Fiesta Zetec S Replacement - Swift Sport?

[GRM944]

Hello all,

I've had my '13 Fiesta Zetec S for two years now, it's my daily hack but getting the itch to change. It's frustratingly hard to find a replacement to fit the bill perfectly as the Fiesta is pretty much everything I need.

First a little summary of the current fleet, for context:

Me - Fiesta ZS 1.0L 125bhp - had since 2017, now 54k miles, FSH, still owe about £3k on the car.
- Recently changed from 1983 Porsche 944, to 2007 Porsche Cayman about 4 weeks ago.

Other half - In march changed a 6n2 Polo GTI for a 2017 Abarth 595
- 1969 Volkswagen Beetle - minor rolling resto project

I do about 18k miles per year in the Fiesta, commuting about 62 miles a day on country A and B roads into Perth.

When I bought the Fiesta, I had just graduated Uni and needed a car to get to my new Job. Commute is relativley long distance, so the Fiesta is great because I am averaging about 51mpg, it handles really well, has been generally reliable, is free to tax but does cost a little more than I was expecting to insure (typical ZS driver making the risk worse I suppose!)

However I have really been loving the O/H's Abarth - makes the Fiesta feel a bit lukewarm to be honest with it's long gearing and mediocre noise.

Another Abarth is out of the question (really need one slightly practical car that can take 4 up occasionally), and a Fiesta ST while tempting is more to insure and to fuel, and more to buy to get one reasonably newer.


Hence looking at the Swift Sport, where I could get a '15 plate in budget - Reliable, 6 speed, Twin Pipes, Fizzy Engine, Good Handling, Newer, more Tech, Cruise Control(!). We're often up and down to Aberdeen for Porsche Club nights, which is about 100 miles round trip so the cruise control is excellent for average speed camera trek.


What I'm concerned about with the Swift is the fuel consumption - I need to know if I can get in the realms of 45mpg plus on a 55 to 60mph run (driving like a saint of course!) to make it work without drastically increasing the cost. I need to look into insurance too.

Suzuki have a good reliability reputation - I assume these are generally bullet proof?


I'm looking to spend about £8k if I do change - seems I could get into a '15 or '16 model year on that budget.

Certainly looking to get one out of warranty as I generally do all servicing and maintenance myself.


Opinions about these cars (or any other options!) on a postcard would be greatly appreciated!

[ZX10R NIN]

How big is fuel difference between the ST & your Zetec because driving like a saint you'll see 45mpg on a run, the only downside to the Fiesta is that they hold their money in comparison to the competition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

208 GTI these are very good cars to drive only really beater by the Fiesta.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now these are more of a warm hatch but they're a good mix of sensible insurance costs mixed with good performance:

Astra GTC 200 SRI/Limited Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Giulietta Sportiva Nav 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...