Hi...
I bought a new SSS at the back end of last year.
They are great little cars. Not the fastest thing in a straight line, but the handling is pretty amazing. Brings a smile to my face every time that I drive it and I'd probably have to go right back to the early 80's and the first of the Alfasud's that I bought for a similar feeling.
I've owned a fair few cars over 40+ years motoring (including 3 WRX's) so I have a fair motoring history.
Not being daft here... there are plenty of faster cars and dare I say it "better looking". But as a B-road blast, in this size / category, I don't think there is anything to beat it at this price point. And heresy I know, but I would rate it over a Mini Cooper (one of a number of motors that I tried before deciding on the Swift).
I would agree with Scooby Wr1 regarding fuel economy. Pretty much spot on what I've found. Just don't believe the ludicrously optimistic trip meter.
Plus points:
- Reasonably nippy.
I would go as far as saying that it feels quicker to 60 than Suzuki quote.
- The handling is sublime. Suzuki have achieved (in my opinion) what a lot of manufacturers try and don't achieve. A small car that handles well but has a decent level of ride quality. Step forward my Ibiza Cupra on how not to achieve this!
- ESP not very intrusive (and you can switch it completely off should you wish). You would need to be on a loose surface, or driving VERY hard for it to step in. And when it does interfere, it's quite gentle (if that's the right word!). In my opinion, a testimony to how well balanced / handling the car is.
- Very good level of equipment.
- Not too bad at motorway speeds noise wise.
- Japanese, so should be reliable. Very few complaints on either of the O/L owners clubs.
- Certain rarity value on the road (well at least round by me). Think I've only seen two other new model SSS's.
- Tiff Needell likes them (if you count this as a + point of course).
Negative points (not many really):
- Difficult access to the rear seats (IE. front seats do not go back to the set position).
- Small boot.
- Take a careful look at the paint job when buying. As the paint finish on some cars are not that great. I actually rejected the first car that I looked at because of this. Even my current car has a couple of very minor blemishes. Though you can only see them when the car is polished (and I am being VERY picky here).
- A few minor cabin niggles (besides the seat not going back to their set position when letting someone into the rear).
Eg. why only auto down on the drivers window? If I put it down in one, might I not want to put it up!?
PS. You should be able to get around £800 off if you haggle. Probably not much more than that, as the car isn't that expensive to start with. But good luck if you can.
