Panda 100HP vs Suzuki Swift Sport
Discussion
I've got a budget of 3-4k for something fun
I have a Volvo S40 T5 for power and cruising duties but it lacks fun and feel on the twisties
I can't decide between the Panda or Suzuki
I like my brothers Suzuki ignis sport but it's a wee bit hardcore for me
I love the box looks of the Panda but like the nicer interior of the Suzuki
What has the best steering feel of the two? What has the faster steering rack?
I've already had a mk1 MX5, which was good but I'm not looking for a roadster
The Renault Twingo 133 looks good too but being French puts me off, used to have a Clio and it was unreliable junk
I'm wanting to rediscover the fun back into driving that I'm not getting from the Volvo
I've sat in a Panda 100HP and quite liked it, but the seem expensive for a cheap fiat and the Suzuki would be more car for the money, but fun is what I'm after the most
I have a Volvo S40 T5 for power and cruising duties but it lacks fun and feel on the twisties
I can't decide between the Panda or Suzuki
I like my brothers Suzuki ignis sport but it's a wee bit hardcore for me
I love the box looks of the Panda but like the nicer interior of the Suzuki
What has the best steering feel of the two? What has the faster steering rack?
I've already had a mk1 MX5, which was good but I'm not looking for a roadster
The Renault Twingo 133 looks good too but being French puts me off, used to have a Clio and it was unreliable junk
I'm wanting to rediscover the fun back into driving that I'm not getting from the Volvo
I've sat in a Panda 100HP and quite liked it, but the seem expensive for a cheap fiat and the Suzuki would be more car for the money, but fun is what I'm after the most
Edited by rossmc88 on Saturday 21st November 18:15
We had a SSS soon after they came out. Great fun, but disappointed by the running costs.
Higher insurance, tax band, lower economy and at the time only one tyre in its size which was £100+ per end.
This may not be the case on newer models.
Didn't get to drive the 100HP, but which I had before taking the plunge.
Higher insurance, tax band, lower economy and at the time only one tyre in its size which was £100+ per end.
This may not be the case on newer models.
Didn't get to drive the 100HP, but which I had before taking the plunge.
Either are good, ride is meant to be a bit too firm for some tastes on the Panda. Don't be put off the Twingo, the ex had one and it needed nothing more than normal servicing for the 5 years it was abused driven and it was brilliant fun, it wasn't the 133 though it was the 1.2 turbo GT but the 1.6 is a solid engine. I have a soft spot for the Swift though so would probably go for that.
The swift more fun? I had it in my head the panda would be more fun and the swift would be too much like a normal car and not special, happy to be corrected
I've driven a mk6 fiesta ST and never thought that felt special
When I drive a 306 for the first time, I remember thinking the fast steering was great and a wee bit special
I've driven a mk6 fiesta ST and never thought that felt special
When I drive a 306 for the first time, I remember thinking the fast steering was great and a wee bit special
rossmc88 said:
Was just a standard 1.2 clio but it had electrical issues and the head gasket went at 60k
Had a spin in a 172 clio but never floated my boat, didn't like the interior or driving position
Yep, seat's a bit high, can be changed with a little spannering.Had a spin in a 172 clio but never floated my boat, didn't like the interior or driving position
I do love the Fiat 100hp too and I'd take one anyday over the Suzuki
I've got a Panda 100hp and driven a Swift Sport - properly.
Here are my balanced views:
Panda has the more fun character IMO.
Also the 5dr makes it more practical.
Performance is similar in both. Swift is faster but not 25% faster. Panda a little more economical (40+ usually for me)
Swift has the better gearchange IMO.
Neither has great steering. Difficult to choose between them. I think the steering is more vague in the Swift....but the Panda has more artificial weight which is also 'false'.
Both are firm on the ride but the Panda is more hard.
I think both are really closely matched.
Even as a Panda owner, which is fantastic fun....id actually say the Swift has the better handling....but its close. Maybe less of a go kart factor to the Swift but a slightly better balance of ride+handling.
If I didn't need a 5 door I may have considered a Swift....but I still think the Pandas great!
Very difficult to choose between!
Here are my balanced views:
Panda has the more fun character IMO.
Also the 5dr makes it more practical.
Performance is similar in both. Swift is faster but not 25% faster. Panda a little more economical (40+ usually for me)
Swift has the better gearchange IMO.
Neither has great steering. Difficult to choose between them. I think the steering is more vague in the Swift....but the Panda has more artificial weight which is also 'false'.
Both are firm on the ride but the Panda is more hard.
I think both are really closely matched.
Even as a Panda owner, which is fantastic fun....id actually say the Swift has the better handling....but its close. Maybe less of a go kart factor to the Swift but a slightly better balance of ride+handling.
If I didn't need a 5 door I may have considered a Swift....but I still think the Pandas great!
Very difficult to choose between!
Odd to hear that the running costs are considered high in the Swift. My daughter has owned hers for about three years now and it hasn't been particularly expensive to maintain, even at a main dealer with the annual service being around £350. We've done a few bits to it outside of servicing, but nothing too drastic - O2 sensor, engine mount bush and new driver's seat cushion. You can change the tyre size which brings more choice of brand and cost with it. One of the main reasons for choosing the Swift Sport was its relative low cost to insure. She was 19 when she got it and we paid around £950 fc, these days it's under £500 fc.
It would be interesting to hear what sort of bills the Panda throws up.
It would be interesting to hear what sort of bills the Panda throws up.
We've had a Panda for about 6 years - other far more expensive, tasty cars have come and gone but the Panda is a keeper. So much fun and the art of maintaining momentum on twisty roads is massive fun. They are well specced too and aside from annual servicing costs its not cost a penny - super cheap to maintain and run and very, very reliable.
Pair of front discs and pads - £40.00 - unreal.
Genuine Goodyear gsd tyres - £60 each
45mpg
Really revvy and responsive engine
Really, really great little cars with bags of character and surprisingly spacious inside too.
The Suzuki - never driven one or even wanted to - the panda is a winner on looks alone imho
Pair of front discs and pads - £40.00 - unreal.
Genuine Goodyear gsd tyres - £60 each
45mpg
Really revvy and responsive engine
Really, really great little cars with bags of character and surprisingly spacious inside too.
The Suzuki - never driven one or even wanted to - the panda is a winner on looks alone imho
I had a 100HP and now have the Swift Sport.
Panda was fun but in the end every journey just ground me down. Its SO bouncy and even with better suspension it's bad. Any long journey is hell, and cabin/engine noise appalling. I know they aren't meant for long journeys but if you do need to use it for one then it quickly becomes tiresome.
The swifts ride is firm but not bouncy, not too harsh, just right. Nice and sporty. The handling is better than the panda and much less body roll. I have the older one (57) so no 6th gear, it's quite noisy at motorway speeds but still better than the panda. The plastics are less nasty too. I don't miss the integrated bluetooth that the panda has cause you could never hear the phone in there anyway it's that noisy, and no one can hear you either.
I prefer the swift, and the extra power goes a long way too, the panda doesn't just need to be worked, you need to ring it's neck... The suzuki has the right amount of feeling like you're really doing all the work without being tiresome. I find the suzuki a much more fun driving experience. It's a hooligan of an engine, and just the right amount of power, grip, and the gear change is lovely too.
Panda was fun but in the end every journey just ground me down. Its SO bouncy and even with better suspension it's bad. Any long journey is hell, and cabin/engine noise appalling. I know they aren't meant for long journeys but if you do need to use it for one then it quickly becomes tiresome.
The swifts ride is firm but not bouncy, not too harsh, just right. Nice and sporty. The handling is better than the panda and much less body roll. I have the older one (57) so no 6th gear, it's quite noisy at motorway speeds but still better than the panda. The plastics are less nasty too. I don't miss the integrated bluetooth that the panda has cause you could never hear the phone in there anyway it's that noisy, and no one can hear you either.
I prefer the swift, and the extra power goes a long way too, the panda doesn't just need to be worked, you need to ring it's neck... The suzuki has the right amount of feeling like you're really doing all the work without being tiresome. I find the suzuki a much more fun driving experience. It's a hooligan of an engine, and just the right amount of power, grip, and the gear change is lovely too.
Edited by Ghost91 on Saturday 21st November 21:58
I've owned a Panda 100 for a month or two now, it's a total riot to drive, I've not driven anything as fun for the running costs. Yes the suspension is very hard but it wouldnt be the car it is without the stiff ride, bluetooth connectivity and climate control are nice little touches but I like how simple it is. They're well made and throw up very few issues, consumables are pennies and they seem to take abuse well, being light hard driving doesnt muller brakes and tyres too quickly. I get around 40mpg on shortish trips, they do seem a bit costly compared to the bargain they were new but get a tidy one and look after it you'll not loose anything on one I reckon.
poing said:
Either are good, ride is meant to be a bit too firm for some tastes on the Panda. Don't be put off the Twingo, the ex had one and it needed nothing more than normal servicing for the 5 years it was abused driven and it was brilliant fun, it wasn't the 133 though it was the 1.2 turbo GT but the 1.6 is a solid engine. I have a soft spot for the Swift though so would probably go for that.
I just bought one of these Twingo GT TCE's (100 bhp) as a runabout and it's a great fun car! Try one and seeGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff