RE: Suzuki Swift Sport: Spotted

[culpz]

I have to admit, i think i much prefer the MK1 SSS. I've heard it's a bit more raw and this one is a bit more grown up, with the latest one being even more so. The MK2 is a good compromise though for families and such, with more equipment and having the extra doors as an option.

[Lunar Tick]

I bought a 5-door mark 2 in 2016 and I love it. It's more refined and economical than the mark 1, but noticeably quicker (more power and lighter). A few simple mods (change of tyres, camber bolts, anti-roll bar and geo set up) makes it just as playful as the mark 1. An intake, backbox and remap will take it to over 145bhp - something you can't achieve in the mark 1 without spending £££s. YOu can also make it more 'raw' (though not necessarily better) with aftermarket suspension. On a tight, twisty road, the mark 2 Swift is hilarious. Yes, I miss the big power of my previous car (JDM Spec C Impreza) but the little Swift more than makes up for it with such fantastic handling and the ability to have fun without accelerating to license losing speeds.

[Mr2Mike]

culpz said:

I have to admit, i think i much prefer the MK1 SSS. I've heard it's a bit more raw and this one is a bit more grown up, with the latest one being even more so. The MK2 is a good compromise though for families and such, with more equipment and having the extra doors as an option.

I'd agree with this. One of the big differences is that the Mk1 has a five speed gearbox with a short 5th so long motorway trips will be noisy and less relaxing by comparison, and a five door version of the Mk2 is available.

[greenarrow]

HannsG said:

Selling my Panda 100HP soon. Seriously tempted by one of these. Wife wants me to go get a car for £15K+.

Why would I? Cheap motoring is what I'm after

Sorry to derail this particular topic, but how much are you looking for on the Panda HP?

I've been trying to find a cheap one to replace my MX5 as a starter car for my daughter. The insurance is only group 11 - a Suzuki Swift 1.5GLS is Group 15!

I love the Swift Sport btw. Basically I love small n/a cars which you can wring out for fun and don't get you banned. FWD or RWD, I don't care. Out in my MX-5 yesterday, repeatedly taking it to 7,200 RPM - 2nd and 3rd gear and hardly went over 80MPH. Brilliant, they are, cars like this.

[molineux1980]

I quite fancy one as our second car when my Fiesta Zetec S rust problems become too much.

I almost think it may be the modern equivalent of the Fiesta. Warm hatch, revvy, handles well and good fun.

[Ilovejapcrap]

I’m a massive fan of mine always singing it’s praises on various sss threads.

Mines a 66 plate with 20000 on it (had from new) and it really is the bee knees as far as I’m concerned.

Not sure why some wrote a more expensive car with over 250 odd horsepower felt quicker, well it would wouldn’t it. Missing the point slightly me thinks.

Nice simple mechanics with a good solid feel revvy engine and great and I mean great handling as standard. What’s not to like.

[mnx42]

Ilovejapcrap said:

I’m a massive fan of mine always singing it’s praises on various sss threads.

Mines a 66 plate with 20000 on it (had from new) and it really is the bee knees as far as I’m concerned.

Not sure why some wrote a more expensive car with over 250 odd horsepower felt quicker, well it would wouldn’t it. Missing the point slightly me thinks.

Nice simple mechanics with a good solid feel revvy engine and great and I mean great handling as standard. What’s not to like.

What tyres and sizes are you running on yours?

[Ilovejapcrap]

mnx42 said:

Ilovejapcrap said:

I’m a massive fan of mine always singing it’s praises on various sss threads.

Mines a 66 plate with 20000 on it (had from new) and it really is the bee knees as far as I’m concerned.

Not sure why some wrote a more expensive car with over 250 odd horsepower felt quicker, well it would wouldn’t it. Missing the point slightly me thinks.

Nice simple mechanics with a good solid feel revvy engine and great and I mean great handling as standard. What’s not to like.

What tyres and sizes are you running on yours?

Bog standard, off top of my head continental cant recall model

[MrAverage]

molineux1980 said:

I quite fancy one as our second car when my Fiesta Zetec S rust problems become too much.

I almost think it may be the modern equivalent of the Fiesta. Warm hatch, revvy, handles well and good fun.

Of all the cars I've owned my (3) fiesta zs have been my favourite. They were by no means the quickest but definitely the most fun. I've always maintained the swift sport is the modern equivalent.
I am steering the OH towards a fun car next and a swift sport may well be the answer.

Edited by MrAverage on Tuesday 24th April 06:49

[Ron99]

Ilovejapcrap said:

mnx42 said:

Ilovejapcrap said:

I’m a massive fan of mine always singing it’s praises on various sss threads.

Mines a 66 plate with 20000 on it (had from new) and it really is the bee knees as far as I’m concerned.

Not sure why some wrote a more expensive car with over 250 odd horsepower felt quicker, well it would wouldn’t it. Missing the point slightly me thinks.

Nice simple mechanics with a good solid feel revvy engine and great and I mean great handling as standard. What’s not to like.

What tyres and sizes are you running on yours?

Bog standard, off top of my head continental cant recall model

Standard tyres are Contisport 5 195/45R17.

[JLC25]

MK1 is now a bargain - mines been in an accident unfortunately and might be going to the big car crusher in the sky. Later models had a lifted Rev limiter to ~7200rpm and a split level boot for practically. Massive grin factor.

[gweaver]

Ron99 said:

Standard tyres are Contisport 5 195/45R17.

Mine is on a 65 plate and came with Contisport 3. IIRC there were only four tyres to the same spec, but the UpGTI is also on 195/45R17, so hopefully the range of tyres will improve a bit.

205/40 and 205/45 will fit, but the former has less sidewall and the latter isn't much cheaper than the 195s.

[Ron99]

gweaver said:

....205/40 and 205/45 will fit, but the former has less sidewall and the latter isn't much cheaper than the 195s....

What's the current legal / insurance / MoT situation if fitting a full matched set of tyres that are a slightly different sizes to those in the handbook?

[VeeFource]

gweaver said:

Mine is on a 65 plate and came with Contisport 3. IIRC there were only four tyres to the same spec, but the UpGTI is also on 195/45R17, so hopefully the range of tyres will improve a bit.

205/40 and 205/45 will fit, but the former has less sidewall and the latter isn't much cheaper than the 195s.

I'm hoping they'll do a Conti Sport 6 for it which are meant to be much better than the 5. Doesn't seem to be available yet though.

[greenarrow]

Whenever the Suzuki Swift Sport car crops up on PH, people moan that they're not fast enough and you can buy XYZ hot hatch for the same money (usually meaning a 100,000+mile Civic Type R or Clio 182), yet on other threads people are moaning that modern cars are too fast, grippy and not as raw as the old ones.

Well you cant have it both ways!! I would love a Swift Sport. I prefer the look of the first one, but thing both generations are great fun cars...

[Ron99]

greenarrow said:

Whenever the Suzuki Swift Sport car crops up on PH, people moan that they're not fast enough and you can buy XYZ hot hatch for the same money (usually meaning a 100,000+mile Civic Type R or Clio 182), yet on other threads people are moaning that modern cars are too fast, grippy and not as raw as the old ones.

Well you cant have it both ways!! I would love a Swift Sport. I prefer the look of the first one, but thing both generations are great fun cars...

My Swift Sport has never given me a reason to call it 'too slow'. I think it's just right.

My only grumbles would be:
I'd like the accelerator to either have a firmer return spring or mapped so as to be a little less sensitive and not quite so eager at the slightest pressure.
Slightly less exhaust/engine noise when revving hard would be nice.
I'd prefer more comfortable seats with a little more width, especially as the bolsters have hard plastic under the foam.
I'd prefer a bit more sidewall on the tyres to give more pothole resistance and maybe a tiny bit more 'give' in the suspension but not much more.

The latter two grumbles apply to a high proportion of modern cars. Although I grumble about the seats, at least I can find a good driving position with plenty of kneeroom and headroom whereas even cars like the (larger) Fiesta I end up with my knees wedged behind the steering wheel and my head almost touching the sun visor or top of the door frame.

[Mr2Mike]

gweaver said:

Mine is on a 65 plate and came with Contisport 3. IIRC there were only four tyres to the same spec, but the UpGTI is also on 195/45R17, so hopefully the range of tyres will improve a bit.

I certainly hope so, the current choice is pretty dire with the Continental at the top of a very short list. Good tyres in most respects, but they don't wear at all well IME.

gweaver said:

205/40 and 205/45 will fit, but the former has less sidewall and the latter isn't much cheaper than the 195s.

The advantage is primarily in choice. You can get e.g. Eagle F1 AS3 and Michelin Pilot Sports in 205/45, and the very small amount of extra sidewall can't hurt ride quality. I am staggered how much quieter my car is with the 205/45 AS3s, but then again the previous 195/45 SC3s were pretty much down to the wear bars so hard to draw a direct comparison.

[CABC]

nickfrog said:

I have a suspicion that 215 vs 136 has more to do with it than aspiration method. What's a "turbo" driver btw ?

the 136 is a conservative tune, no doubt. 50% uplift for FI is normal, no?
i think you know what a turbo driver is...

great simple, practical driver's car. trying to justify one.

[mnx42]

Mr2Mike said:

The advantage is primarily in choice. You can get e.g. Eagle F1 AS3 and Michelin Pilot Sports in 205/45, and the very small amount of extra sidewall can't hurt ride quality. I am staggered how much quieter my car is with the 205/45 AS3s, but then again the previous 195/45 SC3s were pretty much down to the wear bars so hard to draw a direct comparison.

Mine had Conti 5's when I bought it but now got 3's. As you say the choice is very poor ( I only ever seem to get offered Conti's or a Hankook tyre thats name eludes me) so I too was considering going down the 205/45 route next.

[GT Glee]

I bought a 4dr new in 2016. So pleased I did because it feels more and more special and unique as time passes.

Utterly sublime chassis that is pin sharp, yet compliant and easy to drive when you simply want to get from A to B.

The engine is a gem being silky smooth and characterful with extra punch in the mid range, followed by a metallic racy sound at the top. It is also very durable and without vices.

Not only a great chassis and engine, but also very comfortable and roomy up front, and has all the kit I could ever need such as cruise, folding mirrors, navigation, phone integration, projector xenons (the best lights I've experienced in a car) etc.

Such a brilliant car that has evidently been so well developed and honed from roof to rubber. The benchmark sports hatchback as far as I'm concerned. Love it!