2007 Suzuki Swift Sport
Discussion
I've had my Swift since September so thought it was about time I posted a little write-up of my experience with it so far.
I have surprisingly few pictures of it so I'll be sure to take some more once I've washed all the salt off of it!
Bought from a Suzuki main dealer at more than I should have probably paid, I discovered that the service book had dissapeared from the book pack in the glovebox between the test drive and me collecting the car. Annoying to say the least really as it took me quite a while to realise (I was too busy driving the car!) and suzuki say they don't have it, and don't keep a record... This should be quite a pain come resale time, but never mind....
Well, what can I say, it handles superbly. It's on Falken tyres as the standard size don't give much choice, but the grip is excellent and can give a predictable bit of slip when pressing on around wet roundabouts which can be quite fun!
The engine loves to be revved and the 0-60 time of 8.9 IIRC is quite good for a 1.6, it certainly seems to catch out a few people who pull up on the right hand side at traffic lights expecting to blat past when the lights go green. Obviously it's not blistering performance, but adequate and proper, proper good fun. Very rewarding to work the engine and gearbox indeed!
Having had a Panda 100hp before this, I can say that the Swift is infinitely better, ride quality being very good, firm and sporty without being crashy, and plenty of pulling power for overtaking when needed (although this usually requires changing down a gear or two!)
My only criticism is its very noisy at motorway speeds, both engine noise (revs at 3800 at 70!!!) and road/wind noise. So much so I've contemplated getting rid, but it has really got under my skin, I can't seem to part with it!
I haven't had to do any work to it in my ownership so far bar some new tyres, and I don't really have any plans for it either, apart from to drive and enjoy. I've put 8000 miles on it since september and it now sits on 68k, it's immaculate inside and out, I don't think I could have found a better one. Suzuki had some stonechips and a new seat sorted before I bought it so it's like new really.
I'll get it cleaned and take some more photos, but all in all I can highly recommend these for anyone who wants a proper driving experience, decent feedback, revvy n/a engine and old school nimble hot hatch fun - it's a hooligan, not for pounding motorways if you value your sanity, but fantastic nonetheless!
I have surprisingly few pictures of it so I'll be sure to take some more once I've washed all the salt off of it!
Bought from a Suzuki main dealer at more than I should have probably paid, I discovered that the service book had dissapeared from the book pack in the glovebox between the test drive and me collecting the car. Annoying to say the least really as it took me quite a while to realise (I was too busy driving the car!) and suzuki say they don't have it, and don't keep a record... This should be quite a pain come resale time, but never mind....
Well, what can I say, it handles superbly. It's on Falken tyres as the standard size don't give much choice, but the grip is excellent and can give a predictable bit of slip when pressing on around wet roundabouts which can be quite fun!
The engine loves to be revved and the 0-60 time of 8.9 IIRC is quite good for a 1.6, it certainly seems to catch out a few people who pull up on the right hand side at traffic lights expecting to blat past when the lights go green. Obviously it's not blistering performance, but adequate and proper, proper good fun. Very rewarding to work the engine and gearbox indeed!
Having had a Panda 100hp before this, I can say that the Swift is infinitely better, ride quality being very good, firm and sporty without being crashy, and plenty of pulling power for overtaking when needed (although this usually requires changing down a gear or two!)
My only criticism is its very noisy at motorway speeds, both engine noise (revs at 3800 at 70!!!) and road/wind noise. So much so I've contemplated getting rid, but it has really got under my skin, I can't seem to part with it!
I haven't had to do any work to it in my ownership so far bar some new tyres, and I don't really have any plans for it either, apart from to drive and enjoy. I've put 8000 miles on it since september and it now sits on 68k, it's immaculate inside and out, I don't think I could have found a better one. Suzuki had some stonechips and a new seat sorted before I bought it so it's like new really.
I'll get it cleaned and take some more photos, but all in all I can highly recommend these for anyone who wants a proper driving experience, decent feedback, revvy n/a engine and old school nimble hot hatch fun - it's a hooligan, not for pounding motorways if you value your sanity, but fantastic nonetheless!
Edited by CX53 on Friday 29th January 17:07
Lites said:
Lovely car, still miss mine. Never forget the buzz of ripping it up through the rev range - sure if you looked at the raw numbers you weren't going a million miles an hour but it felt like warp speed to me! The interior has to be one of the coolest out there too. Rifle like gear s
t. Enjoy OP 
I really like the interior, quite attractive unless you're a snob about how soft the plastics are, the seats are nice! t. Enjoy OP I like the red glow of the screens and dials too, it's quite cosy for night driving
The gear change is very satisfying.
Commuting in it can get tiresome if I'm totally honest, but a blast down a decent road 'just because' makes it all better. Nice bit of lift off oversteer too, nothing dangerous but makes things a bit more interesting!
drewos said:
My GF has one of these and they are great fun on the back lanes, you really have to keep that Toyota engine above 4500 though as there's little torque. Lovely gear change too. Common fault on it which we incurred was the ABS pump went on it (displaying the ESP Light) so couldn't pass the MOT. If anyone else gets this then ignore the £1800 suzuki want to replace and get it rebuilt for around £200. Other than that in 4 years it's been dead reliable.
Ill keep that in mind, thanks!Thanks all for the comments. They really do deserve the praise they get in the reviews. Usually I don't have a car longer than six months as I like a change, but I think this ones a keeper. I may well have to pick up a bargain barge for a bit more refinement for commuting though, but the swift shall stay!
After a quick hoon round the villages tonight, I'm thinking of finding some better bulbs, the lights could be a bit brighter... I'll see what I can find!
After a quick hoon round the villages tonight, I'm thinking of finding some better bulbs, the lights could be a bit brighter... I'll see what I can find!
velocefica said:
Might seem minor thing but I would probably be wanting a free service for them losing the service book.
It will definitely impact on value when you go to sell even if it's only by a few hundred quid.
The thing is it was at least a couple of months before I noticed.. I bought it and then started working away, and by the time I got round to it and rang them about it they'd pretty much forgotten who I was. I'm not really best pleased about it though, but I don't think I'd get anything out of them.It will definitely impact on value when you go to sell even if it's only by a few hundred quid.
Deisel Weisel said:
Toyota?
Always thought these would look better on 16" wheels. Managed to spot an SSS on 16's on eBay recently, which confirmed it for me. But each to their own.
I don't know, I quite like the standard 17's, they fill the arches quite nicely! Funny tyre size though which gives the choice of about 3 different tyres unless you go for a slightly different size... Luckily the Falkens are pretty good and cheap so I'll keep the size as its meant to be. Always thought these would look better on 16" wheels. Managed to spot an SSS on 16's on eBay recently, which confirmed it for me. But each to their own.
Mr Tidy said:
Always liked these - I imagine they are great for a bit of B road blatting!
Sadly most of my driving these days is M/way or dual-carriageway trundling and that is probably what they are least suited for!
But yours looks great in that colour OP - enjoy!
You're right there... I keep toying with the idea of getting a bigger car more suited to the motorway for going to work, but then I doubt I could justify keeping the Swift for a second car instead of an MX5 or something really... I might have to change for a jack-of-all-trades sort of thing at some point, which would be a shame. Thought about letting my Mrs have the suzuki so I could still have a blast in it now and then, but she wants a fiesta for her next car. Sadly most of my driving these days is M/way or dual-carriageway trundling and that is probably what they are least suited for!
But yours looks great in that colour OP - enjoy!
With the purchase of a rather handsome Saab 9000 this week, the Swift is going in for a pre sale service and air con re-gas next week.
I've loved owning it - and I could still keep it, but I'd rather be racking up some of the more boring miles in something more sheddy and use the Saab for nicer drives. Especially now the Swift has been relegated from the driveway to the communal parking spaces in the close, which I'm not too keen on as the paintwork is spotless.
I've put roughly 15k miles on it and its been absolutely faultless, and feels like it would be for many years to come!
I've loved owning it - and I could still keep it, but I'd rather be racking up some of the more boring miles in something more sheddy and use the Saab for nicer drives. Especially now the Swift has been relegated from the driveway to the communal parking spaces in the close, which I'm not too keen on as the paintwork is spotless.
I've put roughly 15k miles on it and its been absolutely faultless, and feels like it would be for many years to come!
I've had a few time wasters over the last few days, I absolutely hate selling cars, especially at this end of the market.
Took it out for a blast just now, and found myself grinning from ear to ear. I'm going to let the advert run its course seeing as it's paid for, and if I don't get any serious interest then I think this will stay. I quite fancy subtly tinting the rear windows and adding some wind deflectors. Then when the time comes I'll trade it in to avoid having to deal with selling it privately!
Took it out for a blast just now, and found myself grinning from ear to ear. I'm going to let the advert run its course seeing as it's paid for, and if I don't get any serious interest then I think this will stay. I quite fancy subtly tinting the rear windows and adding some wind deflectors. Then when the time comes I'll trade it in to avoid having to deal with selling it privately!
Yadizzle1 said:
Nooooo how dare you! 
Sorry... Honestly though, the bounciness drove me mad in the panda. The swift is still firm and sporty but very planted and not uncomfortable. I also prefer the driving position, and the extra bit of power really helps. The 100hp's are fantastic little cars though and I still prefer the way they look! problemchild1976 said:
have you tried the pistonheads classifieds - thats always worked for me even with run of the mill cars
or just keep it and get a turbo fitted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrMiHHMA7FU
JJ
I haven't actually, I assumed because there are so few cars actually advertised on PH classifieds that there wouldn't be a huge amount of interest that way. Worth a try for sure, thanks. or just keep it and get a turbo fitted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrMiHHMA7FU
JJ
Edited by problemchild1976 on Sunday 5th June 20:13
It would be excellent with a turbo or supercharger fitted... I don't think I will though, when I'm driving it the power feels like just enough, doesn't leave me wishing it had more. Not until I get annihilated by a diesel insignia or something equally depressing on a straight bit of road.
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