Hey guys,
I'm looking to purchase a Kizashi soon, and I'd like to get some feedback from owners in certain areas about the car:
1. From my experience, 4 cyl cars tend to have weak AC. How is the AC on this car when the temps are above 90 degrees in the summer?
2. 18" wheels with low profile tires seem like they would be prone to getting bent wheels from big potholes (I drive in places like Jersey City, Hoboken, Manhattan, and Queens a lot. I also experience potholes in ski country in the winter). Anyone have any issues with this? I'd really like to hear from the people who have actually hit big potholes, especially after a NE winter. Driving with a shimmy in the steering wheel really annoys me, and it's a concern I have about the Kizashi.
3. 6-speed owners...any good/bad comments on the shifter/clutch?
4. Lastly GPS owners. Did you feel it was worth the money? How do you like it? Does the Kenwood unit have an AUX in for external devices, such as an MP3 player (non-ipod)?
I appreciate any feedback that you guys have to give.
Looking 4 feeback from owners on Kizashi questions
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TheHolyGhost
- Posts: 797
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:59 pm
- Location: Philadelphia
Welcome to the forum. If you search you probably find a few other similar threads, but here are my thoughts.
1. I'm near Philadelphia, we've had some hot weather recently and I have no complaints about the AC. It's never had a problem cooling down the car.
2. I have the 18" wheels, but I bought the car in May, so I can't comment on the winter, but I haven't had a problem yet. If you're getting the 6 speed, which you seemed to indicate below, you can't get AWD so I'd suggest winter tires anyway.
3. I'm pretty happy with it. The shifter has a different feel than anything I've had, it's stiffer in a way, but I got used to it quickly. The clutch uptake is smoother than my Legacy was and the shifter is failry precise. It's not outstanding, but it's definitely not markedly bad either.
4. Can't comment on the GPS.
1. I'm near Philadelphia, we've had some hot weather recently and I have no complaints about the AC. It's never had a problem cooling down the car.
2. I have the 18" wheels, but I bought the car in May, so I can't comment on the winter, but I haven't had a problem yet. If you're getting the 6 speed, which you seemed to indicate below, you can't get AWD so I'd suggest winter tires anyway.
3. I'm pretty happy with it. The shifter has a different feel than anything I've had, it's stiffer in a way, but I got used to it quickly. The clutch uptake is smoother than my Legacy was and the shifter is failry precise. It's not outstanding, but it's definitely not markedly bad either.
4. Can't comment on the GPS.
2010 Kizashi GTS
6 speed
Platinum Silver Metallic (Battle wounded)
2014 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback
Past Cars:
2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5i
1998 Audi A4 1.8TQM
1998 Dodge Avenger ES
6 speed
Platinum Silver Metallic (Battle wounded)
2014 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback
Past Cars:
2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5i
1998 Audi A4 1.8TQM
1998 Dodge Avenger ES
Here's my 2 cents from Ohio:
1) A/C has been great. The last month has been a hot one, specifically last week, and within minutes cold air is pushing through the vents.
2) Can't help you out here, I am rolling on bicycle rims for the time being (16 inchers)
3) This is my 9th or so manual and while its not an overly aggresive setup it is fun to run through the gates. I would say it leans more to the smooth side. The gates aren't notchy, but there is quite a bit of travel in the shifter (I see a short throw mod in my future). The clutch is also smooth with an average spring feel. Even in stop-n-go traffic I haven't cramped up. If you have driven manuals before this one won't excite you and it won't disappoint you.
4) I'm a negative on the GPS as well. My personal feelings, from images I have seen, is it makes the center stack look incomplete. This is a rare instance where I prefer the look of the radio to the GPS unit. -weird
1) A/C has been great. The last month has been a hot one, specifically last week, and within minutes cold air is pushing through the vents.
2) Can't help you out here, I am rolling on bicycle rims for the time being (16 inchers)
3) This is my 9th or so manual and while its not an overly aggresive setup it is fun to run through the gates. I would say it leans more to the smooth side. The gates aren't notchy, but there is quite a bit of travel in the shifter (I see a short throw mod in my future). The clutch is also smooth with an average spring feel. Even in stop-n-go traffic I haven't cramped up. If you have driven manuals before this one won't excite you and it won't disappoint you.
4) I'm a negative on the GPS as well. My personal feelings, from images I have seen, is it makes the center stack look incomplete. This is a rare instance where I prefer the look of the radio to the GPS unit. -weird
2010 White Manual Kizzy "S" -riding badgeless-
1. A/C is top-notch. I often have to raise the temp a bit because it gets too cold.
2. 18'' wheels were great. Watch out for curbs though. I live in Upstate NY and have yet to go through winter, but you should install winter tires regardless. I'm downgrading to the base S trim level 16'' steel rims for winter and no TPMS sensors.
3. I drove the 6-speed briefly and liked the buttery smooth clutch but had some trouble hitting 2-3 and would sometimes go 2-5. I'm sure I'd get used to it if it were my car though!
4. Get a Garmin. These things become out of date and make the interior of a car look as old as a VCR within 5 years.
2. 18'' wheels were great. Watch out for curbs though. I live in Upstate NY and have yet to go through winter, but you should install winter tires regardless. I'm downgrading to the base S trim level 16'' steel rims for winter and no TPMS sensors.
3. I drove the 6-speed briefly and liked the buttery smooth clutch but had some trouble hitting 2-3 and would sometimes go 2-5. I'm sure I'd get used to it if it were my car though!
4. Get a Garmin. These things become out of date and make the interior of a car look as old as a VCR within 5 years.
Suzuki Kizashi GTS AWD-Platinum Silver-Since 5/28/10
Mechanical Engineer
Owner of http://www.theCollegeDriver.com
Mechanical Engineer
Owner of http://www.theCollegeDriver.com
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autopiolet
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:04 am
I live in Arizona, Temperatures around 105 to 115 for nearly two months. The air conditioner works great at cooling and I need to turn it up to about 75 as it gets too cold. I don't know how it would perform in humid climates. By the way this is the first time I've had leather and my seats have never been hot and I think the car cools down quicker because the leather does not hold onto the heat (my theory anyway).
I have GPS on my phone and it speaks through my blue tooth radio so I don't know about the factory Navigation system.
I have GPS on my phone and it speaks through my blue tooth radio so I don't know about the factory Navigation system.
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jdavis1879
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:18 pm
AC is great... I live in Columbia, SC and the temp with the heat index is 110 plus daily.. and thats the sticky miserable heat and the car is cooled within minutes and i'm having to turn it down some.
Also my former car was a CVT and so I went with a 6spd in my Kizashi and have no regrets.
Also my former car was a CVT and so I went with a 6spd in my Kizashi and have no regrets.
kizashi GTS 6spd
Well I am in Pittsburgh. I know what potholes are...lol The cars seems to handle rougher roads very well. It is a very nice riding car. I actually smile alot thinking about how nice the car rides and I drive around all day long.
The AC at least in my car does take a little longer than I feel it should to cool the car down. However, once it is, you will be able to drop the fan speed to 1 or 2 and raise the temp to 65 or 70 (I like it cold).
I wanted the AWD, this is my first CVT and I am really liking it. I like the way it accelerates and how it sounds while accelerating.
My only complaint (which you can see if you search a little) is the MPG. I appear to be in the minority. I am thinking it is due to a lot of stop and go driving and the hills we have here. But I am getting around 19-21mpg. It does excellent when on the highway, I just have not taken a major trip yet.
LOVE the car - I'm sure you will as well. Good Luck!
The AC at least in my car does take a little longer than I feel it should to cool the car down. However, once it is, you will be able to drop the fan speed to 1 or 2 and raise the temp to 65 or 70 (I like it cold).
I wanted the AWD, this is my first CVT and I am really liking it. I like the way it accelerates and how it sounds while accelerating.
My only complaint (which you can see if you search a little) is the MPG. I appear to be in the minority. I am thinking it is due to a lot of stop and go driving and the hills we have here. But I am getting around 19-21mpg. It does excellent when on the highway, I just have not taken a major trip yet.
LOVE the car - I'm sure you will as well. Good Luck!
2010 Suzuki Kizashi SE
CVT AWD
Black
I stole the avatar because I liked it!
CVT AWD
Black
I stole the avatar because I liked it!
I think those two statements have a lot to do with each other. I too have the AWD SLS and I usually have the RPMs hanging out around 5000+ when accelerating. When I drive like this, I get around 19mpg. I will purposely reset the MPG and drive "normal" (or "old lady", as it makes me feel) for a day or two and get around 22 mpg in the city. The CVT gobbles up the gas when you have your RPM over 5K after every stoplight, so basically you pay a little extra to get where you're going in a hurry and have fun doing it.jimmerz wrote:Well I am in Pittsburgh. I know what potholes are...lol The cars seems to handle rougher roads very well. It is a very nice riding car. I actually smile alot thinking about how nice the car rides and I drive around all day long.
The AC at least in my car does take a little longer than I feel it should to cool the car down. However, once it is, you will be able to drop the fan speed to 1 or 2 and raise the temp to 65 or 70 (I like it cold).
I wanted the AWD, this is my first CVT and I am really liking it. I like the way it accelerates and how it sounds while accelerating.
My only complaint (which you can see if you search a little) is the MPG. I appear to be in the minority. I am thinking it is due to a lot of stop and go driving and the hills we have here. But I am getting around 19-21mpg. It does excellent when on the highway, I just have not taken a major trip yet.
LOVE the car - I'm sure you will as well. Good Luck!
BTW, took the Kiz on the family vaca last week and with a PACKED car and got 30 mpg going 75 mph... including passing a couple trucks. I also forgot my hood guard and figured I would have chips galore, but not a one. The ol' Kiz is holding up better than I thought it would!
Kizashi SLS CVT Azure Gray Metallic
-- The AC is very good, its quick and even gets ducted through to the back quite well also.
-- I have the AWD Sport which has the 18' wheels and they have no balance issues, and said to be lighter than the others, they look great but are a pain to clean (spokes have little room between each other for my fat fingers).
-- Mines the CVT and i'm still trying to get used to it, its different.
-- Don't have the GPS, Suzuki Australia wanted $3500, seems expensive to me even if it had reversing camera etc etc. It also includes a different stereo i was told.
Regarding the Rockford stereo its an OK unit, but its not great, it will distort very early, and the tones are not super crisp. I also wish it had a loudness button as the bass disappears at low volumes.
But over all a great car, and i do appreciate the regular amount of stares she gets from passes by.
cheers Bob
-- I have the AWD Sport which has the 18' wheels and they have no balance issues, and said to be lighter than the others, they look great but are a pain to clean (spokes have little room between each other for my fat fingers).
-- Mines the CVT and i'm still trying to get used to it, its different.
-- Don't have the GPS, Suzuki Australia wanted $3500, seems expensive to me even if it had reversing camera etc etc. It also includes a different stereo i was told.
Regarding the Rockford stereo its an OK unit, but its not great, it will distort very early, and the tones are not super crisp. I also wish it had a loudness button as the bass disappears at low volumes.
But over all a great car, and i do appreciate the regular amount of stares she gets from passes by.
cheers Bob