Cheap warm hatch +mods Vs hot hatch (swift sport or polo GTi

[KARL-v5ofl]

Hi.


I can't decide, I really like the swift sport 1.4 , I love the jap mod scene, I genuinely think they look cool when modified.

I was looking at the numbers.

Low mileage 69 plate swift sport (35k miles) circa £12500
Suspension coilovers £700-£800
Exhaust £100 mid section delete
Intake £150
Remap £350
Okay let's just say £2000 budget for modifications, this will let me get some other bits done.

Swift sport with mods £14500

Or

Just get a polo GTi + on a 19/69 for about £17000 and leave it stock.


If I am honest, I want something that makes me smile, even it's a bit childish to have a racer sounding exhaust, I've not had a hot hatch, 20 years ago I had a 2.2 VTEC prelude and 1.6 VTEC crx, but I've hit 40 and want a midlife crisis car that have 4 doors , 5 seats and cheap to tax / run..


I keep coming back to the swift sport for it's cheap thrills factor but I could also afford a polo GTi.

[Prohibiting]

Polo GTI is kinda a class above to the Swift. More comparable would be the Up GTI which have brilliant reviews. Less kit than the Swift though as standard but quite a few reviews pitching them head to head. Might be worth considering!

[Deep Thought]

Fiesta ST-3 with Performance Pack so you get the LSD?

OR MINI JCW. Fantastic fun and loads of mods possible.

[KARL-v5ofl]

Prohibiting said:

Polo GTI is kinda a class above to the Swift. More comparable would be the Up GTI which have brilliant reviews. Less kit than the Swift though as standard but quite a few reviews pitching them head to head. Might be worth considering!

I like the Up GTi, the only issue is 4 seats, I really need 5 seats for the odd day trip etc.

[KARL-v5ofl]

Deep Thought said:

Fiesta ST-3 with Performance Pack so you get the LSD?

OR MINI JCW. Fantastic fun and loads of mods possible.

Are these both 3 doors? It's got to have 4 doors, which limits things, both a great suggestion, minis look good value but I don't think I'd like a 4 door one

[Deep Thought]

KARL-v5ofl said:

Are these both 3 doors? It's got to have 4 doors, which limits things, both a great suggestion, minis look good value but I don't think I'd like a 4 door one

Apologies. Missed the 4 door bit.

Though the Fiesta does come in 4 door format.

[RichFN2]

A quick search suggests a remap and intake etc should take a Swift Sport to around 190-200bhp, which would be a hoot on the b roads considering they only weigh around 1000kg.

My main concern would be how well can the gearbox, clutch and engine take that extra power? the 1.4 is 138bhp when stock so there was no need for Suzuki to use clutches and gearboxes that can handle 200bhp over a long period of time.

Considering the fact you need 4 doors I would be tempted to use your £17k on a hot hatch that has 250-300bhp as standard, this will give you a similar or better power to weight ratio compared to a modified Swift.

I opted for a late Leon Cupra 290 but there are plenty of good choices at that price.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503270...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501288...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504291...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504301...

[Deep Thought]

To be honest, with that budget you're fully in to the mainstream hot hatches such as the Cupra listed, a Golf GTI or any amount of hot hatches.

Modifying a lower BHP car at the cost of £,£££s may be fun but you'll be peeing most of that up the wall come resale time.

[ChrisH72]

You have up to 17k and want a 5dr hot hatch. And you are a fan of Jap stuff.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025042617...

Job done surely.

[ZX10R NIN]

KARL-v5ofl said:

Hi.


I can't decide, I really like the swift sport 1.4 , I love the jap mod scene, I genuinely think they look cool when modified.

I was looking at the numbers.

Low mileage 69 plate swift sport (35k miles) circa £12500
Suspension coilovers £700-£800
Exhaust £100 mid section delete
Intake £150
Remap £350
Okay let's just say £2000 budget for modifications, this will let me get some other bits done.

Swift sport with mods £14500

Or

Just get a polo GTi + on a 19/69 for about £17000 and leave it stock.


If I am honest, I want something that makes me smile, even it's a bit childish to have a racer sounding exhaust, I've not had a hot hatch, 20 years ago I had a 2.2 VTEC prelude and 1.6 VTEC crx, but I've hit 40 and want a midlife crisis car that have 4 doors , 5 seats and cheap to tax / run..


I keep coming back to the swift sport for it's cheap thrills factor but I could also afford a polo GTi.

Nice idea but I'd do it differently I get that you want to put your stamp on your car & you prefer Japanese so go for a Civic Type R:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504141...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504010...

If you can live with a French car, then the PS308 GTI is another cracking steer & you'll get a nice one under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504251...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504061...

Now if you want to keep the size down then the 208 GTI is a riot (again you can put your own satmp on this & all of the above) of a car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504251...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504241...

If you like Japanese & modding, then the GT86 is a very good pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504141...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411196...

Supercharged, with any modified car do your checks but this could be a great buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503250...

[Belle427]

Id have to agree that at £15k i would not be modding a Suzuki swift but we are all different i suppose.
That budget buys you quite a lot of great hot hatches well worth considering.

[ChrisH72]

Worth looking at the i30N too.

Not Jap but Korean and shares a similar ethos and attitude.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025042717...

[Oldybaldy17]

I have a modded swift. 12k for a 69 plate is strong money, 10k is more the mark.
Performance wise I'm not upset I didn't buy the St or a polo. With a few cheap tweeks you're not that far off their performance and it weighs less.
Use mine for autosolos and track days, it's great fun. If outright speed is your thing then look else were.

[Burny16v]

I have a 20 plate Polo GTI+ and whilst it's a fantastic all rounder, nice interior and tech, very strong performance in a straight line and also very competent through the corners, it's not 'fun'. For that, you'd be looking at a Fiesta ST or Mini Cooper S/JCW. I've owned all of those cars and the Polo is by far the most grown up, but the others can put a genuine smile on your face. I'd also say that a Swift Sport, modified or not, isn't really in the same league as a proper hot hatch, all of which are available for your budget.