Mini one 1.4d vs Suzuki swift sport reliability and cheapnes
Discussion
What’s more reliable the old mini ones with the Toyota 1.4 diesel lump or Suzuki swift sport can get both very cheap less than 1k for the Mini!
I suspect the mini with the engine that is shared with a yaris will be reliable considering that’s what yaris’ are known for and then the NA 1.6 swift are meant to be reliable and fun apparently. Does anyone have any thoughts on these 2 I just want them to be cheap to repair if needed but reliability is key all that it will be used for is going to supermarket and taking dog out
I suspect the mini with the engine that is shared with a yaris will be reliable considering that’s what yaris’ are known for and then the NA 1.6 swift are meant to be reliable and fun apparently. Does anyone have any thoughts on these 2 I just want them to be cheap to repair if needed but reliability is key all that it will be used for is going to supermarket and taking dog out
I had a look at a few MINIs when searching for a stop-gap car for commuting.
The MOT histories were very colourful with many issues from corrosion and suspension problems. I couldn't comment on the diesel engine as I was looking for the 1.6 petrol version. I test drove a couple and one had oil leaks and the other a gearbox whine.
I then looked at Suzuki Swift Sports with very little < £3k budget.
I ended up with a Honda Civic FN2 1.8 petrol variant and as expected it was 100% reliable and economic.
Good luck with the search.
The MOT histories were very colourful with many issues from corrosion and suspension problems. I couldn't comment on the diesel engine as I was looking for the 1.6 petrol version. I test drove a couple and one had oil leaks and the other a gearbox whine.
I then looked at Suzuki Swift Sports with very little < £3k budget.
I ended up with a Honda Civic FN2 1.8 petrol variant and as expected it was 100% reliable and economic.
Good luck with the search.
No substance to this, but I heard a couple of years ago that the Yaris diesel engine was one of the most unreliable that MINI fitted....
Personally, looking at the buying population of cheap MINI's, I'd plump for the Suzuki every time...but I'm not image conscious.
An accident repair chap of my acquaintance did quip that Suzuki's are well put together.
Personally, looking at the buying population of cheap MINI's, I'd plump for the Suzuki every time...but I'm not image conscious.
An accident repair chap of my acquaintance did quip that Suzuki's are well put together.
Edited by AlwynMike on Thursday 29th July 13:24
Justchris17 said:
What’s more reliable the old mini ones with the Toyota 1.4 diesel lump or Suzuki swift sport can get both very cheap less than 1k for the Mini!
I suspect the mini with the engine that is shared with a yaris will be reliable considering that’s what yaris’ are known for and then the NA 1.6 swift are meant to be reliable and fun apparently. Does anyone have any thoughts on these 2 I just want them to be cheap to repair if needed but reliability is key all that it will be used for is going to supermarket and taking dog out
I had my 62 plate SSS (ZC32S) from new, drove it for 7 years / 50k miles, and it didn't have a single issue. Only expenses were a set of wiper blades, 4 new tyres, new pads and disks on the front, and a new battery. I miss it everyday and wish I'd never got rid.I suspect the mini with the engine that is shared with a yaris will be reliable considering that’s what yaris’ are known for and then the NA 1.6 swift are meant to be reliable and fun apparently. Does anyone have any thoughts on these 2 I just want them to be cheap to repair if needed but reliability is key all that it will be used for is going to supermarket and taking dog out
Lotus Notes said:
I had a look at a few MINIs when searching for a stop-gap car for commuting.
The MOT histories were very colourful with many issues from corrosion and suspension problems. I couldn't comment on the diesel engine as I was looking for the 1.6 petrol version. I test drove a couple and one had oil leaks and the other a gearbox whine.
I then looked at Suzuki Swift Sports with very little < £3k budget.
I ended up with a Honda Civic FN2 1.8 petrol variant and as expected it was 100% reliable and economic.
Good luck with the search.
I Never considered a civic! What made you pick the civic over Suzuki did you have any issues with Suzuki on your searches?The MOT histories were very colourful with many issues from corrosion and suspension problems. I couldn't comment on the diesel engine as I was looking for the 1.6 petrol version. I test drove a couple and one had oil leaks and the other a gearbox whine.
I then looked at Suzuki Swift Sports with very little < £3k budget.
I ended up with a Honda Civic FN2 1.8 petrol variant and as expected it was 100% reliable and economic.
Good luck with the search.
Justchris17 said:
I Never considered a civic! What made you pick the civic over Suzuki did you have any issues with Suzuki on your searches?
I didn't get to test drive a Swift Sport as there we're very few in my price bracket, some were quite ropey if I remember.The Civic is less dynamic than a Swift, but well equipped with Cruise Control, Pano roof and has Fold-flat seats, 6-speed with a bit of V-tech noise high in the rev range.
We had a Swift Sport (from new so we did maintain it well) for 6 years and 80,000 (mostly motorway) miles. Only thing it needed in that time was tyres and, strangely, two new windscreens. It really seemed to attract stones to the glass!
Great car. Only sold it as needed something bigger
Great car. Only sold it as needed something bigger
I’ve got a swift sport. I’ve had some pretty quick cars (RWD 400bhp+), so I’m no spotty 17 year old that thinks it’s the fastest thing on the road.
Pros: It handles very well due to it’s excellent chassis, so it’s genuinely fun to drive on country roads. Very lightweight, little body role, excellent turn-in, and good grip to 7/10ths. Excellent brakes, both stopping power and feel. I find the engine adequately responsive and torquey at low revs, there is a slight pick up at 4-5k rpm but nothing drastic. In theory the engine should be reliable.
Cons: Tax is high £250. Interior rattles like a 1980s french car. Low rent interior - the seats material is comedy thin hence most are ripped, and the dash is very cheap plastic. Engine revs high, but doesn’t sound great. Poor gearbox design which sometimes makes it hard to get into certain gears and causes a crunch. Short gears really not suited for speeds over 60mph. Steering can feel a bit vague. Weird tyre size, so costs £100 a corner.
Watch out for ESP light turning on, as that’s the ABS pump failing. Most will have this problem, costs £400+ to repair. Suspension components can be knackered too as they tend to be driven hard.
It’s a great budget track day car IMO.
Pros: It handles very well due to it’s excellent chassis, so it’s genuinely fun to drive on country roads. Very lightweight, little body role, excellent turn-in, and good grip to 7/10ths. Excellent brakes, both stopping power and feel. I find the engine adequately responsive and torquey at low revs, there is a slight pick up at 4-5k rpm but nothing drastic. In theory the engine should be reliable.
Cons: Tax is high £250. Interior rattles like a 1980s french car. Low rent interior - the seats material is comedy thin hence most are ripped, and the dash is very cheap plastic. Engine revs high, but doesn’t sound great. Poor gearbox design which sometimes makes it hard to get into certain gears and causes a crunch. Short gears really not suited for speeds over 60mph. Steering can feel a bit vague. Weird tyre size, so costs £100 a corner.
Watch out for ESP light turning on, as that’s the ABS pump failing. Most will have this problem, costs £400+ to repair. Suspension components can be knackered too as they tend to be driven hard.
It’s a great budget track day car IMO.
Edited by Jiebo on Thursday 29th July 19:19
Jiebo said:
I’ve got a swift sport. I’ve had some pretty quick cars (RWD 400bhp+), so I’m no spotty 17 year old that thinks it’s the fastest thing on the road.
Pros: It handles very well due to it’s excellent chassis, so it’s genuinely fun to drive on country roads. Very lightweight, little body role, excellent turn-in, and good grip to 7/10ths. Excellent brakes, both stopping power and feel. I find the engine adequately responsive and torquey at low revs, there is a slight pick up at 4-5k rpm but nothing drastic. In theory the engine should be reliable.
Cons: Tax is high £250. Interior rattles like a 1980s french car. Low rent interior - the seats material is comedy thin hence most are ripped, and the dash is very cheap plastic. Engine revs high, but doesn’t sound great. Poor gearbox design which sometimes makes it hard to get into certain gears and causes a crunch. Short gears really not suited for speeds over 60mph. Steering can feel a bit vague. Weird tyre size, so costs £100 a corner.
Watch out for ESP light turning on, as that’s the ABS pump failing. Most will have this problem, costs £400+ to repair. Suspension components can be knackered too as they tend to be driven hard.
It’s a great budget track day car IMO.
What’s the sort of wallet damage I would be expecting for various suspension components I can imagine them being cheap no? Pros: It handles very well due to it’s excellent chassis, so it’s genuinely fun to drive on country roads. Very lightweight, little body role, excellent turn-in, and good grip to 7/10ths. Excellent brakes, both stopping power and feel. I find the engine adequately responsive and torquey at low revs, there is a slight pick up at 4-5k rpm but nothing drastic. In theory the engine should be reliable.
Cons: Tax is high £250. Interior rattles like a 1980s french car. Low rent interior - the seats material is comedy thin hence most are ripped, and the dash is very cheap plastic. Engine revs high, but doesn’t sound great. Poor gearbox design which sometimes makes it hard to get into certain gears and causes a crunch. Short gears really not suited for speeds over 60mph. Steering can feel a bit vague. Weird tyre size, so costs £100 a corner.
Watch out for ESP light turning on, as that’s the ABS pump failing. Most will have this problem, costs £400+ to repair. Suspension components can be knackered too as they tend to be driven hard.
It’s a great budget track day car IMO.
Edited by Jiebo on Thursday 29th July 19:19
It will only be used for taking dog and and going shopping really 90% if the time not bothered about low rent interiors as long as the mechanicals are solid or cheap to replace
Jiebo said:
I’ve got a swift sport. I’ve had some pretty quick cars (RWD 400bhp+), so I’m no spotty 17 year old that thinks it’s the fastest thing on the road.
Pros: It handles very well due to it’s excellent chassis, so it’s genuinely fun to drive on country roads. Very lightweight, little body role, excellent turn-in, and good grip to 7/10ths. Excellent brakes, both stopping power and feel. I find the engine adequately responsive and torquey at low revs, there is a slight pick up at 4-5k rpm but nothing drastic. In theory the engine should be reliable.
Cons: Tax is high £250. Interior rattles like a 1980s french car. Low rent interior - the seats material is comedy thin hence most are ripped, and the dash is very cheap plastic. Engine revs high, but doesn’t sound great. Poor gearbox design which sometimes makes it hard to get into certain gears and causes a crunch. Short gears really not suited for speeds over 60mph. Steering can feel a bit vague. Weird tyre size, so costs £100 a corner.
Watch out for ESP light turning on, as that’s the ABS pump failing. Most will have this problem, costs £400+ to repair. Suspension components can be knackered too as they tend to be driven hard.
It’s a great budget track day car IMO.
Agree with the low rent interior - lots of shiny black plastic. When I traded mine at 8yo/50k miles it was rattle-free and the seats were as good as new with absolutely no wear at all. In contrast I've now got a 2 year old Fiesta ST with 20k miles on it that rattles and creaks like mad and the Recaro driver's seat is already thinning on one bolster.Pros: It handles very well due to it’s excellent chassis, so it’s genuinely fun to drive on country roads. Very lightweight, little body role, excellent turn-in, and good grip to 7/10ths. Excellent brakes, both stopping power and feel. I find the engine adequately responsive and torquey at low revs, there is a slight pick up at 4-5k rpm but nothing drastic. In theory the engine should be reliable.
Cons: Tax is high £250. Interior rattles like a 1980s french car. Low rent interior - the seats material is comedy thin hence most are ripped, and the dash is very cheap plastic. Engine revs high, but doesn’t sound great. Poor gearbox design which sometimes makes it hard to get into certain gears and causes a crunch. Short gears really not suited for speeds over 60mph. Steering can feel a bit vague. Weird tyre size, so costs £100 a corner.
Watch out for ESP light turning on, as that’s the ABS pump failing. Most will have this problem, costs £400+ to repair. Suspension components can be knackered too as they tend to be driven hard.
It’s a great budget track day car IMO.
Edited by Jiebo on Thursday 29th July 19:19
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