Thanks a bunch. It isn't a universal, but I'll post pics once I get it.
Does the reverse lever get affected in any way? Or does it still have the pull up as usual?
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Reporting in from Japan
You have to be careful for the reverse lock-out collar. You need to make sure that the replacement knob is designed to accommodate the Kizashi's collar's upward movement when reverse is engaged. My universal shift knob has a rather wide opening for the collar, but it wasn't quite wide enough for the Kizashi. I had to end up taking out the spring retainer (the white plastic piece) and its metal clip to fit my new knob. The knob keeps the spring in place so the retainer isn't necessary. However, I have to screw the knob in just right so that the knob is as low as possible but not too low or it'll prevent the collar from going up when I need to engage reverse. I currently have the OE knob back in use because I need to re-glue the JDM knob back onto the shifter. The replacement knob is a bit of a hassle, but it's so much more ergonomic because it's round.
Let us know what kind of shifter you got and if it's 100% compatible with the Kizashi. Reverse lock-out collars can make things quite difficult with compatibility when trying to use an aftermarket knob.
Let us know what kind of shifter you got and if it's 100% compatible with the Kizashi. Reverse lock-out collars can make things quite difficult with compatibility when trying to use an aftermarket knob.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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KlutzNinja
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:58 am
Kuro, do you still have the cat key fob thing? Just wondering for the sake of continuity lol
Current: Blue 2018 Mazda 3 GT 5-Door
Previous: Blue 2010 Ford Focus SES,
Black 2013 Kizashi Sport GTS-L (CVT; FWD)(RIP)
Previous: Blue 2010 Ford Focus SES,
Black 2013 Kizashi Sport GTS-L (CVT; FWD)(RIP)
Haha, yes. I still have everything from my Japan haul. In fact, every single LED bulb I bought is still fully functional and installed in my Kizashi. I bought more of the PIAA T10 bulbs and installed them on my Suzuki motorcycles as they use the T10 bulbs for their position bulbs too. The black cat key cover is on a different keyring now and the black cat keychain doll (Jiji from Hayao Miyazaki's "Kiki's Delivery Service") has been dangling on my inner windshield for years. Funny enough, in 2017, I found and adopted a real black cat. I'm definitely "kuro neko'ed" out.KlutzNinja wrote: ↑Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:23 am Kuro, do you still have the cat key fob thing? Just wondering for the sake of continuity lol
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Reviving this old thread to post new content from my recent trip to Japan.
As many know, Japan is the home of Suzuki and the brand has a healthy presence in the nation.
During my trip there, I spotted many new Suzukis but my favorite is the Jimny. While the Jimny is a vehicle sold around the world, one version is unique to Japan because it's specifically designed to be a kei-car. Kei cars are basically micro-cars in Japan that meet stringent regulations on weight, dimensions, power, and engine displacement to fit into the lowest vehicle tax classification in Japan. These are essentially the cheapest vehicles to buy and operate in Japan and account to about 30% of all vehicles sold there. Keis are only made in Japan and specifically for Japan but many used keis are ending up in other nations, including the US. Some states have allowed keis to be registered after the 25-year federal rule and just recently, the state of Colorado officially allowed keis to be registered. Kei-trucks like the Honda Acty and Suzuki Carry are becoming popular in the US given their austere practicality, small size, affordability, and unique character. They are often no-nonsense micro work-trucks that have the same bed size as US pick-ups that are significantly larger, more complicated, and far more expensive despite no real intentions for actual duty use. Meanwhile, in Japan, kei-trucks are really only purchased by people who use them as duty trucks. As some states lax regulations on importing keis, I imagine some like the Jimny might start becoming more popular.
Below is a current generation Suzuki Jimny in kei-car version. While the larger 1.5 liter version is also sold, the keis have a 660cc 3 cylinder turbo engine. The kei Jimny is narrower than the 1.5 liter version, which is called the Jimny Sierra in Japan. It's this Jimny Sierra that is sold in the rest of the world as the "Jimny". The kei doesn't have the larger plastic fenders found on the Jimny Sierra or the new 5 door version: the Jimny Nomade. However, the easiest way to tell a kei in Japan is by the yellow license plate as only keis have them in Japan. I spotted the one below in Okinawa outside a Suzuki shop likely specializing in motorcycles and parts.
Among other matters in Suzukis, my childhood friend who resides in Japan currently drives a late model Suzuki Swift Sport; another one of my favorite Suzukis. He drove me around a few times in the car thus I had a good chance to experience and photograph it. The vehicle is actually a last gen model as a new one is already out in Japan. The one my friend has is powered by a 1.5 liter turbocharged engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. It got up to speed quite nicely but didn't feel like a teeth-chattering go-cart. The seats were nicely bolstered without feeling uncomfortable. Though small, it works as a sub-compact family car (for a small family) that is still fun to drive. I have often stated that had Suzuki brought this car instead of the Kizashi at the time it did, perhaps sales would have been higher and saved Suzuki in the US and Canada. The Kizashi was an excellent car but came at a bad time, being Suzuki's most expensive and refined car when many were looking for smaller and more affordable cars during the economic crisis at the time.
As a bonus, I am including a photo of this whacky car I spotted in Japan. It's actually a Mitsubishi Triton, which was sold in Mexico but not in the US in this form. It has the markings of a NYPD vehicle which would be highly illegal in the US but given it's in Japan, fair game. While this one had a bunch of stickers and accessories, I've actually seen a very faithful California Highway Patrol cosplay vehicle in Japan years ago.
As many know, Japan is the home of Suzuki and the brand has a healthy presence in the nation.
During my trip there, I spotted many new Suzukis but my favorite is the Jimny. While the Jimny is a vehicle sold around the world, one version is unique to Japan because it's specifically designed to be a kei-car. Kei cars are basically micro-cars in Japan that meet stringent regulations on weight, dimensions, power, and engine displacement to fit into the lowest vehicle tax classification in Japan. These are essentially the cheapest vehicles to buy and operate in Japan and account to about 30% of all vehicles sold there. Keis are only made in Japan and specifically for Japan but many used keis are ending up in other nations, including the US. Some states have allowed keis to be registered after the 25-year federal rule and just recently, the state of Colorado officially allowed keis to be registered. Kei-trucks like the Honda Acty and Suzuki Carry are becoming popular in the US given their austere practicality, small size, affordability, and unique character. They are often no-nonsense micro work-trucks that have the same bed size as US pick-ups that are significantly larger, more complicated, and far more expensive despite no real intentions for actual duty use. Meanwhile, in Japan, kei-trucks are really only purchased by people who use them as duty trucks. As some states lax regulations on importing keis, I imagine some like the Jimny might start becoming more popular.
Below is a current generation Suzuki Jimny in kei-car version. While the larger 1.5 liter version is also sold, the keis have a 660cc 3 cylinder turbo engine. The kei Jimny is narrower than the 1.5 liter version, which is called the Jimny Sierra in Japan. It's this Jimny Sierra that is sold in the rest of the world as the "Jimny". The kei doesn't have the larger plastic fenders found on the Jimny Sierra or the new 5 door version: the Jimny Nomade. However, the easiest way to tell a kei in Japan is by the yellow license plate as only keis have them in Japan. I spotted the one below in Okinawa outside a Suzuki shop likely specializing in motorcycles and parts.
Among other matters in Suzukis, my childhood friend who resides in Japan currently drives a late model Suzuki Swift Sport; another one of my favorite Suzukis. He drove me around a few times in the car thus I had a good chance to experience and photograph it. The vehicle is actually a last gen model as a new one is already out in Japan. The one my friend has is powered by a 1.5 liter turbocharged engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. It got up to speed quite nicely but didn't feel like a teeth-chattering go-cart. The seats were nicely bolstered without feeling uncomfortable. Though small, it works as a sub-compact family car (for a small family) that is still fun to drive. I have often stated that had Suzuki brought this car instead of the Kizashi at the time it did, perhaps sales would have been higher and saved Suzuki in the US and Canada. The Kizashi was an excellent car but came at a bad time, being Suzuki's most expensive and refined car when many were looking for smaller and more affordable cars during the economic crisis at the time.
As a bonus, I am including a photo of this whacky car I spotted in Japan. It's actually a Mitsubishi Triton, which was sold in Mexico but not in the US in this form. It has the markings of a NYPD vehicle which would be highly illegal in the US but given it's in Japan, fair game. While this one had a bunch of stickers and accessories, I've actually seen a very faithful California Highway Patrol cosplay vehicle in Japan years ago.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)