Considering the Kizashi

[fusion66]

With VW you'll need to factor in more frequent service/warranty visits. Been there.

You're probably correct but the Golf is rated as one of Volkswagen's most reliable vehicles--at least according to Consumer Reports. I drove another Golf today and thought it drove far better than the first: quieter, more responsive with better powertrain integration, but the lack of equipment and those cheap covers atop the steel
wheels are factors that I cannot overlook. The Kizashi may not match the VW's driving dynamics point-for-point but it is not far off and its equipment level is Bentley-esque compared to the austerity of the Golf. I'm truly
conflicted about this entire situation. I know the Kizashi leads the VW in value but there IS something about the German and the way she goes down the road that is captivating, its probably the steering, seats and the somewhat gruff engine note that has convinced me that the Golf is special despite its plastic wheel covers.
The other problem is my Impala. Since I got the "itch" for a different car and began searching for one a few weeks ago I swear the Chevy has never run better: its faster, quieter and tighter than I can ever remember.
I know the rational move would be to keep her but the "itch" is still there and now I'm trying to convince myself that after this one I will not set foot in another showroom for quite some time. I also know that I can probably strike a good deal on either a Golf or Volkswagen as the month winds down. A leftover 2010 Kizashi SE AWD looks especially good if I can get the price at or below $20K. Stay tuned.

[MadBlack]

IMO (and many who have reviewed this car), the value offer from suzuki on this car is hard to beat, especially by VW who have well documented reliability issues. I couldn't care less abut the driving dynamics of a car if it was unreliable, prone to break down ,and costing you money over the long term. I've been down that road and it gets old very quick when you have to drag your expensive, German car in for servicing more than you should have too.

But there are a lot of Vw's on the road so most don't agree with me - or they are simply willing to pay the price.

[chazyouwin]

Have not purchased a VW in our experience but when a neighbor was looking to replace his Jetta with something else about 4-5 years out I was like "why"? He said they knew they had some big repairs coming and not under warranty. I would have considered a VW but couldn't get the VW dealership to let me drive one - they thought I was not serious about buying. Really. And the place was pretty empty (few customers). I wasn't going to beg for the opportunity.

[Trailboss]

I would have considered a VW but couldn't get the VW dealership to let me drive one - they thought I was not serious about buying. Really. And the place was pretty empty (few customers). I wasn't going to beg for the opportunity.

Wow..really? What a bunch of turds at that dealership...an exotic car, I might understand, but a freakin vee-dub?


Years ago, I accompanied my uncle to a Porsche dealership in Northern Ca. as he thought that it might be nice to own one. He was dressed in jeans and t-shirt, and I had long hair at the time, we drove up in his old F-150, and the sales staff brushed us off as a nuisance, while they crawled over each other to wait on a douchebag looking guy with his sweater arms tied around his neck, preppy style. We walked into the managers office, my uncle told the sales manager that his "boys on the floor" were a bunch of fools as he handed his business card to the sales manager, when the sales manager read that he was an executive VP at Intel he started sputtering and asking how he could rectify the situation..."You can't" replied my uncle.

[fusion66]

I would have considered a VW but couldn't get the VW dealership to let me drive one - they thought I was not serious about buying. Really. And the place was pretty empty (few customers). I wasn't going to beg for the opportunity.

Wow..really? What a bunch of turds at that dealership...an exotic car, I might understand, but a freakin vee-dub?


Years ago, I accompanied my uncle to a Porsche dealership in Northern Ca. as he thought that it might be nice to own one. He was dressed in jeans and t-shirt, and I had long hair at the time, we drove up in his old F-150, and the sales staff brushed us off as a nuisance, while they crawled over each other to wait on a douchebag looking guy with his sweater arms tied around his neck, preppy style. We walked into the managers office, my uncle told the sales manager that his "boys on the floor" were a bunch of fools as he handed his business card to the sales manager, when the sales manager read that he was an executive VP at Intel he started sputtering and asking how he could rectify the situation..."You can't" replied my uncle.

My experience at a medium-sized VW/Nissan dealership in NJ thankfully did not buttress the image of the haughty foreign car salesman. I was treated respectfully throughout the session and even though the test drive was brief I was not unsatisfied with it as i got a sense of the car's dynamics and performance. The
salesperson was neither aloof nor aggressive and he answered my questions in a forthright and unaffected manner. I think VW's rather sell themselves. Although the car I drove was fairly basic (it lacked
a power assisted driver's seat and was shod with steel wheels) I was impressed with the car's solidity, handling and, yes, performance from its naturally-aspirated 5- cylinder powerplant. I thought he lowballed me with the appraisal of my trade in and told him so and he assured me that the figure was subject to revision if and when I decided to enter serious negotiation about making a purchase. Upon leaving we shook hands and thanked each other for their time. In all a very casual and rather pleasant experience.

[chazyouwin]

Well- I guess it probably wasn't the same VW dealership in NJ. It was at the dealership in Summit. I did the Nissan test drives at the dealer in Morristown. Much more helpful. I don't think the VW guy was being haughty - maybe just seeing if I would start talking price first. Same thing also happened at the Toyota dealership in Morristown, they wouldn't let me test drive anything until I showed real interest. I don't like to show a lot of eagerness at the beginning of negotiations.

[fusion66]

I think my saving grace was my politeness. A smile and a few well placed "thank you's" seem to go a long way
when requesting a test drive.

[MadBlack]

I think my saving grace was my politeness. A smile and a few well placed "thank you's" seem to go a long way
when requesting a test drive.

You're kidding right?
These guys are in the business of selling cars - and you are the customer. It shouldn't require anything beyong a request to take the car out for a test drive. Why would you buy from a dealer that isn't doing everything in their power to make you happy through the buying process? When it comes to any car dealership, if I don't get the impression that me and my money are not the most important thing in the world, I move on - if they can't treat you like a serious customer, can you imagine what their after sale serivice is going to be like?

[Firefly]

My experience at a medium-sized VW/Nissan dealership in NJ thankfully did not buttress the image of the haughty foreign car salesman.

If that's East Coast in Englewood Cliffs, that seems right. I've test driven cars there without any problems or pressure. Although I did not purchase my VW there, I had it serviced there since it is near my home. (I got to know the service guys on a first name basis, I was there so often...)

[Trailboss]

You're kidding right?
These guys are in the business of selling cars - and you are the customer. It shouldn't require anything beyond a request to take the car out for a test drive. Why would you buy from a dealer that isn't doing everything in their power to make you happy through the buying process? When it comes to any car dealership, if I don't get the impression that me and my money are not the most important thing in the world, I move on - if they can't treat you like a serious customer, can you imagine what their after sale serivice is going to be like?

+1

If you have a decent product that you believe in, you should be encouraging people on taking the car out for a spin, so that they can have that WOW! experience...