It's been a long time since I posted and I am glad that weshoot continues with the Kizashi. In my vain attempts to check off items off my bucket list, I test drove a 2015 Chevrolet SS sedan today, metallic red hot paint with the 6 speed manual transmission.
I have never owned a "luxury" car nor a "high performance car" closest thing was a1987 Ford Thunderbird coupe with the turbocharged Pinto motor. although at this point in my life I could afford to. I had previously test driven a 2014 Cadillac ATS with the V6 and a CTS with the 2.0 Turbo and talked myself out of it comparing the Kizashi high level of fit, finish and refinement.
So, today, that big bore V8 with terrible gas mileage and awesome exhaust note flew down the freeway, not a lot of twisties, except for the freeway on ramps. Again, it's the details, steering felt very light even when on sport mode and the car which has an 8" longer wheelbase and a foot longer overall, felt slightly floaty at highway speeds, but fairly quiet. I compared the lack of the visor sun extension, lack of footwell lighting, the lack of insulation in the front fenders to cut down on the road noise from the front wheels, that was the case with the Cadillacs as well. The Chevy turns out to be a high performance variant of the Suzuki Kizashi. Larger in every way, more spacious, bigger trunk, more power, bigger brakes, wheels, tires, thirstier.
Maybe, I am losing my sense of perspective, by focusing on the trees versus the forest. The Suzuki is a well designed, well made, good handling vehicle with reasonable gas mileage, modest motor and a high content level.
The Chevy does not pretend to be anything other then what it is. It's classy, understated, comfortable, yet high peforming, has all the bells and whistles that you could want. The dualistic, sleeper nature of this car is appealing to me. It has all the latest accident avoidance technologies and the previous generation Corvette engine. The Kizashi looks the part of a high performing vehicle but it really isn't. If Suzuki had come out with a Turbo I would have bought it in a heart beat. Any and all comments, whether sarcastic or well intentioned would be appreciated.
Bucket list and how the Kizashi ruined me.
The real testament will be in its durability and reliability over time. IMHO, and experience, no GM product will ever go the distance next to the Kizashi. No matter what brand or model, It WILL end up in the garage for the annoying requisite multiple repairs.
We'll all be comparing the Kizashi to whatever it is we end up attempting to replace it with and end wander around less than enthused about the process of trying to find the same features, comfort, styling, handling...all at a similar price-point.
SHOOT got the drop on the situation by seeking out and obtaining a newer low-mileage gem before there are none.
We'll all be comparing the Kizashi to whatever it is we end up attempting to replace it with and end wander around less than enthused about the process of trying to find the same features, comfort, styling, handling...all at a similar price-point.
SHOOT got the drop on the situation by seeking out and obtaining a newer low-mileage gem before there are none.
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)-
chazyouwin
- Posts: 402
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:57 pm
- Location: Northern New Jersey USA
Car buying decisions are personal, but I after looking at this car closely after your post I can say the following:
Financial
1. The average mpg of the SS is 17 mpg (premium?). Not in my budget. Doesn't compare to a Kiz at average 26 mpg regular.
2. I buy cars with cash; I do not rent (lease) them. The undiscounted price of a new 2015 SS would be approximately $45,000 or higher. I'd consider it if I had about $100,000 more in loose cash sitting around.
General and subjective on the SS
1. Has a bit of a generic look, evokes Honda EX Accord. The Chevy nameplate is probably a slight negative. Enthusiasts might know you've spent $45000 plus. Hard to see anyone else being impressed.
2. SS is probably great fun on the interstate straightaways and inclined mountain-type twisties where the big engine can really shine for a strong boost within 20 miles per hour over the speed limit.
3. Directly comparing the Kizashi - Kiz is a small, very competent, nicely styled tight 4-5 seater car and with outstanding steering and brakes. If you want to do so, you can get ahead of most traffic and feel comfortable doing so. Here in New Jersey, you can however be frustrated because solid open road can be eclipsed by sections of congestion. In stop and go congestion, the CVT I have in the Kiz beats manual shifting and auto shifting with jerkiness as in our older Accord.
The SS might add some seating capacity, making it more comfortable for adults in the back - but that can be a rare occurrence. I suspect it handles nicely. Probably has solid build quality. Warranty? Last time I checked Suzuki had a better warranty than GM.
Verdict: Does not compute for me. Just beyond my budget. And for a commuter, I'd simply want a smaller, more efficient car than the SS. However, as the saying goes I wouldn't kick her out of bed if she jumped in for free (or a reasonable much lower price).
Financial
1. The average mpg of the SS is 17 mpg (premium?). Not in my budget. Doesn't compare to a Kiz at average 26 mpg regular.
2. I buy cars with cash; I do not rent (lease) them. The undiscounted price of a new 2015 SS would be approximately $45,000 or higher. I'd consider it if I had about $100,000 more in loose cash sitting around.
General and subjective on the SS
1. Has a bit of a generic look, evokes Honda EX Accord. The Chevy nameplate is probably a slight negative. Enthusiasts might know you've spent $45000 plus. Hard to see anyone else being impressed.
2. SS is probably great fun on the interstate straightaways and inclined mountain-type twisties where the big engine can really shine for a strong boost within 20 miles per hour over the speed limit.
3. Directly comparing the Kizashi - Kiz is a small, very competent, nicely styled tight 4-5 seater car and with outstanding steering and brakes. If you want to do so, you can get ahead of most traffic and feel comfortable doing so. Here in New Jersey, you can however be frustrated because solid open road can be eclipsed by sections of congestion. In stop and go congestion, the CVT I have in the Kiz beats manual shifting and auto shifting with jerkiness as in our older Accord.
The SS might add some seating capacity, making it more comfortable for adults in the back - but that can be a rare occurrence. I suspect it handles nicely. Probably has solid build quality. Warranty? Last time I checked Suzuki had a better warranty than GM.
Verdict: Does not compute for me. Just beyond my budget. And for a commuter, I'd simply want a smaller, more efficient car than the SS. However, as the saying goes I wouldn't kick her out of bed if she jumped in for free (or a reasonable much lower price).
2010 Kizashi SLS FWD Gray; 2013 Grand Vitara 4wd red; 2012 SX4 blue; 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV black
Previous: 2002 XL-7 Limited (2); 1992 Accord; '91 Volvo; '85 Toyota; '84 Celica; '73 Mercedes.
Previous: 2002 XL-7 Limited (2); 1992 Accord; '91 Volvo; '85 Toyota; '84 Celica; '73 Mercedes.
The Chevy SS is a monster. It's basically like a 4 door Corvette and the current iteration of the late Pontiac G8. Both the SS and the G8 are actually rebadged Holdens from Australia and are even built there. They are the Holden Commodore from Down Under.
I think the SS, like the old G8, is a really understated car. It was offered to quench the seemingly ever-present American thirst of wanting a powerful V8 sedan. However, despite the nostalgia of a V8, those days are gone in terms of demand. The SS is actually getting discontinued this year due to very low sales. Given GM is terminating all Australian production in the near future (end of 2017), you can expect this to be the very last of these types of 4 door muscle cars offered. These days, it's all about smaller displacement forced induction so something like a V8 sedan is really on the extinction list.
Not only that, GM really swung out with the styling. The SS looks like a last-gen Malibu. Bland and forgettable. The styling is ill-suited for the car and even the late Pontiac G8 from several years ago looks better IMO. While I like the new designs from GM that is the current Impala and the upcoming all-new Malibu, the SS looks like yesteryear's rental car.
In terms of quality, I think the Chevy SS should be okay. It's a normally aspirated GM engine. I think it should last with care. However, I don't expect it to have Japanese-level reliability and durability that the Kizashi exemplifies. However, I'd take the SS for reliability and longevity over a Ford with an EcoBoost engine.
I just can't get myself to really compare the SS with the Kizashi because they are quite different. The Kizashi is a small midsize sedan designed to rival cars like the Malibu, Accord, Sonata, and the like. The SS is in a segment with very few rivals given its high performance V8 engine offered with a 4 door body. The SS is a great performance sedan that offers a lot of performance for the money without the luxury price (or refinement). The Kizashi is more an everyday car where things like operating costs, reliability, and practicality are its core strengths, not performance.
I think the SS, like the old G8, is a really understated car. It was offered to quench the seemingly ever-present American thirst of wanting a powerful V8 sedan. However, despite the nostalgia of a V8, those days are gone in terms of demand. The SS is actually getting discontinued this year due to very low sales. Given GM is terminating all Australian production in the near future (end of 2017), you can expect this to be the very last of these types of 4 door muscle cars offered. These days, it's all about smaller displacement forced induction so something like a V8 sedan is really on the extinction list.
Not only that, GM really swung out with the styling. The SS looks like a last-gen Malibu. Bland and forgettable. The styling is ill-suited for the car and even the late Pontiac G8 from several years ago looks better IMO. While I like the new designs from GM that is the current Impala and the upcoming all-new Malibu, the SS looks like yesteryear's rental car.
In terms of quality, I think the Chevy SS should be okay. It's a normally aspirated GM engine. I think it should last with care. However, I don't expect it to have Japanese-level reliability and durability that the Kizashi exemplifies. However, I'd take the SS for reliability and longevity over a Ford with an EcoBoost engine.
I just can't get myself to really compare the SS with the Kizashi because they are quite different. The Kizashi is a small midsize sedan designed to rival cars like the Malibu, Accord, Sonata, and the like. The SS is in a segment with very few rivals given its high performance V8 engine offered with a 4 door body. The SS is a great performance sedan that offers a lot of performance for the money without the luxury price (or refinement). The Kizashi is more an everyday car where things like operating costs, reliability, and practicality are its core strengths, not performance.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Sounds like Red Ryder has a new car in his mind but his logic of keeping the Kizashi is fighting the urge to get a new car. Myself I enjoy my Kiz and even though it is five almost six years old people still think it is a new model.
Well I better get back into the garage and replace the netural saftey switch on my Oldsmobile Silhouette.
Well I better get back into the garage and replace the netural saftey switch on my Oldsmobile Silhouette.
64 Galaxie 68 Olds 442 65 Impala 70 VW Bug
74 Nissan B210 66 Chevelle 73 Olds 98 71 C20
75 Monza 82 Escort 75 E150 75 Civic 76 Accord
86 Escort 87 Taurus 83 Chevy G20 85 Ranger 4x4
93 F250 4x4 95 Silhouette 95 LHS 03 Corolla 10 Kizashi S MT
17 Sienna
74 Nissan B210 66 Chevelle 73 Olds 98 71 C20
75 Monza 82 Escort 75 E150 75 Civic 76 Accord
86 Escort 87 Taurus 83 Chevy G20 85 Ranger 4x4
93 F250 4x4 95 Silhouette 95 LHS 03 Corolla 10 Kizashi S MT
17 Sienna
Thank you all for your thoughtful comments, Yes, RedMed is right, I am struggling with letting go of a perfectly good car that I thoroughly enjoy and works for us for an emotionally, financially charged experience of the SS sedan. My GF who is all into function and keeping it real, she says, but, "you have a perfectly good car, why would you want to change it"? and she's right. I don't need a new car, I want a new car. The rational, financially astute side of me, says, this is not a good move, debt, depreciating asset, increased fuel costs, etc, etc. The illogical, emotional, you only live once side of me, says go for it. Maybe, there's a middle ground? I don't know.
Hey red rider, I'm right there with you. I 'm still wrestling with my decision to trade my perfect, no issues Kizzy for my G37x. I absolutely love the Infiniti, and now my head is clear of those pesky thoughts about parts supply when you need it. And yet, I miss the little car. It was a lot of fun for not much money, yet looked like a million bucks. Hold on, I've got to go outside now and tromp the gas pedal in the G to clear my head! Honestly though, the SS will be a steal in a couple of years. Right after depreciation, but before the dreaded word " collectible" hits it.
WESHOOT2, you're killing me. LOL. Thanks. I just have to sit with the uncertainty and ambiguity. Hopefully, the truth will bubble up to the surface at some point. It is not an inconsequential decision. I am inclined to wait on the 2016's to see what changes will take place, cosmetically and otherwise. I'm in the major information gathering process and in no hurry, since I don't need a car. I appreciate every ones feedback.