoothness of the CVT. The 2.5 engine had a lot of power that I didn't really need or use, so for me that combo was less than desireable. I too was a manual trans guy and this is my first 'auto' DD since the early 80s so I know where you're coming from.

Kizashi handling, ride and braking was FAR SUPERIOR than the Jetta. Literally not even in the same universe.

[chazyouwin]

My sentiments are with Ron on the CVT. At first, it depends upon what you are used to driving. If you like manuals, or you like sprightly but jerky automatics, perhaps at first you will find the CVT sluggish. But after driving it for a while, you might get used to the CVT smoothness. Then, you'll have acquired the taste and you'll not want to go back. The automatics you thought were great may seem primitive. For me, I'll never go back. Have left the days of spilled coffee behind.

[chazyouwin]

Also, as to the idea of waiting because the K is not seemingly in high demand, be careful. Pricing of course is a function of supply and demand. Two years ago in October- December 2010, dealers around here in New Jersey had plentiful supply and therefore they with Suzuki providing incentives cut some great deals. Last year around here I understand the dealers mostly sold out of their 2011s before December 1. that made sense since the 2012s started arriving in September as I recall. So buyers in December were looking at 2012s without a lot of dealer flexibility to negotiate. Then there are the dealers who have a few Kizashis, who do not budge much at all, and thus have those same cars for a year or more.
A visit to the Suzuki auto website shows that Suzuki manufacturer is currently backing dealers by offering direct to consumer $1500 incentives (plus a $500 loyalty incentive if you qualify). A dealer with a big inventory might offer significantly more in discount. The next couple of months seem to me to be the time to buy a 2012 new. So even though you have a good deal on your trade-in and price combo, I would definitely scour to see if a new one is available for maybe a couple thousand more. And you can get something in the right color, options, etc. Get something with 18" wheels if you can.

[Blackbelt]

I guess the deal depends on how much extra they are building into your trade. Some more details about that would help.
I have an AWD "S" and have no problems getting into the 30's with my MPG. The Kizzy responds well to some basic hypermiling techniques, and using a few more advanced ones can get you close to 40. The CVT will cruise at 1800RPM at 60MPH.

[NiteRider]

Agreed. Need to know how much they are giving you for the trade over the value of the car. Many dealers place the discount on the car into the trade value. Off hand, 19.5K for the one you're looking at sounds too much. Hell, I paid 22.5K for my new '12 GTS AWD (Albeit is was a great deal). I would ask for 16K and take the deal at 18K. Of course this all depends on the trade in. As far as drivability, well you'll just have to test drive it and see for yourself. I fell in love with it when I drove it and I didn't really want to at the time.

[Ehibb034]

I am the original poster for those following along...

Okay more information was asked for. I have owned two manual cars before this prospective Kizashi. A 2004 Tiburon GTV6 6/M and a 2008 Scion xD 5/M. I am currently enjoying around 34 miles per gallon combined city highway driving in my scion. If I can get to 30 combined in the Kiz, I will be a happy camper. I employ slight hypermiling techniques; limiting time that the car is stopped in traffic, well timed acceleration, and choosing the correct gear for the correct speeds. I use premium gas when the cost makes sense, and I beat the EPA estimates.

I am afraid of this auto trans because I recently rented a Chrysler 200 on a business trip. Just so everyone understands...I am in no way saying that the two cars are comparable, but the engines somewhat are. Using the same driving techniques, I only got 22mpg, so auto trans is scaring me.
I honestly thought I would get over 30 in that car.

The deal on the trade is amazing. I found the Kiz at a scion dealer. I am trading a Scion that I bought two years ago for 11000, trading it for 10k!!!

The original price on the Kiz was 20,300. Im at 19,500. It WAS one of those no-haggle places. I guess you can haggle if you make a big enough stink.