2003 Suzuki Swift GLS 1 litre from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Suicide is cheap, small and reliable
Faults:
Nothing.
General Comments:
What a strange, tiny, weeny little car!
This is, by a country mile, the smallest car I've ever driven. That is not a criticism, just a truth.
I popped the bonnet catch and looked at the power source lurking in the void. What an engine! 1000cc's of irrepressible noise. The three cylinder powerplant rattles and vibrates at tick over and as you accelerate, if that is indeed the correct term, it gets louder and more frantic as it desperately tries to over come the drag.
Being so small and light, the front wheels spin very, very easily, especially in the wet and so 'rapid' take offs are out of the question.
Once inside this little miracle from Japan, something unnatural takes place. The car is bigger on the inside than the outside. Now that is weird, only Dr Who has ever achieved this feat and that's sci fi. Suzuki have managed it for real though.
The diminutive Swift has ample leg room for the front seat passengers and enough for the kids in the back too!
For carrying lots of stuff, the rear seats fold and the large tailgate means loading is easy and it's amazing how much you can cram in!
You could probably load the Swift so much that you'd immobilize it.
Driving the Swift is basically not a good idea... unless you are carrying a relic of St Christopher and have been blessed by holies from all the faiths first. And I mean all of them, including the lesser known African and Indonesian religions too!
The seats aren't the best and you are very low to the ground, any lower and you'd burn your backside on the tarmac. This is not a car you'd choose to take on a long journey.
I don't know what the NCAP rating for the Swift is but my son reckons about minus five. Hit a wasp in the Swift and you'll be in intensive care or the local cemetery quicker than you can say 'Swift'.
This car is appalling to drive, especially on the motorway. It wheezes its way up to 70 and has some left, don't use what's left though, you'll regret it! A puff of wind or passing lorry has the Suzuki bobbing around like a cork in a mill race, scary!
The tyres are slim a very small and grip levels are minimal.
If you are on a tight budget, live in a crowded place, are young, brave and strong.. no power steering, the Suzuki is the job for you. 280,000,000 miles to the gallon HONEST! :-)
So long as you don't hit anything and nothing hits you, this car is great!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th July, 2008
7th Nov 2009, 18:52
Absolutely right! Rubbish!.. Hang on... What was rubbish? Apart from the things that weren't rubbish of course.
I'd buy an Ignis. Early Swift.. death trap!! Reliable and economical though! It'd kill you... anywhere.. cheaply!! Brilliant car!!.. LOVE it!! Sort of.. ish.. kinda.. maybe if I'm brave.
Hard core!!..That first poster was, WRONG!! I only managed 73,000,000 miles to the gallon!! And I paid my insurance with my dinner money!! Fantastic skate board!! LOVE it!!! Cool wheels.. Japanese stuff is good.
30th Jan 2014, 15:29
Oh my God, thanks so much for your review. I enjoyed your use of the English language. You made my day. Thanks for the laugh. Wow, it's a long time since I have laughed like that. You English folks.
17th Jun 2009, 10:46
Absolute rubbish, I have owned a Suzuki Swift Reg. 03 from new. Yes the car is small and low but wow what a car! It's nippy, cheap to run and just great. Mine gets a full service every year and has only failed its M.O.T once, and that was on wiper blades.