Swift Sport v Toyota GT86

[davidif]

I'm looking to drop around 12/13k on a fun steer. Absolute performance is not hugely important and I'd rather have something I can drive hard and not too easily reach license loosing speeds on an A/B road blast.

I could run to a 3rd gen Swift Sport, the 1.4 boosterjet variety with 140ish BHP ( most experts seem to agree that they come out of the box with more like just north of 150ish) and an easy re-map to 170ish bhp at CTC Performance (might be useful for when I'm getting bored/itchy feet?)

The GT86 has a higher headline power figure although is well documented that they fall short of the claimed 200bhp with more like 175/180bhp out of the box and of course less tunable (without spending more than I'd be prepared on forced induction). I would almost certainly look at a re-map/new manifold to release a bit more power and to eliminate the torque dip.

Any thoughts, suggestions etcetc

[nunpuncher]

The first paragraph of your post is in total contrast to the rest of it. You want something fun that can be fully exploited on the roads yet you then go on to talk about nothing but the power of the 2 cars and tuning them. If you think power is going to be that much of a factor in keeping you occupied then buy something more powerful to begin with.

Of those 2 I'd buy a GT86, especially after watching car throttles latest video. Couldn't drive it like that on public roads but it just seems to be such a versatile car if you aren't power hungry. It clearly has enough power to get the most from the chassis. Seems there could be so much to learn from driving it. The Swift seems quite 1 dimensional by comparison and for me it's lost all of its appeal since going FI.

[davidif]

nunpuncher said:

The first paragraph of your post is in total contrast to the rest of it. You want something fun that can be fully exploited on the roads yet you then go on to talk about nothing but the power of the 2 cars and tuning them. If you think power is going to be that much of a factor in keeping you occupied then buy something more powerful to begin with.

Of those 2 I'd buy a GT86, especially after watching car throttles latest video. Couldn't drive it like that on public roads but it just seems to be such a versatile car if you aren't power hungry. It clearly has enough power to get the most from the chassis. Seems there could be so much to learn from driving it. The Swift seems quite 1 dimensional by comparison and for me it's lost all of its appeal since going FI.

I take your point although all the talk of power and tuning is within the realms of relatively low powered cars.

[TameRacingDriver]

GT86 all day long. It's a proper sports car versus a fairly ugly, dull warmed over shopping trolley. Quite apart from the fact you're a lot more likely to look back at the 86 when you park her up, but it will feel more special even sat still, even before you begin to drive the thing. If you're not concerned about power then the stock car should be plenty quick enough, its about the same performance as an EP3 Type-R. It will also make you a better driver. It will also be worth more when you do move on.

If you really insist on a Swift, then save £10K and buy an older one and be done with it.

[SCEtoAUX]

GT86 because even when it's parked up you will look at it and say to yourself "Oh my". If you go for the Swift then every time you see someone else's GT86 parked up you'll know you made the wrong choice.

[ZX10R NIN]

For me it has the GT86 it's the proper drivers car with an exploitable chassis, the Swift whilst a good car I'd honestly be buying a 208 GTI/Fiesta ST over the Swift.

I'd also look at the 370Z yes it has more go but it's still a drivers car & you can get a nice one for your budget, now when it comes to this & the GT86 both have great chassis, for me the 370 just edges it but there isn't a wrong choice.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011306...

[loskie]

SCEtoAUX said:

GT86 because even when it's parked up you will look at it and say to yourself "Oh my". If you go for the Swift then every time you see someone else's GT86 parked up you'll know you made the wrong choice.

I don't think I've ever said "oh my!"

[samoht]

All the reviews on the 3rd-gen turbo Swift seem to basically express disappointment, sounds like the Mk1 and Mk2 cars are more fun. For small hot hatches, as said Fiesta ST or Pug 208 are rated over the current Swift.

How much practicality do you need? To me, fun at lowish speeds on A/B roads might suggest a roadster. The Honda S2000 is the obvious choice and a definite future classic, could also consider a NC or ND MX-5.

[TameRacingDriver]

loskie said:

SCEtoAUX said:

GT86 because even when it's parked up you will look at it and say to yourself "Oh my". If you go for the Swift then every time you see someone else's GT86 parked up you'll know you made the wrong choice.

I don't think I've ever said "oh my!"

It's all relative. Compared with the ugly MK3 swift it looks like a poor man's supercar

[anonymous-user]

I was cross shopping GT86s and MX5s a year ago, they really are the only competitors to each other, stuff like the Swift and Fiesta is a tarted up econo car with all the limitations that brings.

With a GT86 (or MX5) once you get itchy feet you have endless possibilties to scratch that itch, particularly with the totally adjustable suspension of the MX5; I've had the geometry on mine changed to suit my tastes, try doing that on a poverty chassis shopping car with McPherson struts and a beam rear axle

[davidif]

I have done the MX5 thing several times with a couple of Mk1's and a 2.0 Mk3. the thing putting me off is rust!! It seems that even fairly recent cars (certainly within my price range) seem to suffer.

I like the looks of the 370Z although a fairly long test drive in a mates a while back left me feeling like i was driving a very heavy thing indeed!

The search is now on for a GT86 (or a BRZ but they seem dearer)

Thanks for all of the info.

[anonymous-user]

davidif said:

I have done the MX5 thing several times with a couple of Mk1's and a 2.0 Mk3. the thing putting me off is rust!! It seems that even fairly recent cars (certainly within my price range) seem to suffer.

I like the looks of the 370Z although a fairly long test drive in a mates a while back left me feeling like i was driving a very heavy thing indeed!

The search is now on for a GT86 (or a BRZ but they seem dearer)

Thanks for all of the info.

The GT86 is great and a lot more practical as an only car than an MX5, it's not just internet bks that the engine is a bit pants as standard though so go and try one before you decide if you can put up with it. I really like a decent engine so it spoiled the rest of the car for me. You're right about the 350/370Z it's a totally different sort of car and not nearly so much fun for flinging down a B road at legal-ish speeds; that said the finance costs for a brand new one were incredibly cheap last September with big discounts and bullst GFVs meaning you could have a new one for three years for £200 odd a month .

MX5s do seem to rust, but not usually until they're well over ten years old; even for the NA the first reports of rust only started appearing in the late 90s when they were 10 years old so it's not like they rust while still in the warranty period (like a Mercedes ).

If you're spending £13k you'd be looking at an ND and if you're that worried you could get it treated straight away, but even in the worst case do you really give a monkeys if it might be rusty in another 8 or more years? FWIW I've had the chance to get underneath a 2015 1.5 ND with 50k on the clock in all seasons and it was fine, surface corrosion on some bolts but nothing you wouldn't see on anything short of a Volvo.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 4th December 13:21

[davidif]

stickleback123 said:

The GT86 is great and a lot more practical as an only car than an MX5, it's not just internet bks that the engine is a bit pants as standard though so go and try one before you decide if you can put up with it. I really like a decent engine so it spoiled the rest of the car for me. You're right about the 350/370Z it's a totally different sort of car and not nearly so much fun for flinging down a B road at legal-ish speeds; that said the finance costs for a brand new one were incredibly cheap last September with big discounts and bullst GFVs meaning you could have a new one for three years for £200 odd a month .

MX5s do seem to rust, but not usually until they're well over ten years old; even for the NA the first reports of rust only started appearing in the late 90s when they were 10 years old so it's not like they rust while still in the warranty period (like a Mercedes ).

If you're spending £13k you'd be looking at an ND and if you're that worried you could get it treated straight away, but even in the worst case do you really give a monkeys if it might be rusty in another 8 or more years? FWIW I've had the chance to get underneath a 2015 1.5 ND with 50k on the clock in all seasons and it was fine, surface corrosion on some bolts but nothing you wouldn't see on anything short of a Volvo.

Edited by stickleback123 on Friday 4th December 13:21

Thanks stickleback123 a useful bit of perspective.