General Panda Withdrawal
- Thread starter Punto MC
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General Panda Withdrawal
Yes, I'm going to have to remember to re-adjust quickly when back in the Panda tomorrow!
It's not bad at all to drive, the Note...but...
It's one of those cars that is a great 'car'.....i.e - drives well enough, goes well enough, LOTS of space inside, well equipped, even looks OK for what it is....
BUT..
Where's the 'I want one' factor?
Sorry....it's not got it!
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I test drove a facelift Suzuki Swift Sport yesterday afternoon.
The dealer was very friendly, open without pressurising to buy the car at all and we went straight for a test drive (as opposed to other dealers who want to make a "deal" on your car before allowing you a test drive), I really liked his attitude.
We drove for quite sometime and he asked me to push it on a roundabout.
My impressions?
I'll start with the positive.
The seats have excellent lateral support (the Panda's seats are armchairs in comparison and I float in them), the steering has better feel as do the brakes.
Engine and acceleration?
The same as the Panda, in fact the Panda seems a little faster because it is more willing to rev and does so more freely; I guess the Panda's smaller engine capacity is the reason for this. The Swift's engine could be tight due to only having 5k miles.
The Swift's suspension is more comfortable and not as jiggly as the Panda's, it also absorbs pot holes better and doesn't crash over them.
The higher profile of the Swift's tyres (195/45/17) surely helps in this.
The handling of the Swift is more adjustable when lifting off something which I miss and reminded me of the 205. I find the Panda terribly neutral and you have to drive it like a hooligan to make it turn on all fours.
The negatives?
The Swift is much wider than the Panda and on a narrow B-road I find it easier to drive the Panda fast; also the Panda can wedge anywhere either on the move between traffic or stationary.
As a whole I liked th Swift but is it worth x2.4 times the value of the Panda? Personally no.
The mk1 is the better value for money but it doesn't suit my needs.
With a few improvements the Panda can become equally good (they feel very similar when driving them), it needs a seat with better lateral support, swap to the master cylinder from a 2008 model and 195/50/15 tyres.
As an everyday car the Swift is the better car as it is more comfortable, has cruise control, xenons and better seats.
The dealer has offered me the car for half a day to get a better idea, very nice of him so I am thinking of taking up his offer!
The dealer was very friendly, open without pressurising to buy the car at all and we went straight for a test drive (as opposed to other dealers who want to make a "deal" on your car before allowing you a test drive), I really liked his attitude.
We drove for quite sometime and he asked me to push it on a roundabout.
My impressions?
I'll start with the positive.
The seats have excellent lateral support (the Panda's seats are armchairs in comparison and I float in them), the steering has better feel as do the brakes.
Engine and acceleration?
The same as the Panda, in fact the Panda seems a little faster because it is more willing to rev and does so more freely; I guess the Panda's smaller engine capacity is the reason for this. The Swift's engine could be tight due to only having 5k miles.
The Swift's suspension is more comfortable and not as jiggly as the Panda's, it also absorbs pot holes better and doesn't crash over them.
The higher profile of the Swift's tyres (195/45/17) surely helps in this.
The handling of the Swift is more adjustable when lifting off something which I miss and reminded me of the 205. I find the Panda terribly neutral and you have to drive it like a hooligan to make it turn on all fours.
The negatives?
The Swift is much wider than the Panda and on a narrow B-road I find it easier to drive the Panda fast; also the Panda can wedge anywhere either on the move between traffic or stationary.
As a whole I liked th Swift but is it worth x2.4 times the value of the Panda? Personally no.
The mk1 is the better value for money but it doesn't suit my needs.
With a few improvements the Panda can become equally good (they feel very similar when driving them), it needs a seat with better lateral support, swap to the master cylinder from a 2008 model and 195/50/15 tyres.
As an everyday car the Swift is the better car as it is more comfortable, has cruise control, xenons and better seats.
The dealer has offered me the car for half a day to get a better idea, very nice of him so I am thinking of taking up his offer!
Good review. But, as you say, what would a new Swift give you? Or any new car? Marginal gains.
But it's not why folks buy new cars I guess. Logic goes out the window.
Got the Panda back today....happppeeeeyyyyyy 
I expected it to feel really lacking in torque and maybe refinement after the Note.
It just doesn't.
I remain impressed with this engine. It's really quite flexible for a 16v, pulling well from low revs.
Having not driven the Panda at all for 6 days (I know, not long, but feels longer!), the main things that strike me:
* The seat is too high. I got used to this..but coming from another car..it just is. It could easily go down another 6 inches, maybe more (I know it can't unless you bodge it / change seats.)
I am tall though.
* The steering weight is a little too artificial. In non sport it's way too light..and in Sport, it's better but quite 'false' (again, I knew this, but I got used to it)
* As mentioned, the engine pulls well and is nice and smooth and quiet after the diesel.
* The car picks up every imperfection on the road
* The thing just doesn't roll on a bend!
* The car is still awesome. Character!
* I still love the way it looks.
Great review on the Mk2 Swift Sport from fpan!
I actually had a good drive of a MK1 Swift Sport before I got the Panda. I wasn't ever really considering one as I'd always had more of a 'thing' for the Panda but I have to say...it was great.
It....*whisper it*....to me...had better overall ride, handing and gearchange combination than the Panda. There... I said it. It really did have a really well sorted feel PLUS kinda lively back end that fpan mentioned.
I do like they way the MK1 looked (probably more than the MK2 IMO)
I liked the seats, as mentioned. Also the general Japanesey interior. I had a kind of 'Type R lite' feel to it which appealed to me.
However - it wasn't all great -
The steering was not very good, quite vague, to me, even compared to the Panda.
The car didn't feel like it had 25bhp more. Yes...it was a little faster...but not enough to make you feel like it was appreciably more so / or worth the slightly higher running costs.
As mentioned by many reviews, I feel it needed a 6th gear to aid with cruising / mpg / refinement.
Not available in 5dr.
That's just one of the reasons I went for the Panda, the 5dr factor was definitely a pull for me as we have a kid, etc - but also...it's just a cool little car with a great character, well equipped too.
Saying that though...if a 5dr SSS was available...I might have had a closer look. They really do handle really well.
I even rate the normal 1.3 Swifts having driven a couple of them. Nippy and fun.
However...the Panda is still that bit more unusual / special IMO.
So....for me...Panda is the better car.
I can understand the appeal of the Swifts though....great little cars.
I expected it to feel really lacking in torque and maybe refinement after the Note.
It just doesn't.
I remain impressed with this engine. It's really quite flexible for a 16v, pulling well from low revs.
Having not driven the Panda at all for 6 days (I know, not long, but feels longer!), the main things that strike me:
* The seat is too high. I got used to this..but coming from another car..it just is. It could easily go down another 6 inches, maybe more (I know it can't unless you bodge it / change seats.)
I am tall though.
* The steering weight is a little too artificial. In non sport it's way too light..and in Sport, it's better but quite 'false' (again, I knew this, but I got used to it)
* As mentioned, the engine pulls well and is nice and smooth and quiet after the diesel.
* The car picks up every imperfection on the road
* The thing just doesn't roll on a bend!
* The car is still awesome. Character!
* I still love the way it looks.
Great review on the Mk2 Swift Sport from fpan!
I actually had a good drive of a MK1 Swift Sport before I got the Panda. I wasn't ever really considering one as I'd always had more of a 'thing' for the Panda but I have to say...it was great.
It....*whisper it*....to me...had better overall ride, handing and gearchange combination than the Panda. There... I said it. It really did have a really well sorted feel PLUS kinda lively back end that fpan mentioned.
I do like they way the MK1 looked (probably more than the MK2 IMO)
I liked the seats, as mentioned. Also the general Japanesey interior. I had a kind of 'Type R lite' feel to it which appealed to me.
However - it wasn't all great -
The steering was not very good, quite vague, to me, even compared to the Panda.
The car didn't feel like it had 25bhp more. Yes...it was a little faster...but not enough to make you feel like it was appreciably more so / or worth the slightly higher running costs.
As mentioned by many reviews, I feel it needed a 6th gear to aid with cruising / mpg / refinement.
Not available in 5dr.
That's just one of the reasons I went for the Panda, the 5dr factor was definitely a pull for me as we have a kid, etc - but also...it's just a cool little car with a great character, well equipped too.
Saying that though...if a 5dr SSS was available...I might have had a closer look. They really do handle really well.
I even rate the normal 1.3 Swifts having driven a couple of them. Nippy and fun.
However...the Panda is still that bit more unusual / special IMO.
So....for me...Panda is the better car.
I can understand the appeal of the Swifts though....great little cars.
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Punto MC, the mk2 comes with 5-doors.
I prefer the looks of mk1 too and I need to drive one but it just doesn't suit my needs (5 gears only and uses 98RON, the mk2 uses 95RON).
I am off for an extended drive with the mk2 now
I prefer the looks of mk1 too and I need to drive one but it just doesn't suit my needs (5 gears only and uses 98RON, the mk2 uses 95RON).
I am off for an extended drive with the mk2 now
Punto MC, the mk2 comes with 5-doors.
I prefer the looks of mk1 too and I need to drive one but it just doesn't suit my needs (5 gears only and uses 98RON, the mk2 uses 95RON).
I am off for an extended drive with the mk2 now
Yes, the 98 RON thing too,forgot about that.
MK2 5dr...yes indeed. Sadly I don't have the funds to allow a newer vehicle. I also don't think the styling is quite as good as the MK1..but it's probably a 'better' car than the MK1 in many respects.
Enjoy the drive....let us know your thoughts.....
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The 3h test drive at Cotswolds yesterday was well worth it, I came back grinning like an idiot
I've had the chance to "live" with the car forming a different and more integrated opinion than previously.
The car is considerably faster than the Panda and pulls better from low down as well as higher rpm.
After 4,250/4,500 rpm when the timing of the valves changes it goes really well.
During the first 5 minutes of the test drive and every time I tried to change gear my hand waved on the air since I've been used to the gear level being next to the steering wheel.
In the Swift the gear lever sits quite low but you get used to this after a while.
Another disadvantage of the Swift is that the back of the seat doesn't have continuous adjustment like the Panda's but tiered adjustment so I couldn't find a perfect position for the back.
The steerig has both reach and rake adjustment though which is good.
Relaxed ride in the beginning and break for lunch with the missus, not knowing the area at all I searched in the tinternet for interesting driver's roads and continued.
At a roundabout where I wanted to go straight and have a little play, I entered enthusiastically and the car started to understeer, I backed off the throttle and then noticed that on the exit I wanted to take cars were stopped queing at a temporary traffic light.
No drama, I braked hard and the rear end opened its trajectory a little but very progressively without worrying me. The initial understeer caught me out more.
Later on after managing to pass a few snails, a series of open bends and straights followed and I really enjoyed driving. A Scirocco that tried to follow soon disappeared from the rear view mirror
On bumpy roads after getting into a rythm, the car flows in them without floating or crashing over bumps; the Suzuki engineers have done a fantastic job in fine tuning the damping.
At a particular 90 degree bend, I braked hard then upon lifting off started to turn and upon seeing the exit accelerated; it felt as if the car had 4-wheel steering and the rear end moved helping me to turn, fantastic feel like driving a RWD car!
The SS is a great car and very reliable, Suzuki has used tried and tested technologies and nothing new and fancyful that could lead to problems.
Do I like it? Yes. Do I need it at this moment in time or can I justify the cost? Unfortunately not
I am still undecisive about what to do though:
- Do I keep the Panda as it is for another year at least since it's had what needed doing (if I sell it now the new owner will be getting a bargain) and wait for 2nd hand SS prices to drop futher?
- Do I keep it and buy a set of aftermarket wheels or repair my buckled one (repairing a buckled wheel isn't cheap and doesn't last long though, next time you fall in a pot hole it will very likely buckle again) and/or fit a reclining bucket and keep it as above for a year or two, when it comes to sell , I put it back to standard and sell the aftermarket stuff separately?
- Do I get a small loan and change it now for a SS?
Argh, decisions decisions....
P.S. Does anyone have a spare straight OEM wheel they want to sell?
I've had the chance to "live" with the car forming a different and more integrated opinion than previously.
The car is considerably faster than the Panda and pulls better from low down as well as higher rpm.
After 4,250/4,500 rpm when the timing of the valves changes it goes really well.
During the first 5 minutes of the test drive and every time I tried to change gear my hand waved on the air since I've been used to the gear level being next to the steering wheel.
In the Swift the gear lever sits quite low but you get used to this after a while.
Another disadvantage of the Swift is that the back of the seat doesn't have continuous adjustment like the Panda's but tiered adjustment so I couldn't find a perfect position for the back.
The steerig has both reach and rake adjustment though which is good.
Relaxed ride in the beginning and break for lunch with the missus, not knowing the area at all I searched in the tinternet for interesting driver's roads and continued.
At a roundabout where I wanted to go straight and have a little play, I entered enthusiastically and the car started to understeer, I backed off the throttle and then noticed that on the exit I wanted to take cars were stopped queing at a temporary traffic light.
No drama, I braked hard and the rear end opened its trajectory a little but very progressively without worrying me. The initial understeer caught me out more.
Later on after managing to pass a few snails, a series of open bends and straights followed and I really enjoyed driving. A Scirocco that tried to follow soon disappeared from the rear view mirror
On bumpy roads after getting into a rythm, the car flows in them without floating or crashing over bumps; the Suzuki engineers have done a fantastic job in fine tuning the damping.
At a particular 90 degree bend, I braked hard then upon lifting off started to turn and upon seeing the exit accelerated; it felt as if the car had 4-wheel steering and the rear end moved helping me to turn, fantastic feel like driving a RWD car!
The SS is a great car and very reliable, Suzuki has used tried and tested technologies and nothing new and fancyful that could lead to problems.
Do I like it? Yes. Do I need it at this moment in time or can I justify the cost? Unfortunately not
I am still undecisive about what to do though:
- Do I keep the Panda as it is for another year at least since it's had what needed doing (if I sell it now the new owner will be getting a bargain) and wait for 2nd hand SS prices to drop futher?
- Do I keep it and buy a set of aftermarket wheels or repair my buckled one (repairing a buckled wheel isn't cheap and doesn't last long though, next time you fall in a pot hole it will very likely buckle again) and/or fit a reclining bucket and keep it as above for a year or two, when it comes to sell , I put it back to standard and sell the aftermarket stuff separately?
- Do I get a small loan and change it now for a SS?
Argh, decisions decisions....
P.S. Does anyone have a spare straight OEM wheel they want to sell?
Last edited:
Could be worse... I've just done 1500km over a week in Ireland in a brand new rental Qashqai.... very very good at motorway mile munching but about as much personality as a washing machine, I've also poked around a few swift sports and I like them and it'll certainly be on my list when it comes time to replace the panda.... although I have a feeling it might be a bit like trying to sell one of my children and end up not happening.
