08 Micra or 08 Swift?

Hristos · 21-09-2009 2:27pm #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 2:30pm

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 2:32pm

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

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 2:46pm

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 2:53pm

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 2:56pm

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 2:59pm

Micra.

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 3:00pm

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 3:03pm

Yes.

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 3:05pm

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 3:07pm

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 3:30pm

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 3:38pm

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

Hristos · 21-09-2009 4:54pm

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 4:56pm

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 5:04pm

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 5:09pm

Hard to choose alright.....

Hristos · 21-09-2009 5:10pm

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 5:12pm

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 5:12pm

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 5:14pm

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

Hristos · 21-09-2009 5:24pm

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

Hristos · 21-09-2009 7:01pm

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 7:43pm

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 8:14pm

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

colm_mcm · 21-09-2009 8:19pm

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 2:58pm

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 3:05pm

I'm trying to be as impartial as possible here

And I really like the Swift.

bazz26 · 22-09-2009 9:04pm

OP, did you consider the Fiat 500:

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

paddy2008 · 22-09-2009 9:14pm

http://www.trunkroadsuzuki.com/

all ur suzuki needs:D

Absurdum · 22-09-2009 9:16pm

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.

08 Micra or 08 Swift?

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