Driving pleasure wanted: Esteem or Swift? - Team-BHP

DCEite · 18th September 2005, 12:10

Ok this is a hypothetical question since neither me nor one of my friends or "collegeues" are facing this dilemma. (I may have to decide between the two when i plan to upgrade my car)..

So both the Esteem and the Swift are priced pretty much in the same range. One is a hot hatch, other is a mid sizer sedan. One is cramped on inside, other has ample space for 5. One has a boot smaller than 800's, the other has a separate large dikky.

One is a decade old design, the other is the most modern car on Indian roads...

What i am looking for is PURE DRIVING FUN (Of course within the budget of 5 lacs.. dont start recommending me GTX or something else..)

So if you as a TBHPIAN had to take this decision based primarily on the "fun factor", which one would you chose...

BUSA · 18th September 2005, 14:05

I would choose the Swift. Its not that bad when it comes to drive but it has hosts of features! Wonderful handling and good ride, plus ABS and EBD!

veyron1 · 18th September 2005, 14:42

well dceite, if it's sheer driving pleasure, and the only golden rule is to be fast, be it corners or in a straight line, then it's the swift for you. but if you are looking for that "thrill" factor, then it's the esteem. of course, the swift is much roomier, much heavier, better built and as quick as the esteem till 140 (after which the swift begins to lead)- but still, it lacks one thing- THRUST. the esteem causes your neck to whiplash on the headrest under full throttle, whereas the swift simply goes on doing it's job without much ado....

mclaren1885 · 18th September 2005, 15:02

swift it is unless ur prepared wait in the queue for atleast 6 months..

amitoj · 18th September 2005, 15:04

Swift was the car that pleasantly surprised the OD team in their track tests that had cars like ikon, elantra, vRS, accord etc. Its overall track time was better than accent crdi, city and getz and the drivers were quite happy with the way the car took on the corners.

drifter · 18th September 2005, 16:56

I dont consider the swift a hot hatch at all...but like veyron said...just for the thrill factor my vote goes in favour of the esteem. But apart from that the esteem leaves a lot to be desired...this is where the swift scores...

But this thread is asking for downright driving pleasure...its the esteem.

Drifter

normally_crazy · 18th September 2005, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by dceite

other has ample space for 5.

the other is the most modern car on Indian roads...

U refering to the Swift for above 2 points ?? "Ample Space for 5" -

and Most Modern ?

But i vote for the Esteem - it will thrill you the way Swift wouldnt dream of !

DCEite · 18th September 2005, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

U refering to the Swift for above 2 points ?? "Ample Space for 5" -

and Most Modern ?

But i vote for the Esteem - it will thrill you the way Swift wouldnt dream of !

by ample space for 5 i meant the Esteem and by the modern car i meant Swift.

I see no reason why Swift cant be called a modern car compared to ages old Esteem.

BTW the opinion so far is pretty divided.. i knew it will be, because this question most ppl find difficult to answer thats why i posted this thread.. (personally i like the Swift, but have never driven Esteem)

Hackett · 18th September 2005, 20:45

In terms of Pure Driving Fun, Swift is better than Esteem. Technically current Swift is having refined and recalibered Esteem Engine.

amit · 18th September 2005, 21:14

Quote:

I dont consider the swift a hot hatch at all

A 87bhp hatch is not a hot hatch even in the Indian context.

RX135 · 19th September 2005, 01:57

Talking of esteem or swift, I can't claim wide first hand experience, so this is a theoretical question. Esteem and swift both employ same engine. Esteem is much lighter than heavily build swift. So, why would swift be faster than esteem, unless the gearing is really screwed up on Esteem? In fact, it should be the other way round.

normally_crazy · 19th September 2005, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by dceite

by ample space for 5 i meant the Esteem and by the modern car i meant Swift.
I see no reason why Swift cant be called a modern car compared to ages old Esteem.

Ok - My mistake on the ample space one.

DCEite · 19th September 2005, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

swift it is unless ur prepared wait in the queue for atleast 6 months..

what so special coming in 6 months.. please elaborate..

AvinashKeezh · 19th September 2005, 20:10

it would be pretty unfortunate to compare either of these two cars, coz both were pretty much made for different set of car buyers, one a mid-sized sedan and the other a hatchback..
so if driving pleasure is the only comparo param, then any body would say to go in for the swift as it is easily the newer and better product, i haven't driven a swift not even taken a test drive so can't say for sure about its +es and -es. if u are willing to wait for 4-5 months for a new car after booking, its good for the swift!! but if u need it right away, go down to the showroom and ride out a spanking new esteem in no more than a couple of days!!!

ak

drifter · 19th September 2005, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by dceite

what so special coming in 6 months.. please elaborate..

Nothing special...its the waiting period for the swift.

Drifter

18th September 2005, 12:10	#1 (permalink)
DCEite Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 2,188 View My Garage	Driving pleasure wanted: Esteem or Swift? Ok this is a hypothetical question since neither me nor one of my friends or "collegeues" are facing this dilemma. (I may have to decide between the two when i plan to upgrade my car).. So both the Esteem and the Swift are priced pretty much in the same range. One is a hot hatch, other is a mid sizer sedan. One is cramped on inside, other has ample space for 5. One has a boot smaller than 800's, the other has a separate large dikky. One is a decade old design, the other is the most modern car on Indian roads... What i am looking for is PURE DRIVING FUN (Of course within the budget of 5 lacs.. dont start recommending me GTX or something else..) So if you as a TBHPIAN had to take this decision based primarily on the "fun factor", which one would you chose... __________________ *A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.* - Warren Buffett

18th September 2005, 14:05	#2 (permalink)
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,052 View My Garage	I would choose the Swift. Its not that bad when it comes to drive but it has hosts of features! Wonderful handling and good ride, plus ABS and EBD! __________________ Got Bhp? Team-Bhp.com

18th September 2005, 14:42	#3 (permalink)
veyron1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,374 View My Garage	well dceite, if it's sheer driving pleasure, and the only golden rule is to be fast, be it corners or in a straight line, then it's the swift for you. but if you are looking for that "thrill" factor, then it's the esteem. of course, the swift is much roomier, much heavier, better built and as quick as the esteem till 140 (after which the swift begins to lead)- but still, it lacks one thing- THRUST. the esteem causes your neck to whiplash on the headrest under full throttle, whereas the swift simply goes on doing it's job without much ado.... __________________ DAD

18th September 2005, 15:04	#5 (permalink)
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,122 View My Garage	Swift was the car that pleasantly surprised the OD team in their track tests that had cars like ikon, elantra, vRS, accord etc. Its overall track time was better than accent crdi, city and getz and the drivers were quite happy with the way the car took on the corners. Last edited by amitoj : 18th September 2005 at 15:05.

18th September 2005, 16:56	#6 (permalink)
drifter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,327 View My Garage	I dont consider the swift a hot hatch at all...but like veyron said...just for the thrill factor my vote goes in favour of the esteem. But apart from that the esteem leaves a lot to be desired...this is where the swift scores... But this thread is asking for downright driving pleasure...its the esteem. Drifter __________________ Slow Everything Down And Feel Like God - Tata Safari

18th September 2005, 15:02	#4 (permalink)
mclaren1885 BANNED Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore (the city of modded cars) !! Posts: 4,779 View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (10)	swift it is unless ur prepared wait in the queue for atleast 6 months..

18th September 2005, 20:45	#9 (permalink)
Hackett BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 101	In terms of Pure Driving Fun, Swift is better than Esteem. Technically current Swift is having refined and recalibered Esteem Engine. __________________ Those who dare succeeeeeeeeed

19th September 2005, 01:57	#11 (permalink)
RX135 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: pune Posts: 1,821	Talking of esteem or swift, I can't claim wide first hand experience, so this is a theoretical question. Esteem and swift both employ same engine. Esteem is much lighter than heavily build swift. So, why would swift be faster than esteem, unless the gearing is really screwed up on Esteem? In fact, it should be the other way round. __________________ Drive fast, but drive safe.

19th September 2005, 20:10	#14 (permalink)
AvinashKeezh BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chennai, Now in Bangalore Posts: 165	it would be pretty unfortunate to compare either of these two cars, coz both were pretty much made for different set of car buyers, one a mid-sized sedan and the other a hatchback.. so if driving pleasure is the only comparo param, then any body would say to go in for the swift as it is easily the newer and better product, i haven't driven a swift not even taken a test drive so can't say for sure about its +es and -es. if u are willing to wait for 4-5 months for a new car after booking, its good for the swift!! but if u need it right away, go down to the showroom and ride out a spanking new esteem in no more than a couple of days!!! ak __________________ You can always tell when a man is well informed. His views are pretty much like your own.

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