1995 Suzuki Swift CINO 1.3 litre SOHC

Summary:

Underated performance, predictable reliability, legendary CINO

Faults:

Had to rebuild the gearbox.

General Comments:

Lets be totally honest here.

This car was designed to be a mass produced commuter with low running costs and little to no performance.

Suzuki didn't quite achieve one of those goals. I drive my car like it's a Formula One beast. I honestly admit that I thrash the life out of it every time I step into it.

And to my utter amazement the only thing required has been a $200 syncro. It uses no petrol, it uses no oil, it handles well and drives at a performance level exceeding its design.

This simple Naturally Aspirated 1298cc engine, in my car anyway, produces a standing 0-100 of 10.6 seconds. OK?! That's a mere second slower than your 3.8 litre V6 Commodore. Brilliant.

My 1995 CINO might be just a freak car, but honestly I can't recommend highly enough it's bang for buck ratio.

Next is a Swift GTi :P.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd May, 2001

16th Aug 2001, 17:29

Can't agree with you more. I got my Cino '96 in 97 and have driven it like a beast till now. The only money I have had to spend on it is servicing and a new set of shockers, which at 120,000 is OK %) I think you are spot on the money about Suzuki designing a straight forward cheap transporter, but got much more!!!

Cheers

B.

24th Oct 2001, 18:24

My father has a 1994 model cino and it is an excellent car... it must be cause my brother has driven it and done the lot - handbreakys... burnouts... roll backs, the lot, and all my dad has done is serviced it and replaced the timing belt twice. It has 200,000 kilometres on it, oh yeah and CVs cause of my brother, but an overall excellent car, in fact I'm buying it off him very soon and it will be worked cause they hammer.

7th Feb 2002, 22:10

I have a 1996 model suzuki swift cino I can't emphasise enough how incredibly reliable they are, I have had the pleasure of driving it now for 6 months and it has never failed to start or respond to my every demand. I must say I drive it as if its a 5.7L V8 and it seems to handle it pretty well.

29th Apr 2005, 21:52

I have a stock 95 Cino which has never let me down. I wouldn't say I flog her, but I have done enough to satisfy my erge in wondering what they are capable of. I raced my friends 2000 model Lancer with no worries at all and also amazed a worked Honda Civic. And my Cino has had absolutely no modification done to it at all. All I can say is they can get up and go for a small car.