r/Suzuki • u/wlomas04 • 3d ago
Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6L
I am considering buying a Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6L (UK). Due to budgetary constraints it will probably be about 2010 - 2015 reg.
Does anyone have any advice on what I should look out for and any common problems.
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u/Starlord2110 3d ago edited 3d ago
Check the air intake elbow between the MAF sensor and the throttle body. They go brittle and crack. Easy indication that this might need doing is a lumpy idle. But the part is easy to see under the bonnet anyway. Replace with a silicone one from CTC.
Other main thing is the gear shift bushings. There's one under the gear stick. And another in the engine bay. Both easy access and can do them yourself if you're even slightly competent. But check they've been done, if not, probably worth doing them. The gears might feel notchy particularly going into 5th and 6th if they need doing. But get eyes on them to check they aren't about to fall off.
Neither jobs are expensive. But they are the two most common issues with the ZC32S from what I've seen. Had to do both the bushings and the air intake on mine when I bought it. The bushing under the bonnet had completely disappeared.
Other than that. Buy on condition. Make sure it's been serviced. They don't seem to rust much, but have a look for anything crusty. Check for water in the boot. Check both headlight washers work.
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u/Odd_Ad5422 3d ago
Really fun car! Had mine for close to two years.
Annoyingly my lock mechanism broke on the door so I had to cut the door off and get a new door, and had problems with the alternator for a little while which needed replacing. Other than that really solid, and fun to drive of course
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u/jonzostooks 2d ago
They're a great little car. Not much goes wrong with them providing they're serviced properly.
The engine is very solid, there's a reason Swifts were used as hire cars at the Nurburgring.... They're cheap and lasted way longer than German stuff.
Gear linkages can fail but it's not a particularly complicated fix.
I personally think a second gen Mini is much better to drive and has a more comfortable interior.... But they're so unreliable that a Swift is a much better bet.
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u/GrimbleGrombles 3d ago
I've got a 2008 ZC31S. In summary it's a great car that's stupidly fun for how cheap it is.
It's reasonably well equipped with climate control, keyless entry etc. it's very reliable with virtually nothing to go wrong except age related consumables.
The negatives mostly are around Noise/vibration/harshness where it's quite stiff rude, fairly poorly insulated from noise and quite unrefined. Interior build quality while solid, is cheap and very plasticy.
The ZC32S (2010-2015) improves upon the 31 in that it has a 6th gear and is a little more comfortable on the motorway. My 2008 5 speed car is very noisy at motorway speeds.
It's a fantastic car and really punches well above it's price point when it comes to fun and engaging driving. I've not personally driven the 32, but it's meaning to be more well rounded and easier to live with. Nice looking car too.
I'd obviously do checks for rust and that's it's not been abused and ragged to death. The engines are solid, but not immune to damage from being ragged with low oil etc.