Swift Decision. Review on Maruti Suzuki Swift

I booked a Silky Silver Swift Zxi on 19th October 2006 through Mandovi Motors with a promise by dealer delivery within 15 - 20 days. I’m eagerly waiting to lay my hands on my first car. The journey began with my decision to buy a car in 2005 and I almost decided on a Contessa as it was my childhood dream car .I grew up with ambassador at home and Conti was the next best thing on my mind. When I just wanted to realize my dream there was a lovely white petrol example in immaculate condition at 45k . God!!! it takes me just 45k to realise my childhood dream but do these dreams stand against the test of time.I would say yes and no in my case.

No as buying a Conti made me look like a cab driver so my childhood dream to own a contessa was crushed to bits before discarding the idea.

Yes as I can realise my dream of owning a car but it's simple and can be fulfilled by buying a diffrent one.

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The options on hand were not many and list goes as :

Used Mitsubishi Lancer

Used Honda City VTEC pre 2004 ( I love that shape )

Used Scorpio.

Used Bolero.

Used Tata Safari.

Or

New Baleno Vxi.

New Esteem.

New Indica Turbo.

Now I will explain first why used ones were ruled out. Even after lot of research in used market and stumbling on lucrative , tempting deals my wifey felt our first car has to be a new one so by simple logic and order of our lady of the house I dropped it. To top it all used car dealers are big time suckers and can dupe you to any extent. I'm going to write a seperate review on Bangalore's famed car bazzars and (mis)dealings of these maggots who eat, drink, sleep and live on lies.

Ahh the new ones .......

Baleno looked stunning and Vxi I didn’t mind shelling out another lakh for those alloys, auto temp control, spolier..but a completely revamped Baleno is making way into market and resale for old ones will head south.

Looking towards Esteem is wise as it is a sweet car and reliability unchallenged ,but long in the tooth as new designs are making way into market, so dropped it too.

Indica Diesel! What do I write about it's good engine, good fuel efficiency , space and pricing but gives you a kind of taxi cab feeling always ( my due apologies to Indica owners but I strongly felt it). Another feedback was the relaibilty issues. I wonder if they can make locomotives and big trucks so reliable and can carry our nation's requirements why can't a car to carry 5 passengars.

I never considered Santro or Getz as I have an aversion towards run of the mill Korean stuff.

So later we decided on a Swift as it looks good, it’s a Maruti so you have a wide service network and I felt this had some fire within which others in this class lacked. I enjoyed the test drive but some shortcomings were I felt Maruti should’ve added a digital clock , electrically adjustable rear view mirrors and oh yeah a sun roof as standard equipment. I don't fancy stereo as standard as it's almost known they use the base crap and leaves you in a situation of spending more. Standard stereo always reminds me of free popcorn given away in pubs complimentary with every pitcher of draught. Nor can you eat it or can you throw it at the awful looking girl at the next table accompanied by a couple of head banging clowns with running nose.

Test drive was pretty brief as I had driven Swift earlier but had to get a feel of Zxi. My initial impressions was different from rest as I didn’t expect much from a 5.8 lakh car nor did I crib about interiors as I plan to spend some more on leathers. Back to test drive, Swift is a bulky car externally but somewhat diffrent inside. You feel diffrent as the glass area is less. Seats are good in the front and rear is comfy. Driving position is also good but steering height adjustment is another needed feature in ZXi atleast. Storage is average in glove box but have lot of provisions for cups and rest elsewhere. Gear shift is fantastic and reminds you of sports cars/ Perfect gear gates and no slobby gear shifts anymore. The throw is minimal and less snatchy. Give the car some gas and wow this one moves fast. The driver has to catch up with responses of engine and quick enough to shift gears.

Engine is very responsive and peppy. Braking is sharp and steering needs minimal inputs to keep car moving where you intend it to. This reminds of good ole days Class B rally cars which were almost square in dimensions and stuck to roads during cornering. Full marks for Suzuki which came out with such a thougtful design and excellent handling. Luggage area is what pinches you a bit but I would again go the practical way of buying a three box if I intend to carry tons of luggage. I feel it's basically a question of needs .. you want more luggage area buy a saloon, want more space pay more and buy something else, but don't expect everything at 5.8 lakhs and mind you maruti is offering dual airbags , Auto temp control and ABS at this price where Chevy SRV at almost 8 lakhs can offer Airbags only for driver and manual AC.

I bought an aftermarket Pioneer MP3 with all four JBL GT speakers and feel they are enough to sing. I'm just waiting to get my hands on my babe and fix this stuff. As far as space is concerned I’m 182 cms and happy either way as a driver or as a passengar . If I want more space I will buy a Sumo.

Now got to see what Mandovi throws in as freebies. Any suggestions ?? Dudes any suggestions on accesories. Has anyone fixed 195 or 205 tyres on

stock alloys and what diffrence did it all make?

Who should buy Swift?

If you care good enough for styling married to good handling yes it's for you. Good ride comfort and excellent standard features but at a price.

Who shouldn't?

If you intend to carry huge luggage, want extreme space and expect good economy.( Hey TATA Spacio for you guys )

The questions which are hovering in my mind are what would be the average fuel consumption??. I have always concluded that a car with average of 12-13 kmpl in city and 15-17 highway would suffice. Will pen more as I get my babe. AAArrghh my arse itches as I can't wait anymore and been spending my time looking out of my office window to catch glances of silver swift at stop signals.. Hey wait a second I see a pretty dame in Silver Zxi signalling me to come .. or is that my wife.. I'm off more later.

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08-11-2006 - Got my babe today ( wife's b'day ).. just enjoying everybit of driving. No time to write gotto go and admire my babe..

19-11-2006 - Got genuine Italian leather seats too. ..Alas the price diffrence between genuine and Art leather is 1 :4 , Art leather or PU leather will cost you 5k and sure will boil your bums ,whereas genuine leather will cost you cool 20k worth every inch and soothes every inch of your leather.... I would strongly suggest this..Combo is Ice Grey and Black made to be in sync with black and silver doorpads, dash, vents, music system....hoo hoohoo hoo.