Just passed 100,000 miles after 3 years. I put almost 4,000 on it just this last month. My 2012 SLS has never skipped a beat... well, except for the chunk of concrete I nailed that took out the oil pan. The oil light came on about 10 seconds after I hit it and I killed the engine 10 seconds after that. I put a new oil pan on it and all is well. That was 30,000 miles ago.
This thing is comfortable, looks good (with comments weekly), and absolutely does great in the snow and ice. I commute 3 times a week over one of the nation's gnarliest interstate passes and it has never failed me. Put some Nokian Haakapellitas on it, use the paddles and it will do anything up to about a foot of snow. After that the under covers break (my next DIY project).
I'm looking at the abysmal resale cost of these things. I figure in another 3 years I'll give this one to my now 13 y.o. when she gets her license. I do all my own work, have the extra snow wheels, WeatherTech mats and other goodies. I look at other potential suitors but keep coming back to buying someone's low-mile 2013 SLS trade in 2018. If the second 100k miles go like the first, I'll do it in a heartbeat. I like the new Cadillacs and have also considered diesel awd BMW's and Audis, but why spend that much when I'm just racking up miles?
I'm in for round 2 if this thing holds. Anyone else?
Yeah, I'll do it again. Will you?
I've thought about this a lot so I am glad that you created a post on it. Despite my love for the car, my answer is no. It may come as a surprise to many, but here are my reasons. But before I get to them, I want to state that the Kizashi is an amazing car with awesome value and I have sung high praise of it in countless posts. I just want to reiterate that before continuing on so it's clear I have high regard of the car I drive.
The reasons I wouldn't buy again include numerous factors but the main one is technology. It's a car running on generation-old technology and the relatively low fuel economy is proof of it. While acceptable for the time it was on sale (especially closer to the MY2010 debut), it's quite poor by modern standards. In fact, there are V6-powered AWD CUVs that get nearly the same fuel economy as my FWD manual Kizashi. My buddy who drives a 2015 Subaru Legacy gets about 7 MPG better in both the city and hwy compared to my Kizashi. While I love my car, the drivetrain tech and fuel economy simply don't live up to current, and certainly future, standards.
Another is the orphan status and lack of parts, factory and aftermarket. Getting car-specific parts is harder and customization is nearly impossible now for the Kizashi. It's hard to even get mainstream mods like aftermarket suspension parts for this car. Also, as some members have experienced, even not-too-bad accidents have caused insurance companies to total the car due to the lack of parts to fix it. Another consideration is the warranty. In a matter of a few years, all of our cars will be out of the powertrain warranty. One of the appeals to buying a low mileage car is the warranty coverage just-in-case but this will no longer apply to future Kizashis years from now, regardless of mileage. 2013 is the last model year for the car in North America and the vast majority are earlier model year vehicles. In the past, I didn't care about warranties because the only cars I could afford were out of warranty and high mileage. Different story now that I'm no longer in college or fresh out of it.
Another reason is more personal preference, but the Kizashi is like many cars and makes AWD mutually exclusive to a manual transmission. I personally love both and greatly see the benefit of both. When a reputable company like Subaru offers drivetrains like turbo+manual+AWD (WRX) without being absurdly more expensive, it's hard to continually make sacrifices like the Kizashi powertrain dictates. Heck, you can even get AWD+manual in cars like the base Impreza or XV Crosstrek. Alternatively, modern muscle cars like the current Mustang and new Camaro offer 300 HP from their base V6 engines while returning comparable or better fuel efficiency than the Kizashi, even as manuals. Basically, there are just too many juicy cars offering appealing specs and features to return to the Kizashi as a next vehicle.
Another reason somewhat contradicts my last in terms of car preference, but I think it's time that available technology is applied in my future cars. At a time when electric powertrains are available at affordable prices, I feel like it's rather dim to ignore them until the distant future. I consider myself environmentally-conscious and I believe electricity is a simply cleaner and better way to propel a vehicle, even if partially. While many Americans are ignoring hybrids, EVs, PHEVs, and EREVs due to the current low gas prices ($2.00/gallon Regular as of this writing), I'm actually very interested in them. I'm a big fan of the Chevy Volt and am awaiting the US release of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Summer of 2016, so they say). While neither are performance-oriented cars, they greatly appeal to me in environmental impact, practicality, and operating costs. I could commute to work in one of these everyday and use absolutely no gas doing it. I could even charge for free at my work garage so it would literally cost me nothing to power the vehicle. The Outlander PHEV would do that while offering AWD, higher ground clearance, and a larger CUV body which goes in line with my other hobby; the outdoors like hiking and camping. While it's not like I'll get out of my Kizashi soon for one of these cars, they just appeal too much to seek another Kizashi after this one.
So basically, there are just too many reasons and alternative car choices in my mind to consider another Kizashi. I love this car, but my current one will be my last. I'll likely get something with AWD and 3 pedals or get a car that doesn't even rely much on a transmission powering the wheels. The future is quite exciting in terms of cars for me and the Kizashi is more like an amiable relic of the past.
(Sorry for the essay, but most of you are probably used to it by now.)
The reasons I wouldn't buy again include numerous factors but the main one is technology. It's a car running on generation-old technology and the relatively low fuel economy is proof of it. While acceptable for the time it was on sale (especially closer to the MY2010 debut), it's quite poor by modern standards. In fact, there are V6-powered AWD CUVs that get nearly the same fuel economy as my FWD manual Kizashi. My buddy who drives a 2015 Subaru Legacy gets about 7 MPG better in both the city and hwy compared to my Kizashi. While I love my car, the drivetrain tech and fuel economy simply don't live up to current, and certainly future, standards.
Another is the orphan status and lack of parts, factory and aftermarket. Getting car-specific parts is harder and customization is nearly impossible now for the Kizashi. It's hard to even get mainstream mods like aftermarket suspension parts for this car. Also, as some members have experienced, even not-too-bad accidents have caused insurance companies to total the car due to the lack of parts to fix it. Another consideration is the warranty. In a matter of a few years, all of our cars will be out of the powertrain warranty. One of the appeals to buying a low mileage car is the warranty coverage just-in-case but this will no longer apply to future Kizashis years from now, regardless of mileage. 2013 is the last model year for the car in North America and the vast majority are earlier model year vehicles. In the past, I didn't care about warranties because the only cars I could afford were out of warranty and high mileage. Different story now that I'm no longer in college or fresh out of it.
Another reason is more personal preference, but the Kizashi is like many cars and makes AWD mutually exclusive to a manual transmission. I personally love both and greatly see the benefit of both. When a reputable company like Subaru offers drivetrains like turbo+manual+AWD (WRX) without being absurdly more expensive, it's hard to continually make sacrifices like the Kizashi powertrain dictates. Heck, you can even get AWD+manual in cars like the base Impreza or XV Crosstrek. Alternatively, modern muscle cars like the current Mustang and new Camaro offer 300 HP from their base V6 engines while returning comparable or better fuel efficiency than the Kizashi, even as manuals. Basically, there are just too many juicy cars offering appealing specs and features to return to the Kizashi as a next vehicle.
Another reason somewhat contradicts my last in terms of car preference, but I think it's time that available technology is applied in my future cars. At a time when electric powertrains are available at affordable prices, I feel like it's rather dim to ignore them until the distant future. I consider myself environmentally-conscious and I believe electricity is a simply cleaner and better way to propel a vehicle, even if partially. While many Americans are ignoring hybrids, EVs, PHEVs, and EREVs due to the current low gas prices ($2.00/gallon Regular as of this writing), I'm actually very interested in them. I'm a big fan of the Chevy Volt and am awaiting the US release of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Summer of 2016, so they say). While neither are performance-oriented cars, they greatly appeal to me in environmental impact, practicality, and operating costs. I could commute to work in one of these everyday and use absolutely no gas doing it. I could even charge for free at my work garage so it would literally cost me nothing to power the vehicle. The Outlander PHEV would do that while offering AWD, higher ground clearance, and a larger CUV body which goes in line with my other hobby; the outdoors like hiking and camping. While it's not like I'll get out of my Kizashi soon for one of these cars, they just appeal too much to seek another Kizashi after this one.
So basically, there are just too many reasons and alternative car choices in my mind to consider another Kizashi. I love this car, but my current one will be my last. I'll likely get something with AWD and 3 pedals or get a car that doesn't even rely much on a transmission powering the wheels. The future is quite exciting in terms of cars for me and the Kizashi is more like an amiable relic of the past.
(Sorry for the essay, but most of you are probably used to it by now.)
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
They pretty much make you get an Acura for that.WESHOOT2 wrote:
(although I so hope Honda offers a true performance AWD sedan soon; my second Kizashi won't last forever)
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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FrankoLaMoya
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:27 pm
- Location: Moncton
Good posts ProMarinero and KuroNekko...I absolutely love my Kizashi, but I would not be buying another one for the same reasons...the fuel economy is not that great (old technology), the lack of parts/mods and the warranty. It sucks because the handling is there, the comfort is there, the nice look is there, etc. My next car will be AWD for sure, but I do not know what brand yet...probably Acura, Lexus, Subaru or Infiniti. We will see in a few years...
2012 Suzuki Kizashi Sport iAWD CVT ''Kaijū'' (Black pearl metallic)
Priors:
2004 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8T 6MT ''Audini'' (Black)
1999 Audi A4 Quattro 2.8 AT (Dark green)
1984 Chevrolet Malibu 3MT with a 327 engine lol (Blue)
1996 Acura Integra 5MT (Black)
Priors:
2004 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8T 6MT ''Audini'' (Black)
1999 Audi A4 Quattro 2.8 AT (Dark green)
1984 Chevrolet Malibu 3MT with a 327 engine lol (Blue)
1996 Acura Integra 5MT (Black)
Absolutely...only by the time I'll be ready for the second one, there won't be any low-mile K's left to be had in the country. What was it, 6,500-6,800 total sold in N. America? 
Ron
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded
)
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top (
sold)
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded
) 1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top (
sold)-
kconklin33
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:58 am
I too, continually ask myself the same question. Some days I even consider trading it in but often find myself questioning what I really want/need. As Kurro said, there are many new flashly options out there but even still, I can't find exactly what I'm looking for within the price range. AWD is almost a definite must for me given where I live. This takes away fun cars like the Civic Si, the v6 accord, Z's, Genesis Coupe, the Foucus St, Gti's, Gli's, volve c30 pretty much all the cars I would consider owning given I didn't live in northeast PA. So that leaves me back to AWD and majority of AWD these days are CVT or automatic and I'm craving those 3 pedals again. Where does that put me? Pretty much in a WRX, A legacy GT, EVO, or another car I can't afford lol. It appears to me I'm not going to get exactly what it is I want. I'm going to have to sacrifice either in transmission selection or drivetrain and right now I think drivetrain is my biggest deciding factor. I need AWD so it's more than likely going to not be manual, sadly enough. So what car has decent power 200hp+ that can make up for not having 3 pedals? Truthfully I haven't found the answer but I'm leaning towards Nissan's Juke Nismo RS. Can't beat the quality that Nismo puts out and man do they handle incredible. 215hp at 2800lbs in a crossover. idk we'll see what the future holds.
Sure feels like it! According to http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/su ... gures.html it was around 20,000 totaling all production years in the U.S. As was pointed out somewhere else on the forum a while ago, more Camrys are sold in one slow month! Canadian sales figures only total another 2500.Ronzuki wrote: What was it, 6,500-6,800 total sold in N. America?
'12 Kizashi SLS AWD w/RF sound
easy to chip Vivid Red and 25% window tint
Michelin Crossclimate 2
Power Stop Rotors and Pads
206,xxx miles and still lovin it!
easy to chip Vivid Red and 25% window tint
Michelin Crossclimate 2
Power Stop Rotors and Pads
206,xxx miles and still lovin it!
The total number is closer to 22,600 according to one source. In the US alone, over 20,000 were sold in all model years.Ronzuki wrote:Absolutely...only by the time I'll be ready for the second one, there won't be any low-mile K's left to be had in the country. What was it, 6,500-6,800 total sold in N. America?
The Kizashi is a rare car, but they aren't exactly impossible to find used. It's just very hard to find one spec'ed perfectly for most people within a reasonable distance. I drove over 200 miles to get mine because it was spec'ed exactly the way I wanted it.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)