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HJ - any chance of doing a Suzuki Swift road test sometime?
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There is a decent test at www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/index.html
My wife has a 1.5 GLX automatic and it is a nice little car, certainly one of the best looking small cars currently available. It has decent seats (better than a Jazz, I think), a decent, if firmish ride and super handling. The engine is willing, although a little raucous if pushed hard, but it will cruise all day at 80 mph at around 3K revs, so it is nice and relaxed at that speed.
I have never driven a manual version but I imagine the overall performance would be much better than the auto box provides, as it seems to sap quite a lot of the zip out of the engine, unless it is revved hard. The economy is not great with the auto box, but neither is it from much of the opposition (Honda Jazz excluded).
Howver, I am not impressed with the local dearlership, as they were completely unhelpful with the two issues I have raised with them, since we got the car in May this year. Looks like the Japanese reputation for helpful dealerships may not extend to Suzuki yet.
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There are quite a few reviews out on the web, a number from Australia where it is selling well. Apparently they are selling like hot cakes all over the world (Aus, China, India, Europe).
My sister bought a new one of these earlier this year (1.5GLX manual 5-door) and for various reasons I ended up collecting it from the dealer and driving it for a few weeks - I put about 800 miles or so on it. Its done about 3k miles now and I've driven it a bit recently. The engine's really loosened up and its now pretty rapid - especially above 3500 rpm when the VVT system cuts in. I notice that "4 Car" road test mentioned above states, "1.5-litre petrol engine lacks punch, has an uncertain throttle response and is jerky in traffic.". I think they must have a bad example because the one I've driven certainly doesn't lack punch and there's no problem at all with the throttle - very smooth in fact.
I would sum it up as:
Pros - Rapid enough, comfortable seats and ride, excellent handling and stability, good steering, excellent gearshift, good packaging, good keyless entry system.
Cons - not especially economical (seems to get about 36mpg in suburban use), gaudy red display for radio, heater controls etc. High clutch bite point takes a bit of getting used to.
On a value-for-money basis there's not a lot to touch it - especially if you can get £500 off the list price. Dealer was OK - car was perfect on delivery and there was a free 1000-mile check. No problems with the car so far. I don't know how well it will last though, my sister is very 'unsympathetic' towards cars and she's very rough on the throttle & clutch etc., it'll be interesting to see how it stands up to this kind of use.
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I forgot to mention a couple of thinks I am not impressed with. Firstly the instantaneous mpg readout is practically useless and distracting (no average readout is available). Secondly, the fuel gauge on ours is very inaccurate. It shows half empty after about 100 miles and empty at 240, when there is still about gallons left in the tank. I have never managed to get more than 8 gallons in the tank (which will hold about 10 gallons), even when the low fuel warning light has been on for over 30 miles. The unhelpful dealer won't do anything about the fuel gauge, saying there is nothing wrong with it.
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Sorry for the typo, the word should obviously be things, not thinks.
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I agree the MPG readout is a waste of time. The fuel gauge on my sister's is fairly accurate (well, as accurate as any other car). I suspect you must have a dodgy sender. Why not try a different dealer?
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Btw if the dealer isn't helping then as suggested either try another dealer or get onto Suzuki UK Customer Services at:
www.suzuki4.co.uk/experience_html/experience_frame...l
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I agree the MPG readout is a waste of time. The fuel gauge on my sister's is fairly accurate (well, as accurate as any other car). I suspect you must have a dodgy sender. Why not try a different dealer?
They are a bit thin on the ground around here. Next nearest is about 20 miles away.
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Thanks to you both. I saw the 4car test but was wondering if HJ planned to test the Swift at some point. As it's built in Hungary and not Japan I too was wondering just how well it would stand use/abuse. Does seem to have a good warranty though. You mentioned the keyless entry system. How does that work. Is it one that auto-locks once the key is a certain distance away from the car and makes you paranoid that the car is actually locked? I take it that you had to haggle a lot just to get the £500 off?
many thanks!
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Not sure whether it autolocks or not - its not actually my car. There is a 'fob' that you keep in your pocket. When you walk up to the car you press a little black 'pad' on the handle and it unlocks. Then get in and just turn the knob by the steering wheel.
When you get out you press the 'pad' to lock it again. The fob also has remote control lock/unlock buttons on it.
I think in normal driving it would stand up very well. However my sister is a very bad driver - most gearchanges are accompanied by a tremendous lurch. Anyway, it appears to be a well made car - certainly up to usual Jap standards. Some of the plastic trim is a bit thin in places, but I suspect they've had to do that to keep the weight down.
Didn't really have to haggle to get the £500 (and a set of mats!). My sister asked me ring around dealers for her and I did so - just asked to speak to sales manager and a bit of straight talking. Most didn't want to know. One offered £300, then another offered £500. Mind you, they promised 2 weeks delivery and I think it ended up being 6 weeks due to shortage of red GLX's in UK - had to wait for a boat load to arrive.
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I think in normal driving it would stand up very well. However my sister is a very bad driver - most gearchanges are accompanied by a tremendous lurch.
Sounds like she might have benefitted from having an automatic gearbox.
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Perhaps his sister is actually called Aprilia. A very pretty name, and a very fine old Lancia.
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