Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Try a jetta. You might just like what zee Germans have to offer.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

When i was waiting for my wifes Sante Fe to get serviced at Buerkle Hyundia. I test drove an Audi a3 with a 6 speed manual that seemed like it would be a fun dd. It had 80k for mileage, they were asking 15k.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...327238606.html

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Here's some reading for you on the Kizashi Dave
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...uzuki_Kizashi/
http://www.edmunds.com/suzuki/kizashi/2012/#fullreview
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/suzuki/kizashi.htm

Across the board the critics knock this thing for the same reasons.
1) Less leg room in the back, which isn't that big of a concern for you.
2) No V6, or turbo version, also not a huge concern for you. In fact, probably a plus so you don't mess with the turbo!
3) Lack of dealerships and availability. Not an issue in the twin cities.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Test drove some of the 2013 Fusions this past weekend. What a difference from the 2012's, they are friggin nice. Not the $15k price tag you were looking for, but man sure is a nice car for the money. Katy really liked them, so that might be the route we go, probably with the 1.6T motor.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

^IS that the 4 cyl. ecoboost?

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

It's one of em. The motor options are:

- Base cheapo model = 2.5L NA 4cyl, 175hp/175tq, 22city/34hwy/26cmb mpg

- Upgrade to 1.6L EcoBoost 4cyl, 178hp/184tq, 23/36/28 mpg

- Upgrade to 2.0L EcoBoost 4cyl, 240hp/270tq, 22/33/26 mpg

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Thank you sir, I really enjoyed that car and am strongly leaning towards it now.

Just to update the thread, drove a 2011 Suzuki Kizashi, was extremly suprised. Very nice driving car. Great interior, quiet, peppy, solid handling and comfy! And at 31mpgs its is pretty dang good.

I am honestly leaning towards buying this. I drove an AWD version too which is nice as you can flip a switch to go straight FWD mode too! So we will see might pick one of those up.

I also drove a 2010 honda accord and an SE 2011 galant, which wasn't half bad, nice options for sure but a bit more expensive at like 18900. I pepped at a newer toyota corolla S but just wasn't interested, hate the looks.

The accord was very blah, I liked the galant more honestly and the suzuki a lot more. The accord seemed very dated, very basic, seats sucked, road noise was more...however i know the motor is great and it will last but it just lacked anything to draw me in.

I am going to attempt to hit up Kia and Subaru before this weekend and either this weekend or early next week make a purchase.

I love that with the suzuki I get a 7yr/100k powertrain warranty, that is huge.

Thoughts on suzuki from others? I would've never looked at them if I didn't see one in person, I was very surprised at the car.

None of the cars are Lexus' or anything, but great cars for the price.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I think the suzuki looks sweet, what is the price on that?

I remember looking at it, and being surprised at how high it was.

I'm interested to see what you think of a kia.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

We have an AWD with 9k miles for like 17.9, or a front wheel with 12k miles for 16.5. BTW, Dave I'm going to have my used car manager look for a different color AWD Kizashi SE.

Brown, considering what the Kizashi is up against in the mid-sized market and what you get for the money, they're really not expensive at all.
Base Camry LE ~22.5
Base Accord LX ~21.5
Base Altima 2.5S ~24
Base Sonata ~19
Base Optima ~22.5
Base Legacy 2.5 ~23.5
Vs. an base all wheel drive Kizashi S starting at ~19?
The only other one on that list that's AWD is the Subi, and you can't turn it off.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Kizashi is pretty sweet, all of the mags gave it rave reviews. I nearly bought a new SX4 a couple of years ago, Suzuki is pretty underrated. I have a buddy that has loved them for years and has had several.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Thanks troggy.

Jet i must agree I know a lot of people that once they buy one suzuki they seem to fall in love with them and buy more.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Funny how they dominate (or at least have a strong presence) in the motorcycle market, yet can barely make a dent in the automotive market... I always thought the Kizashi was a pretty decent car for the category.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Well unless Kia wows me or an outside chance at a subaru, the suzuki is prolly going to win for me. I also find it funny how their bikes dominate as well.

At this point its between hyundai sonata and suzuki kizashi. The hyundai is a bit bigger and a bit better gas mileage but fewer options and doesn't handle/ride quite as well.

We shall see.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

My guess is the Kia fits right in up there with the Hyundai and the Suzuki, but you'll probably leave Subaru with a "meh" feeling.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I am guessing you meant kia fits with the hyundai and suzuki.

I'll give subaru a chance, a small chance :)

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Yup, edited.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Did you give up on or get to try a golf/jetta, tdi or gli?

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

It'll be hard to find a TDI/GLI/GTI in that price range with the kind of miles he's looking for.
Take this one for example.
Or this GLI
Or this TDI

They're really good cars, but they have a higher MSRP, and hold their value super well given current gas prices.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Right, they seem to hold their value super well, and are on the high end of his price range. Just curious if he has driven one. After driving a tdi, it seemed worth the extra couple grand to me.. but thats just me.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Out of curiosity, what's a gallon of regular 87 up there right now? $3.29 seems to be the average here these past few days.