New Owner

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nkerr22
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:42 am

Just traded in my Jeep Wrangler for a 2012 Kizashi Sport SLS AWD. Has 80,000 miles on it and just needed a new car for a couple years before buying a new one. Any tips on handling would be appreciated as it is a huge change! Liking it so far.
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

Welcome.
You seem to be bucking the trend, going from an SUV to a sedan instead of the other way around.
What do you want to know about the car?
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
nkerr22
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:42 am

KuroNekko wrote:Welcome.
You seem to be bucking the trend, going from an SUV to a sedan instead of the other way around.
What do you want to know about the car?
Mostly interested in how long most Kizashi's last for. With 80,000 miles on it already, I'm curious about how long of a life it will have with. Always driven in good conditions, no real problems with past two owners. Hoping to get to at least 120,000 miles with it.
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

Much like any car, that's most dependent on how the vehicle was cared for in the past.
The other big factor is the transmission type. CVTs just don't last as long as other transmissions but you can prolong its life by changing the CVT fluid at intervals traditionally recommended for ATF (drain and refill every 30K). Manual trans models have nothing to worry about maybe other than sourcing a new clutch when the original wears out.

The engine is of the most reliable kind; a multiport injection, inline configuration with a timing chain. It's not the most fuel efficient as it's older technology, but it's the most reliable type of gasoline engine for a vehicle like this. It should run on just maintenance for hundreds of thousands of miles and engine issues are very very rare with the Kizashi.

The rear shocks were prone to leaking due to a bump stopper design flaw but many cars had that fixed. Other than that, the paint is thin and chips easily. There are some recalls for some rather obscure things like spiders entering the gas tank evap vents. That's about it for issues commonly found with the Kizashi.
I don't think you'll have trouble hitting and exceeding 120,000 miles if the transmission is fine.
My Kizashi is also at ~80,000 miles and it runs strong.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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Ronzuki
Posts: 2382
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:33 pm
Location: Lancaster County, PA

As KurroNekko mentioned, the CVT will be the biggest source/cause of a 'the car is bound for the yard' failure. At 80,000 miles, the CVT fluid was well beyond spent in mine. If your trans is whining, at all, service the fluid. Search on this forum for the how-to's. Enjoy.
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 :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
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