Considering buying a Kizashi, Specific concerns

[KuroNekko]

One very important thing to consider about snow driving is tires. While AWD is great and can make a big difference in snow traction, without the proper tires in good condition, AWD will make little difference. A 2WD car fitted with good snow tires will have better snow traction than an AWD car with Summer or worn-out tires. AWD systems also don't help at all with braking while tires make all the difference. For this reason, getting the proper tires on all four wheels is necessary for optimal snow traction.

From my experience with Subarus and Suzuki 4x4s, I think AWD vehicles are great on moderate snow. They make snow travel convenient and can move confidently as long as the snow doesn't get too deep. For deeper snow and/or on unpaved roads with snow, true 4x4 systems with a locking center differential and low gearing is much better. 4x4 SUVs also have higher ground clearance to clear deep snow and also have more clearance in their fenders to fit chains. For these reasons, my former Suzuki Sidekick was able to go places in the snow that my Subaru Impreza could only dream of. However, for everyday snow driving on roads that got regularly plowed, the Subaru's AWD was more appealing and definitely superior on freeway driving.

[ProMarinero]

Agree with above. I really prefer the Suzuki over my 3/4 ton Chevy up to about 9" of snow. I use two sets of tires with the winter ones being a high-end studless set. The winter set are gumballs and will burn up quickly in normal driving, but are far superior to standard m+s "all-season" units.

You WILL break the undercovers if you go too deep. I went aggro racing over Snoqualmie Pass a couple weeks ago to beat avalanche control. I'm going to fab up some 1/8" UHMW plates to replace the flimsy stockers. Yes I could wait but I drive that pass so much it would kill my schedule. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!


I've learned the key to driving my SLS safely (and more rapidly) through the slop is using the paddle shifters for decelerating as much as possible and driving through the corner in a lower gear while keeping power on. Of course this works in any car and I've used it for years, but with the paddles it becomes much more fluid and fun to drive in snow. Be careful - you can find yourself channeling your inner Colin McRae quickly and looking like a maniac to the wadded panties clogging up the road.

On the OP's original concern - if you can't determine whether the CVT was replaced, you might try pulling the airbox and see if the body mount for the CVT cooler return filter shows signs of removal.

[SamirD]

Our Kizashi is well-planted and well-behaved in even unplowed snow (as we recently experienced in downtown MKE) as long as it doesn't get too high. Ground clearance is still a car and you can get it stuck (as I learned last year or the year before).

Oh, but this is all on snow tires. It was scary as anything on the stock dunlops.

[KansasKid]

If you're rolling in the snow on all-seasons like I am, you have to make sure you enter a corner very gingerly. Otherwise, you'll just end up sliding due to nose heavy understeer into curbs like I have on several occasions. Once you're close to the apex, you can stab the throttle while the TCS is off to get the back end to kick out easily. Be careful holding the throttle while you're sideways. My Kizashi has a tendency to just keep sliding laterally mid-drift under sustained power regardless of steering wheel input until I let of the throttle.

I've never had to drive in more than 2-3 inches of snow, but I'm surprised that the Kizashi can handle up to 9-ish before stuff starts falling off.

[SamirD]

If you're rolling in the snow on all-seasons like I am, you have to make sure you enter a corner very gingerly. Otherwise, you'll just end up sliding due to nose heavy understeer into curbs like I have on several occasions. Once you're close to the apex, you can stab the throttle while the TCS is off to get the back end to kick out easily. Be careful holding the throttle while you're sideways. My Kizashi has a tendency to just keep sliding laterally mid-drift under sustained power regardless of steering wheel input until I let of the throttle.

I've never had to drive in more than 2-3 inches of snow, but I'm surprised that the Kizashi can handle up to 9-ish before stuff starts falling off.

Even with snow tires, corners should be treated gingerly otherwise you'll be understeering for sure. Your lateral grip is all about the tires, the rear drivetrain doesn't kick in to help even if it's on dry pavement.

You can even kick out the back end a bit with TCS on as long as you already have enough lateral g's to cause understeer. I'll frequently goose the throttle just a bit to make the back end help me 'turn' the car when turning into our apartment complex. But that's the only place I use it. I couldn't see myself using it at speed as the snap back would definitely cause the car to lose control.

[KansasKid]

I couldn't see myself using it at speed as the snap back would definitely cause the car to lose control.

I got that snap-back thing to happen once, jacking around in my Kizashi while the pavement was damp in a light rain. Didn't lose control, but I rattled everyone in the car.

Good times.

You shouldn't have the snap back issue in the snow, unless you hit a dry patch while you're sideways.

[SamirD]

I couldn't see myself using it at speed as the snap back would definitely cause the car to lose control.

I got that snap-back thing to happen once, jacking around in my Kizashi while the pavement was damp in a light rain. Didn't lose control, but I rattled everyone in the car.

Good times.

You shouldn't have the snap back issue in the snow, unless you hit a dry patch while you're sideways.

True, it will come on slow and steady and then be unrecoverable.