2006 Suzuki Swift or 2007 VW Golf GT

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CrashAndBurn

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#293944 23-Feb-2022 14:52

My son is in the market for his first car. Narrowed down options to below. Need some feedback as my knowledge of cars are slim.

2006 Suzuki Swift Sport - 88,000kms 1.6L

2007 VW Golf GT - 120,000 kms 2.0L

Both selling for under 6k. Both bodies looks ok and regularly serviced based on documents provided.

But no clue as to which one is better in terms of total ownership cost. Insurance/Maintenance cost.

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MikeB4
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#2873302 23-Feb-2022 14:58

Parts and servicing will be considerably less for the Suzuki Swift and I feel overall running costs will be less on the Swift. The Golf Gt has a Turbo charger and a Super charger so the potential for very costly repairs at the KMs travelled is a possibility

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

SATTV

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#2873309 23-Feb-2022 15:15

The mechanic next door said that euro cars are not as robust as they used to be and once they are about 7 years old yo should look at flicking them.

A mate of mine who builds campervans says the same thing.

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mudguard

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#2873311 23-Feb-2022 15:23

Maybe check if your son can get insurance for the GTi. Used to be 25 years or older for turbo cars. But that may have changed.

blackjack17

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#2873314 23-Feb-2022 15:31

If it has a turbo you will probably have to use 95 or 98 so fuel will be more expensive.

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CrashAndBurn

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#2873317 23-Feb-2022 15:37

mudguard:

Maybe check if your son can get insurance for the GTi. Used to be 25 years or older for turbo cars. But that may have changed.

Will have a look at this as he is only 17. Also the VW only says GT not GTi so not sure if there is a difference. A quick google suggest that its the 1.4L version that has a turbo but will check with the seller as well.

CrashAndBurn

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#2873319 23-Feb-2022 15:39

SATTV:

The mechanic next door said that euro cars are not as robust as they used to be and once they are about 7 years old yo should look at flicking them.

A mate of mine who builds campervans says the same thing.

John

This is what I've been hearing from friends as well, But I don't have first hand experience as I've only ever owned Japanese cars.

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CrashAndBurn

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#2873321 23-Feb-2022 15:41

blackjack17:

If it has a turbo you will probably have to use 95 or 98 so fuel will be more expensive.

Good point considering current fuel prices. Thanks

Senecio

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#2873325 23-Feb-2022 15:51

Steer well clear of the Golf GT. That 1.4L turbo/supercharged motor has a history of excessive oil consumption and potential catastrophic timing chain failure. My wife owns an Audi A1 that consumes ~1L oil every 5,000kms and the in-laws had one that cost >$7K for a new engine that fortunately VW came to the party on just outside of warranty. They traded it in shortly after and heard through the dealer that the replacement engine went again on the new unsuspecting owner.

Inphinity

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#2873326 23-Feb-2022 15:51

CrashAndBurn:

blackjack17:

If it has a turbo you will probably have to use 95 or 98 so fuel will be more expensive.

Good point considering current fuel prices. Thanks

Some of the Swift Sport models require 95 also, I'm not sure about that age though sorry.

That said, if reliability and TOC are your concerns, Swift all the way over a Golf GT assuming a similar condition to start with.

Inphinity

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#2873328 23-Feb-2022 15:54

Senecio:

Steer well clear of the Golf GT. That 1.4L turbo/supercharged motor has a history of excessive oil consumption and potential catastrophic timing chain failure. My wife owns an Audi A1 that consumes ~1L oil every 5,000kms and the in-laws had one that cost >$7K for a new engine that fortunately VW came to the party on just outside of warranty. They traded it in shortly after and heard through the dealer that the replacement engine went again on the new unsuspecting owner.

OP has listed the Golf GT as the 2.0, which is far more reliable (either the TDI or FSI variant) than the 1.4TSI. I'd still go the Swift, personally, though.

MaxineN

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#2873333 23-Feb-2022 16:02

Fiancée owns and drives a 2012 Swift. The only thing we've had to do in it's entire life time that we've owned it(which is getting on now to almost 4 years by July) is clean out the rear drum brakes due to build up(which was missed by our dealer who was doing 3 years of maintenance for free despite it being noted one time... then records disappearing...).

They're quite reliable, quiet running, smooth driving cars and I too would own a Swift myself if I had my license!

Can agree with the rest. Get the Swift. Parts will be cheaper, more common and easier to get then the European Golf.

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dt

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#2873343 23-Feb-2022 16:18

Not sure if much has changed with swift over the years but but I remember reading some years back about swifts having one of the worst crash safety ratings on the market

if it's your little lads first car the safety rating should be a strong consideration when deciding!

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#2873349 23-Feb-2022 16:22

What gearbox is in the VW Golf GT ?

Is it a flappy paddle DSG (Dual clutch) gearbox ? If it is a DSG gearbox, i believe they require a major service at around 100,000Kms, and I've heard it can be costly. Being a 2007 probably puts it as a Mark 5 VW Golf, if you want to research it more.

If you do go for the Golf, make sure to have it looked over by either the local VW dealer or a reputable independent.

robjg63

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#2873363 23-Feb-2022 16:38

dt:

Not sure if much has changed with swift over the years but but I remember reading some years back about swifts having one of the worst crash safety ratings on the market

if it's your little lads first car the safety rating should be a strong consideration when deciding!

2005 - 2010 Suzuki Swift got 4 out of 5 stars for an ANCAP rating:

https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/suzuki/swift/c24ecc

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MaxineN

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#2873368 23-Feb-2022 16:42

robjg63:

dt:

Not sure if much has changed with swift over the years but but I remember reading some years back about swifts having one of the worst crash safety ratings on the market

if it's your little lads first car the safety rating should be a strong consideration when deciding!

2005 - 2010 Suzuki Swift got 4 out of 5 stars for an ANCAP rating:

https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/suzuki/swift/c24ecc

The later models raised that to 5.

https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/suzuki/swift/1bbad6

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