GTP Cool Wall: Suzuki Swift Sport. Voting Closed

[Adamgp]

Yeah but that's because Ford just stuck the badge on there.

But atleast it had a rear spoiler that would keep the rear end planted at 200MPH. (even though the car was limited to less then 200KPH)

 

[Moglet]

Any car thats labeled "sport" yet has 120hp and would get destroyed at a stoplight by the minivan in the other lane gets a seriously uncool vote from me.

It really wouldn't, my friend has one and they can move when they need to. 120bhp may not sound like a lot but they're very light cars.
His is silver and looks exactly the same as the photo at the start of the thread, I voted Cool because it's a massively underated car and it's a bargain for what you get. It flies through the corners too, Fifth Gear tested it against the Abarth 500 and Twingo Renaultsport recently and it did amazingly well in the handling test despite losing out in the straight line test.

 

[Adamgp]

120hp doesn't sound like alot because it's not.

0-60 in 9 seconds will make sure you see alot of cars (and trucks) taillights around here.

 

[Joey D]

Horsepower isn't everything, you have to take into account the weight as well and the Swift is fairly light. 9 seconds 0-60 isn't that bad, the Swift Sport wasn't designed to be an all out powerhouse.

 

[Tornado]

120hp doesn't sound like alot because it's not.

0-60 in 9 seconds will make sure you see alot of cars (and trucks) taillights around here.

You know, you are absolutely right. I mean, I bet there isn't one person among us who can say that they wouldn't rather do their spirited driving in one of these (and if they do, they are lying):

I mean, faster is better, amirite?

DeVille: The Pinnacle of Driving Fun.

 

[Joey D]

You're right. I mean, I bet there isn't one among us who can say that they wouldn't rather do their spirited driving in one of these:

I mean, faster is better, amirite?
Cadillac should use that as a future slogan.
DeVille: The Pinnacle of Driving Fun.

But if you were 65 and late for bingo, you'd probably love it .

 

[Adamgp]

It's light, I get it. Still slow.

0-60 in 9 seconds is about average for an econobox. Slow for anything claiming to be sporty.

 

[Giancarlo]

Hey when i'm 65, i'm gonna be going 65. You know what i'm sayin'?

 

[Tornado]

Actually, no you don't get it.
Here are some more fantastic cars in a straight line:

=

Get it yet?

 

[Adamgp]

Could be the Captain Morgan kicking in, but what is your point?

All I said was that ironically named car was slow, and people jump all over me. You like that underpowered shoe box for some reason, I don't.

 

[Tornado]

Its not ironically named because "sport" is not synonymous with "acceleration;" nor is acceleration "synonymous" with "fun." The Swift is designed to handle well and be fun in comparison to the normal boring Swift. Ergo, the "Sport" badge is completely acceptable.

 

[Adamgp]

I was referring to the "swift" name.

swift (swft)

ADJECTIVE:
swift·er , swift·est
Moving or capable of moving with great speed; fast. See Synonyms at fast 1.
Coming, occurring, or accomplished quickly; instant: a swift retort.
Quick to act or react; prompt: swift to take steps.

 

[Boffin]

I was referring to the "swift" name.

swift (swft)

ADJECTIVE:
swift·er , swift·est
Moving or capable of moving with great speed; fast. See Synonyms at fast 1.
Coming, occurring, or accomplished quickly; instant: a swift retort.
Quick to act or react; prompt: swift to take steps.

It's moving at a great speed...ROUND CORNERS. Honestly. Where we are coming from is the fact that a Lotus Elise could get burned off by some of the aformentioned clap trap that are good in a straight line - but you wouldn't call it slow, or more importantly, not sporty. The same goes with the Swift sport. OK, it doesn't corner as fast as an Elise, but it follows the same obvious principles.

Plus you'd be pretty damn quick when parking it I'd imagine.

 

[Adamgp]

I get it, that 4 cyclinder hair dryer is light and handles well. So what. Still think its uncool.

 

[niky]

Some of the best driver's cars around have 4-cylinder hair-dryers in them... Caterham Super Seven, Lotus Elise, Mini Cooper, Honda Integra...

Not by much though, about 20 inches shorter and 240 pounds lighter. It's definitely not the greatest comparison, but i just wanted to show another FF compact car with a better power/weight ratio that is still really easy and fun to drive. So i think the Swift can stand to gain a few horses from the factory. 👍

And double in price. The Swift Sport ain't exactly Integra money. In fact, it costs only a bit more than a regular 1.5 liter subcompact... the current Civic Type-R costs twice as much.

How can a car that does 0-100km/hr in over 9sec with the word "Sport" in the title be considered cool? It's borderlining a factory version of rice.

*Puts flame suit on, mmm, toasty already*.

*breathes in....*

It's got a small-ish 1.6 liter engine that revs to over 7000 rpm. That's not spectacular, maybe, but consider that it has forged internals. This means you can rev it all day long, for years on end, without blowing it.

It has a retuned suspension, not that the regular Swift's suspension sucks... it being one of the few new cars that you can kick out into oversteer at will... but they apparently felt the need to make it even better. And unlike other "sports" editions, it doesn't get ludicrously large wheels... just perfectly sized 16" ones. The only issue I have with the Swift is that the electric steering lacks feel... but the Honda Fit is worse, in this regard, and the current Miata is the same. Doesn't completely ruin them.

It's a junior touring car / rally car for the road. You buy it. Strip it. Mod it. Then... beat the hell out of it. I'd hit it.

 

[niky]

*double post*

 

[YSSMAN]

I get it, that 4 cyclinder hair dryer is light and handles well. So what. Still think its uncool.

That's your opinion, and that's fine. However, that doesn't stop some of us from thinking you're a bit daft, but that's just our opinion as well.

 

[Boffin]

I get it, that 4 cyclinder hair dryer is light and handles well. So what. Still think its uncool.

That's your opinion, and that's fine. However, that doesn't stop some of us from thinking you're a bit daft, but that's just our opinion as well.

I'm not calling him daft, I just felt I had to explain that it wasn't slow because speed isn't based soley on acceleration, as thats what he kept refering too. It's his opinion and he's entitled to it.

 

[Paulie]

I have to say though, the Swift is not an Elise. It doesn't even have an LSD to prevent single wheel spinners if GT5 is to be believed (or what ever FWD uses to prevent single spinners, is it referred to as LSD?). It might be fast-ish through corners, but it's not mind blowing, and on any track it will still be slow (where the Elise is fast). Unless I see one with mods as was suggested earlier, to actually make it fast on track too, it's not much of a "sport". Yes, I hear what you're all saying, the handling makes it sporty, but in terms of outright pace, it's slow on a circuit, it's slow in a drag race, and as also suggested earlier I bet it's slow off road too.

*Luckily still has flame suit on *

I just want to add, I don't feel very strongly about this, I don't mind the Swift too much, I'm just saying.....

 

[Rykon Zero]

The Suzuki Cappuccino is a sports car.

 

[Adamgp]

That's your opinion, and that's fine. However, that doesn't stop some of us from thinking you're a bit daft, but that's just our opinion as well.

Resorting to calling me senseless/stupid/crazy isn't going to change my mind. Look back through my posts, I never resorted to name calling or insulting the poster, my comments were directed toward the car.

I can name quite a few cars that can fly through turns but are absolute turds on the straights, and would get eaten alive on most any race track.

And are you seriously comparing this thing to an Elise?

 

[Boffin]

No - but thats what I was comparing its principles too because everytime you said it wasn't fast, all you stated was acceleration times, and I was comparing it to an elise because the Elise isn't the best on the straights, but is extremely good round the bends.

 

[Paulie]

No - but thats what I was comparing its principles too because everytime you said it wasn't fast, all you stated was acceleration times, and I was comparing it to an elise because the Elise isn't the best on the straights, but is extremely good round the bends.

Except when compared to its rivals it's still not really impressive. For the price range and size of a Swift Sport in Australia you can get a Polo GTI with 110kw and over a second of 0-100km/hr and the 1/4mile. You could even get a base model Impreza with near on identical 0-100, but probably faster aftewards thanks to more power, and it has AWD too.

Edit: Quote out of Wheels Magazine- "Steering and body control below its best rivals".

 

[YSSMAN]

I can name quite a few cars that can fly through turns but are absolute turds on the straights, and would get eaten alive on most any race track.

So, what are you complaining about with the Swift, then? It does exactly what you're talking about right there. Sure, I understand that some people don't like cars that are "slow," but I believe that is selling the car short. Far too short. A standard Swift Sport is going to be far more enjoyable to drive than most high powered sedans and coupes, and you'll be able to putter around getting more than 30 MPG as well. What isn't there to like other than the fact that it has to wear a Suzuki badge?


Honestly, its not that big of a deal if you don't like the car. I'm not a huge fan of this particular one either (although I'd love to have it as an option here in the States), but I just wonder with quotes like that if you know what you're going on about.

 

[C-ZETA]

All sport models are cooler than the base spec. The normal one is uncool, which makes this Sport version Cool.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Uncool

 

[homeforsummer]

I love it when people who've never driven anything with fewer than 6 cylinders, less than 150bhp and less than 1500kg slate small cars for being rubbish.

Oh no wait, I don't. It makes you look ignorant, and also quite silly when someone in said small car runs rings around you on a twisty road. I also think people forget things like the Peugeot 106 GTI/Rallye, Peugeot 205 1.6 GTI, VW Golf GTI Mk1, all classic sporty hatches, didn't make a great deal more than 100bhp (some even less, in the case of the Rallye, and none make more than the Swift) and yet well driven examples of any can make some much quicker (on paper) cars look very daft indeed on a winding road.

I voted cool. It's a nicely styled warm hatch that'll provide plenty of fun for not a lot of money. It also won't break down, and as nobody stranded at the side of the road is cool, this is important.

Except when compared to its rivals it's still not really impressive. For the price range and size of a Swift Sport in Australia you can get a Polo GTI with 110kw and over a second of 0-100km/hr and the 1/4mile. You could even get a base model Impreza with near on identical 0-100, but probably faster aftewards thanks to more power, and it has AWD too.

Neither of which are as much fun. A basic Impreza is about as fun as counting sheep in a field, in the rain, and the Polo is supposed to be distinctly average in all departments save for its power. Which we should all know isn't the be-all and end-all, especially for sporty hatchbacks.

Edit: Quote out of Wheels Magazine- "Steering and body control below its best rivals".

On the other hand, most magazines in the UK rate the Swift very highly, including Autocar and EVO. The basic platform is obviously pretty good too as it's an effective rallying weapon.

 

[Adamgp]

No - but thats what I was comparing its principles too because everytime you said it wasn't fast, all you stated was acceleration times, and I was comparing it to an elise because the Elise isn't the best on the straights, but is extremely good round the bends.

Because handling and speed are 2 different things. A top fuel dragster can do a 1/4 mile in 4 seconds but can't corner for beans. Some cars, like that Suzuki, can go around corners pretty decent but are slow in acceleration and top speed.

So, what are you complaining about with the Swift, then? It does exactly what you're talking about right there. Sure, I understand that some people don't like cars that are "slow," but I believe that is selling the car short. Far too short. A standard Swift Sport is going to be far more enjoyable to drive than most high powered sedans and coupes, and you'll be able to putter around getting more than 30 MPG as well. What isn't there to like other than the fact that it has to wear a Suzuki badge?


Honestly, its not that big of a deal if you don't like the car. I'm not a huge fan of this particular one either (although I'd love to have it as an option here in the States), but I just wonder with quotes like that if you know what you're going on about.

In my book it doesn't make them "cool" or sub-zero" just because they do one thing reasonably well. How do you know that everyone would find more enjoyment with this car than a larger more powerful sporty car? Perhaps you would find enjoyment in puttering around in that tiny little egg beater, I wouldn't.

I love it when people who've never driven anything with fewer than 6 cylinders, less than 150bhp and less than 1500kg slate small cars for being rubbish.

Oh no wait, I don't. It makes you look ignorant, and also quite silly when someone in said small car runs rings around you on a twisty road. I also think people forget things like the Peugeot 106 GTI/Rallye, Peugeot 205 1.6 GTI, VW Golf GTI Mk1, all classic sporty hatches, didn't make a great deal more than 100bhp (some even less, in the case of the Rallye, and none make more than the Swift) and yet well driven examples of any can make some much quicker (on paper) cars look very daft indeed on a winding road.

I voted cool. It's a nicely styled warm hatch that'll provide plenty of fun for not a lot of money. It also won't break down, and as nobody stranded at the side of the road is cool, this is important.

My first car was a 1998 Ford Escort SE Sport. 2.0 4 banger, 110hp/125tq, under 2400lbs (less then 1100kg). So yes I have driven small, slow cars. Only thing fun about it was that it was a pos, and I didn't have to pay for gas.

Thats why I upgraded to my bigger, better handling, much faster Grand Prix.

I could care less about "hot hatches". The "classic" ones you mention are a decade or more old, so are you suprised they make less power? Especially the VW from the 70's?

Also, I'd love to know why you are so sure that car will never break down?

 

[homeforsummer]

My first car was a 1998 Ford Escort SE Sport. 2.0 4 banger, 110hp/125tq, under 2400lbs (less then 1100kg). So yes I have driven small, slow cars. Only thing fun about it was that it was a pos, and I didn't have to pay for gas.

To be fair, from everything I've heard about US market Escorts, save for the last ZX2s, they're apparently pretty crap anyway. Hardly the best subject from which to form your opinion. One Escort does not a knowledge of "small, slow cars" make. Until very, very recently the US was horrifically bad at making good small cars. Europe and Japan however aren't. Given that I've driven a fairly nice selection of European and Japanese small cars (MINIs, small Fords, small VWs, Civics etc) I can confirm that even the lower powered ones have been great fun. Including the one I own myself, which incidentally was also build by Ford in 1998, like your ex-Escort.

I could care less about "hot hatches". The "classic" ones you mention are a decade or more old, so are you suprised they make less power? Especially the VW from the 70's?

You've missed the point. Entirely. Regardless of the age of the cars, all the ones I mentioned are proof that you don't need to have loads of power to have a brilliantly fun car. If you want something more modern I could suggest the Ford SportKa or Fiesta Zetec S, or Fiat Panda 100HP, VW Lupo GTI... or perhaps the Smart Roadster, which had - shock, horror - only 80bhp! And an auto transmission! I'm surprised it could move!!!!!!111!one. Or, I could suggest the Swift, which brings us full circle.

Instead, you've apparently fallen into a different trap that older cars are automatically inferior, which also couldn't be further from the truth.

Also, I'd love to know why you are so sure that car will never break down?

Educated guess, based on the fact that Japanese cars of all varieties do very well in reliability and ownership surveys. Was it really necessary to ask?

 

[Adamgp]

Good lord, all these attacks for having a difference in opinion, you guys could work for the Obama administration.

To be fair, from everything I've heard about US market Escorts, save for the last ZX2s, they're apparently pretty crap anyway. Hardly the best subject from which to form your opinion. One Escort does not a knowledge of "small, slow cars" make. Until very, very recently the US was horrifically bad at making good small cars. Europe and Japan however aren't. Given that I've driven a fairly nice selection of European and Japanese small cars (MINIs, small Fords, small VWs, Civics etc) I can confirm that even the lower powered ones have been great fun. Including the one I own myself, which incidentally was also build by Ford in 1998, like your ex-Escort.

ZX2 was built on the exact same chassis as my SE. I've driven other samll cars, only owned the Escort. I'll repeat, maybe you get you jollies puttsing around in a 100hp shoe box, I don't.

You've missed the point. Entirely. Regardless of the age of the cars, all the ones I mentioned are proof that you don't need to have loads of power to have a brilliantly fun car. If you want something more modern I could suggest the Ford SportKa or Fiesta Zetec S, or Fiat Panda 100HP, VW Lupo GTI... or perhaps the Smart Roadster, which had - shock, horror - only 80bhp! And an auto transmission! I'm surprised it could move!!!!!!111!one. Or, I could suggest the Swift, which brings us full circle.


Instead, you've apparently fallen into a different trap that older cars are automatically inferior, which also couldn't be further from the truth.



Educated guess, based on the fact that Japanese cars of all varieties do very well in reliability and ownership surveys. Was it really necessary to ask?

What part of "I could care less about hot hatches" didn't you understand?


But to say it will never break down was pretty bold. I've seen many a Japanese car on the back of tow trucks and in repair shops.