Kizashi Club

Hello Suzuki fans,

The wife and I just got home from the dealer and she fell in love with the Kizashi SX AWD ........but she really wants Nav in her new car. Is there a solution?

Is there a nice after market navsystem that works in the Kizashi? Does it replace the entire stereo system?

Thanks folks,

Geordie.

Garmin Nuvi $150-200.

I just don't understand why would anyone would want a NAV supplied by an auto maker that will eventually go bad and literally cost a fortune to have it replaced? Now you're locked in to the stealership for a replacement, and your choices are only one. My preference is to have the auto manufacturers concentrate on designing, building and putting the $$ into the things that create a solid, reliable, fun to drive auto (engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, solid body construction, no rattles, etc......all things that make a car , "a car" (things we can not alter easily) and focus less on making cars rolling entertainment centers. This is also how I responded to the new car survey I've just received as well...too many questions in there focusing on all the compunavitainment stuff. In a car that is priced where the Kizashi is, something else will suffer in order to shift the $$$ to build that NAV system into the car.

just my humble opinion

The "factory" Nav with backup cam is available on the GTS and SLS. It's a Kenwood unit that is not very graceful looking compared to the other head units in the Kizashi.

I have to agree with Ronzuki. I always thought in dash Nav was a little ridiculous. I had a basic attach to the window with a suction cup Garmin Nuvi that I used in my old car and it was great. I have the GTS AWD + Nav. I personally could have done without the Nav in console, and honestly the only complaint I have at all about the car thus far is with the computechnotainment stuff in the car. This was just an additional option that the car I purchased had above and beyond all the other options I wanted, and I just said ok what the hell, why not since the dealer was willing to sell the car basically at their cost.

Disadvantages to the in dash Nav =
1. not portable (can't use it in another vehicle or as a pedestrian).
2. Suzuki has locked this thing in safe mode meaning I can't enter or modify the route at all when the vehicle is in motion. This sucks because sometimes you might forget to choose your destination before you take off on your trip, or you might get a call and need to change destinations in route, or maybe you just want to search for somewhere to eat on your way to where you're going. All of which you will have to do at a full stop. Hope you can find the nearest Taco Bell before the light turns Green!
3. Expensive to fix or replace.

Advantages to the in dash Nav =
1. You don't have a suction cup stuck to the windshield.

It's really up to personal preference. The Nav does do its job like any other Garmin. The safe mode is the thing that makes me nuts. Honestly I like having it in dash. If and when I find a way to override the safe mode I'll probably be totally happy with it. I think there may be a way to update the firmware on the in dash one to remove the safe mode thing, but I haven't figured it out yet.

AlphaLima wrote:2. Suzuki has locked this thing in safe mode meaning I can't enter or modify the route at all when the vehicle is in motion.

Um...pull over? Not trying to be a jerk, but I know that I'd personally prefer not to be driving on the same road with anyone that's mucking around with their gps, stereo, or phone. Is it really worth risking other peoples' lives to find a taco bell while you drive?

I would like to mention that I think it's annoying that it can't be overridden so that a PASSENGER might assist in finding a nearby Mickey-d's, but I find it to be just a mere inconvenience, not worth griping to anyone about.

Fwiw, the portable (Factory) Nav in my wife's SX4 is the same way.

NDB

Well it appears that we are the proud new owners of a Kizashi. Since the nav was big on my wifes list (it's her car, I use a $200 magellan in my Landcruiser, I am totally on-side with Ronzuki) we got the dealer to install a Kenwood DNX6960.......seems to be a nice unit that will be easy for the wife to figureout......and I will put the factory headunit away incase we have issues later.

I wonder how long I have to wait before my wife lets me sit in the drivers seat

Nunya_Binnez wrote: Um...pull over? Not trying to be a jerk, but I know that I'd personally prefer not to be driving on the same road with anyone that's mucking around with their gps, stereo, or phone. Is it really worth risking other peoples' lives to find a taco bell while you drive?

I don't want to start an argument, but uh oh here goes... If it was that distracting and dangerous all vehicles should have locks on them to prevent you from operating the stereo while the vehicle is moving. It doesn't take any more taps on the screen to select a destination from your address list or click search restaurants than to operate the stereo.

Nunya_Binnez wrote: I would like to mention that I think it's annoying that it can't be overridden so that a PASSENGER might assist in finding a nearby Mickey-d's, but I find it to be just a mere inconvenience, not worth griping to anyone about.

I agree with the logic that the lock is really ridiculous considering it its totally safe for a passenger to operate. But IMHO its also completely safe for the driver. Sure, it takes common sense and a little caution (and yes true, lots of people lack both), but still I'd like the option to turn it off like you can on a portable Garmin.

Nunya_Binnez wrote: Fwiw, the portable (Factory) Nav in my wife's SX4 is the same way.

From what I've read online I think all Nav devices installed by the car manufacturers remove the ability to turn the safe lock off. Something I didn't realize until I started using it!

But I do agree its mostly only a little irritating. I wouldn't think anything of it if I hadn't owned another Garmin Nuvi previously. I guess I was terrorizing the roads and operating it while driving more than I realized! LOL

Congrats to Marlin375 and his wife on the new car!

My old car, a '09 Lancer, I could change the route without stopping on the stock navigation system.

Marlin375 wrote: I wonder how long I have to wait before my wife lets me sit in the drivers seat

Once she gets to really enjoying the handling and driveability of the car it's not likely you'll get ANY seat time!

Congratulate your wife on her new car for us....

Marlin 375:

"I wonder how long I have to wait..."

If I were in your place, it would be about 10 minutes after she falls asleep tonight. Of course, if you really meant "drive it" then only you can put a price on your health and happiness.