New Layout and a Test Drive: 2008 Suzuki Swift 1.5

As you can now see, I've finally learnt more about making this blog looking better than it was before. It has taken me a few months to actually decide on whether I should make such a change or not. Mainly as I was a little too preoccupied with other matters like raising a kid, drinking Earl Grey tea at home or going shopping with the missus. I think this new format does wonders to the outlook of this site and if I was a little less lazy, it would have been done sooner!

So aside from some Barisan National heads not deciding to take up ministerial posts, quitting their party leaderships and so forth, I managed to have a short test drive in the recenly locally assembled Suzuki Swift 1.5 hatchback. Those of you who have read my earlier posting on its more muscular sibling, the Swift Sport would note that I didn't like it very much simply on the fact that it wasn't as sporty as I'd expect; from the rubbery steering feel, to the rather tallish driving position as well as being slightly dangerous for those (I'd say a good 95%) Malaysians who have never driven a tail happy car. I suppose it was down to the 'SPORTS' monicker. When you put a word like 'SPORTS' or 'GT' (like the Lancer GT), you'd expect it to blow the roof off your heads or knock the living daylights out of you. However, I do not doubt that it would be a good car for me to own as firstly, I like small chuckable cars. Secondly, I am unlike 95% of the Malaysian population in which I can handle a slightly tail happy car and lastly, I like cars in White or Yellow.

Anyway, a family member was looking at a car to buy and being female, she obviously wanted a car that's easy to drive and added to that was the fact that it was time for her to try something that's not a Proton or a Perodua (or even a Kia). We (the wife and I) suggested the Swift in no time. So one sunday morning, we headed down to a few Suzuki dealers in the Klang Valley and compared prices, discounts and freebies. It was during that trip I managed to squeeze a short test drive of the Swift 1.5.

I have been in the 1.5 swift that was fully imported (CBU) when it was first launched and I must say that the ride in this newer CKD version feels sportier due to sportier suspension tuning and a crisper throttle response setup. In fact, it is so much sportier that it actually felt like driving the Swift Sport to an extent. To an extent is because it actually goes where you point it and was actually very nimble, predictable doing 120km/h downhill long sweeping corners with undulations (this was going downhill from Bangsar Shopping Centre to the McDonalds along Jalan Maarof, Bangsar). Never did it sway uncontrollably at any time whatsoever in that short run. It differs from the Sport in that the tail isn't as happy to pop out. But it hardly matters as the car is short and small. It is already in the corner that you want it to be. This Swift is one of the most chuckable new cars on the market that you can get. I'd say that the Perodua Myvi is light years behind chassis dynamics compared to the Swift. Note that in Japan, the Daihatsu Sirion, Honda Jazz are direct competitors to the Swift. The Jazz is a good car, but is already old and creaks. The new model is already out in Japan anyway.

The ride is somewhat typical of a car with a beam type rear suspension in which certain potholes would make the car jiggle a little over them. But this are minor niggles as what you would and should expect in a supermini or a small car nowadays. If you'd check, there are no reasonably priced small family cars running multi link rear suspension systems aside from Proton. But technology has come a long way. It is more that acceptable and the engineers are more than able to make such a car handle. The Swift is one car that is a good example.

The CKD Swift comes in a hatchback body with 4 doors, 4 speed auto tranny (with a nice J gated style for those who wish to shift sportily), 15 inch wheels, and a very well defined and put together interior. I have sat in the Swift Sport (which has better seats) and the CBU Swift and the panel fittings were good in the CKD version. The test car had a low 2850km on the clock and there were no rattles when I took the car over various speedbumps and potholes around town. The brakes are pretty good, discs in front and drums at the rear with no early lockup from the ABS system. Feel is pretty good also.

Rear space isn't premium, but is acceptable even for longer trips. Acceleration is pretty decent (with good throttle response - On par with the Sport) and surprisingly, according to the sales staff that entertained me isn't that much slower than the Automatic version of the Swift Sport 1.6. He added that a few of their customers actually bought the cheaper basic Swift over the Sport due to this fact (either the statement is true or he was trying to sell us the car). I have to say that the 102bhp 1.5 engine can really be wrung out and the transmission loss suffered from the 125bhp 1.6 (and added weight penalty from the Sport of about 20-30kgs somewhat negate any loss of acceleration. Amazing. Why bother buying an Auto Sport over this 1.5 then?

I think the main problem whe I tested the Sport was that I was expecting it to run circles round most hot hatches. That 'SPORT' monicker basically put the car on a pedestal and when it performed quite decent, it still wasn't great as I would have expected. Sometimes, having a normal '1.5' badge made the CKD Swift seem Sportier than its own good. I suppose when you test a car without any preconcieved notion of how its supposed to drive makes the experience better than otherwise. As such, the Suzuki Swift 1.5 is a great RM70,000 car to get. If you're looking for a supermini that handles well and is decently priced, there is no other car you should get.

Competitors at this price:

1. The newly Facelifted GEN2 - 125bhp engine, new front end, no torque dip, new dashboard but it has the same stupid and ridiculous driving position - AVOID like the plague.
2. The Dugong - Toyota Vios - Its new, but its also dull. You will have 60,000 people drivng the same car after 4-5 years. You are dull, boring and you are waiting to upgrade to an MPV and then die.
3. The Tadpole - Its a Honda City. It sucks, big time. If it were Salem, Massecuhettes during the witch hunt, I'd proclaim it as Satan's work and have it burnt at the stake.
   
4. The Naza 205 Bestari - great looking Peugeot, but crap plastics. I once touched the door handle to open the door. Felt like it will break to bits - It won't, but budget French cars have tacky plastics that will make you worry unnecessarily.
5. Proton Waja - why would you want to drive the Malaysian 'Uncle Car'? It needs a new front end as the new front end of the facelifted car looks even more outdated than the pre-facelift version. It may drive decenly well, but it too has a bad driving position. Avoid.
6. Proton Persona - Yes! But it's cheaper, looks good and is superb value for money, and may be in production as long as the Wira (1,295 years or so). You will not be out of date in 2020 when you still drive your 2008 model, but don't you think you have too many friends that you don't know who made the same choice as you have? Think about it, it is like the Dugong, but with even more of those around.
7. Some other cars at RM70,000. But I can't think of any more right now.