Tell me about // Hate the Swift sport

-Mike- · 6 Jan 2013 at 23:43

Hey all,

I've been looking around to replace my Bora which seems to develop a new fault monthly now and quite like the look of the Swift Sport.

I am quite fond of small cars, infact I prefer them to larger barges and as such am going to test drive one of these!

Do any of you guys own one of these? If so how have you found it for reliability?

Failing that as some of you are going to hate these cars spec me something similar?

Thanks

rodenal · 7 Jan 2013 at 08:07

Good, honest little cars and fun little things to chuck around. There are a couple of owners on here who i'm sure will help.

They aren't really suited to motorway use but I assume that's not what you want it for anyway.

Lashout_UK · 7 Jan 2013 at 09:00

Fantastic cars. Used ours for a daily 110-mile commute and didn't have any real issues. Maybe a little buzzy. Only averaged about 40mpg too - but that's pretty good really.

You can see all of our 'Living with it' updates here: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/revie...e-sport-3dr/jul---we-welcome-the-swift-sport/

adam cool dude · 7 Jan 2013 at 09:03

Yaris T-Sport is another option although older but also a lot cheaper for one in good condition.

ZG002 · 7 Jan 2013 at 09:31

What year were you looking at?

-Mike- · 7 Jan 2013 at 10:05

I'm going to look at two, an 07 plate with 30k and an 09 with 48k. I only really leave cornwall once a year to visit my nan in minehead so not much motorway use!

I just want something reliable and I only get 50 if I drive like a granny from my bora anyway!

ZG002 · 7 Jan 2013 at 10:29

You will average something around 35mpg depending on your driving, as you say you see no motorways.

Reliability on the whole is pretty good, You will get rattles from the dash and the seats might squeak as the interior isn't the best tbh. When you go to test drive, Make sure the ESP turns off and back on (hold the button next to the hand brake) any problems with the ESP can be fairly costly considering the price of the car, and is a known weak spot. Parts like brake pads etc have fairly recently become more available so costs of general maintenance ain't bad. Tyres are a stupid size at 195/45/17 which at first limits your choice but 205/40/17's will fit fine which opens your choices a lot, looking at something like £80-£90 a corner for something decent.

They are a lot of fun to drive, if a little gutless at times. Still all the power you really need day to day, Ride can feel a little harsh but you get used to it and it helps with those rattles

jamoor · 7 Jan 2013 at 17:37

Excellent cars, nothing to look out for I don't know why they aren't more popular

-Mike- · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:05

I would imagine perhaps the fuel economy put a few people off? I'm going to try and test drive one at the weekend

ZG002 · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:10

Make sure you give it some beans, Keep it on the boil above 4k rpm and don't be too worried if the back end twitches about a little

Have fun, Love mine lol

-Mike- · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:22

The last swift I went in was an M registered 1.3 Gti

Fond memories - I hope the new one has the same appeal!

ZG002 · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:25

Make sure you get both Keys also, They are £250 to replace from a Dealer.

Scooby_WR1 · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:30

I had the old one and loved it so much that i bought the new one.

Get yourself onto swiftowners.co.uk and ssoc.co.uk you'll get plenty of useful info from there.

ZG002 · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:35

I had a poke around the new one in the Dealers the other week, I wasn't sure on the looks when they were released but I've fallen for them. Some bugger had took the Demo car out somewhere so I didn't get to test drive it

. Interior looks much improved and more kit, Does that 6th gear make much of a difference on the motorway?

danza · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:36

Great cars, more fun in the twisties than an EP3. Crap build quality and heinously bad on the motorway though.

-Mike- · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:39

I really can't afford a 2012 one without finance so unfortunately the sixth gear isn't in reach for me!

I'm going to test drive a new one (possibly silly) but there are no sports for sale down here (Figured it would save me travelling if I hate the drive of it!)

ZG002 · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:44

I can't afford the new Swift either, But I'm a bugger for test driving things lol.

Scooby_WR1 · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:48

ZG002 said:
I had a poke around the new one in the Dealers the other week, I wasn't sure on the looks when they were released but I've fallen for them. Some bugger had took the Demo car out somewhere so I didn't get to test drive it . Interior looks much improved and more kit, Does that 6th gear make much of a difference on the motorway?

They feel so much nicer and are a lot quieter inside too, and the 6th gear makes a huge difference on a motorway run, 50mpg is easily achievable. Even on short tips around town im getting 37mpg as apposed to the 25mpg i was getting in the old one.

-Mike- · 7 Jan 2013 at 18:54

If they really are as bad as 25mpg... I may as well be driving my old turbo rover!

ZG002 · 7 Jan 2013 at 20:11

I wouldn't buy one on the premise of saving fuel. If you drive it having fun every where you will see mid 20's more than you will see high 30's. You don't really have much power to play with and what is on tap is above 4k rpm mostly. It's like any car really it all depends on how you drive it, But it's never been billed as fuel efficient, Always billed as fun. Remember they use 98ron fuel also, So you are going to be using Shell V-power or the like.