Kizashi Club

I really love this car but am not sure if I can afford it. I'd love to have the moonroof and Rockford system that the GTS offers but don't know if it's worth the extra $2k+. I know that the GTS is also "sport-tuned" and is lower by a few millimeters. Does anyone know if there is any significant driving difference between the two models? If there's no difference, I may be more inclined to settle for the SE or S model.

And also... how is the stock stereo on the SE model? Does it sound decent, and does it also play mp3 CDs?

I purchased the SE because it came in deep sea blue, and the color is not offered on the GTS model. I was also limited to the dealer's availability. I drove a fully loaded GTS and SLS, and there were a few differences in ride, but it was not significant enough for the price IMO. The paddle shifters are cool, but seem more novelty then anything as you can have a manual mode on the SE that basically does the same thing, and actually gives a more "stick" feel. You do gain leather and heated seats which were a little more plush and easier to clean, but for about $40 you can find decent seat covers. You also get fog lights, but you can add those to an SE, or go LED like I've seen some do. Most of the things I noticed were cosmetic features, but the SE still looks awesome! Stock stereo is decent, but you can always upgrade at half the cost of what you can get through a dealer.

Right on, thanks for the reply.

Anybody else able or willing to weigh in? Driving dynamics between SE and GTS, audio quality in SE?

I drive a 2010 S, with the same radio as the SE. Sound quality is very good if you ask me. Obviously, with the radio driving the speakers directly through a pre-amplifier, it is not in the same league as a dedicated high performance amp, like the Rocksford-Fosgate, but it surely fills the car nicely.

Thanks, Alex. Now, can anyone notice any difference as far as drive is concerned?

pootyash wrote:Thanks, Alex. Now, can anyone notice any difference as far as drive is concerned?

My wife and I just purchased a 2011 Sport SLS AWD, to me, the handling is notably different between the sport and the SE. We drove an SE, GTS, and SLS. The sport models had much less body roll in turns and gave a better planted feeling, much tighter and felt like you have better control. We opted for the SLS due to the fact we won't be buying another car for awhile and the SLS has pretty much every option you can think of, except for nav. The stereo in the SE wasnt bad, and better than other stock stereos I have heard, but it won't beat out the sound of the Rockford. The Rockford sounds better than some Bose and Infinity systems in other cars. This is only my opinion and not meant to bash anyone else's car.

Thanks for the input, Rob. Now if I can only get a dealer to make an offer I can't refuse!