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29-04-2010, 09:09 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Newcastle
Car: Suzuki Swift GTi at the moment but am interested in Astinas
Posts: 6
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Astina 323 SP versus Swift GTi driving experience
Hi guys, I first just want to say that I'm not hear to start a fight between Suzuki and Mazda or any bullcrap like that - I like most cars, especially Jap hot hatches, and to me it doesn't matter if one is a bit quicker than another, they're just cool cars.
I am just trying to find out, from someone who has driven BOTH of these cars, how the driving experience compares? See at the moment, I own a Swift GTi and I am very very very nearly selling it - that is, I have a buyer but I'm just not sure I can let it go. All the Swift owners I know are telling me I'll regret it forever if I sell it (and since they're getting more expensive, not cheaper, then it probably will be my last opportunity to own one) and they say that because they may not be the fastest cars in the world, but according to all them (and to me) they're just so damn fun to drive. No one really knows what it is, whether it's the thrill of the tiny engine still managing to move you so fast, or because they're so light, or the noise or whatever... But I'm thinking, most of those factors are similar to the Astina SP. Not quite as light, not quite the small engine but similar decent power from a small N/A engine. Now I am able to get a cheap, running SP if I so wish, I have the seller all to myself - so to get the opinion from the Mazda point-of-view (but preferably someone who's driven both) what are they like to drive? Fun or actually not that amazing? By the way this is stock versus stock because my GTi is stock, as is the SP. As a side note (separate question to how they compare to a GTi) an advantage the Mazda would have over the Swift for me is that I couldn't take the Swift rallying because it was in such good condition and they're not good off road anyway - but the SP is beaten up and cheap so I'd be happy to go rallying in it (not necessarily formal competitive rallying, just dirt road bashing) - what are they like on gravel/dirt? Cheers guys. |
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29-04-2010, 09:38 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide
Car: BA V6 Hardtop 5 Speed & 97 Prelude VTIR
Posts: 1,518
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I have not driven both but am very familiar with the GTi...
I think the SP will be easier to live with, bit more practical - but the shier thrill of going through some twisties - I'd go with the GTi... Light, nimble, very intimate cockpit and just a road legal go kart. I have always had a soft spot for the GTi, so that would be my choice if i could own a car for the pure thrill of the drive...
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29-04-2010, 10:13 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Baxter, VIC
Car: Sooby B4 - Astina SP parting out
Posts: 2,447
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what do you call cheap? Could you afford/would it be practical to own both? One basher & one to look after & keep for a while yet?
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29-04-2010, 12:15 PM | #4 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: newcastle
Car: mazda 323 astina 2L
Posts: 19
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i think the swift is a much more involving car and i love the 8000rpm redline, the car makes alot more strange whizz bang noises but i think that adds to the enjoyment.
the astina is more pratical and a bit more laid back but is still a pretty fun car me personally would go with the gti its a bit more ruthless and involving |
29-04-2010, 12:31 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide
Car: BA V6 Hardtop 5 Speed & 97 Prelude VTIR
Posts: 1,518
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^ I think raw is what the GTi is all about...
Luxury is minimal but so is the weight. The engine is lively and willing and the whole package is very nimble...
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"Amateurs practice until they get it right." "Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong." |
29-04-2010, 01:11 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Logan prefecture
Car: Touge monster
Posts: 7,585
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If I had a Swift GTi, I would change to something like a Starlet GT, but never a BG.
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29-04-2010, 01:28 PM | #7 |
The Hairy Mod
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: southside ya'll and North Side, Brissy
Car: MINI Cooper S 2003
Posts: 8,110
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but how awesome are they at locking the wheels up at 110km/h on the highway and not lose control
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29-04-2010, 01:42 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Logan prefecture
Car: Touge monster
Posts: 7,585
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MAO!
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29-04-2010, 08:49 PM | #9 |
AstinaGT Regular
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only reason i got the astina was i couldn't find a gti priced realistically in SA *they are not worth 7K, my brother had one and i loved it. but come on 4k is the most i would pay maybe 4.5k (damn interstate prices driven by p plate laws, and cult following kinda like the 86's there not worth the money they pull either)
if i could find one cheap i would like it as a project car. that or a mini (still regret not buying a certain mini i was looking at along with the astina - parents didn't like it) keep the gti, i love my mazda but the gti to me is one of the best cars, probably the japanese equivalent of a mini or even lotus.
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what the astina lacks in power it makes up 4 in handling straights are good for fast cars corners are for fast drivers Last edited by spenaroo; 29-04-2010 at 08:59 PM. |
29-04-2010, 09:08 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
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agreeing with everyone here. my cousin owned a GTi and it was a little go kart. very fun to drive with. whereas i own an SP its been pretty fun so far but if you like quick turns and lightweight vehicles i'd stick with the GTi. i heard that people put SR20 NA throttle bodies onto the GTi's.
so yeah. stick with what you got and start modding. and keep us updated on your mods. im interested |
29-04-2010, 09:16 PM | #11 |
AstinaGT Regular
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Adelaide
Car: BG SP Astina
Posts: 276
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I'd stick the GTi, but... if I could afford both I'd keep both
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My car the aka oni ________________ Soon to be track/road car BG 323 SP _________________________________ Straight roads are for fast cars, corners are for fast drivers - Street Racer (Red) |
29-04-2010, 09:48 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: North Side Brisbane
Car: 1998 BA 323 Astina Hardtop
Posts: 1,414
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Didn't the holden barina at one stage be a rebadged swift?
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29-04-2010, 09:53 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
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yes but not the GTi. that was Suzuki exclusive. only the carburettor engines were in the swift, barina and sierra. ive seen many engine swaps into those cars that didnt have that engine. but now days the GTi itself is hard to find. especially the series 2 models. you can tell by the body and lights which ones series 1 and 2.
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29-04-2010, 09:59 PM | #14 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ipswich, Queensland
Car: 2002 Mazda Astina SP20 2006 Mazda 6 GY Wagon
Posts: 9,769
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Yeah they did, from like 1983 to 1995 or therebouts
Quazimoto, Personally i'd be sticking with the GTi, not just because they are more "fun", but they have a larger following, so parts will be cheaper then the BG... Oh and did I mention Fun? Friend of mine owns MR GTI (was in hot4's something like 10yrs ago now ), and man for a car that weighs less then a ton, goes like a rocket! If you so desperately want a BG for rallying, go and find a SOHC and thrash the hell out of it
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29-04-2010, 10:32 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney Lakemba
Car: mx-6 626 Gs300 Maz2 was 95 KF BA-HT
Posts: 2,024
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I've seen ever version
in fact I think I saw what was left of RBABY recently. I could tel lyou storys about that thing. but as for GTI's - originals are getting hard to find and in good nick in the future will make ultimate hot hatch dailys. In that I mean the bit you pointed out FUN FACTOR. My mate had one with full group A cams lot - latter he had MX-6 turbo freak car -in that stock that thing being povo version was a 200SX eater. but you know what he still miss's his GTI swift. FUN FACTOR. even with broken gearbo'x etc and few other issues. if his was not stolen I'm guess now he'd still have it. FUN FACTOR. No mazda other then a few Rx-7s and Mx-5's and for my case torque steering mx-6 do many car come along with FUN FACTOR. I can only think of a few starlet GT is one Clio 197 - and few big hitters like a VN/VP SS's and ZR Supra's and the like. Depending on what turns you on. but do note this you can drive swift like that under the limit with smile on your face. go kart ride feel etc. if you can keep it going and original just do it. but no 323 is an upgrade - even famila GT-R is not upgrade. for the fact you just can't drive it FUN anywhere - unlike the swift. |
30-04-2010, 02:37 PM | #16 | |
AstinaGT Regular
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Adelaide
Car: BG SP Astina
Posts: 276
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Quote:
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My car the aka oni ________________ Soon to be track/road car BG 323 SP _________________________________ Straight roads are for fast cars, corners are for fast drivers - Street Racer (Red) |
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30-04-2010, 04:31 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: North Side Brisbane
Car: 1998 BA 323 Astina Hardtop
Posts: 1,414
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I say the swift for the fun factor and the BG for the rally.
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30-04-2010, 04:48 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney
Car: 1990 323 Astina BG SP
Posts: 1,071
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Would a BG even make a decent rally car? I mean, it weighs about a ton, doesn't have a huge amount of power, and it's FWD.
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30-04-2010, 06:36 PM | #19 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: newcastle
Car: mazda 323 astina 2L
Posts: 19
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edit read the 1st post again
Last edited by bari; 30-04-2010 at 06:42 PM. Reason: mis info |
01-05-2010, 09:37 PM | #20 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Eatons Hill Qld/ NORFSYDERZ
Car: 93 Astina SP/300kw VTSS
Posts: 51
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my stock astina sp only with a pod filter took out a honda VTI with zorst ...I love the free revving BP engines there awesome
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1993 Mazda Astina SP work in progress |
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