08 Micra or 08 Swift?

Hristos · 21-09-2009 1:27pm #1

Hi,

Finally the choice comes down to these 2:

08 Micra: 5 door, 23k kms, A/C, Bluetooth, 156 euro tax, 9300 euro
08 Swift: 3 door, 20k kms, A/C,302 euro tax (I think.. if it's 143 g CO2), 9750 euro

The Swift is a more enjoyable drive, Micra would be cheaper on insurance, tax...

Would resale value be better on the Micra?

Help

Saab Ed · 21-09-2009 1:30pm

Swift for me....

http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200938195259044

http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200913192301573

Hristos · 21-09-2009 1:32pm

I have to overpay a bit in Galway :rolleyes:, but it has the go faster stripes

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 1:46pm

Definitely the Swift.

the 1.3 falls into the €156 tax as far as I know.

Micras are hideous yokes. and the resale value is seriously dented by over supply of ex rental stuff. they're also not as reliable as they should be.

EPM · 21-09-2009 1:53pm

Swift all the way. Have one in the family and its a great little car. Rocket to go too and very good spec on the GLX for the money

OldmanMondeo · 21-09-2009 1:56pm

If your a Nun or over 65, dye your hair blue and can't drive, get Micra like the rest of you type, otherwise get the Swift.

HoPpiE · 21-09-2009 1:59pm

Micra.

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 2:00pm

HoPpiE wrote: »

Micra.

Any reasons?

Saab Ed wrote: »

Swift for me....

http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200938195259044
http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200913192301573

That one in O'Learys has the wrong reg number on it... 08WX6575 is off a Qashqai

HoPpiE · 21-09-2009 2:03pm

Yes.

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 2:05pm

As soon as you think of one, please share

The way I see the 2 cars:

Styling
Swift is far more modern, floating roof design looks really well, and a lot of dealer options like contrast roof, stripes etc. Micra is out in Japan since 2002 and wasn't good looking even back then.

Driving
The Micra isn't exactly nasty to drive, but it does have a strange gearchange, and the steering is very artificial feeling.
Found the Swift to be a decent drive.

Engines
Micra 1.2 is 80bhp, Swift 1.3 is 91bhp. that equates to the Micra being a whole 3 seconds slower to 60mph
both are €156 to tax. Micra has slightly better combined fuel consumption

Safety
Both cars have a 4 star NCAP

Ownership
Micra model is due for replacement in the next few months, this will impact prices
Swift has 3 yeas roadside assistance vs. 12 months on the Micra.

Terodil · 21-09-2009 2:07pm

Micra definitely.

very reliable
room concept is great (movable back seat bench -- I'm 6ft2 and it was very comfortable)
looks unique, not like the rest of the fiesta/swift/... slew
very safe

plus it's cheaper, I really don't see any cons

EPM · 21-09-2009 2:30pm

Terodil wrote: »

I really don't see any cons

Poorer resale, will look very dated very soon when replaced, quality isn't what it used to be (a mechanic I know pointed out a Renault 9 rear hub), image aint great, looks are worse...

Carstuck · 21-09-2009 2:38pm

Swift. Better resale value. Micra have a poor resale value and do you really want to be seen drivng one?

Hristos · 21-09-2009 3:54pm

Looks like the Swift is winning

What Insurance would you recommend, cheapest I find is with 123.ie:

Third Party Only
€899.02
or €65.24
per month*

Third Party Fire & Theft
€1,032.92
or €75.41
per month*

Comprehensive
€1,278.06
or €94.03
per month*

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 3:56pm

Don't bother with 3rd party, or 3rd party F&T, you need fully comp on a 9k car!

Have you tried Quinn Direct?

Biro · 21-09-2009 4:04pm

I'd reckon based on various reports that you'll find the Swift will be more reliable than the Micra. The reliability on the Nissan left with the outgoing model.
Aside from that, just stand back and look at them. The Swift looks like a nice small car. The Micra looks hideous.
As pointed out above, the Swift also wins in every measurable way.

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 4:09pm

Hard to choose alright.....

Hristos · 21-09-2009 4:10pm

Quinn is 1400+

That's what I get for getting insured for the first time

32, male, 13 years EU driving licence...

Hristos · 21-09-2009 4:12pm

Oh cmon, why did you pick the pink micra... the one I was considering is black...

Forgot to say, If I'm main driver + girlfriend named, 1278

If she's main driver and I'm named, 1400+

even though she'd have cheaper insurance on her own...

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 4:12pm

Which European country is it, aren't no-claims discounts/driving experience transferrable between some countries?

Talk to a broker, as opposed to direct. Would recommend First Ireland in Phibsboro, always found them very helpful

Hristos · 21-09-2009 4:14pm

Resident in Ireland since 2000, didn't have a car before anyway

Hristos · 21-09-2009 4:24pm

Hey Colm, now you know my insurance details so you can quote me 10 euro cheaper

Hristos · 21-09-2009 6:01pm

The VRT calculator at www.ros.ie shows the emissions as 143g CO2 which would put the Swift in Band C

Anyone know for definite what band it is? Dealer says it's 140 g CO2 so band B... Who to believe?

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 6:43pm

The only way to know for sure is to check the VLC for the car. I know for certain that the 09 ones are €156 to tax. maybe there was a modification recently to bring the emissions down to 140g/km.

I think if you do a cartell.ie paid report on the car's reg, you can get the emissions.

Absurdum · 21-09-2009 7:14pm

Parkers say it's 140g/km, as does www.suzuki.ie

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 7:19pm

It's not uncommon for manufacturers to tweak engines to meet emissions figures in particular countries. They may have revised the Swift at some stage in 2008

Hristos · 22-09-2009 1:58pm

Colm, thanks for all your help... how come you didn't recommend a Yaris?

I couldn't have gotten an 08 one for that kind of money?

Well... looks like the Swift deal is going ahead. And First Capital quoted 100 less than 123.ie, so it's all good... Every little helps.

BTW, even if it's a 2008 car, registered before July, for it to be on the emissions tax, wouldn't the owner have to specifically state/change to the new tax? If this was neglected, I don't think it can be changed now, can it? Assuming it was taxed on the old cc based for a while (dunno the exact month it was registered in, and even if the VLC shows 140 emissions, could still be on the old tax if regged pre-July 08.

Hope the question makes some sense...

Oh, and the dealer seems to be very genuine, unlike some previous ones I dealt with. Here's hoping they remain so after I hand over my hard earned...

colm_mcm · 22-09-2009 2:05pm

I'm trying to be as impartial as possible here

And I really like the Swift.

bazz26 · 22-09-2009 8:04pm

OP, did you consider the Fiat 500:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200902191440581

paddy2008 · 22-09-2009 8:14pm

http://www.trunkroadsuzuki.com/

all ur suzuki needs:D

Absurdum · 22-09-2009 8:16pm

Hristos wrote: »

BTW, even if it's a 2008 car, registered before July, for it to be on the emissions tax, wouldn't the owner have to specifically state/change to the new tax? If this was neglected, I don't think it can be changed now, can it? Assuming it was taxed on the old cc based for a while (dunno the exact month it was registered in, and even if the VLC shows 140 emissions, could still be on the old tax if regged pre-July 08.

if it's registered pre-July 2008 it will be taxed on the new emissions system if it's cheaper than the old one.

colm_mcm · 22-09-2009 8:16pm

paddy2008 wrote: »

http://www.trunkroadsuzuki.com/

Why don't they have prices on any of their used cars? that's a bit backward.

paddy2008 · 22-09-2009 8:20pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Why don't they have prices on any of their used cars? that's a bit backward.

telling them that every day!:D

Hristos · 22-09-2009 9:22pm

Didn't look at the Fiat 500, a bit too girly... although I was considering a Micra :rolleyes:. Do you think you can get the price down to 9500?

Not sure about displayed prices on cars, this dealer I'm buying the car from had the Swift advertised at 12.5k?? So a 3k "reduction" looks good on paper, but if someone offers 10.5k, thinking 2k off is nice, would they just take that extra 1k? thank you very much ....

colm_mcm · 22-09-2009 9:25pm

I seriously doubt they'll sell it for that. It's one of the cheapest 08 Swifts out there I think

Hristos · 22-09-2009 9:45pm

hence my question: why keep asking prices so high? It nearly turned me off even enquiring about the cars in the first place. Is it for the next sucker general public that does not do a whole lot of research before buying a car, thinking that dealer prices are "more or less the same", so a 20% off asking price seems good.

colm_mcm · 22-09-2009 10:21pm

Sorry, misread your post. thought you were unhappy at €9600 or whatever you're getting it for.

Hristos · 22-09-2009 11:18pm

in mywheels.ie Tax Expiry Date:Mar 2009 and it does not show the current rate of tax, as it does for othe 08+ cars. Is it possible that the change in tax from cc based to co2 based was not done after the first taxed interval? If so, am I going to have difficulties in getting it on the co2 based? sorry I'm just worried it won't be possible, I'll just have to trust the dealer on this one I guess unless someone here can say for sure.

Second concern regarding Suzuki 3 year warranty.. .car has 20k km and they are doing the first service now. Would the Suzuki warranty still be valid, should the 1.3 Swift be serviced every 20k kms? Parkers says service intervals are 10k miles, so it's a bit less than that. I mean, if the engine blows up after the 1 year dealer warranty is up, am I stuck?

EPM · 23-09-2009 6:44am

I think my sisters one is every 15k km service intervals, unless thats changed. It should be fine if you are buying from a main dealer and to be honest I'd be very suprised if anything went wrong at all with it. Think my sisters had a recall for something to do with the steering rack but she was written to and the car came back valeted as usual. The Suz dealer she uses seems to be very good and a service cost her only €120 all in which from a main dealer is good

Hristos · 23-09-2009 9:47am

This is not a Suzuki dealer though... Hope what you said still applies.

fryup · 23-09-2009 9:58am

its very simple...

if you are a bloke.........swift

if you are a girl (or gay)..........micra

Sniipe · 23-09-2009 4:33pm

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, did you consider the Fiat 500:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200902191440581

+1 for Fiat 500 (but I do like the swift...)

James May on topGear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZmGv-ecm3I

Another granted this is the suped up one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpAFi9nIJVQ

colm_mcm · 23-09-2009 5:19pm

re: the tax situation.

Ask to see the Registration Certificate for the car.

looks like this:

Media,3081,en.jpg

don't take the garage's word for it, don't believe suzuki.ie, don't ask the SIMI, don't rely on boardsies. there is a section on the cert that says the CO2 output for that particular car. this is the only sure way of knowing - then make your decision.

Hristos · 23-09-2009 6:40pm

yep, the VLC has 143g CO2...

I bought it anyway

EPM · 23-09-2009 6:42pm

Nice! Well wear with it!

paddy2008 · 23-09-2009 9:04pm

Best of luck lad!
I work in the garage that car was first sold from,just wondering what kind of cash and what county did you buy it in?

Hristos · 23-09-2009 9:13pm

9600, Galway

Does it have any problems you'd like to tell me about? So I can be prepared

paddy2008 · 23-09-2009 9:34pm

No...lol
They are a great little car!
dont worry about the service issue if you have any trouble with warrinty bring the car to us, we will sort it for you!
again BEST OF LUCK WITH IT...:D

Hristos · 23-09-2009 9:40pm

Hehe thanks, what garage are you working in? you can PM me if you like...

paddy2008 · 23-09-2009 9:52pm

Hristos wrote: »

Hehe thanks, what garage are you working in? you can PM me if you like...

http://www.trunkroadsuzuki.com/

bazz26 · 23-09-2009 10:30pm

Well wear with it OP.

08 Micra or 08 Swift?

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