RE: Shed of the Week | Suzuki Swift Sport

RE: Shed of the Week | Suzuki Swift Sport

Author
Discussion

ianwayne

6,292 posts

268 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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I have a slower Swift as an every day car and it's been reliable. Good build quality in my opinion.

The parts sellers, as do some of those who post on here, get the generations mixed up though. This one is considered a Mk2, because the Mk1 was called the Ignis outside Japan. I have a 2011 Mk 3 and I've been supplied incorrect parts by suppliers who send me parts for a Mk 2 (which ceased in 2010)!

soad

32,894 posts

176 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Looks good for the money.

J4CKO

41,558 posts

200 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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That looks great for the money, 123 bhp, not much more than a tonne.

The Hot Hatch has gone a bit overblown hasnt it really ? is a Golf R or similar so much more fun for having 2 and a third times more power ?

Quite fancy something like this, something I can really grab by the scruff and get as much as it has to give rather than a modern auto where you just aim and spend most of your time going way too fast.

Quite liked out Citroen C1 but that was too underpowered to really be a hoot, think something like this is a sweet spot, certainly for cash vs enjoyment.

teacake

150 posts

191 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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My wife inherited a bog standard Suzuki SX4 1.6 of this vintage, which she ran for a few years. I thought it was a wonderful thing, a really eager little car. While it was very busy on the motorway, the engine felt unburstable, even if you did come away with your ears ringing. I thought the only thing it needed was about 40bhp more and it would be hilarious.

This week's shed would I think be that hilarious Suzuki. I have a V8 now, and it's lovely to waft around in a serene way. This car is the absolute opposite, a mad eager puppy that just wants to hare around everywhere. I'm sure it would be ace, and I'd be tempted.

greenarrow

3,592 posts

117 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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After a couple of weeks of boring generic rep mobile type cars, how nice to have an interesting shed again!

I'd be very tempted to get one of these as a weekend hack, fun car. Always liked them. I remember EVO car of the year when it came out and the Swift was more than able to sit on the heels of quicker stuff on the typical back roads EVO is fond of.

Having a bit of a soft spot for low powered hatches, having in the past owned a Cinquecento Sporting, Punto Sporting 1.2 16v and a dog slow but terrier like Focus MK1 1.6 zetec, this is definitely my sort of car - big thumbs up from me

anonymous-user

54 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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I keep suggesting these to my mum when she moans about her 2010 Jazz not being fast enough.

MarkosGTV

76 posts

190 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Always had a soft spot for these, great looks and they always had decent reviews... strong shed game today!

Dr G

15,173 posts

242 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Can't fault it - a cheap old school hot hatch without the problems of running a 20 year old car.

WigWonder79

24 posts

97 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Happy days, great shed especially for those that love Jap sh*t boxes (as I do).

Funny coincidence as I'm picking up a Mk3/ZC32 tomorrow. 2016 plate, grey with 5 doors (for the sproglets on the school run). Got a very good deal with a our local Suzuki dealer who was very pleasant to deal with.

Keep up the good work. Would be very interested in Shed book. The articles remind of Charlie Brooker's writing in the Guardian (don't shoot me) when reviewing the tele, probably one of the funniest things I've ever read. Along with the Veet for Men reviews on Amazon....fake or otherwise.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Screen-Burn-Charlie-Brook...

See above.

molineux1980

1,200 posts

219 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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I've ran one since my Zetec S went rusty last year. See readers cars thread if you're interested.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...

I love small cars you can have fun with at non silly speeds, my car tends to be our second car - The last 3 have been a proper Mini, a Mk1 Mx5 and Fiesta Zetec S. I've always wanted a 205 GTI and I have seen the handling traits compared to a 205.

The SSS is brilliant. Reminds me of a my Mini, it's a bit bouncy, but excitable. The engine is gutless below 4000 rpm, then it its good fun to keep on the boil. Handling wise, it rolls a bit, but you can provoke it to pivot around the centre line and it's great fun on B roads. On a run i've seen 42 mpg, normally average 35-38 over a tank with mixed driving.

I take the long way home on many occasions and it's up there with one of my favourite cars I've owned. It's no missed a beat for me, and still feels tight bdespite being well over 100,000 miles old.

Downsides? Tyres are an odd size and expensive. Very low geared, 70mph isn't far below 4000rpm, but it's not too bad - I've driven mine to Newcastle from Staffordshire. A little rattly. Runs better on 99 RON fuel.

A great little car though.



Edited by molineux1980 on Friday 6th September 10:18

Jdnatureboy

47 posts

55 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Bought one last year as a second car for round town.
Absolutely brilliant as an urban runaround, completely useless as a motorway cruiser.
Fantastic fun red lining it and lift off oversteer aplenty at less than 40mph.

RaineyDays

240 posts

100 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Anyone stick an aftermarket exhaust on these?

I was looking at a Milltek when I had mine.

MrGeoff

650 posts

172 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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These are great value. My missus had a 1.3 2006 swift from new and I bought her a 12 plate swift sport as an upgrade a few years back. Every time I drive it I love it, gear changes are sweet, engine is great fun to work, kit levels not too bad, it's not cutting edge but like others have said it's old school motoring without having an old car. It's not that bad on fuel on a run either. I've toyed with changing it as we have a little one but she loves the car so it's staying.

B'stard Child

28,397 posts

246 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Arsecati said:
Absolute little cracker! If I was still living in the city and still needed a cheap, fun runaround, I don't think this could be beaten for the price (and would save putting unnecessary mileage on my 205 GTi!!). Then again, if I was also a young fella again looking for a cheap first or second car - this would probably tick most boxes too...... assuming the insurance wasn't too much of a killer! Admittedly, I much prefer seeing big V8 barges coming in to shedland, but I can totally appreciate this little terrier too - far less a heart-breaker to run too!
I’ve tried several “more modern” 205 GTI equivalents

None have come even close to the feel and feedback of a good 205 - I’d recommend you try one first - if it does let me know and I’ll buy one

RobS77

48 posts

182 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Really great cars. We've got a 2007 Swift Sport that we've owned from new.

Engine managment light at last MOT was probably EGR valve (we've replaced this twice). Another weak spot is the ABS pump which can fail due to poor design and isn't cheap to fix (we've had 2 recon units). For the >115k miles we've had ours it's mainly jsut been routine maintanance.

I don't agree that they wear the front tyres quickly - I think it's really light on tyre wear. We got almost 40k miles from new before replacing a pair but it was being serviced by Suzuki at that point and they rotate the tyres which evens out the wear

Arsecati

2,309 posts

117 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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B'stard Child said:
I’ve tried several “more modern” 205 GTI equivalents

None have come even close to the feel and feedback of a good 205 - I’d recommend you try one first - if it does let me know and I’ll buy one
My point was this would be a great 'addition' to the fleet, to be used as a daily, fun city runabout so as not to put needless miles on the 205. Come an early Sunday morning and a deserted country road - of course Pablo (Pablo the Peugeot...... don't ask!) would be getting the nod over the Swift without a second thought! wink

Arsecati

2,309 posts

117 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Damn, nearly 40 comments - and not a single negative among them: this has got to be a record!! wink

JLC25

572 posts

122 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Used to own a lovely low miler - OY11 XFF - Had a change in rev limit from the early models and a bit of tweeking with the ratios.

It was fantastic - Yes, you have to drop a cog or 2 on the motorway to do any kind of overtake, but it is not a chore to chase the redline - They have this real metallic edge a bit like a baby Type R.

Bolster wear is normal - Gearboxes can be a weak point in regards to reliability but for everyone with a problem there's plenty without - The actual gear change itself is real "Rifle bolt action" feeling.

Upgrades wise, the Simota induction gives a great roar over the VVT changeover point and an exhaust is always welcome. Suspension is very, very well sorted so no real need to upgrade unless you want to spend mega bucks.

Mine was written off when someone crashed into it whilst it was parked outside my house. I have since had a R53 Cooper S and now a Clio 182 - Both great cars with more pace, but both have downsides against the Swift Sport. Would happily buy another and at this price a no brainer for fun motoring.

Alapeno

1,391 posts

147 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Probably my favourite car I've owned.

That's with having a track-prepped Mk1 MX5 (a very close second), Impreza WRX PPP and a MkV Golf Gti follow it.

If I had space for it, I'd definitely consider picking one up now they're this cheap.

Was also the most reliable too, and the most willing to be pushed to the red line. It's difficult to remember a downside really.

Edited by Alapeno on Friday 6th September 11:27

greenarrow

3,592 posts

117 months

Friday 6th September 2019
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Arsecati said:
Damn, nearly 40 comments - and not a single negative among them: this has got to be a record!! wink
I was thinking that. I think it proves that although fast and expensive cars have their place, its the simpler, less complicated, more chuckable ones that often leave the longest (favourable) impression!