Thinking of buying Suzuki Swift

[Bazza 2174]

I currently have a 2003 Mini Cooper S for driving to the station each day (50 mile round trip). I quite like it but its done 87k miles and I think it's time for a change. I've been looking at Swift VVT Sports on Auto Trader and they seem to start at £4.5k or so for reasonable mileage.

As I recall they had a good reputation for fun driving.

Does anybody have any experience of them? What are they like, anything I should look to get or avoid? Is this sensible or should I look at something else?

Thanks

[Steven Quas]

I think the Suzuki would be quite a step down from the Mini which handles amazingly. It's also one of the few unreliable Japanese marques that ranks alongside Fiat, Peugeot etc. in customer surveys.

Steven Quas

Hamburg

[v8will]

Sister in law has one. No major problems in 3 years. It just needed the fuel guage fixed and the usual consumables. I've borrowed it a few times and it's a proper laugh to drive, not quick but really good fun. It's been so long since I've driven a MINI I can't make a direct comparison.

[Ed.]

Evo like them
Tiff likes them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkDQvCyDLtM,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckYGh6dTICg&fea...
There are a few owners on here somewhere

[Crazysteve]

Hi my son has one, it seems that nearly every other w/end we have one of his mates down modding etc.
Seems to have a good cross section of members, regular meets & runs out + loads of free help and advice.
Why not???
http://www.swiftowners.co.uk/swift/index.php/forum...
typical w/end

As for reliability they are good. Never heard off horror stories off my son and his friends.

They are also running a Swift Cup next year which we shall be competing in with the little 3 potter.

Mods are not expensive and big gains can had in power, handling and looks.

[nottyash]

Steven Quas said:

I think the Suzuki would be quite a step down from the Mini which handles amazingly. It's also one of the few unreliable Japanese marques that ranks alongside Fiat, Peugeot etc. in customer surveys.

Steven Quas

Hamburg

Agreed

[Bazza 2174]

Thanks for all your responses.
A bit of a mixed view then.

I appreciate that it won't be quite as good as the Cooper S but it will be a lot cheaper to buy (2nd hand) and better fuel economy.

I think It's time to go for a few test drives.

Thanks

Bazza

[Ed.]

nottyash said:

Steven Quas said:

I think the Suzuki would be quite a step down from the Mini which handles amazingly. It's also one of the few unreliable Japanese marques that ranks alongside Fiat, Peugeot etc. in customer surveys.

Steven Quas

Hamburg

Agreed

Which bit are you agreeing with, the post seems to come from the perspective of someone with no direct experience making assumptions about the swift sport based on all Suzuki vehicles. (correct me if wrong ) M3's aren't judged on the performance of bog standard 3 series.

[nottyash]

Ed. said:

Which bit are you agreeing with, the post seems to come from the perspective of someone with no direct experience making assumptions about the swift sport based on all Suzuki vehicles. (correct me if wrong ) M3's aren't judged on the performance of bog standard 3 series.

I owned a Cooper S although it was the Works edition it had the same suspension and handling was fantastic. My Brother had a Swift Sport which I drove a few times, handling was fantastic but Mini was beter, add in the performance difference of the mini and its a clear winner out the 2.
Cant comment on the reliability issues, he never had any problems with his

[Ed.]

nottyash said:

I owned a Cooper S although it was the Works edition it had the same suspension and handling was fantastic. My Brother had a Swift Sport which I drove a few times, handling was fantastic but Mini was beter, add in the performance difference of the mini and its a clear winner out the 2.
Cant comment on the reliability issues, he never had any problems with his

Thanks, no experience of either but wanting to get a semi sensible compact car.

[Steven Quas]

Ed. said:

nottyash said:

Steven Quas said:

I think the Suzuki would be quite a step down from the Mini which handles amazingly. It's also one of the few unreliable Japanese marques that ranks alongside Fiat, Peugeot etc. in customer surveys.

Steven Quas

Hamburg

Agreed

Which bit are you agreeing with, the post seems to come from the perspective of someone with no direct experience making assumptions about the swift sport based on all Suzuki vehicles. (correct me if wrong ) M3's aren't judged on the performance of bog standard 3 series.

You are correct that I have never driven a Swift, but I have driven plenty of Minis and find it hard to believe that a Swift would be a step up, given just how well the Mini handles.

I would reiterate the reliability point though. No personal experience, but I do believe the surveys. Individual experiences are one thing, but you really need a survey of many experiences to get reliable data.

Steven Quas

Hamburg

Edited by Steven Quas on Tuesday 8th November 22:13

[Baryonyx]

I drove one for most of 2009, and it was very good. Not fast, but quick enough and does feel nippier than it's 124bhp should. The handling is sublime, is feels very accurate and the controls are nicely weighted. The interior is nice, although the cabin is maybe a bit tall for my liking. The seats can make your back a bit stiff after long journeys.

As a B-road blaster, what a car it would be. You can give it the beans all day long, just watch out for LSO as it can be surprisingly light at the back end over crests and fast corners.