Hi Everyone, new poster here.
I'm an SX4 Crossover owner and I'm seriously thinking of buying a Kizashi. I'm currently trying to decide between a 2011 SLS with about 35K miles on it and a 2012 SE with about 12K miles on it. They come in within a couple hundred dolloars of each other so price is not a factor here. I've only driven a GTS manual and both of the above cars are CVTs. I've only driven one CVT a couple of years ago. Is the SE quieter than the SLS since the suspension is a little softer? I really like the extra options in the SLS, but the newer model year and lower miles draws me to the SE. I'd have less than 6 months bumper to bumper on the SLS.
Any suggestions? Unfortunately, they are each at least 3 hours away from me in opposite directions so direct comparisons will be difficult.
Thanks!
Decisions, decisions...
First of all, do either cars have AWD? If so, do you live in an area where AWD would be useful?
This is a tough one because of the miles vs. the trim, but I would first try to find out if one is in better condition than the other from carefully looking at the photos.
Personally, I would be more inclined to go with the SLS because of the features. For the same price, you are getting a lot more car despite the extra 20k miles. Overall, 35K miles isn't that much for an used car.
The SLS is the top of the line and has many features you won't find in the SE which Suzuki intended as the main seller. There is no difference between the 2011 and 2012 design so model year should not matter.
The main thing to ask yourself is how much you want the SLS features over the lower mileage. Do you want heated leather? Do you want the RF stereo? Does it have navigation? Do you want the Sport trim look? Would back-up sensors be useful to you? Moonroof? Etc.
If you don't find these features all that compelling, then the SE may be a better choice given the lower miles. For me personally, the features outweigh the mileage. In the end, the car will rack up the miles so 20k won't matter much down the road. The extra features will as they remain constant variables. They will be things you can appreciate 7 years from now.
A longer bumper to bumper warranty is nice, but will most likely run out before you have any issue to take the car in for. I bought my 2011 GTS used and have owned it for over 9 months. I've had ZERO issues with it and will probably have the bumper to bumper warranty run out before I would even bother to make a warranty claim.
Given the SLS still has some warranty left, you can make claims for issues soon after you get your car if you notice issues.
This is a tough one for sure and people will have different opinions, but I was one who specifically sought out a Kizashi Sport GTS. I would not have considered a S or SE. An SLS would have been nice, but I did not want leather and finding a 6 speed manual in a SLS is also rare. Basically, the GTS was my ideal fit because it did not skimp on the features I wanted.
This is a tough one because of the miles vs. the trim, but I would first try to find out if one is in better condition than the other from carefully looking at the photos.
Personally, I would be more inclined to go with the SLS because of the features. For the same price, you are getting a lot more car despite the extra 20k miles. Overall, 35K miles isn't that much for an used car.
The SLS is the top of the line and has many features you won't find in the SE which Suzuki intended as the main seller. There is no difference between the 2011 and 2012 design so model year should not matter.
The main thing to ask yourself is how much you want the SLS features over the lower mileage. Do you want heated leather? Do you want the RF stereo? Does it have navigation? Do you want the Sport trim look? Would back-up sensors be useful to you? Moonroof? Etc.
If you don't find these features all that compelling, then the SE may be a better choice given the lower miles. For me personally, the features outweigh the mileage. In the end, the car will rack up the miles so 20k won't matter much down the road. The extra features will as they remain constant variables. They will be things you can appreciate 7 years from now.
A longer bumper to bumper warranty is nice, but will most likely run out before you have any issue to take the car in for. I bought my 2011 GTS used and have owned it for over 9 months. I've had ZERO issues with it and will probably have the bumper to bumper warranty run out before I would even bother to make a warranty claim.
Given the SLS still has some warranty left, you can make claims for issues soon after you get your car if you notice issues.
This is a tough one for sure and people will have different opinions, but I was one who specifically sought out a Kizashi Sport GTS. I would not have considered a S or SE. An SLS would have been nice, but I did not want leather and finding a 6 speed manual in a SLS is also rare. Basically, the GTS was my ideal fit because it did not skimp on the features I wanted.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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Knightstruth
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:22 pm
I agree with kuro on this about features vs miles. Having said that I would ask myself how many miles you drive a year and is an extra 20,000 worth it. Early on it sounds like a lot (for me it is 2 years worth) but if you have the car awhile it will seem like nothing when you are talking 100,000 vs 120,000.
I drive about 12K a year so it's a little less than 2 years. You're right the the gap will certainly close as the vehicle ages. It still has until 2018 on the power train or another 65K miles. However the 2012 has until 2019 or another 88K miles. Unfortunately, I think I have to see and drive them both. That means lots of driving for me!
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Knightstruth
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:22 pm
Your probably going to have to wheel and deal and see who can give you the best offer. I mean if you are okay with the options on the SE than nothing wrong with going for it... but if you will have regrets and think you miss the options of the SLS that is different. Remember that you are going to have this car for awhile, so you may want the goodies when newer cars start coming out with better standard equipment.LPSISRL wrote:New variable to add to the equation. They just dropped my price on the SE to $1000 less than the SLS. I had basically decided on the SLS but now? Boy this is hard!
I live in Texas so my perceptions are skewed, but 35k miles on a 2 year old car is nothing down here. We can travel vast distances without ever leaving the state, but it is mostly easy highway/interstate miles. I would rather buy a west Texas car (50-100 miles between towns of any size out there) with 35k on the clock than an identical car that spent it's whole life in DFW or Houston traffic and only has 20k. Of course that's just me..
Also, (and just my opinion) but I wouldn't let resale value be a huge factor in your decision. Especially so when you're talking about an orphaned car brand...after Suzuki stops supporting these things with parts/service in a few years, you'll practically have to give it away no matter what trim level. Just the truth..
Also, (and just my opinion) but I wouldn't let resale value be a huge factor in your decision. Especially so when you're talking about an orphaned car brand...after Suzuki stops supporting these things with parts/service in a few years, you'll practically have to give it away no matter what trim level. Just the truth..