: 2003 Suzuki Ignis Sport
I bought this car in August last year as I realised being 20, insuring a VR6 Golf and being at university was just not feasible. I bought it for a whisker over a grand, a bargain as most go for £1,700 and upwards, but I caught the seller at a good time as he was emigrating. After being brought up on sturdy, well built, often over-engineered German cars by my father, I'd become bored of either having a slow, boring daily driver or frustrated with selling my soul to afford a fun car (the VR6). Most young motoring enthusiasts go French (or worse, Vauxhall). But with the influence of my mate's Toyota Starlet SR and my sister's old Suzuki Swift's screaming twin-cam still ringing in my ears, I looked up the obvious Civics etc.
But as I was on a run round my local lanes, three Suzuki Ignis Sports tore past, and I was instantly intrigued! After hours of scouring, I went to view this clean example with many optional extras and the best price going. A quick test drive and some cheeky lift-off oversteer around the gent's local roundabout later had me hooked. My dad seemed to love it too, likening it to the 'proper' Mini Coopers of his day.
Knock on wood, no problems so far! But I live with four other lads and, as it has only four seats, I often have to leave someone behind. The boot isn't the biggest, either, but being a young bachelor thankfully it is sufficient. I also got too used to the rear parking sensors, not realizing how lazy and careless you can become. A bump into a car park pillar quickly reminded me to pay attention.
Things I love:
The surprised and bewildered look on Fiesta ST owners' faces, and the granny-mobile comments my mates all gave it until I showed them what it could do. I also love its go-anywhere ability. It's just as at home "making good progress, officer" on country lanes, sitting in stop-start traffic or doing an auto-test in an industrial estate. I love the way it holds on through corners, but lift off around a tight corner and the back end comes around nicely thanks to its short wheelbase.
I love the ridiculous Recaro seats, its 'Evo-esque' fog lights, and the character of a Staffordshire terrier, barking "I'll take you all on!" You also don't see many about, and being a young driver this is quite rare, as you are largely restricted by insurance and budget to your choice of car. The best thing about this car is its sense of humour; it never takes itself too seriously and I think to own one of these you can't be the type of person that takes themselves too seriously. You'd certainly never see a snob in one!
The parking sensors get on my nerves, but I haven't seen many others with this option. The fact it only has four seats when I am the only one in my house of five with a car can also be annoying. A tad more power and, in particular, torque would be nice and really take smug looks off some people's faces. The small boot can be inconvenient when taking the lads to rugby training or transporting my drums, but not impossible. The gearbox can be a tad notchy at times, but the ratios are pretty good, it isn't really a long-journey car and can be noisy on the motorway, but then the lightness is where its character comes from.
Costs:
Pottering around town under about 4000rpm or just cruising down the motorway (admittedly not the best machine for a motorway commute) it is very economical, at least 40mpg. Thrash it round a track, however, and it does drink as much as a 1.5 could. On my 15-minute half town, half dual carriageway daily commute to university I get at least 35mpg.
Like any twin-cam rev-hungry Japanese engine it does use oil when thrashed, but not extensively, it just needs to be checked regularly. One track day at Llandow (in the pouring rain!) I did completely wear out one front tyre, but that's to be expected in a front-wheel-drive car. I haven't yet had to buy any parts yet but Suzuki are renowned for reliability and cheap on parts.
I've taken it on a track day at Llandow (hilarious fun). Other than that I haven't particularly owned the car long enough to say I've really been anywhere. I am at University in Bath, but Herefordshire is my home and it is absolutely perfect for both locations! On A-roads and country lanes as well as pottering around town, it fits the bill.
What next?
On my student budget, my plans to modify are limited, and I'd like to think this is one of those cars that doesn't really need modifying. I'm not one to pretend a car is more than what it is, but I'd like a nice exhaust and maybe an uprated air filter, but doubt it would make that much difference, any more real power would probably ruin the handling. However, supercharging them seems to be a popular modification, taking them to around 170bhp in a car that weighs 940kg, which makes them go like a startled badger (Is that fast, then? - Ed)!
It is already a very stiff car and I like having a car with a bit of ground clearance, so lowering is out of the question. I'd prefer to save what little money I have for a nice, 'proper-wheel-drive' car after university when insurance and money aren't such an issue.
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