What if you were to lose your Kizashi?

[KuroNekko]

Audis are nice and are leaders in automotive technology but have some horrible reliability. I rarely ever see an Audi on the road that is over 15 years old. In comparison, I see 20 year-old Acuras, Lexuses, Mercedes (mostly diesel), and even BMWs. However, the people driving the Japanese cars don't look like car people. They look like they simply still drive it because it still runs on basic maintenance. The German cars of that age are usually cared for, especially the BMWs.
I generally don't consider German cars good for the long haul unless they are diesel.

The Lexus IS is indeed nice and Jono traded his Kizashi for one.
That being said, I think I'd only go for a IS 350 to make it worthwhile. The IS 250 is somewhat too close to the Kizashi's performance level to justify the rather large increase in price for me. 200 HP is enough, I admit, but then the Kizashi's value factor comes into play too much for me. I'd simply have to go for something more powerful to justify the cost difference. The IS 250 vs. the IS 350 has a 102 HP difference and a 2 second difference in 0 to 60. However, the fuel economy is only 2 MPG different for both city and hwy. Price difference is $3,500 when new.

Another car I'd look for is the rare Acura TL with the six speed manual mated to the 3.7 liter V6 and AWD. Yes, an Acura with a V6, AWD, and 3 pedals. They exist but are rare (like Kizashi-status rare) and I've read that the new TLX will not offer something like this. These too are an endangered species.

Some Infinitis and entry-level BMWs are appealing too, but can get pricey and the value factor would be low.

Realistically though, the Rex is probably best suited for me sans the Kizashi.

[Knightstruth]

Audis are nice and are leaders in automotive technology but have some horrible reliability. I rarely ever see an Audi on the road that is over 15 years old. In comparison, I see 20 year-old Acuras, Lexuses, Mercedes (mostly diesel), and even BMWs. However, the people driving the Japanese cars don't look like car people. They look like they simply still drive it because it still runs on basic maintenance. The German cars of that age are usually cared for, especially the BMWs.
I generally don't consider German cars good for the long haul unless they are diesel.

The Lexus IS is indeed nice and Jono traded his Kizashi for one.
That being said, I think I'd only go for a IS 350 to make it worthwhile. The IS 250 is somewhat too close to the Kizashi's performance level to justify the rather large increase in price for me. 200 HP is enough, I admit, but then the Kizashi's value factor comes into play too much for me. I'd simply have to go for something more powerful to justify the cost difference. The IS 250 vs. the IS 350 has a 102 HP difference and a 2 second difference in 0 to 60. However, the fuel economy is only 2 MPG different for both city and hwy. Price difference is $3,500 when new.

Another car I'd look for is the rare Acura TL with the six speed manual mated to the 3.7 liter V6 and AWD. Yes, an Acura with a V6, AWD, and 3 pedals. They exist but are rare (like Kizashi-status rare) and I've read that the new TLX will not offer something like this. These too are an endangered species.

Some Infinitis and entry-level BMWs are appealing too, but can get pricey and the value factor would be low.

Realistically though, the Rex is probably best suited for me sans the Kizashi.

Agreed about the wrx. Its price point is more realistic compared to the Kizashi. I would take the lexus if I'm going entry level luxury sports sedan. The german makes don't inspire confidence of long term use and I love the way bimmer's handle.

[Knightstruth]

I was recently visiting friends and family in new jersey this past week so I used a few different cars. Out of the 328i, c300, clk550 I enjoyed the 328i the most.
The c300 does not feel like a sports sedan at all. It was very floaty. Outside of the technology just not my style. The clk could have been a setting thing cause that car had alot of buttons.

[bootymac]

That being said, I think I'd only go for a IS 350 to make it worthwhile. The IS 250 is somewhat too close to the Kizashi's performance level to justify the rather large increase in price for me. 200 HP is enough, I admit, but then the Kizashi's value factor comes into play too much for me. I'd simply have to go for something more powerful to justify the cost difference. The IS 250 vs. the IS 350 has a 102 HP difference and a 2 second difference in 0 to 60. However, the fuel economy is only 2 MPG different for both city and hwy. Price difference is $3,500 when new.

The value argument is very true. Not getting much out of the IS250 that the Kizashi Sport model doesn't offer. Actually, I don't think any car would have as much value as the Kizashi.

The IS350 is $7200 more in Canada

[KuroNekko]

I was recently visiting friends and family in new jersey this past week so I used a few different cars. Out of the 328i, c300, clk550 I enjoyed the 328i the most.
The c300 does not feel like a sports sedan at all. It was very floaty. Outside of the technology just not my style. The clk could have been a setting thing cause that car had alot of buttons.

I can see that. The 3 Series tries to remain true as a sports sedan and I think that even the lower models try to keep true to form. I've even heard that a BMW 320i is like a stripped-down 3 Series but offered with a 6 speed and RWD. It's somewhat like a "everything you need, nothing you don't" sports sedan at base level. The problem with German cars is that they get very expensive when you load up on desirable options and the value factor plummets. I'd want something like a 320i and keep it simple to just enjoy the driving dynamics. However, that kind of begs the question of why not then get something like the Toyobaru which makes actually more power and is also RWD and probably has even better handling. The Toyobaru would be considerably cheaper even with options.

I agree that the C Class is not really a sports sedan but more a compact luxury car. The people who buy them always seem to just want to drive a Benz and not really care about anything else other than to have a status symbol. The new CLA was created just for these people.

The IS350 is $7200 more in Canada

Damn! That's about double the US price difference. Still, I'd rather pick up an IS 350 used so I'm not reminded of the great value of my Kizashi.

[SamirD]

Even in the NYC metro area, service centers are sparse. I can't do too much DIY and need a reliable daily driver. I would move on to something else.

My lease is up next month so that will pretty much do it for me.

What will the dealership do with the car once you turn it in? Do you think they'll try to sell it or wholesale it?

[SamirD]

THIS!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-Other-gt ... 146wt_1105

Nice! I knew someone once that had one of these back in the day in the turbo version. He had a little bazooka tube (remember those?) in the back and the car looked and sounded sharp!

[SamirD]

http://www.skoda.com.au/models/octavia- ... n/overview <- with manual transmission (of course!)

Nice! Those would sell really well here in the US if the price was right. Super-sharp!

[SamirD]

I know this is an uncomfortable topic for those of us who like the car a lot, but I've been wondering this: what if you lost your Kizashi to an accident or something and had to replace the car? Would you seek another Kizashi? Would you go for something else?

Frankly, this issue has already been a reality for some members and we've heard of people moving on to different cars.
North Americans are limited in choice as Suzuki no longer sells cars so replacing their Kizashi with a new one is not an option. The Kizashi apparently isn't even sold in the UK anymore (it's recently been missing from Suzuki UK's site).

If you had to part with yours would you seek another one? If not, what would you get?

This is a very, very uncomfortable topic, especially since someone out there has our other key. (The gym has not cooperated on providing their surveillance tape and mentioned they're doing an 'internal investigation' so I'm assuming someone's got it.)

If something happened to it and there was a person behind it, they'd be dead faster than I'd know what happened. If the car got totaled in an accident and saved our life, I'd thank it, bid it farewell and see how much a replacement Kizashi would be. It's a perfect car for the long haul for us, and I couldn't think of a better car. But depending on where we would be financially, I might save the cash and just get an older Subie for 4k. They're just as reliable, albeit bare bones. I wouldn't mind that, but the wife might.

But I really don't want to think about this anymore! I'm getting shivers...

[Sluggo]

It looks like most people are going for a replacement similar to the Kizashi.
Not me, I would buy a Subaru Outback. That vehicle would fit my needs better at this time. Carrying bikes and kayaks and the 8.7 inches of ground clearance makes this my next vehicle.