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http://www.insideline.com/suzuki/kizashi/2010/2010-suzuki-kizashi-sls-full-test.- html
I love that Jetta-like front end and I like the rear end styling as well. Right down to the faux dual exhausts. I can't seem to get this car out of my mind. But my wife and I are moving to NE Nevada (a gold mining town named Elko, though I am going to work in their hospital there in Elko) so for now I am going to just push the idea to the background while we move and get settled in. I have to wait for my Nevada RT license to come(it'll take 4-5 weeks) then we'll move up there.
Nevada is wide, wide open. You've got Reno to the west and Vegas in the very south. Elko sits up to the NE and you have these Great Basin areas that are just huge stretches of land w/o any people or buildings. Cattle ranching is huge and in Elko mining is booming right now because of the spiking value of gold.
Twould be a fun land to drive the new 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport through. Last week we were driving back down to Arizona and we got caught in what was the worst snowstorm I've ever drove through. The '08 Lancer GTS handled it like a champ. It's Pirelli P-Zero Nero Mud and Snow Pinna all-season radials handled the snow very well. I had to get out and scrape the windshield wipers about 9 or 10 times. We slipped a bit but any vehicle would in that driving icy snow.
Apparently Nevada gets a lot of snow. Going from the desert to the Great Basin mountain and valley region. Our host steve is in Boise, about 190 miles north of us there in Elko.
But that's just it. I have driven a Kizashi and I want more. :shades:
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Since most of the reviews I've read on the Kizashi indicate that it handles the twisties much better than just about any midsize car I don't know why you'd say that. Also Suzuki is marketing this as a midsize as it's only a bit smaller than other midsizes but much larger than Civics/Corollas.
I'd be curious as to which of the midsize sedans you mentioned that would qualify as a car for "driving enthusiasts". Is 0-60 time the only qualifier? If so, please draw the line as to what thattime has to be.
I think most of the midsize cars you mentioned also sell on the street for around 20k unless substantially loaded. People are buying 2010 Sonatas for 15k and new 2011s for 20k so I firmly believe they would be classified as 20k cars.
I'm not even sure a real driving enthusiast would be looking at cars in this category. However, I've never seen an absolute definition of what a driving enthusiast is. Most people throw the term around pretty loosely. A front wheel drive 4 cyl auto midsize family sedan is not a sports car just because they tighten the suspension a little, throw on some big rims and add "Sport" or "SE" to it's name.
Of course, I am sure we will soon be hearing about the Kizashi being "cramped", just as we did about the first generation Mazda6 and the Ford Contour. This and the reviews of the handling, would appear to mean that I am destined to own one someday, since I had a Contour prior to my 2007 Mazda6.
http://www.insideline.com/suzuki/kizashi/2010/2010-suzuki-kizashi-sls-full-test.- html
Just as I would not buy a GM today, I would not buy such an obscure brand. Something like Subaru or Mazda is ok even. But not Suzuki (cars).
Let them establish a 5 year track record of at least being a bit mainstream and then we can talk.
Are you confusing Suzuki with Mitsusbishi?
The Mitusbishi engine that was in both of my folks Chryslers when I was growing up were very poor, although the '89 Galant I had was great. "Crankwalk" issues on the Eclipse GSX to make me steer clear.
Experiences with Suzuki, the Chevy Sprints and Suzuki Swifts that were popular in HS and college seemed fine, and the Swift GTI was great in autocross. The GS500e that I would occasionally bum rides on was an awesomely reliable, forgiving beater of a bike.
I really can't think of anything on my do-not-buy list right now, though. Just some manufacturers make more products that interest me than others.
As for comments on the small size of the Kizashi... that is actually one of the things I like best about the car. I just rented a 2010 Elantra for a week, it's shorter than the Kizashi, but has good leg room in back and a decent sized trunk. So it's all about efficient packaging. No reason a car can't have mid-sized room in a 183-inch package.
Nope. But I'd put Mitsu in the same category. Heck, my mom had an Expo LRV. But when you have such a rare vehicle, (like my mom) and the only dealer within 40 miles goes out of business (like my mom), you have a problem. Doesn't really matter how nice the vehicle is. Doesn't matter if the company has been in business for 100 years or has a huge market share in Timbuktu. If it's not a decently established brand, I'm not touching it -- especially if the competition is comparable. How many years has Suzuki been selling cars in the US, under their own name? And how come I virtually never see one? Even Mitsu is more common.
Now if I was a mega millionaire and I was buying Lamborghini, RR, Bugatti, Ferarri, etc., then I probably wouldn't care.
Mitsubishi's overall market share is small, and will remain so. I'm sure it was disappointing and caused a loss of faith when your dealer closed, but while isolated instances of dealers shutting down is bound to happen I don't think the brand is in danger of leaving the US (unlike the shuttered brands from GM). That said, and to keep this about midsize sedans and not the automakers themselves, Mitsu does desperately need an all-new Galant to get competitive against the likes of Kizashi, Sonata, and the others.
Mitsu at least has an advertising budget even if it isn't huge. When was the last time you saw Suzuki do sustained advertising on TV? Here in the Chicago suburbs I see Mitsus on the road every day (not including my Outlander ) but though I drive by a Suzuki dealer on my commute, I'll go weeks at a time between spotting them on the road.
Lamborghini, RR, Bugatti, Ferarri
Both Mitsu and Suzuki outsell those brands combined, though at not quite the same profit margins.
My commute takes me past the region's Lambo dealer: http://www.foxvalleymotorcars.com/ Ferrari isn't far away. There's also a Bentley dealership. You can even go slumming and hit Lexus and MB if you want. :shades:
I have read nothing on this thread that even comes close to scaring me away from buying a 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport in August of 2010. Coming to a Suzuki dealer not near you.
This baby had it's teeth cut on the Autobahn, of all places.
BTW-that Kizashi in the background is not a Platinum Silver Metallic one, it's in a shade of grey. Anyone who wants to look that particular color up and list it in a post on here will get today's Midsize Sedans 2.0 hardest worker for April 8, 2010 award. I have other fish to fry at this time.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Unfortunately true, but still a funny line!
I would stear clear of Suzuki, to be honest. I would consider a Mitsu if it was a Lancer or Outlander. They have proven to be pretty reliable.
I had an Eclipse GS-T from 1998. The motor (4G63) and tranny were great, however, the upholdstry was poor. Man, I loved that car...
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/pollstats?Kategori=bestcsegment&ID=173
The Malibu has more votes than the CamCords as well...
The Accord and Malibu are 2008's so they would be second oldest.
Fusion and Sonata are the newest hip designs right now so you would expect them to grab the votes like they did! Their in the lime light right now because of their sleek, unique body styles, and good fuel economy/value.
It's a name recognition thing. Ford is promoting the Fusion much more heavily, and that is the car that has received all the press, regardless of badge-engineering.
Anybody else think that Honda has really blown an opportunity here? They could have made a tasteful update to the previous Accord, maintained the size, and when Toyota got into trouble, Honda would be the obvious choice. Although the Accord is not a total strikeout, it has been far less successful than it should have been. Now you have Ford getting a big advantage, partly due to the Toyota problems, but also not only due to the quality of the vehicle, but also due to Honda's dropping of the ball.
As a former big Honda fan, this is saddening. Their tight driving cars with great ergonomics have turned into bloated cars with much less personality. I agree with a comment I read that Mazda is the new Honda. And it looks like Hyundai is quickly becoming the new Toyota.
I also like the Milan. I see a black one around town fairly often. It has more grace than the Fusion. But understand I wouldn't reject a Fusion either; I just really like the Milan.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I'm not saying it's a bad car, not at all. I just don't think it's all it's hyped up to be. I suppose the hard core marketing blitz that Ford is doing is really paying off. It shows you what marketing dollars can do! Now, only if Mazda could advertise like that.....hmmm....
Looks like some Fusion fans and/or employees had some time on their hands. It is so far out of wack it's funny. It's an online poll that I'm assuming one can vote as many times as one wants and they obviously did. Pretty silly to even publish such a thing and call it a "best of survey".
Well I test drove the Fusion immediately after driving the Sonata. I bought the Sonata the next day. I agree with, not a bad car. Probably well made. But I just didn't think I'd want to stare at that interior for the next 5 years.
Even though I didn't buy one, the Malibu is a car I really like. Very sweet styling and an outstanding interior. A soft, Camry-like ride too. My only problem was that the driver's seat was too small for my, uh, posterior.
I bought the Hyundai Sonata a month ago. I still love the exterior styling and comfortable front seat but I have to admit the interior could use some more Malibu-like plushness. It gets great gas mileage and has a pleasant ride (but not as soft as the Malibu). Does it sound like I have some buyer's remorse? Maybe a little.
It's an online poll, but voting is only open to Autoweek print and online subscribers, which I am one. And you can only vote for one vehicle and can only vote one time total.
maybe it just works for a more diverse audience.
mine has awd, how many of the others even offer that?
I hear Gillette has a new Mach 3 EcoBoost coming out though...
Until you delete the cookie and vote again.
Does that matter?
It won't because not everyone who votes is actually buying a new midsized sedan right now. I'm sure there are a LOT of folks who like the Fusion and plan on buying one at some point in the future. That doesn't necessarily translate to current sales.
Besides, it's only a survey in a magazine. It's not a scientific process.
Fusion sales are at an all-time high
So I was just commenting that the lead that in the poll doesn't equate to a lead in sales.
If the lead in that poll indicates what you say then it's time to buy Ford stock.