Suzuki Swift : Used Car Super Star

 You may be interested in this article if...

1. You are an environmental do-gooder that doesn't have $38 000 to spend on a Nissan Leaf
2. You want to prove to your neighbours that practicality doesn't have to be spelt "S-U-V" or cost over $3000.
3. You are a first time buyer looking for the most value for money
4. You appreciate well engineered cars

The Suzuki Swift is certainly a legend in North America. When asked, many people wouldn't hesitate to name it the smallest car they've ever known on the market. It was the small box that all good things came in, and the car sold well throughout North America. Although more recent models have grown in size and changed that reputation, this article will be focusing on the '96-'01 model years which produced an extremely fuel efficient, space efficient, and sufficiently versatile vehicle that just about everyone could afford.

Despite a humble introduction at the 25th tokyo motor show as a new super mini platform designed for the Japanese domestic market alone, the Swift would travel all over the world and settle in many markets with great success. Unknown to the public the Swift was actually one of the many names the car worked under once imported to North America. On a global level the car would be more accurately named the Suzuki Cultus (Cultus is latin for "adoration"). Throughout its life the car has gone on sale through other companies under different names in several countries. The more notorious names in North America would be: Geo Metro, Chevrolet Metro, Suzuki Swift and Pontiac Firefly. Surprisingly the car is still in production in Pakistan under the name Suzuki Margalla. Despite its numerous aliases, the Swift is still the same car underneath.

The Chevrolet Metro Convertible was and is still the cheapest convertible on the market

Contrary to the fact that Americans favour large vehicles over small vehicles the Swift sold exceedingly well in its early sales years. The reason wasn't that Americans had an abrupt change in taste, it was actually a result of an oil embargo between the Arab nations and the US and any of its affiliated nations. With the sharp drop in supply and unchanged demand for oil the cost was increased four fold from $3 per gallon to $12. There were stressful rationing measures while the embargo was in effect which threw the US in particular into a  nasty recession and energy crisis. Although the embargo ended just over a year after it began the damage had been done. The US would never look at cars the same way again as fuel economy became one of the primary sales points of all vehicles sold.

A 1973 sign indicating the meaning of a gas station's flag relative to its availability

However terrible the crisis was, the fruit of this terrible misfortune is quite sweet for automotive engineering. As a result of the high price of oil car manufacturers began producing smaller FF cars (those with Front engines and Front wheel drive). These FF cars were lighter and more arrow dynamic to help increase fuel economy as much as possible. Furthermore, these new cars were designed to be as cheap as possible so that those feeling the strain of the recession would be able to afford them. The Swift competed with the Hyundai Excel and later Hyundai Accent for the title of cheapest entry level car in North America. Although the Swift was more expensive than the Excel or Accent by about 2k, the Swift had always been (until recently) more fuel efficient and durable.

So the results were cars with great fuel efficiency that are cheap to buy, and have excellent interior space for small cars thanks to the FF design. Couple this with the versatility that a hatch back and folding rear seat give to cargo space and the Swift begins to look very practical, especially for first time buyers.

What this means for everyone in 2011 is that the ageing Swift is a gem of a car to consider buying used.
Whichever nameplate you buy this car under the Swift promises to satisfy.

Anyone who is worried about the environmental impact of owning and driving their own car can rest easy knowing the Swift was engineered in response to an oil shortage so there is no doubt it was designed for optimum fuel efficiency which can rival modern hybrids and with a 1.0L engine equipped gets 32/41 city/highway. In addition to this, by buying second hand the pollution associated with production doesn't occur.

Fuel Economy Ratings according to fueleconomy.gov

Finally, anyone who is economically minded or obligated to be under pain of poverty will be satisfied that the Swift will cost around $2960 used and in good condition according to the blue book, which is less than 1/3 of the cost of a new economy car. On top of that, the annual cost of gas will total around $1500, and although the swift is sturdy and reliable, the low blue book value assures cheap insurance rates.

*Interesting Note*

Gas prices are governed by demand. If everyone drove cars like the Swift we would see lower prices at the pumps nation wide! Which is cooler than when I taught my dog to parallel park.

Hyundai Veloster

You might be interested in this article if...
- You are a sports car type that needs excellent fuel economy to drive hard and guilt free
- You are environmentally concious but don't want to drive micro cars because they look goofy
- You have realised that you don't actually use your back seats often enough to store anything other than junk
- You are in the mood for a car loaded with standard niceties that is in a class by itself

Hyundai has been stepping up its already very competitive game in the small car market. First with the release of its next generation of Accent and Elantra which have been restyled with swooping smooth and sharp exterior panels. This bold look is continued and expanded on in its most recently released small car, the Veloster.

The Veloster is a new front wheel drive, micro compact car that has a unique number of doors. If you count the hatch you have four. There is a rear passenger door on the passenger side of the micro that opens independently of the front door to a wider than expected angle that allow passengers easy access to the rear seats. Although the rear seats are lacking in head room probably won't be used often by the type of person the car was intended for. Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik pointed out in an interview that the Veloster's asymmetric exterior compliments the asymmetric interior of all cars and tries to create areas of the vehicle that are designed for the people that would be using them, i.e the driver's door being longer so he can fit a suitcase or notebook in the back seat without needing another door and the passenger side of the car having an extra door to allow easier entry. Although the micro compact can't offer much practicality with its small dimensions what it lacks in practicality it surely makes up for in versatility, performance, style and standard niceties.

The economy sports car never looked as refined as it does today in the Veloster, which comes with a standard well engineered 1.6 litre in line 4 cylinder  DOHC engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing mated to a 6 speed manual transmission and produces 138 HP and 123 lb-ft of torque. (A turbo version is on the way and will enhance everything that is good about this model) This standard model boasts 6.2 L/ 100km combined economy, which is only 0.3L more than the new Accent and 2.8L less than it's competitor the Scion tC. Although the Veloster doesn't boast the heart pumping excitement of its 180 HP competitor it's still fun to drive and comes with a suspension package that features MacPherson front struts and excellent stabilizer bars that make sure the driver isn't thrown around much while enjoying his 138HP.

The Veloster's style is so different that it is clear that it will only appeal to a niche market not unlike the Nissan Juke. With its aggressive face that flows into a sharp swooping body the Veloster holds a drag coefficient of 0.32. At the rear of the car there is a distinctive centered dual exhaust port that is usually only seen on more refined sports cars like those from Porsche. The Veloster also comes standard with 17 inch. alloy wheels and P215/45R17 tires to remind you that despite its economy it is a sports car. The micro's appearance can be further bolstered by adding the optional panoramic sunroof that continues all the way down to the hatch and gives it the unique styling that the production model offered during its début at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

From the moment you get into the Veloster via Remote Keyless entry the first thing you will notice is how much technology comes standard with the model. A high resolution 7 inch touch screen display is the centre piece of the standard infotainment system that plays AM/FM/XM satellite radio/CD/MP3 on the 6 speaker sound system. The 7 inch display can also be used in conjunction with the rear view Camera to assist in backing out and also with video playback and video gaming... while parked of course. There is an input jack for you ipod and a Bluetooth voice activated phone system comes standard as well. Cruise control and audio controls can be found within easy reach on the steering wheel. Moreover, the interior by itself is sporty and modern with appealing interior shapes. The driver's seat has height adjustment for drivers who feel they would be too big for the car, and heated seats are standard and compliment the standard air conditioning.

Many people consider the Veloster a modern incarnation of the Honda CR-X which Hyundai America's CEO John Krafcik confirms was one of the cars that inspired the focussed and precise engineering of the Veloster. However, critics don't feel that the Veloster is a deserving successor to the CR-X considering how much time has pasted and how it hardly improves the performance, handling, or efficiency that the CR-X brought to life years ago. The CR-X was lighter and nimbler and able to get the very most from its 1.6L engine, and it was surely an economy sports car for the ages, but the Veloster has more to consider today. For instance, safety has become a higher priority and so the Veloster comes equiped standard with Driver and Passenger front and side airbags along with side curtain airbags, Anti-lock Brakes, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake assist, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction control, and BlueLink (Hyundai's equivalent of GM's onStar). Coupling this is the fact that auto mobile design has made safer frames for modern cars that channel energy more effectively away from occupants and the vehicle takes on substantial weight as a result. The Veloster also seats 4, the CR-X coupe seats 2.

But when all is said and done, the Veloster stands apart from its ancestors and competitors as something truly new. It is a car for a very specific type of individual: one that isn't interested in just a sporty tC or a classic and nimble CR-X, but for someone who appreciates the engineering that went into making the Veloster safe and spacious for a micro car that consumes just 6.2L/100km. It's for people that would rather pay 19, 000 for an efficient car with great standard features than nearly 26, 000 for a competitor with equally satisfying options. If you are this kind of person, the Hyundai Veloster is bond to please.