RE: Suzuki Swift Sport: PH Fleet
Discussion
It's early days but I'm loving my 2013 SZ-R! Wifey has a 2008 1.5GLX which I always liked nicking and I was after a same shape Sport. Didn't find one and this little minter popped up with one owner and 12k miles so I bit the bullet.
It's a bit of fun at legal speeds for me, I'm middle aged but a loon at heart and had to give up my motorcycling ambitions due to back problems so the Swift works a treat for me. Suspension seems well-sorted, surprisingly good ride yet nippy handling and plenty of grip on standard Continentals, seats are great for my back, nice gear change if a bit notchier than her GLX and quite a solid feel to it generally. It's a bit more refined than I'd hoped (only I could moan about that....) so for my money I'm looking at a decent induction kit and exhaust then I'll see from there.
For sure it's a long term keeper and as the last NA of it's genre I'll be looking after it!
It's a bit of fun at legal speeds for me, I'm middle aged but a loon at heart and had to give up my motorcycling ambitions due to back problems so the Swift works a treat for me. Suspension seems well-sorted, surprisingly good ride yet nippy handling and plenty of grip on standard Continentals, seats are great for my back, nice gear change if a bit notchier than her GLX and quite a solid feel to it generally. It's a bit more refined than I'd hoped (only I could moan about that....) so for my money I'm looking at a decent induction kit and exhaust then I'll see from there.
For sure it's a long term keeper and as the last NA of it's genre I'll be looking after it!
Ilovejapcrap said:
I'm in the process of looking for a small car at the moment 13k budget.
With a bit of haggling I can basically get a brand new swift. I've seen some polo gti with the 1.8 with a few miles on more or less in my grip.
But I can't stop looking at the swift, it's not got the badge or perhaps as fancy inside. But it just feels honest as the day is long and sooo simple. Straight petrol manual box.
People keep saying vw has better resale etc, the swift just keeps calling me. Ahh what to do !
Not a second hand Fiesta ST? Have you test drove one?With a bit of haggling I can basically get a brand new swift. I've seen some polo gti with the 1.8 with a few miles on more or less in my grip.
But I can't stop looking at the swift, it's not got the badge or perhaps as fancy inside. But it just feels honest as the day is long and sooo simple. Straight petrol manual box.
People keep saying vw has better resale etc, the swift just keeps calling me. Ahh what to do !
They are holding their value so well because they're so popular, so they also don't stay on the used market long at all. But at the same time I can imagine the new one coming out soon might affect that - depending on whether they ruin it or not
If they mess it up the popularity of the then old model could actually go up.The Swift seems to hold it's value reasonably well too, though, as I was looking at one as a replacement for my ageing C2 VTS. As someone who always buys nearly-new and runs cars for several years, I actually find that aspect of VWs off-putting.
Edited by PoisonJam on Tuesday 22 November 15:25
As a non-UK resident I think I haven't yet encountered a forum more obsessed about initial depreciation. In my opinion when you plan to keep your car for half a decade or so, it is nice to have it under control from a day one, do that first early oil change, break it in properly. And if anything is a keeper, I think Swift Sport is. When you have at least a bit of mechanical sympathy, your maintenance first 5 years will be tyres, oils, filters and maybe brakes and sparkplugs. Afterwards it will not be much worse.
It is quite different perhaps when you plan to tune it up right on, as there are lots of JDM and other parts for Sports.
In my opinion it would benefit from a remap to overcome sometimes horrendous throttle reactions.
It seems the Sport as well as the older M13A engined base model I used to drive regulary has at least dozen of different maps for that and when you are not on it, at low revs particulary, the throttle reactions can be very lethargic. M13A was much worse of the two, mind you.
But all in all these are great little cars, just complete balanced package. Chassis is brilliant, the compromise between body control and comfort is spot on and probably at the pinnacle of what can be achieved with torsion beam and realistically priced set of dampers. For the power and weight I felt the brakes are pretty overengineered too. Even when I borrowed it first time - downhill blast, overbraked every corner because of unfamiliar car, the rotors were barely heated up. On supporting A3 diesel brakes almost melted down doing 80% pace.
It is quite different perhaps when you plan to tune it up right on, as there are lots of JDM and other parts for Sports.
In my opinion it would benefit from a remap to overcome sometimes horrendous throttle reactions.
It seems the Sport as well as the older M13A engined base model I used to drive regulary has at least dozen of different maps for that and when you are not on it, at low revs particulary, the throttle reactions can be very lethargic. M13A was much worse of the two, mind you.
But all in all these are great little cars, just complete balanced package. Chassis is brilliant, the compromise between body control and comfort is spot on and probably at the pinnacle of what can be achieved with torsion beam and realistically priced set of dampers. For the power and weight I felt the brakes are pretty overengineered too. Even when I borrowed it first time - downhill blast, overbraked every corner because of unfamiliar car, the rotors were barely heated up. On supporting A3 diesel brakes almost melted down doing 80% pace.
Edited by Zajda on Monday 21st November 21:49
Congrats, you are about to have a loads of fun 
Curious how you find the throttle reaction to blipping in various situations and falling down of the revs during upshifts. Also I would like to point out that the factory fill is 0W-20, so for tracking or wringing the heck out of it for prolonged time i would opt for thicker grade next change. Curiously enough even API SG class is allowable to use.
Curious how you find the throttle reaction to blipping in various situations and falling down of the revs during upshifts. Also I would like to point out that the factory fill is 0W-20, so for tracking or wringing the heck out of it for prolonged time i would opt for thicker grade next change. Curiously enough even API SG class is allowable to use.Zajda said:
Congrats, you are about to have a loads of fun Curious how you find the throttle reaction to blipping in various situations and falling down of the revs during upshifts. Also I would like to point out that the factory fill is 0W-20, so for tracking or wringing the heck out of it for prolonged time i would opt for thicker grade next change. Curiously enough even API SG class is allowable to use.
I've read of revs hanging on a swift sport forum but not noticed it. Apparently a remap gets rid and gives almost 150 bhp. Curious how you find the throttle reaction to blipping in various situations and falling down of the revs during upshifts. Also I would like to point out that the factory fill is 0W-20, so for tracking or wringing the heck out of it for prolonged time i would opt for thicker grade next change. Curiously enough even API SG class is allowable to use.I don't have a great understanding of the oils, should I not keep to what Suzuki put in it ?
It behaves like that only from time to time, as I said it feels like there are lots of different maps going on for various circumstances. Only had the Sport borrowed but the old M13A is quite similar in that regard. Usually when I wring the heck out of it for few kilometers, it starts to behave even at low revs afterwards :-)
Oil thickness is never ending debate on interweb, but based on my research you basically don't want oil too thick because you will loose the flow and cooling, and you don't want it too thin, as you could loose the pressure at high temperature. And during the usable interval of the oil the high temperature additives ensuring the second number are being consumed so what was once 0W-20 could end up being 0W-10 instead etc. These are really joined vessels.
For startup situations with cold engine even 0W-20 oil is too thick. So for town driving and few moments of fun 0W-20 should be optimal. For track driving or prolonged hooning at summer I would be slightly worried.
You can see at the manual the reccomended range is from 0W-20 to 10W-40, so I would say something like this should do the trick of being jack of all trades:
http://en.yacco.com/product/55-galaxy-rs-0w40/
Original Suzuki oils for gasoline engines (API rated) are nowadays only two I think - 0W20 and 10W30. Friend of mine for example recieved the latter during first change for his Sport at Suzuki shop.
So best would have been to see an oil pressure and temperature, if that helps to find a sense in above mentioned information :-)
Oil thickness is never ending debate on interweb, but based on my research you basically don't want oil too thick because you will loose the flow and cooling, and you don't want it too thin, as you could loose the pressure at high temperature. And during the usable interval of the oil the high temperature additives ensuring the second number are being consumed so what was once 0W-20 could end up being 0W-10 instead etc. These are really joined vessels.
For startup situations with cold engine even 0W-20 oil is too thick. So for town driving and few moments of fun 0W-20 should be optimal. For track driving or prolonged hooning at summer I would be slightly worried.
You can see at the manual the reccomended range is from 0W-20 to 10W-40, so I would say something like this should do the trick of being jack of all trades:
http://en.yacco.com/product/55-galaxy-rs-0w40/
Original Suzuki oils for gasoline engines (API rated) are nowadays only two I think - 0W20 and 10W30. Friend of mine for example recieved the latter during first change for his Sport at Suzuki shop.
So best would have been to see an oil pressure and temperature, if that helps to find a sense in above mentioned information :-)
Ilovejapcrap said:
I'm in the process of looking for a small car at the moment 13k budget.
With a bit of haggling I can basically get a brand new swift. I've seen some polo gti with the 1.8 with a few miles on more or less in my grip.
But I can't stop looking at the swift, it's not got the badge or perhaps as fancy inside. But it just feels honest as the day is long and sooo simple. Straight petrol manual box.
People keep saying vw has better resale etc, the swift just keeps calling me. Ahh what to do !
Get over the resale issue and in 20 years time you will still be bouncing the tacho on the rev limiter.With a bit of haggling I can basically get a brand new swift. I've seen some polo gti with the 1.8 with a few miles on more or less in my grip.
But I can't stop looking at the swift, it's not got the badge or perhaps as fancy inside. But it just feels honest as the day is long and sooo simple. Straight petrol manual box.
People keep saying vw has better resale etc, the swift just keeps calling me. Ahh what to do !
They will dredge it up after it has been used as an artificial reef for another 20 years and it will still be in to it.
VeeFource said:
I'm so happy I got my SSS new (like you I also thought I'd never buy a new car) but then I do plan on keeping it 10-15 years or more. Can't help but wonder whether it will be seen as a relatively recent 205 GTI at that point too which should help residuals.
Me too. And I have no plan in my head to replace it simply because it is the last of its type, and I've driven enough cars to know it is something special.I believe MY16 is the last for the Swift Sport NA.
Mine is a 2016 5dr bought through DTD for £12,995 just beating the April price rise.
It only gets used on dry days and has Suntek PPF full front plus full roof and door entry sills. I also waxed the suspension areas and had all paint surfaces treated with ceramic.
Total keeper.
Zajda said:
In my opinion it would benefit from a remap to overcome sometimes horrendous throttle reactions.
It seems the Sport as well as the older M13A engined base model I used to drive regulary has at least dozen of different maps for that and when you are not on it, at low revs particulary, the throttle reactions can be very lethargic. M13A was much worse of the two, mind you.
I have discovered this. The engine response to throttle seems lethargic and completely linear if I've used the car to potter about in for a few days, e.g. nursery runs.It seems the Sport as well as the older M13A engined base model I used to drive regulary has at least dozen of different maps for that and when you are not on it, at low revs particulary, the throttle reactions can be very lethargic. M13A was much worse of the two, mind you.
Edited by Zajda on Monday 21st November 21:49
I think it takes a blast or two over more than one day to change the mapping. Then you suddenly notice the kick at 4k again, well, quite strong from 3,500 and then a noticeable shove as the timing changes. When it's running like this it's pretty damn quick for a 1.6L.
It is likely an emissions measure but as you say could possibly be altered through remapping.
Personally I'm cool with it because on those days when I can't use / do not want the performance I get to enjoy maximum efficiency reflected in the great fuel economy. Having said this I think I would prefer to decide mapping rather than the ECU, so a switch like some cars have would be an enhancement.
That vid of the two Swifts around the 'Ring is great. Closely matched (brothers i think)
I've driven a few of the old Shape swifts and think they're great, even the 1.3 goes really well and is fun to drive. I thought the Sport was just excellent. Really good fun and quite a playful chassis.
I think the previous version looks a bit better than the current one..but the current one can be had in 5dr...which makes the 'Dad maths' much easier.....
I've driven a few of the old Shape swifts and think they're great, even the 1.3 goes really well and is fun to drive. I thought the Sport was just excellent. Really good fun and quite a playful chassis.
I think the previous version looks a bit better than the current one..but the current one can be had in 5dr...which makes the 'Dad maths' much easier.....
M1C said:
That vid of the two Swifts around the 'Ring is great. Closely matched (brothers i think)
I've driven a few of the old Shape swifts and think they're great, even the 1.3 goes really well and is fun to drive. I thought the Sport was just excellent. Really good fun and quite a playful chassis.
I think the previous version looks a bit better than the current one..but the current one can be had in 5dr...which makes the 'Dad maths' much easier.....
I kind of prefer the new one, looks a bit more masculine and interior doesent look as cheap, (dont like the red seats of the previous version)I've driven a few of the old Shape swifts and think they're great, even the 1.3 goes really well and is fun to drive. I thought the Sport was just excellent. Really good fun and quite a playful chassis.
I think the previous version looks a bit better than the current one..but the current one can be had in 5dr...which makes the 'Dad maths' much easier.....
I'm collecting a blue 5-Door on Monday morning. It's not a car I thought about, but when it showed up locally on AT, it made perfect sense. 63-reg, January 2014 car. I was looking to change in late '18 and would've gone for a Tangerine Scream Focus ST, but my Astra Coupe is so long in the tooth I didn't want to put more money into it.
I've never owned a car so universally praised and the status of last naturally aspirated pocket rocket makes it that much more special than yet another turbo car. I didn't explore the rev range or the handling, but it felt like a sweet drive and got up a long uphill slip road well enough. I'll give it the berries on Monday for sure.
I've never owned a car so universally praised and the status of last naturally aspirated pocket rocket makes it that much more special than yet another turbo car. I didn't explore the rev range or the handling, but it felt like a sweet drive and got up a long uphill slip road well enough. I'll give it the berries on Monday for sure.
SE2 said:
I'm collecting a blue 5-Door on Monday morning. It's not a car I thought about, but when it showed up locally on AT, it made perfect sense. 63-reg, January 2014 car. I was looking to change in late '18 and would've gone for a Tangerine Scream Focus ST, but my Astra Coupe is so long in the tooth I didn't want to put more money into it.
I've never owned a car so universally praised and the status of last naturally aspirated pocket rocket makes it that much more special than yet another turbo car. I didn't explore the rev range or the handling, but it felt like a sweet drive and got up a long uphill slip road well enough. I'll give it the berries on Monday for sure.
Nice one se2 picture when you get it.I've never owned a car so universally praised and the status of last naturally aspirated pocket rocket makes it that much more special than yet another turbo car. I didn't explore the rev range or the handling, but it felt like a sweet drive and got up a long uphill slip road well enough. I'll give it the berries on Monday for sure.
This is mine
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=163...
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