Getting reacquainted with the other car
Discussion
It's been a while since I have driven the wife's Suzuki Swift Sport. This morning she announced that she needed 'the truck' and would I mind taking her car to work. I normally spend the journey to work on the phone (via the truck's excellent bluetooth) and so it isn't always possible but this morning I acquiesced and what an absolute delight.
Perspective comes from position and from the driver's seat of the Swift the Amarok is a great big lumbering tank. The Swift from the position of normally driving the truck is an amazing, zingy, chuckable, bundle of fun. It felt quick and secure along the country roads from my house up through to Junction 30 M1, where the Amarok feels out of place and often insecure. It carved it's way round roundabouts and down the slip road onto the M1 and only felt less than delightful as speed built on the M1 (only 5 forward gears!!)
Now I like my Amarok. I have cruised 700+ plus miles in a single sitting in it and have delighted in it through snow and mud but it has taken a drive in a 125bhp small shoe sized car to make me realise and remember what driving is all about.
On a damp road round these parts an 125bhp warm hatch is all I needed. All of a sudden I can't wait until early Sunday morning again. I guess after a few more miles in it I will crave something more but for now it will do.
Perspective comes from position and from the driver's seat of the Swift the Amarok is a great big lumbering tank. The Swift from the position of normally driving the truck is an amazing, zingy, chuckable, bundle of fun. It felt quick and secure along the country roads from my house up through to Junction 30 M1, where the Amarok feels out of place and often insecure. It carved it's way round roundabouts and down the slip road onto the M1 and only felt less than delightful as speed built on the M1 (only 5 forward gears!!)
Now I like my Amarok. I have cruised 700+ plus miles in a single sitting in it and have delighted in it through snow and mud but it has taken a drive in a 125bhp small shoe sized car to make me realise and remember what driving is all about.
On a damp road round these parts an 125bhp warm hatch is all I needed. All of a sudden I can't wait until early Sunday morning again. I guess after a few more miles in it I will crave something more but for now it will do.
My (teenage) daughter drives a Swift Sport as it's about the only whizzy thing with a reasonable insurance cost. It's a great little car and I'm going to nick it over the weekend as she's off to New York for the week. If it had a slightly higher fifth gear for less frantic motorway cruising it would be spot on.
I'm sure there are a few things about the Swift that will niggle, the seats seem to dig in at the shoulders (I am a slim 12 stone before any 'powerfully built comments), and that short gearing is very noticeable, I believe that it redlines in top gear (from what I have read on t'internet).
nobody would wan't that - lycra is bad enough!vit4 said:
With regards to the short gearing, what sort of rpm is it doing at 70? Also at 6'2 would I struggle to be comfortable in one? I've always quite liked the idea of one of these along with the Ignis Sport. 
At 70mph I would say about 3800rpm. I'm 6' and have no issues with getting comfortable. Very long journeys on a M'way may well be made less than comfortable by the gearing but this is probably accentuated in my case through being used to the low rev chunter of my daily Yep, as above. High 3000's rpm at 70 going onto low 4000's for 80mph overtaking bursts - ahem... One of the Jap tuners offers a higher ratio fifth gear, but that means opening up the oily bits for minimal gain. They're usually a reliable car so it seems wrong to pull apart a fully functioning g'box just to eventually save a few quid on fuel. Let that little engine scream, it seems to enjoy it.
I'm 6'2" too and have no problem getting comfy. However, I'm all legs so maybe my shoulders contact the seat sides in a different place to aarondbs's.
I'm 6'2" too and have no problem getting comfy. However, I'm all legs so maybe my shoulders contact the seat sides in a different place to aarondbs's.
Impasse said:
Yep, as above. High 3000's rpm at 70 going onto low 4000's for 80mph overtaking bursts - ahem... One of the Jap tuners offers a higher ratio fifth gear, but that means opening up the oily bits for minimal gain. They're usually a reliable car so it seems wrong to pull apart a fully functioning g'box just to eventually save a few quid on fuel. Let that little engine scream, it seems to enjoy it.
I'm 6'2" too and have no problem getting comfy. However, I'm all legs so maybe my shoulders contact the seat sides in a different place to aarondbs's.
I have very small legs!!I'm 6'2" too and have no problem getting comfy. However, I'm all legs so maybe my shoulders contact the seat sides in a different place to aarondbs's.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff