Suzuki Swift Sport: PH Fleet
Fogged off with lighting problems!
Using the B1077 as a base and then working off wherever looked interesting, the Swift was in its element. The traffic was light, the sun was shining and the roads perfectly suited. The smaller B-roads were tight and bumpy, the little Suzuki offering great visibility and agility to tackle those. When it did open out there's just enough performance to make things interesting, and a real willingness that's getting keener with each passing mile. It was a great drive, a reminder of when driving for driving's sake can be really good fun. I may well make it a Christmas tradition is it's like that every year...
However, a busy month has thrown up one or two issues. On that B-road thrash, a traction control light continued to flash on occasion even with the system switched off. It was exiting slippery slower corners, the car just being reined in ever so slightly, and hardly a point of huge concern, but it was bizarre nonetheless. Any owners out there with similar experiences or solutions?
The other winter concerns are rather more practical, the first being the foglights. For whatever reason, the Swift Sport has its rear foglight on the left stalk but the front switch down by the driver's right knee. Annoying but not terrible; the problem is that the front fogs don't show up as on in the instrument display, only on the small illuminated switch. So if the weather changes you can forget, making you look like a berk because the foglights are still on when the fog has gone... Then one of them was smashed by a stone flying up off the road. One to get sorted.
While I've mentioned the Swift is pretty good on the motorway, the busy few weeks have revealed an issue: screenwash. It runs out very quickly, both the reservoirs under the bonnet not appearing to hold all that much, and there isn't a warning about low screenwash. Yes, I should check regularly (with the screenwash dipstick), but when you've brimmed it on Sunday and you're out again by Wednesday that's not especially practical.
Perhaps motorway maladies are not really fair criticisms to level at a Suzuki Swift Sport. Is fuel economy? An average of between 35 and 38 is hardly bad, and I have been driving it rather briskly, but it's a shame not to see 40mpg when the car is so light. And the claimed mpg is 44. Maybe I'll slow down a bit soon. Or maybe turbos aren't such a bad idea after all...
Speaking of which, we're looking to get the Swift paired up with a few past masters of the pocket rocket art soon. Specifically it will be the underrated and largely forgotten stuff, because that's what we feel the Swift is now actually. So if you own a car like a Mk5 Fiesta Zetec S, Panda 100HP, Lupo GTI or indeed the original Swift Sport, keep an eye on your brand specific forum!
FACT SHEET
Car: Suzuki Swift Sport
Run by: Matt
On fleet since: October 2016
Mileage: 3,474 (delivered on 300)
List price new: £14,399
Last month at a glance: More miles (at last!) means more smiles in the Swift
Previous updates:
A Swift hello!
Doors for thought as Matt gets in a five-door Sport
A Goodwood great? Not far off...
I don't think the Continentals like the cold weather and greasy roads at all, but I've not had issues with the traction/stability systems wanting to get involved. There's enough feedback to feel when the roads are greasy, and the systems don't tend to intervene when, for instance, pulling briskly out of a junction in the cold and wet and getting a moments wheelspin over a white line.
There is a fly in the ointment however, a Ford Fiesta ST shaped fly, sadly.
None the less - a great little car, pointy, small, reasonably light and a revvy NA engine, a winning formula.
I actually moved the fog light switch to the outer most position on that bank of switches for that very reason. It no longer hides behind the wheel now so is a lot more noticeable when the warning light is on.
Our top spec Seat Ibiza doesn't have a low washer fluid level warning so I can sort of forgive the budget Swift for that. Is really annoying though.
I'm up to 2560 miles in mine now and loving it.
You guys must have a small pool of water follow you round!
Matt
On a side note my washer bottle is comically big for the car. think its 5 litres which means I barely ever fill it! (especially as the rear scoosher isn't actually err working)
Matt
H.I.D lights
Satnav
Bluetooth
MP3
Sd card
USB
Aux
Auto lights
Cruise control
DAB radio
Keyless entry
Keyless start
Does the fezza have that ? Genuine question
H.I.D lights
Satnav
Bluetooth
MP3
Sd card
USB
Aux
Auto lights
Cruise control
DAB radio
Keyless entry
Keyless start
Does the fezza have that ? Genuine question
Although I would prefer the wheels from sz4
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172446592185
And I'm changing tyre size to 205 40 17 when due as loads more choice
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