Suzuki
10 February 2012
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2009 Suzuki Swift reviews
Suzuki Swift reviews by year of make: 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Read all reviews
John Manning, Worcestershire
Suzuki Swift 2009
If you are thinking of buying one, do yourself a favour and don’t. What a load of undiluted rubbish! I have owned about 20 cars, everything, a 1926 Morgan, 1937 Morris, 1963 Bubble car, 1971 v8 Rover and a 1980 Transit to name but a few. I have never had any problems getting a car into first gear until I acquired the Swift. You pull up to a road junction, put it into first gear, go to pull away only to find out it’s in third gear. If there are any cars coming towards you when the engine falters... This car is dangerous! Then on other occasions you will try for maybe a minute before you find first gear. The gear box is perfect, the problem is the selector. Then there is reverse, absolutely perfect for the first 18 months, then all of a sudden it would not go into reverse no matter what I did. This lasted for 4 months, then one day it was ok. Basically it’s a good car with an absolutely third world gearbox. Anyway you have been warned. Regarding the previous review regarding the burning smell: This is when your car has accidently gone into third gear and the clutch is slipping when your trying to pull away in third gear. It’s happened to me.
Submitted: 06/02/2012 19:06:08
Trudi Tokarczyk, Scotland
Suzuki Swift Attitude 2009
I bought this car in November 2009, with 3000 miles and only one previous owner. Now I know why it had been returned after 3000 miles as I have had more issues and faults with this one car than my previous 3 cars combined. I very quickly noticed a problem with the gear change - it was very difficult to get in to first gear or reverse and there was a horrid burning smell. Initially I thought maybe I just needed to get used to the new gear change but the problem persisted. So when I put it in for its first service in september 2010 I mentioned the problems and they replaced the gearstick and selectors. After a few weeks I again noticed the same problems with the gears sticking, and being very difficult to select gears. However, the problems were not as persistent and so I left it wondering if it again was my problem not selecting the gears correctly. When my car went in for service at 25000 miles I again mentioned the gear issues but nothing was done. Then several weeks ago 26000, I noticed a high pitched whining noise from the engine. I could hear this over the music in my car. It appeared to happen when in first, 2nd and 3rd gear like the engine was over-revving or not even in gear at all. Then yesterday I noticed in first gear when I lifted my foot from the clutch the gear stick moved back. Today on my way to work this progressed to 2nd gear. Then when I was driving the car popped out of 2nd gear altogether. So, I took my car to the Phoenix dealership on my lunch break. They told me that the gearbox has to come out to locate the problem. So here I am... would I recommend a Swift? I really don’t know. It’s a great looking wee car but its just not been reliable. And I haven’t even mentioned the issues with the alloys wheels....
Submitted: 01/06/2011 09:19:29
Steve Rowson, Berkshire
Suzuki Swift 1.3 SZL Petrol 2009
What I like: It handles well and, if you push it, it can be quite nippy. Build quality is generally good. Odd rattle from driver’s door - seems to come and go. Rides like a bigger car on the motorway - at motorway speeds it glides along, is pretty quiet and eats up the miles. I am happy to do long journeys in it (this is my first small car for quite a long time). What I don’t like: The clutch. I have been driving for 40 years and have driven everything you can think of. I cannot get used to the clutch. On a couple of occasions I have been on a hill and, as you engage the clutch/depress the accelerator/release the handbrake ... there has been an almighty ’thunk’ from the transmission and the engine has stalled. To be fair, one year on, I am getting a bit more used to it - but the operation of the clutch is one of the most important factors in whether you enjoy driving a car. Over a 100 years of making cars - you’d think all manufacturers would get this right by now. The other thing I am a bit disappointed in is the fuel consumption. I deliberately down-sized as petrol is now so expensive and was expecting (with my very careful driving style) to get 47 mpg. No matter how carefully I drive (sometimes as if I am on the Mobil economy run) I can’t get better than 41 mpg out of it. Conclusion: On the whole I like the car. If you take into account the fact they are pretty cheap, the car is well made and, so far, completely reliable. I read someone’s review who said it was useless in snow. Well, obviously, any 2 wheel drive car is not going to be great in snow, but in the recent snow we’ve had, I’ve not had any problems with it. If you drive sensibly - start in 2nd gear and keep the revs down - you won’t have any problems. My wife had a Yaris about 10 years ago and, when we were thinking about the Swift, I was favouring getting another Yaris. But the equivalent model was at least 2 grand more and, from what I read these days, Toyota’s legendary build quality is not what it was. Would I buy another Swift? Maybe - depends what else is around at the time.
Submitted: 16/01/2011 13:22:21
G Shorrock, Cheshire
Suzuki Swift SZ4 2009
I was given a ’10’ reg one of these with 1 mile on the clock for a day when I took my Mitsubishi Lancer in for a service, as it is a joint dealership with Suzuki. The looks are a bit of an acquired taste but the basics of what you want in a car: handling; performance (especially for a 1.3 litre engine); economy; interior layout etc., were all good, to very good. Being used to a low slung Lancer Sport it did feel a bit like you were sitting in a 4x4, but high sided vehicles are the modern trend and a good chassis and excellent visibility made some amends. My mother owned the previous generation Swift and it was totally reliable, as are most Suzukis. If I wanted a nippy, fun supermini that got virtually all the important things right I’d consider one of these.
Submitted: 03/03/2010 09:30:59
Eric, Hampshire
Suzuki Swift 1.3 2009
Very happy with my Swift 1.3. No problems what so ever. It just runs. Very well built and cleverly designed for such a small car.
Submitted: 07/12/2009 22:30:06
Brian Heal, Somerset
Suzuki Swift 2009
Is anyone else having problems with the clutch on the Swift 1300? I find it is not biting until the last minute especially on a slope - so stalling. Have been back to the garage but was informed it is a ’ hydraulic clutch ’ and needs getting used to. Apart from that a great little car!
Submitted: 13/07/2009 09:57:52
Jobi Joseph, Suffolk
Suzuki Swift 2009
I bought my first Suzuki swift in 2006 (Diesel). It was such a fantastic car with good driving experience. Did any one drive this car under 3 years time up to 100000 miles? I did. When I was selling the car it was already completed 98000miles. What is the next car I bought? No question - another Swift 1.3 diesel. Why? I can trust this car to take from Cambridge to Aberdeen just taking a single break. No back ache no other problems. Apart from normal oil changing and oil filter changing I paid one time changing my wiper. That is the extra I spent for my car. I never had any problem with this car even though I drive in different climate conditions all over the country. The new auto volume controlled CD player supporting Mp3 and leather steering with additional place for hide to keep luggage in the luggage area and after all a very silent car made my choice second time also brilliant. Within 3 months I completed 11000+ miles. I would say It is a nice small car but good also for journeys like Cambridge to Aberdeen.
Submitted: 30/06/2009 10:31:39
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