1993 Suzuki Swift GT from North America - Comments

Transmission replaced.

Ball joint replaced.

Exhaust broke in the middle (easy weld fix)

Alternator replaced.

This car is a poor man's sports car.

The steering effort is heavy, the clutch is heavy the brakes are minimally power assisted and the shifter gate leaves no question as to which gear it is in.

I recently test drove a 2005 chevy aveo (suzuki swift +, pontiac wave). My car is 12 years older and I wouldn't trade if you paid me. I've driven expensive sports cars like a Porsche 911 carrerra 4, a 944 cabriolet, a dodge stealth R/T twin turbo, an audi S4, and the list goes on. I would say that the driving feel and handling of my 93 swift GT is closer to those cars than it is to any car in its class even 12 years later. It is obviously not nearly as fast. The engine is very small, but its redline is set at a fairly high 7500 rpm. Above 4500 rpm, the engine pulls very hard in first gear and better than you'd expect on the highway in 3rd. When you drive you feel like you are connected to the road. The driver's position is fairly low in the cockpit, near the road. The lack of power steering is a plus on such a light car. The car will let you know when you are on the edge of its limits with a hint of understeer that is predictable and gives the driver confidence near these limits.

The interior of the car is crap. That said, the aspects important to driving feel are very good. The steering wheel is thick and the shifter has a quality feel to it. You should not buy this car to be wrapped in luxury although the seats do wrap around you nicely for good lateral support.

The biggest thing that went wrong with this car was the transmission. But that's just my luck as all other reviews I've read have touted the drivetrain as being bulletproof. The car has been reliable. The only times it wouldn't start for me were when the alternator was starting to go. Maintenance is inexpensive, but some parts can be hard to find. If you keep up with regular maintenance, the car should run fine.

Basically, if you are looking for a car in the swift's price range and you are lucky enough to happen on one for sale, buy it. Nearly any other car in this price range will bore you to death of fall apart. Or be a civic in worse shape with more km's, and everyone's got a civic.

Nice review.

I always loved this car.

Found it cute, did a lot of research and only noticed good things about the GT.

Also, everyone who owns one will say it's a bullet...

(can be a death trap if you are REALLY Unlucky)

Sadly, but not unfortunately, my first car was a 1992 civic hatchback... and that is also one of the most amazing bulletproof first cars on the market.

I am now 5 cars after my first... we must move up in life, not down... so I don't think I will end up having my fun with it... also its getting old and no longer see much of them on the road anymore.