Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 10:49

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Paul Cliff

After looking around for a hot/ warm hatch that I plan to replace my current Toyota Yaris with next year. I find myself back to square one. I have test driven a 2016 Fiesta ST, VW Polo GTI and Renault Clio RS and find that although each one is very quick, they didn’t put a smile on my face like the Suzuki Swift Sport did, that until I drive a Toyota GT86 last week.

My current car loves to rev and although these new turbo car are quick and efficient, they just sound synthetic and not the sound of an engine roaring through the gears, so that’s it then either a Suzuki Swift Sport or Toyota GT86 depending on what money I have left.

Any thoughts?

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 11:17

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - badbusdriver

Budget?

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 13:53

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Paul Cliff

Well this did start from being a mid-life crisis car, but after really looking into it I still need more than two seats and not costing the earth to run.

Also I’ mainly use it for commuting 30 miles a day.

My budget is £15k Max.

Also I am 6ft4 was one cars I can’t fit into, I already have a CRV which my wife drives so I still want s small car.

Having driven a few turbos, and natural aspirated cars I definitely prefer the non-turbo.

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 14:48

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Engineer Andy

Honda Civic Type R? Probably not the most comfortable ride though, but has a decent amount of space and is ultra reliable if well cared for.

Whilst you aren't keen on turbo charged engines, I'd still consider one, such as the Seat Leon SC FR (the nice looking, slightly smaller 3dr version - similar in look/size to the 'original Civic Type R from the early 2000s) or equivalent Golf 3dr GT, both with the 1.4 ACT 150 engine (the latest 1.5 150 replacement is developing a reputation for being a bit rough according to HJ himself).

Both very good looking, go very well and appear to have the least amount of issues of the VAG lineup. The SEAT is the better value by some margin, though I prefer the interior of the Golf (with the piano black dash finish). Also very economical for a petrol - you should average between 40mpg in town and 50 on longer runs, maybe more with a light foot. 0-60 in about 8 sec. Hotter 1.8 and 2.0 Cupra/GTi versions available if they aren't 'hot enough' for you, though those are more hardcore and (for your budget) are older tech engines if I remember correctly. The 1.4 TSi ACT 150 is the one I'd go for. Nice in red, silver or black.

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 13:09

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Manatee

I know exactly what you mean.

In any rational terms and for ease of driving, turbos win; they can provide power and performance in the lower rev range where the car spends all or most of its time.

But how much more enjoyable a free revving unboosted engine is, even a lowish-powered one.

A good one has sufficient torque to be flexible, yet needs an engaged competent driver to produce most of its potential power, either to keep up with vicars and old ladies (stereotype alert) abstractedly departing the lights like scalded cats in their ecoboosted Fiestas, or just to get up a hill.

Driven casually, my wife's 1.2TSI Popemobile (Roomster) is definitely quicker off the mark than our MX-5; but there's no doubt which I prefer to drive (except of course when transporting Popes, people, shopping, luggage, garden rubbish...)

In fact both our turbo cars are automatic - an ideal application for a turbocharged engine.

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 13:36

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - badbusdriver

As riduclous as this may sound, a Honda Jazz may be worth investigating, especially if one of the recent 1.5 versions was in budget. We have a 1.3EX CVT auto and giving it a good thrashing is highly amusing, especially as most other road users do not expect one to be driven with vigour, nor indeed expect it to be as sprightly and responsive as it is. And no, that is not a typo, i did say CVT auto!. It does have a split personality though, be gentle with the throttle and it will pootle along smoothly with no real enthusiasm, but push the throttle right down and it will shake off it's OAP stereotype as the engine really does love to rev. It will also corner very quickly indeed, somewhat at odds with its tallish but narrow proportions. So i'd be quite interested in trying the 1.5 with its extra 28bhp.

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 13:51

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - madf

As riduclous as this may sound, a Honda Jazz may be worth investigating, especially if one of the recent 1.5 versions was in budget. We have a 1.3EX CVT auto and giving it a good thrashing is highly amusing, especially as most other road users do not expect one to be driven with vigour, nor indeed expect it to be as sprightly and responsive as it is. And no, that is not a typo, i did say CVT auto!. It does have a split personality though, be gentle with the throttle and it will pootle along smoothly with no real enthusiasm, but push the throttle right down and it will shake off it's OAP stereotype as the engine really does love to rev. It will also corner very quickly indeed, somewhat at odds with its tallish but narrow proportions. So i'd be quite interested in trying the 1.5 with its extra 28bhp.

I have a Mark 2 Jazz CVT and like you enjoy thrashing it occasionally. Most drivers appear that balding OAPs drive at 25mph in a 40 limit...!

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 13:56

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Ethan Edwards

If I understand the OP he doesn't want a Turbo because the sound is a bit too muted?

I understand where he's coming from I have that exact same 1.4t engine in my Vitara S, but tbh that's not an issue at all for me. I like it as is.

I also have a new Swift (SZ5) that's the model below ..three cylinder 1 litre turbo. And that's a different kettle of fish. It does have a soundtrack when you drive it a bit enthusiastically. So not as quick but not far off. Maybe the OP needs to test drive one.

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 14:05

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Manatee

If I understand the OP he doesn't want a Turbo because the sound is a bit too muted?

Perhaps I don't know what he means then!

Turbos are naturally quieter because the exhaust has to go round the turbine before it can get to the silencer, and the induction is further muffled by the presence of the compressor and intercooler. But I would be very happy for the MX-5 to be quieter; I don't understand the people who discard the standard silencer in favour of a noisier one.

But I wouldn't swap the MX-5 for a Fiat 124 Spider even though I like the looks. The 1.4 turbo engine is just wrong. Maybe when I'm even older, and it's an automatic...

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 15:14

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Paul Cliff

I guess I prefer the drive of a non-turbo, I used to have a 1.0 EcoBoost Ford B-max which supposed to be efficient, but the most I ever got out of it was 32mpg with a full load.

These turbo engines aren’t very efficient in a big car cos u put more people in a big car and to get the car to move anywhere you have to put your foot down and there goes all your fuel.

My current Yaris has a NA 1.3 engine in it, if I drive economically I can get 46mpg+, if I drive like a nutter I get 40mpg. I currently get 43mpg....

These turbo engines may be quicker but they want you to put your foot down and hence more trips to the petrol station.

It’s a shame that NA engines are dying out.... cos they are so much more fun....

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 15:16

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}

My BIL has owned a Renaultsport Clio 182 from new. 2l non turbo and astonishingly quick and chuckable. But currently an endless rolling repair of the worn out bits (apart from engine and gearbox). He decided not to change it and accept the costs as he loves the car. The newer turbo Clio is a different can of worms.

Edited by Glaikit Wee Scunner {P} on 02/11/2018 at 15:17

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Fri 2 Nov 2018 15:33

Suzuki Swift Sport - I don’t want a Turbo - Paul Cliff

I always had a soft spot for the Renault Clio RS, but the new one is awful and such a clunky auto box. I can pick up a 2010 one for £8k with 30k miles on the clock, it still has the 2.0 NA engine, but I have never had my head and hands under the bonnet so those bills may get expensive as I’d rather get someone else to do it.

Most of my cars have never been more than 3 years old.

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