The Kizashi Spotting Thread!

[KuroNekko]

In Alabama, the plate does not go with the car when purchased. In California it does. So what happens if you buy a car from Alabama and go to California? You're stuck having to explain why you have no tag since this won't happen in California. And each state is different so you have to find this out before buying a car out of state. Oh, and then there's the sales tax associated with the purchase, which gets even more complicated. Don't get me started on driver's licenses differences between states...

The nice thing about CA is that you don't have to surrender your tags like in other states. When I sold my CA-licensed Subaru Impreza to my buddy in Washington, DC, he gave me my CA license plates back after he put on his DC ones. I called the CA DMV and told them I sold the car out of state. I kept my CA tags and have them in my basement. It's nice for collecting or making things out of them.

In Maryland and DC, the DMV is strict about license plates and will demand that you "surrender" your tags once you sell your car or move out of state. They demand that you drop them off or mail them back to them. I had to do that with both my former DC tags and MD tags for my previous Mazda3.

Anyhow, here's some of the things you can do with old license plates. My friend's dad gave my family one of these and it's on a tree in Japan.

[SamirD]

I never thought about anything unique about a license plate as part of something--until you mentioned Japan. That's got to be pretty cool to have a Cali plate hanging on a tree there. I wonder if people want USDM tags like we have JDM ones?

Alabama isn't too strict at all about giving back the tags. Hence you have all the illegals running around with tags that are essentially stolen or invalid. Doesn't matter though--they don't have licenses or insurance either and can't be prosecuted even when they do substantial property damage to someone else's vehicle.

[KuroNekko]

I never thought about anything unique about a license plate as part of something--until you mentioned Japan. That's got to be pretty cool to have a Cali plate hanging on a tree there. I wonder if people want USDM tags like we have JDM ones?

Alabama isn't too strict at all about giving back the tags. Hence you have all the illegals running around with tags that are essentially stolen or invalid. Doesn't matter though--they don't have licenses or insurance either and can't be prosecuted even when they do substantial property damage to someone else's vehicle.

Japan requires both a front and a rear plate but American license plates are collectible there. The Japanese see just about anything American as "cool" and I've seen American plates hung up on walls in stores over there.

The American car scene there is small but fans are rather hardcore. I've seen lowered Chevy vans and some really customized Wranglers there.

[SamirD]

Japan requires both a front and a rear plate but American license plates are collectible there. The Japanese see just about anything American as "cool" and I've seen American plates hung up on walls in stores over there.

The American car scene there is small but fans are rather hardcore. I've seen lowered Chevy vans and some really customized Wranglers there.

Some US states require front and rear too. I think it's actually a good idea since hit and runs, etc can be spotted easier. But I also think motorcycle helmets are good too...

That's pretty cool that people have plates hung up and such. I wonder if there's a way to 'ebay' old tags to Japanese enthusiasts that will pay for them?

I could never imagine seeing a lowered Chevy Van in Japan. Actually, I could never imagine seeing a lowered Chevy Van in the US!

I once ran across the owner of a RHD 50s truck that he brought with him to the states from South Africa. It was completely restored and RHD. Pretty nifty. I'm sure it would feel similar to see American iron there in Japan.

[LPSISRL]

I think we'll begin seeing more and more states adopt both front and rear plates. Both my current state (VA) and where I grew up (MN) have both. Police now use trunk mounted cameras that can scan and process plates in real time getting feedback on stolen vehicles and such. Not having a front plates makes that practice less efficient as you can't do both sides of a street at the same time and possible get a shot of either plate.

[SamirD]

I think we'll begin seeing more and more states adopt both front and rear plates. Both my current state (VA) and where I grew up (MN) have both. Police now use trunk mounted cameras that can scan and process plates in real time getting feedback on stolen vehicles and such. Not having a front plates makes that practice less efficient as you can't do both sides of a street at the same time and possible get a shot of either plate.

I'm sure Alabama will eventually adopt it, but for now my Porsche looks better without a front tag.

[KansasKid]

Kansas City is split between Kansas and Missouri. It's weird because Missouri requires plates on the front and the back, but Kansas only requires plates on the back. So half the cars I see driving around have two plates, and the other half only have one.

I believe Missouri is also more strict about vehicle inspection and getting them done every 2 years or so. But I live on the Kansas side, so I'm not entirely sure.

[Knightewolfe]

Yo all, New to the forum here. But have been lurking for a couple of months.

In the almost three years I've been in the Crescent City, I've spotted four (not counting the one I test drove last month. 2011 GTS with a 6MT). Suzuki Kizashi's.

Spotted the first one almost a year and a half ago. Red Kizashi with a CVT entering Brechtel Park where I'm a security guard on the weekends. Been a fan of the Kiz,since around 2009 when they were announced. Couldn't find a Suzuk dealer when I went to purchase a car in 2011 (ended up with an 05 Accord with an Automatic tranny).

I thought that Red Kizashi was a bit small for me (I'm 6'3 and 275+ lbs.) until I test the black 2011 GTS.

Since then I've seen two other black Kizashi's driving on I-10 and a beautiful blue one passing by on I-610.

Hopefully, as I'm in the market for a car now, I can purchase a used 6MT Kizashi for a good price and low miles on the clock. I wish that you could get a Kizashi AWD with the 6MT but I don't think they sold them that way before Suzuk Motors left the US years ago.

KW

[Moto]

Welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately, you are correct you cannot get an AWD Kizashi in manual.

[WIKizashi]

I can't even remember the last time I saw another Kizashi but then happened to see another blue one at the grocery store on Saturday. Unfortunately I had a tantruming 2 year old in the car with me and wasn't able to get a closer look at it to see the trim.