Shed Of The Week: Suzuki Ignis Sport

After a sub-£1K hot hatch and don't want one of the usual suspects? Shed says Suzuki

We seem to have been in bargely mode of late, so this week Shed has been turning his wrinkly old eye in the direction of tackle at the titchier end of the motoring spectrum.

There's a lot of fun to be had in the motorised rollerskate market, but you do have to accept that for under a grand you'll be dipping your loafers into some potentially murky waters. Finding an un-Barried hot Saxo or similar bluebottle is about as easy as finding a demure young lassie on the Saturday night lash at Whitley Bay.

Photos at dusk probably for the best

There are more attractive options, like the Lupo GTI and of course the Fiat Panda 100HP, but there's not much doubt that rarity and/or price will keep both of these out of this feature for the foreseeable future.

So, for the young tyro about town looking for a credible sporting mini in exchange for an incredible Shed budget, what's the solution? Well, if you've got an open mind and a thick skin, it could be something like this Suzuki Ignis Sport.

Stopped laughing now? Good. Because you might be surprised at what's on offer from this feisty little J-mobile, especially if you come at it purely from the top trumps angle. Its twin-cam, variable-timing 1.5 four puts out 107hp and 103lb ft of torque, out-muscling the Fiat's 99hp and 97lb ft. The Panda weighs 975kg: the Suzuki, 945kg. 0-60 times? 9.2 for the Fiat, 8.9 for the Suzuki. Top speeds? 115mph for both.

Getting a bit more interested? Thought you might be. Of course, man cannot live on numbers alone. What about a driving comparison?

A Panda 100HP is more than twice as much...

Well, again you might have to set aside a few preconceptions here. We all know about the legendary chuckability of the Panda 100HP, but not so many of us will remember contemporary road tests of the Ignis Sport. Those that do will recall more than one journo highly praising the Suzuki's chassis. Remember, when this particular car was built, Suzuki was riding high in the Junior World Rally Championship, so you've got some genuine sporting credibility to impress your spotty mates with. You don't get full Ohlins suspension, or anything like it, but if you've ever experienced the spine-compressing rigidity of the Panda 100's ride, you'll feel right at home.

What do you get is smashing stopping power thanks to vented discs all round. The Ignis tyres might look narrow, but that just helps to endow the little fella with excellent on-the-limit adjustability. Find the right corner and it will cock an inside rear wheel, the determined wheelman's oft-quoted measure of chassis stiffness and (therefore) handling prowess.

On straight line performance, many hacks of the age pointed out that the Ignis's 8.9-second 0-60 time bested that of higher-profile rivals like the Mini Cooper and SportKa. The gearchange is quick and slick. One report described the Ignis Sport as the surprise test drive of the year, and he meant that in a good way.

Exciting to drive, not to look at

If interior shots had been provided you would have been able to stroke your chin thoughtfully at the sight of Recaro seats, the leather steering wheel and carbon-fibre effect console. Shed won't mention the white-faced instruments as he's still having therapy from the day his missus accompanied him to the UFO Spotters' annual conference in Rhyl wearing white Essex tarts' boots. Hey, fashions change (unlike wives). What can you do.

Okay, styling-wise, the Ignis Sport looks a bit like Postman Pat's done a window conversion job on his van. The word 'gawky' is perhaps flattering it. But despite the top-heavy looks of the thing it will hang on like treacle to a blanket and in this silvery hue it's got a certain purpose about it. You'll be unlucky to have much go wrong with it either, thrash it though ye might. Earplugs will be a must if you plan on doing much motorway driving, but otherwise this car makes a lot of sense on a lot of levels. Put away your prejudices and give it a chance. You're unlikely to regret it.

Here's the ad.

Fun little car and surprisingly economical. The car is completely standard and will be sold with the original Enkei alloys (these may need a refurb), but the alloys on it right now can also be negotiated into the price. The car also features: the original recaro seats; electric windows; aircon; original clarion head unit; ABS; central/remote locking; trip/avg speed/lap timer.

The good:
- Good condition interior
- Mechanically sound
- No knocks
- Economical
- MOT until 11/14
- Tax until 11/14
- Good service history
- Low Mileage

The bad:
- Age related marks (I believe this is reflected within the price).

Only selling due to buying another car - if bought before 13/6/14, car will not be SORN and ready to drive away!

Fantastic car for the money - cheapest in the midlands - £900

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