Suzuki Swift
About to buy a car. Going to college. Just need
a realiable set of wheels cheap! I think the
Chevy Metro is to expensive. Any comments from
someone who's owned a chevy metro or suzuki
swift would be great!! Is it fun to drive?
Is it to cramped. I know just by looking at it
it's small. I like it's style and price.
Thanx alot!!!
a realiable set of wheels cheap! I think the
Chevy Metro is to expensive. Any comments from
someone who's owned a chevy metro or suzuki
swift would be great!! Is it fun to drive?
Is it to cramped. I know just by looking at it
it's small. I like it's style and price.
Thanx alot!!!
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Comments
My main problems have been the alternator (went through 6 before replacing a fuse and a battery cable) and the AC, which is on its 3rd compressor but still works. I also go through a lot of tires but that is because of some accident damage underneath to the right side lower control arm. One $15 used tire a month is cheaper than 2 years' worth of repairs!
If you are looking to buy a Metro, you might be much happier buying a 1995 or 1996 model, which is the same body and equipment but is a Geo not a Chevrolet. You can buy a 1995-1997 model for about $2500-$4000, of course it will cost more at a dealer. For example, if you live in Pittsburgh, there was a white 1997 5-speed with 27K in the Post-Gazette Saturday for $4000. Here in Columbus I will sell you my 1995 LSi automatic with 101K for $2500.
If you go to a public auction, you might do like I almost did and get a basic high mileage 1995 Metro for $1500. If you like I can keep my eye out for you. There are a lot of these around for sale, and people will dump them at cheap prices. They are darned good cars, but they have NO status, and they are VERY small and cheap looking. At least they are not cheaply made.
Good luck finding a Metro, I'll keep you posted as to what I see.
In thinking about it I know another 1995 LSi hatchback automatic in Hilliard, Ohio (near west side Columbus) for $3995 at a dealer. I think it has 30-some-K miles on it. It is white and it is at Hilliard Car Company.
Also know of a 1997 Metro 3-cylinder, 5-speed, no AC, no radio, green, 17K, for $3990 at College Car Company on High St. in Columbus.
Try with the Honda CRX Si (88-91 and 108 HP) too, this is an excellent car, fun, reliable, fast and great on gas.
anyone out there have any info/experiences with the Swift used as a tow vehicle?
This is a new feature for 2000 on Metros and Swifts. Suzuki doesn't advertise it. The problem is the extra weight lowers mileage 2-3mpg across the board. 1999 models (1.3L/5-speed) got 39/43, the 2000's get 36/42. Automatics stayed the same, though. I wonder if they changed the gearing, too. Hey, the Swifts you are looking at, do they have hatch releases? You couldn't get those on Metro hatchbacks after 1996 and I am considering a sedan so I can get it.
Check this site out!
http://www.suzuki.co.uk/swift/index.htm
Go see the limited edition "SKY" model (blue).
Check out all the equipment it comes with.
It's got power everything!
Sure makes you feel empty on the one's shipped to
the U.S.
For the ultimate swifts!
Lot's of pics.
Anyway, 9 years and 147,000 later, the ONLY replacement maintenance I have had to do was general; tires, cv boots, battery, brakes, windshield, exhaust/muffler (it's all one piece), and timing belt. I spent virtually NOTHING in maintenance costs.
At trade-in the ORIGINAL transmission and clutch was starting to slip, I needed new fuel lines, fuel injector and a new timing belt, BUT that was after 9 years and 147,000 miles!!
Can't really comment on the new Suzuki's - I understand they are just not as reliable, but my little "pocket rocket" took me from A to B virtually on pocket change!! Oh yeah, I traded it in for a Honda Accord; a little bigger and supposedly just as reliable.
I went to a Suzuki dealer to see if they had any on the lot and they told me that there were still going to make them available until the 2001 model year and then stop. I can't imagine the CAMI plant in Ingersol sitting around idle for very long so the speculation on the Baleno coming soon may be true.
I should have my new Swift in about 10 days.
...4-doors, fog lamps, ground effects (side skirts, air damn, rear body kit), roof spoiler, mini-van-like rear hatch, available two-wheel or four wheel drive, 1.3L 16 valve engine, 87 bhp @ 6k rpm, 38 miles/gallon, three-spoke steering wheel, chrome tailpipe, five-spoke (tiny!) alloy wheels, CD player, special edition blue, black or white paint...
...All this for only 1.283 million yen in 2 wheel drive, 1.413 million yen in 4 wheel drive!
Check it out here:
http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/swift_sg/frame.htm
http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/pluslimi/frame.htm
Those Japanese sure know how to make a tiny, micro-van with a output of less than 100 hp look like a racer!
P.S - It's a 16v turbo, hence the hood scoop.
As far as the radio, it's double-DIN, which means it's twice the size of the standard radios you find in most cars. Many GM and some Japanese cars such as Lexus and of course Suzuki have this "special" type of radio socket. There are two choices for you, each with different pros and cons. And here they be:
Option #1 - Get a Double-DIN radio. JVC Makes possibly the best double-DIN radio that has both CD and cassette player, pumps 160 watts through four channels, has two sets of RCA outputs, over-sixed buttons, front audio inputs, a remote control, etc. etc. all for $400 through Crutchfield. You can also get other brands for less, for example Jensen makes another good unit for maybe half that price, or less.
Pros -
Very large face and buttons makes it easy to read the usually very colorful LCD screen and use the functions.
Has both CD player and cassette player, making your choice of media wider without having to have a seperate cassette head and CD changer.
Cons -
Large, colorful face attracts unwanted attention from thieves. Combine this with the fact that most double-DIN units do not have removeable faces due to their odd size.
Tend to be more expensive than single-DIN units because they have both CD and cassette capability.
Option #2 - Get two single-DIN units and stack them. Kenwood makes a special single-DIN CD player that comes with a special cable so it can be connected to a seperate head unit. basically you'd buy this CD player and put it on the bottom, then buy a cassette/MD or other head unit made by Kenwood and put it on top. Thus you have two units that fit perfectly into the double-sized opening. The kenwood unit is $220 through Crutchfield, has a fold-down security face, oversized LCD display with special dancing "light-show" effects and cannot be used without another head unit controlling it. The cassette unit that matches, which also has a flip-down face and puts out 160 watts and has two RCA outputs is about $180, so you're total comes to around the same as the JVC at $400. However, the MD unit is about $400 so you're total with the CD/MD combo would be a tough $620!
Pros -
Same price as the JVC double-DIN unit if you choose the base cassette head unit.
Greater flexibility in terms of media, you can connect this CD player to a MD player instead of a cassette if you're tired of tapes. Or swap out different MP3 head units in the future, or put in a single-DIN eqalizer, etc.
Looks cool and different, but also much less obtrusive and attention-gathering than the double-DIN unit, especially with the fold-down faces.
Cons -
More work than putting in a double-DIN unit.
More expensive than buying a double-DIN unit if you go for a minidisk or other head unit to control it.
Looking for experiences, best unit, tips etc...
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks Message Board
I saw the link mentioned a bit above regarding the japanese swift. Around the rest of the world it's called the Ignis. I recently emailed a fellow from the Canadian Suzuki website and asked if we're gonna get it here. His rather terse reading reply was that "No Ignis' will be sold in Canada."
Currently, it appears that GM plans to import the European Corsa to North America. That being the case, it would not be surprising if the CAMI plant produces it and we get a rebadged version of it as the replacement for Swift.
It also seems that GM is heading toward using Suzuki mechanical knowledge combined with GM's interior/exterior designs for future small platformed models.
mdyvr
Minuses:
It has a problem with the starter - sometimes it works sometimes it does not. I have replaced the starter twice and the problem persists does anyone have any ideas???
Second minus :
It is missing the parcel shelf behind the rear seat and the hatch.
It is missing the fog lights.
No radio or speakers.
Pluses:
It came with a K&N air filter kit, Calmini strut bars front and rear and oversize Dunlop Sport SP800 tires and it is a blast to drive fast.
I need help with the starter problem and I am also looking for sources for speed equipment hopefully someone who sells Suzuki Motor Sports equipment in the US or Canada.
Thanks
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
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Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
i have a suziki swift 1999 i replaced battery alternator starter fuses yet it keeps dying every other day the car only has 80471 miles on it when i bought in december of 2013 i have pu 14 miles on it anyone have ideas on what else could be wrng i really want to keep this car its perfect for the amount i drive when it wants to start
Since you're talking about electrical items, do you mean "dying" as in it won't turn over like the battery is dead? (Could be some kind of short) Or does it starts and then just stop? (Obviously some other issue)