Kizashi Club

So I was thinking about future car purchases as my car has 65k on it. I would want another fuel efficient awd vehicle, but what is out there that compares to a kiz? Subaru is a decent bet, but does it require premium fuel? Just curious as to which direction my journey will take when that day comes. Lexus looks nice if it were a few years old as new is quite the sticker shock. Thoughts?

The closest would be a Subaru if you're looking for AWD. No need for premium with their naturally aspirated engines. However the 2.5 is still prone to oil burning and head gasket issues.

Only turbo subarus require premium, and the turbo forester recommends premium.

You are going to have to get up fairly high in the trim levels to make it look and feel as good as the kizashi though.

The new DIT engines that subaru is using with the CVT should be about as snappy as the kizashi. Almost all new subarus are using a 2.0l engine (FA or FB).

I currently have a top trim 2014 forester XT. Interior wise it is about as nice as a kizashi. Lower trim models are not as nice inside. I like the car, but it defiantly has some serious issues that are irritating me at the moment.

Mice are getting into my car. I believe I know how they are getting in, but I'm not sure if they will fix it under warranty(vent openings under the rear bumper which will require me to remove the bumper to cover the vents with metal mesh). There is also an ECU update for the car's computer but Subaru refuses to pay for the update under warranty until the car throws a misfire code. I'm half inclined to pull a coil pack while the car is running to induce the code because it is supposedly a significant change to how the car operates.

I like Subaru, but they are an acquired taste as far as dealing with the odd things that are wrong or go wrong with their cars.

When the mice first got in did you think it was suspension that was squeeking

You can get an AWD Chrysler 200 now. They remind me of the Kizashi a lot.

accept it's a Chrysler...

I have not yet found any reasonable alternative to my Kizashi (and I been lookin').

Infinity G-something-X it's AWD and very much Kiz-like inside. A helluva lot more power. If I were to be replacing it for another car, that's where I'd be looking at (in a gently used model of course). Can't beat the value of the Kiz though.

Ronzuki wrote:Infinity G-something-X it's AWD and very much Kiz-like inside. A helluva lot more power. If I were to be replacing it for another car, that's where I'd be looking at (in a gently used model of course). Can't beat the value of the Kiz though.

Ron's right about not beating the value of Kizashies. The older G35's are still pricey for the number of miles that you're going to be getting, in my opinion. From what I've seen you can get a newer GTS/SLS Kizashi for about the same price as a G35x, and the Kizashi will have 25-50% fewer miles. But like Ron said, you're going to be getting a ton more power for your buck and much better parts/dealer support I think.

Volvo is another option for AWD vehicles, of course their engines are complicated and expensive to maintain from what I hear. And like Subaru's cars, they tend to accrue a butt-ton of miles before they go back to the market.

Recent deals on AWD Fusions seem enticing but depends on if you're Ford person or not. The interior is decent but the car is big and heavy.

Alternatively, you can look at the Acura TLX or Mercedes CLA 4MATIC.