Anyone know anything about the Suzuki Swift / SX4?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'm in Melbourne, Australia and I need to buy a car. I'd like something small with rear seats that fold flat for sleeping in, but which also has AWD.

Due to budget reasons this will have to be a used car in the year 2000 - 2006 range.

Head gasket issues from Subarus keep on showing up in even their 2007 models, so I'm very wary of buying a Subaru.

I'd like to try a Suzuki SX4 but I can't figure out which models are supposed to have AWD. I used to think that the SX4 was AWD by default (hence the '4'?), but it's not. To make matters more confusing, the Swift also comes in a AWD configuration, and I also don't know what the differences are between the Swift and the SX4.

 

[herm0016]

I would have a 60 series if I was there.

I did have one when I was based in Moomba, SA working. It was like driving a great old tractor.

 

[NutBucket]

If you're down under you need the proper hat, bowie knife and obviously an Outback! Come on now!

 

[herm0016]

I bought an Akubra. It's the stetson of Aus.

seriously though, cars there are hella expensive. Check out gum tree (its like craigslist) Unless you are planning on driving the Canning stock route or the Strzelecki Track you don't need AWD for any reason in Aus. The Strez goes right through the Cooper basin where i was working for 2 years. Most of it is perfectly serviceable dirt road even. How long are you staying?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I hate how FBB is in the future...

 

[_Rick_]

Although I owned a Swift for the past 4 years or so, it was a 2012 MY Swift Sport built in Hungary. Your Swifts will be made in Japan and shipped over most likely.

My Swift was a decent car, and I loved it very much, only had a few minor issues, like a nut or bolt coming lose inside the bootlid, and a rear wiper spray-nozzle being slightly leaky under hard acceleration. The former got dealt with by the dealer for free and with no paperwork necessary - the latter never bothered me enough to really make a stink about.

But the earlier generation - I'm less well versed with those, but there's still plenty rolling over here. The Swift will be slightly more compact than the SX4 and slightly less utilitarian. The current generation Swift is available in 4WD as well, so there may be 4WD Swifts. Probably the same drivetrain as the SX4.