Kizashi Club

Hello everyone,

I am new here and am looking for some advice.
I am searching for a used AWD Sedan and came across two cars, 2013 Kizashi Sports SLS AWD and 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i. I am more inclined towards Kizashi but am not fully sure about it. Could you please advice on the below points about Kizashi:

1. One of my main criteria is AWD as it snows more than half of the year here. I know Subaru is pretty good in AWD. How about Kiz? Specially considering that it has an option of switching between FWD and AWD, is the AWD in Kiz good enough?

2. How about servicing of Kiz? Although I am buying from a Suzuki dealer, but considering that Suzuki is out of business in North America, will I be stuck with this dealer? Also if I move, will it be easy to find another dealer?

3. How easy or difficult will it be to replace a part?

4. Is there anything you would like to add or advice on anything that I should know before buying a Kiz?

Much appreciate your help.
Thanks.

RS350 wrote:Hello everyone,

I am new here and am looking for some advice.
I am searching for a used AWD Sedan and came across two cars, 2013 Kizashi Sports SLS AWD and 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i. I am more inclined towards Kizashi but am not fully sure about it. Could you please advice on the below points about Kizashi:

1. One of my main criteria is AWD as it snows more than half of the year here. I know Subaru is pretty good in AWD. How about Kiz? Specially considering that it has an option of switching between FWD and AWD, is the AWD in Kiz good enough?

2. How about servicing of Kiz? Although I am buying from a Suzuki dealer, but considering that Suzuki is out of business in North America, will I be stuck with this dealer? Also if I move, will it be easy to find another dealer?

3. How easy or difficult will it be to replace a part?

4. Is there anything you would like to add or advice on anything that I should know before buying a Kiz?

Much appreciate your help.
Thanks.

Hi and welcome.
As a former Impreza owner and a current Kizashi owner, hopefully I can answer your questions.

First, you should know that the Kizashi Sport SLS AWD is the very top trim of this car. When spec'ed this way, it's like an entry-luxury vehicle. Meanwhile, the Impreza 2.0i is the lowly base model for an Impreza. Not only is any Kizashi a more refined and upscale vehicle than an Impreza, the trim levels between the cars are polar opposites. The Kizashi Sport SLS is going to be leagues better in features between these two cars.

1. While I don't personally have an AWD Kizashi, those who do praise the AWD system. There are really no complaints and some owners are former Subaru Impreza and Legacy owners. While the Kizashi does employ an on-demand system vs. the Impreza's Permanent AWD, I think there isn't much difference in snow ability. In the end, the tires and ground clearance will matter a lot more than which AWD system you have.

2. For servicing, most former Suzuki dealers are now considered "Authorized Suzuki Service Dealers" and will do the work on your car including warranty work and recalls. For routine maintenance, I see no need to take it to a dealer. The Kizashi isn't a complicated car and uses reliable technology. A local mechanic can likely do routine maintenance.

3. Replacing parts can be a challenge. Kizashi-specific parts and accessories are very hard to find and you'll likely need to source them from Suzuki parts specialists online. The car is now rumored to be out of production so parts and accessories will be harder and harder to find. However, maintenance parts are easy to find on sites like Rockauto.com.

4. Things to know about the Kizashi: The original tires are crap and should be replaced around 30,000 miles if they lasted that long. Some darker paint colors chip rather easily. The rear shocks may prematurely corrode due to a faulty bump stopper design but a 2013 model may already come with the revised bump stoppers. The Kizashi uses older-generation engine technology therefore isn't very fuel efficient by today's standards but uses reliable technology like multiport fuel injection and a timing chain.

So in the end between a Sport SLS AWD and an Impreza 2.0i, I'd go for the Kizashi. Not only is the Kizashi a more refined car than an Impreza, the trim levels couldn't be further apart. The SLS will give you a premium audio, moonroof, parking sensors, heated leather seats, and likely a navigation system while none of those will be on the lowly 2.0i. Both cars have AWD which will likely be very comparable in performance. The Impreza will be significantly more fuel efficient but largely due to its smaller 2.0 liter engine making about 30 HP less than the Kizashi's 2.4 liter engine. This, plus the difference in the chassis and handling, will make the Kizashi much more enjoyable to drive.
The Impreza will be much easier to repair and get dealership support, but the Kizashi will likely stay out of the shop due to its good reliability. Both cars are very reliable but the Impreza does have the upper hand in accident repairs and replacement parts.
If you get a chance to test drive both, you'll see that the Kizashi is a much more substantial car than an Impreza. To me, it's no contest that the Kizashi is the better car here.

I bought Subarus from 1991 until 2007. My last Subaru was an '07 Impreza.

I am currently on my second Kizashi AWD, with combined miles driven between the two of 204,151.
I live in Vermont.
I drive my Kizashi(s) mostly manically, pounding over unpaved hill and dale, snowing or not.

I have had no repairs. I've bought many tires. And gas, lots and lotsa gas........

I love my Kizashi.

KuroN... you sure do love your Kizashi... same here

KuroNekko wrote:

RS350 wrote:Hello everyone,

I am new here and am looking for some advice.
I am searching for a used AWD Sedan and came across two cars, 2013 Kizashi Sports SLS AWD and 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i. I am more inclined towards Kizashi but am not fully sure about it. Could you please advice on the below points about Kizashi:

1. One of my main criteria is AWD as it snows more than half of the year here. I know Subaru is pretty good in AWD. How about Kiz? Specially considering that it has an option of switching between FWD and AWD, is the AWD in Kiz good enough?

2. How about servicing of Kiz? Although I am buying from a Suzuki dealer, but considering that Suzuki is out of business in North America, will I be stuck with this dealer? Also if I move, will it be easy to find another dealer?

3. How easy or difficult will it be to replace a part?

4. Is there anything you would like to add or advice on anything that I should know before buying a Kiz?

Much appreciate your help.
Thanks.

Hi and welcome.
As a former Impreza owner and a current Kizashi owner, hopefully I can answer your questions.

First, you should know that the Kizashi Sport SLS AWD is the very top trim of this car. When spec'ed this way, it's like an entry-luxury vehicle. Meanwhile, the Impreza 2.0i is the lowly base model for an Impreza. Not only is any Kizashi a more refined and upscale vehicle than an Impreza, the trim levels between the cars are polar opposites. The Kizashi Sport SLS is going to be leagues better in features between these two cars.

1. While I don't personally have an AWD Kizashi, those who do praise the AWD system. There are really no complaints and some owners are former Subaru Impreza and Legacy owners. While the Kizashi does employ an on-demand system vs. the Impreza's Permanent AWD, I think there isn't much difference in snow ability. In the end, the tires and ground clearance will matter a lot more than which AWD system you have.

2. For servicing, most former Suzuki dealers are now considered "Authorized Suzuki Service Dealers" and will do the work on your car including warranty work and recalls. For routine maintenance, I see no need to take it to a dealer. The Kizashi isn't a complicated car and uses reliable technology. A local mechanic can likely do routine maintenance.

3. Replacing parts can be a challenge. Kizashi-specific parts and accessories are very hard to find and you'll likely need to source them from Suzuki parts specialists online. The car is now rumored to be out of production so parts and accessories will be harder and harder to find. However, maintenance parts are easy to find on sites like Rockauto.com.

4. Things to know about the Kizashi: The original tires are crap and should be replaced around 30,000 miles if they lasted that long. Some darker paint colors chip rather easily. The rear shocks may prematurely corrode due to a faulty bump stopper design but a 2013 model may already come with the revised bump stoppers. The Kizashi uses older-generation engine technology therefore isn't very fuel efficient by today's standards but uses reliable technology like multiport fuel injection and a timing chain.

So in the end between a Sport SLS AWD and an Impreza 2.0i, I'd go for the Kizashi. Not only is the Kizashi a more refined car than an Impreza, the trim levels couldn't be further apart. The SLS will give you a premium audio, moonroof, parking sensors, heated leather seats, and likely a navigation system while none of those will be on the lowly 2.0i. Both cars have AWD which will likely be very comparable in performance. The Impreza will be significantly more fuel efficient but largely due to its smaller 2.0 liter engine making about 30 HP less than the Kizashi's 2.4 liter engine. This, plus the difference in the chassis and handling, will make the Kizashi much more enjoyable to drive.
The Impreza will be much easier to repair and get dealership support, but the Kizashi will likely stay out of the shop due to its good reliability. Both cars are very reliable but the Impreza does have the upper hand in accident repairs and replacement parts.
If you get a chance to test drive both, you'll see that the Kizashi is a much more substantial car than an Impreza. To me, it's no contest that the Kizashi is the better car here.

Thanks KuroNekko for your valuable inputs. Appreciate your help.
You are right. I did test drive both today and undoubtedly Kizashi feels much better and fun than Impreza. And yes, it has new Yokohama tires on it, so the original ones are replaced. I am more and more inclined towards Kiz but the thing that keeps bothering me is that it will get difficult year after year to get parts, if required. That also means that the re-sale value will be much less than Impreza.

WESHOOT2 wrote:I bought Subarus from 1991 until 2007. My last Subaru was an '07 Impreza.

I am currently on my second Kizashi AWD, with combined miles driven between the two of 204,151.
I live in Vermont.
I drive my Kizashi(s) mostly manically, pounding over unpaved hill and dale, snowing or not.

I have had no repairs. I've bought many tires. And gas, lots and lotsa gas........

I love my Kizashi.

krell wrote:KuroN... you sure do love your Kizashi... same here

Thanks guys for your valuable inputs. Much appreciate it.

Could you guys please suggest an estimated price for Kiz. The car is in Canada. It is fully loaded, leather seats, spotless, 40000 km driven, has new tires. What will be a good deal?

The iAWD system is awesome (audio system too by the way!). I had 2 Audi A4 Quattro before my Kizashi and it is even better. I also thought about getting a Subaru (Impreza or WRX), but I preferred the Kizashi due to the nicer look (and rarity of it) and the option of putting it front wheel drive or all wheel drive. In terms of reliability I believe both brands are pretty solid! The only problem with the Kiz is the resale value like you said and dealership issues..Mine is a 2012 Sport model like you want to buy and I never had any issue so far (currently at 62 000 km). In regards to parts, it should not be a big problem. I bought mine in 2012 and I doubted they were about to go bankrupt in North America...took the risk and I don't regret it! I even think I would buy today if I did not have one and had to buy a new car... I would probably pay around $14-15 000 Canadian for a spotless 2013 Kizashi Sport with 40 000 km on it.

RS350 wrote:Could you guys please suggest an estimated price for Kiz. The car is in Canada. It is fully loaded, leather seats, spotless, 40000 km driven, has new tires. What will be a good deal?

A good deal for a Sport SLS with that kind of mileage would be under 13,500 USD, IMO. An okay deal would be above that up to 14,900. Anything above that price is too much for the Kizashi given the orphan status.
The Kizashi is a technically good car, but there are many factors in why it should be attained for a low price. Make sure to get a good deal on it.

As for resale value, yes, the Subaru will have better resale value later on. Subarus have some of the highest resale values of any car out there. However, if you're more interested in having a good car and enjoying it rather than being concerned about resale value later on, get the Kizashi. It's simply a better car. My suggestion is to buy it with the best deal you can get and then plan to keep it for a while so resale value isn't too much of a concern. This car delivers much more in intrinsic value given the features.

FrankoLaMoya wrote:The iAWD system is awesome (audio system too by the way!). I had 2 Audi A4 Quattro before my Kizashi and it is even better. I also thought about getting a Subaru (Impreza or WRX), but I preferred the Kizashi due to the nicer look (and rarity of it) and the option of putting it front wheel drive or all wheel drive. In terms of reliability I believe both brands are pretty solid! The only problem with the Kiz is the resale value like you said and dealership issues..Mine is a 2012 Sport model like you want to buy and I never had any issue so far (currently at 62 000 km). In regards to parts, it should not be a big problem. I bought mine in 2012 and I doubted they were about to go bankrupt in North America...took the risk and I don't regret it! I even think I would buy today if I did not have one and had to buy a new car... I would probably pay around $14-15 000 Canadian for a spotless 2013 Kizashi Sport with 40 000 km on it.

KuroNekko wrote:

RS350 wrote:Could you guys please suggest an estimated price for Kiz. The car is in Canada. It is fully loaded, leather seats, spotless, 40000 km driven, has new tires. What will be a good deal?

A good deal for a Sport SLS with that kind of mileage would be under 13,500 USD, IMO. An okay deal would be above that up to 14,900. Anything above that price is too much for the Kizashi given the orphan status.
The Kizashi is a technically good car, but there are many factors in why it should be attained for a low price. Make sure to get a good deal on it.

As for resale value, yes, the Subaru will have better resale value later on. Subarus have some of the highest resale values of any car out there. However, if you're more interested in having a good car and enjoying it rather than being concerned about resale value later on, get the Kizashi. It's simply a better car. My suggestion is to buy it with the best deal you can get and then plan to keep it for a while so resale value isn't too much of a concern. This car delivers much more in intrinsic value given the features.

Thanks again guys for you inputs. I am currently negotiating the price with the dealer. He is asking for $14,995 Canadian. Plus there is a small crack in one of the tail lights. I've asked him to replace it and he'll check tomorrow how much will the tail light cost. Its not a big thing, only a small piece of the outer plastic of the tail light is broken. The light works fine and its not even noticeable easily, I just want to have a clean car when I drive out of the dealership. Would you guys know how much will one tail light cost?

Lets see how much I can bring him down to tomorrow.
Much appreciate all your help.