after three weeks....

[speedsterz]

I have to say that I am unfortunately quite unhappy with the Kizashi. Yes, it is a bargain of a car and yes it is a very good looking car but that's where the accolades stop at least in my experience thus far.

Here's why:

-The vehicle came with a shorted tweeter that is in the process of being replaced under warranty (no harm done, it happens but it is a new car)
-First thing I did upon delivery was give her a good wash and a great wax. Unfortunately after 500 miles I have three rock chips in the front bumper and a rock chip on the driver side rim.
-The CVT is possibly the slowest car I have ever driven. I recall reading a post where someone described taking off the line as if you were taking off in 2nd gear if it were a manual transmission, and that's exactly what it feels like. Paddle shifters are cool but again very very slow. My car was supposedly flashed with the CVT update. I find the car is just very boring to drive. I'm hoping the drop in K&N filter can make a difference.
-The handling compared to my previous two vehicles (2001 Eclipse GT & 2009 Lancer GTS) is subpar. The car has a lot of body roll, maybe the RRM strut bar will help. Both my previous Mitsus had suspension upgrades and that did help, and they both loved hugging those corners.
-Every time I come to a stop I can feel a slight shudder coming from the engine itself. I remember a friend's Hyundai Excel that used to do that back in the 80's. It's so minimal that I'm sure my "friendly Suzuki" dealer will say they feel nothing.

I purchased the Kizashi because it was different, engineered and built in-house by Suzuki, however, right now I wish I would have just gone with a Mazda 6 or dare I say even an Altima but I'm stuck at least for a year or two before I consider switching the car out.

I'll stay active on the boards because information is power and it's a great board with intelligent, mature, and knowledgeable members. In addition, maybe I can add something to the board as I do some work on my Kizashi. Bottom line, I won't give up total hope just yet but it's starting to look bleak.

[lookin]

ahh dont give up it aint that bad....everyone is different but i dont even have a problem with the speed but im just a daily just trying to get to work ..maybe yu just got a bad one it happens with any manufacturer but i hope things smooth out for you

[GREG]

Hi speedsterz,

Sorry to here your situation I have had mine a week and share some of your feelings. The cvts in most of these cars basically suck, in my opinion they neither help mileage nor performance not sure what they were thinking; but i too figured Suzuki in house would do things right, i have been wrong before. And its not the first time Suzuki bit me that is another story.

I would like to add that i test drove 4 kizashis before i bought mine and that all 4 of them delivered power and shifted very different. Out of the 4 2 were so-so 1 sucked so bad i told the salesman i would never buy the thing and 1 drove exceptional. That is not the one i ended up buying though. I should have but I really wanted a Platinum AWD SLS and no dealers inside 150 miles could find one. Anyways one came in to a dealership about 160 miles away on Friday and I was there picking it up Saturday morning hoping to God it would a good one. well it wasn't a good but it wasn't the worst either so I made a compromise. I gave up a little in driveability for the package i wanted. I'm not sure why there is such a difference in the driving experience but it may be the reason for varied reviews. I hope Suzuki stays on top of this and the CVT updates I would be all over it if they offer another one as mine was supposedly done already as well.

I think the car handles really good for quiet, supple (at least for 18's) ride it gives. Especially since its aimed at f sporty family sedan not racer-boy markets. As far as the shudder goes someone at RRM had mentioned that term when talking about the tranny. Also on a side note a friend of mine had the same feelings we are having about his sister in laws IS250 and Altima cvt's. I also drove a used A4 2.0T Quattro which went both ways, it was used but around the same price. I loved the motor and trans hands down however the ride and the brakes were not even close so wht do ya do. If I was 10-20 years younger it would have been the audi and part of me still wants it but I'm not getting any younger. I guess i will learn to use the auto-manual and paddles or mash it to the floor for now.

Well its late, keep us posted.

[autopiolet]

I think some of the problems people are having is amplified by expectations. This car looks like it could kick ass but it doesn't. I think this car is for older people who really like the idea of off the line fast which this does not do and are satisfied with the performance it does deliver. Sometimes I think my Kizashi has the lag and other times it seems not to. It may be the way I approach the gas peddle upon take off but not quiet sure. This car is different in the power delivery from anything I've had in the past. I'm really glad I don't have buyers remorse because at this price point the total package is something I could not get in a car I'd rather have like a BMW or Audi.

[TheHolyGhost]

The way in which you apply the throttle has a definite impact on performance. Most drive by wire cars will smooth the throttle input when you just push the pedal to the floor. I find my car accelerates stronger if I apply slightly less than full throttle at speed around 30mph. I'm not saying that this is the problem that everyone is having, but it does happen.

[lookin]

I agree ghost and im not old what a statement

[speedsterz]

haha I have to agree with (lookin), I'm not old by my standards, however, my 9 y/o son seems to think 35 is "old"

i've ordered the drop in K&N filter, once installed I'll give everyone some feedback and if that doesn't yield good results I'll splurge for the $250 short air intake from RRM if necessary.

next in line is a strut bar from RRM which I know will do wonders as it has done previously in other cars I have driven, I hope RRM produces a rear sway bar as well.

Everytime I get in the driver's seat I can't help but marvel at the quality of the interior. I'm not giving up just yet.

[lookin]

just what i was thinking autopiolet must be 10

[Shaneous]

Wow...

Only complaint I have with my XLS (the premium model released in Australia) is the volume / amp issue with RF audio that is still under investigation (even then the dealer has been very understanding and is committed to getting it resolved - key being ensuring Suzuki resolve it I guess!!))

I went from a 190kw sports-model V6 sedan and have no dissaspointment with the power of the Kizashi. I also get a lot less roll and far better cornering. I have adapted to the way I need to use my accelerator and manual-mode ratio changes with the CVT and get some very quick and responsive results. I need to drive it differently to previous Automatic vehicles I have had to get the most out of it.

I guess if you go from what is supposed to be a less powerful car up to the Kizashi you may have some disappointments. Going from something supposedly a lot more powerful and designed for sporty driving down to this gives me no disappointment what so ever (having the luxury options also helps quite a bit

Sorry to hear you have had a bad experience!

[autopiolet]

Think I was misunderstood on that 'old' reference. I meant this isn't a turbo four, because if it were I would definitely be disappointed in the performance. Two years ago I almost bought a Jetta but I could not get past the turbo lag. It is ironic that the Kazashi has a pseudo turbo lag.