Suzuki Swift: cheap runabout for sale in Thailand!

24 hours spent with a 3rd-gen Suzuki Swift.

Introduction

Here in Thailand anything interesting can happen at any time. My mechanic needed to order parts for my main car. So he lent me this as a courtesy car, as the usual loaner wasn't available. He apologized for the firm suspension and loud exhaust, to which I remarked, no problem! Should be fun. The car is actually for sale, for someone in need of something unusual like this. So I thought I'd take a go at telling you what it's like, for anyone considering one of these as a project car. I think it has a lot of cool potential and is different to all the usual Hondas and Toyotas in the category which are top of the list for modifiers. A Suzuki Swift is a bit more rare and unique, IMO.

First Impression

On first drive and look around, a very well built car which still feels completely solid, hiding its years even though you'd think that hard suspension wouldn't help. Somehow I had a stereotype of these cars being made of thinner metals and lesser materials however this is not the case. Reality was it feels built to last, rather than premium. The doors and panels feel solid and thick the doors and panels feel. On the interior, it feels safe with very strong chunky A-pillars and the way the windscreen wraps around providing a wide clear view highlights this is a well designed vehicle. It also draws obvious cues from a BMW MINI in it's design. Like any manufacturer, I imagine Suzuki for sure picked a few apart and borrowed some ideas when designing the Swift.

What was it like?

Performance is more adequate than fast. However it is nippy and easy in city traffic especially. Top is geared high and makes for quiet highway cruising. It's not a heavy car and the engine gets keener the higher the revs go. Smallness means lightness also, it can stop well and quickly on just the standard brakes. The chunky tires assist even more in stopping power. As does the stiffened suspension. These are some of the non-standard modifications undertaken, and seems to be a quite neat setup for keen drivers. You'd have to want it though, i.e. a vehicle that has been modified does compromise some usability, you must be careful with speed humps. It's not to everyone's liking. It's a bit harsh, noisy, and bumpy. You wouldn't call it comfortable or luxurious. It's really handy to be so small however - as it can nip about through city jams, and corners like it is literally on rails.

Handling

For a keen driver the modified setup seems worth it. It's stiff and almost race car like, not really for comfort. You could of course adjust that or add softer dampers. There is loads of grip and the steering is go-kart like in how it responds with direction changes. Two hands at quarter to three are recommended! At highway speeds up-to 120kmph (75mph) legal limit it feels very planted, isn't over 3000rpm; manufacturer specs state top speed at 180kmph (115mph). So this would indicate safe cruising abilities at 80-90mph if limits allowed.

It also has a very small turning circle. It feels very point and go, especially with the 4 speed auto box. The custom exhaust is quality and sounds good. It makes the car sound a lot more tuned up and powerful than it actually is! Although loud, it can also be handy as it warns others when you drive in narrower lanes ...

I took the car out for a drive in the country back roads and found this mock-temple hotel which made for a cool photo shoot location. The rest of the time in putting this post together was editing everything, first in my iPhone, then in Photoshop. This can eat up a lot of time, I'm always looking to improve my production speed.

Just getting down low for a detail shot of those wheels, bringing the statue into view. I'm sure this was a very interesting place to stay when the hotel was open. Maybe it'll come back, or it'll fall into disrepair and look like an actual Khmer temple. I'll check back some time and see!

Engine

A nice DOHC 16V unit that will sing near the top end. Quiet and refined most of the time, and ready to be woken up when needed. Some of that Suzuki super-bike engine seems present, given the way it goes. It's a solid power unit. Acceleration is 'Swift' enough!

Conclusion

I'd consider this as a cheap runabout or spare or project car, as a lot of fun could be had for not much outlay whilst it is also reliable. The A/C also blows nice and cold! The customization means it is for someone who's into that kind of thing. Current price is 220,000 THB excludes any shipping or export.
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