i agree with the stiff ride and possibly subsequent noisy interior on my SLS. Sould have saved my money n went with the S. but my vanity got the hold of meWESHOOT2 wrote:97,197 miles 993 days
So those baldies on the back caught up to me (and my dirt road travels); both ended up holed by rocks.
Somehow I ended up with a Hankook snow on the left rear, and the other three are Goodyear WRTs. Left front has a broken tire valve, and the other three all leak either at the stem or from the sensor protrusion itself.
Rumor here has a 'repair' kit available, and I'll be taking advantage of it. Or them.
Still goes fast; still creak-n-rattle free, still returning superior mileage. Tuesday I took a trip of 342 miles to navigate New Hampshire's Dixville Notch, and home through the White Mountains. Even with "The Joy of Driving", my Kizashi managed 32.537549 MPG (411.6 miles, 12.65 gallons of Mobil and Sunoco 89 octane).
Talked to a Sport owner today, and listened to complaints about its stiff ride and "noisy" interior (Vermont roads ARE NOT FRIENDLY).
The S is the way to go..........
Mine's still going
Carnads still attached.
114 days
2011 Kizash SLS AWD
My interior is very quiet except for tire noise. And I know it's from cupping. At this time there's too much tread to replace them so I'll live with the noise. But I can't wait until I put some new tires on. Deciding what brand and type will be very difficult. I'm sure that I'll post here and get suggestions from my fellow Kizashians...
Murcod,
Yes, the North American Kizashi offered AWD even in the base model which is the Kizashi S.
As for the S being the way to go... ahem, no. Not for me at least. It was GTS, SLS or bust when I was looking for a Kizashi.
I have no doubt all Kizashis of any trim is a fine car, however, the upper trims are where the Kizashi goes to outshine its competition.
The S has smaller wheels with more rubber so the ride would be better and the fuel economy also better. However, the S and even the SE does not include the awesome features like the RF stereo, bluetooth, and the moonroof. These features are, of course, not things that define a good car, but make your time in it more enjoyable. These are also the features not found in the competition for the same price range.
Also, I have no doubt the lowered suspension and larger, lighter wheels of the Sport GTS and SLS enhance handling. In fact, I have read reviews by pros who drove both the SE and the GTS and compared them. One of the things they discussed was how the actual modifications to the suspension and wheels in the Sport models made the good handling of the Kizashi even better.
I don't consider my GTS a harsh ride by any means. It's very comfortable for how well the car handles. I was in a 2006 Camry the past weekend and felt that my Kizashi was more comfortable and quiet than it.
I can't compare to a Kizashi S or SE as I have never driven those, but I know for certain that I will never trade down, even for the sake of saving money. No offense.
Regardless, the car is quite awesome regardless of what trim you have. Modifications also allow you to get your car to where you want it.
Yes, the North American Kizashi offered AWD even in the base model which is the Kizashi S.
As for the S being the way to go... ahem, no. Not for me at least. It was GTS, SLS or bust when I was looking for a Kizashi.
I have no doubt all Kizashis of any trim is a fine car, however, the upper trims are where the Kizashi goes to outshine its competition.
The S has smaller wheels with more rubber so the ride would be better and the fuel economy also better. However, the S and even the SE does not include the awesome features like the RF stereo, bluetooth, and the moonroof. These features are, of course, not things that define a good car, but make your time in it more enjoyable. These are also the features not found in the competition for the same price range.
Also, I have no doubt the lowered suspension and larger, lighter wheels of the Sport GTS and SLS enhance handling. In fact, I have read reviews by pros who drove both the SE and the GTS and compared them. One of the things they discussed was how the actual modifications to the suspension and wheels in the Sport models made the good handling of the Kizashi even better.
I don't consider my GTS a harsh ride by any means. It's very comfortable for how well the car handles. I was in a 2006 Camry the past weekend and felt that my Kizashi was more comfortable and quiet than it.
I can't compare to a Kizashi S or SE as I have never driven those, but I know for certain that I will never trade down, even for the sake of saving money. No offense.
Regardless, the car is quite awesome regardless of what trim you have. Modifications also allow you to get your car to where you want it.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Lower profile tyres (ie.going up in rim diameter) and stiffer suspension do have a huge impact on interior rattles/ creaks. We had a 2006 Mazda 6 (bottom spec) that came with 195/65R15 tyres (tyre size from memory, but definitely 15" rims). I bought the OEM top model spec tyre and a suitable rim - so went up to 17" rims with 215/45R17 tyres.Stodge wrote:Is the stiffer ride the cause (should I say creator?) of the rattles/creaks etc? Is it that simple?
The steering response and cornering improved immensely, but rattles also became obvious that we hadn't heard before. The ride quality also deteriorated from "plush" to "feel every little pebble on the road".
David
I've had 'stuff' in some of my cars, but I remain enamored by a car's driving essence; the AWD S has personality in spades.
When I lived in Maryland, I could consider a 'flat-land' car (you know, one with FWD, or fat tires, or a moonroof, or the such). Here, in Vermont, with its unpaved roads, and paved roads so heaved and broken by our weather extremes, one needs sufficient tire side-wall height and ground clearance, and a suppple suspension tune that allows tires to remain in contact with the roasd.
Cell-phone coverage is spotty at verybest. Tree branches fall with great regularity. Pavement breaks up anew every single day.
I tested the stiffy-GTS, but there was no way that car would survive the pounding my S gets...........
I miss automatic headlights and memory drivers seat. Oh well.
When I lived in Maryland, I could consider a 'flat-land' car (you know, one with FWD, or fat tires, or a moonroof, or the such). Here, in Vermont, with its unpaved roads, and paved roads so heaved and broken by our weather extremes, one needs sufficient tire side-wall height and ground clearance, and a suppple suspension tune that allows tires to remain in contact with the roasd.
Cell-phone coverage is spotty at verybest. Tree branches fall with great regularity. Pavement breaks up anew every single day.
I tested the stiffy-GTS, but there was no way that car would survive the pounding my S gets...........
I miss automatic headlights and memory drivers seat. Oh well.
1013 days 99,353 miles
Apparently my Kizashi will travel 100,000 miles without any major repairs; I've replaced one headlight bulb and front and rear brakes.
I still have the original sparkplugs. And CVT fluid.
But no rattles. Or paint chipping.
I'm not even bored with it yet.
Last tank 31.1; tank before 28.0.
It IS time for tires and valve stems (and that repair kit for leaky TPMS pieces). Snow tires........
Attitude still attached.
Apparently my Kizashi will travel 100,000 miles without any major repairs; I've replaced one headlight bulb and front and rear brakes.
I still have the original sparkplugs. And CVT fluid.
But no rattles. Or paint chipping.
I'm not even bored with it yet.
Last tank 31.1; tank before 28.0.
It IS time for tires and valve stems (and that repair kit for leaky TPMS pieces). Snow tires........
Attitude still attached.
89,000 KM
No new issues and my brakes should be good for another 20K... I hope.
Even with the minor warranty issues that I experienced early on, this car continually impresses me. I never worry about it leaving me stranded or emptying my wallet on repairs.
Would buy another (and considering it with the crazy deals going on)!
Regarding those deals: Suzuki of Brampton: Brand new loaded SX (SLS) $21K (CAD)
No new issues and my brakes should be good for another 20K... I hope.
Even with the minor warranty issues that I experienced early on, this car continually impresses me. I never worry about it leaving me stranded or emptying my wallet on repairs.
Would buy another (and considering it with the crazy deals going on)!
Regarding those deals: Suzuki of Brampton: Brand new loaded SX (SLS) $21K (CAD)
2011 Kizashi SX
1020 days 99,980 miles
The next time I post I'll be past the magical 100,000 mile barrier.
Tomorrow.
Had an oil change done yesterday, and had new batteries installed in both keyfobs. The suggestion was made that new plugs might enhance the catalytic converter's life-span, so after consideration, I agree, and will get that done with my next paycheck (quoted "$100" for their replacement).
Still fussing with leaky air-needing wheels; gotta gotta gotta get some new snows on that thing ASAP.
Other than that I got nothin'; no issues / complaints / problems not nuthin'. No rattles, either.
I'm not sure what I'll be doing, except that it seems I can continue driving my 2011 Kizashi S AWD as I decide.
Right now I've decided to keep driving..........
Speaking of magical, there is something otherworldly about bombing down gold- and orange-hued backroads; the fall colors are breathtaking.
Good for the soul.
Appendages still attached. So I can give 100K the finger.
The next time I post I'll be past the magical 100,000 mile barrier.
Tomorrow.
Had an oil change done yesterday, and had new batteries installed in both keyfobs. The suggestion was made that new plugs might enhance the catalytic converter's life-span, so after consideration, I agree, and will get that done with my next paycheck (quoted "$100" for their replacement).
Still fussing with leaky air-needing wheels; gotta gotta gotta get some new snows on that thing ASAP.
Other than that I got nothin'; no issues / complaints / problems not nuthin'. No rattles, either.
I'm not sure what I'll be doing, except that it seems I can continue driving my 2011 Kizashi S AWD as I decide.
Right now I've decided to keep driving..........
Speaking of magical, there is something otherworldly about bombing down gold- and orange-hued backroads; the fall colors are breathtaking.
Good for the soul.
Appendages still attached. So I can give 100K the finger.