Is swift D a good car for a lady beginner?

speed_devil · 11th November 2007, 23:42

hello folks, i recently booked a white swift vdi with abs

for my girlfriend. my gf recently learnt to drive and is not very comfortable driving. now when we took the test drive of the swift i found it very comfortable to drive with the torque and all

. But my gf did not drive. she just sat in the driving seat and said she could not view the road properly. I think it might be due to her height she's only 5feet 3inches tall.

Now the car looks good on all other parameters to me, im only worried as to how easily will my gf be able to adjust to driving it and master it. The car will mostly come in jan so have lot of time to teach my gal about the fine points of driving. But then i wanted to know do you guys think swiftD is a good first car for a lady begginer?

Looking for your feedback people.. especially from lady drivers or begginers..

Eddy · 11th November 2007, 23:54

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/what-car/26129-hatchback-first-time-driver.html

Might answer some of your queries

v1p3r · 11th November 2007, 23:55

No, visibility is not great, and there is too much torque.

speed_devil · 12th November 2007, 00:00

@eddy im looking more for swift D specific reviews..

CrAzY dRiVeR · 12th November 2007, 00:01

She is particular about having a diesel car?

If its just for her daily commute, i think the i10 makes more sense. Should be better to drive for a lady.

Amey · 12th November 2007, 00:01

Just hope she handle the torque well and also the turbo lag thing.Otherwise i dont see any problem.If she is short, visibility can be an issue.

Eddy · 12th November 2007, 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed_devil

@eddy im looking more for swift D specific reviews..

Yup.. it mentions that Swfit might not be great for a first time driver because of poor visibility and its dimensions.

Add to that the torque of a diesel and a slightly heavier clutch, and she might not enjoy the drive.

speed_devil · 12th November 2007, 00:06

[quote=CrAzY dRiVeR;623239]She is particular about having a diesel car?

The reason we are going for the diesel is apart from her, myself and her dad will be drivng it occasionally. And we also plan to have long drives in it.

ancer · 12th November 2007, 01:40

well based on what you say i think a old honda city should be a good car to learn, its driving seat is quite high up and she should be able to see all corners of the car besides its a lot cheaper than a new swift. other wise you can get a drivers cushion for the swift which will put her higher up on the seat enabiling her to get a better view of the road.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 12th November 2007, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed_devil

The reason we are going for the diesel is apart from her, myself and her dad will be drivng it occasionally. And we also plan to have long drives in it.

Have seen ladies driving the Swift diesel, so, its all upto whether she is confident enough or not. All the other opinions may/may not matter in the end.

Off Topic: Which branch of engineering?

thefreak · 12th November 2007, 09:19

In my books a Swift D for beginners is a strict no no.

Reasons are already stated above:

1. It has poor visibility up front
2. It is extremally torqy and may take some getting used to.
3. Reversing the vehicle is basically done in good faith. It is an extremally difficult car (view is shoddy) to reverse and add to that the difficulty that beginners feel in reversing and it can be more than a handful.
4. It is quite a wide car. Getting used to it may be more difficult than say an Alto/Zen or a Santro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancer

well based on what you say i think a old honda city should be a good car to learn, its driving seat is quite high up and she should be able to see all corners of the car besides its a lot cheaper than a new swift. other wise you can get a drivers cushion for the swift which will put her higher up on the seat enabiling her to get a better view of the road.

Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. I dont agree with this. For beginners the smaller the car the better it is. Alto/Estillo/Wagon R/i10/Santro make more sense. Wagon R and Estillo have relatively high seating poistions and are easier to handle. Same for Santro. Dont know about i10 as I have not drive it.

Thad E Ginathom · 12th November 2007, 10:08

Just a few thoughts...

How can one have too much torque? This is not some high-performance thing that runs away with you if you so much as breathe on the gas pedal!

That torque will save a beginner from stalling many a time.

My wife showed an interest in keeping our old Indica for herself to learn; she was nervous about trying on the brand-new swift. I told her: the Swift is easy to drive, but you need experience just to keep that old Indica running sometimes. She didn't need stuff like remembering to turn off the AC before any acceleration is possible doing a U-turn on the East Coast Road. Even I didn't need that.

(BTW, I have to say that apart from the hight issue, what difference does it make that it is a woman driving? There are short guys too.)

I also have to say that small cars are not necessarily easier to drive than big ones. But they are easier to get through small gaps in cities. The Swift is good for this, but one of the narrower cars mentioned might be even better.

Has she done that sitting test in other cars? It is a very good place to start: ability to reach the pedals without sitting on top of wheel, comfortability with view... Make sure she sits properly, as she would when driving. There is a beginner's tendency to lean forward.

WhiteKnight · 12th November 2007, 10:30

No one remain a beginner for long.

I think you should give less priority to the "beginner" part and focus on your other requirements, such as " long drives" etc. Only thing you got to ensure is that she is strong on fundamentals of driving before getting on the road on her own. Seems you do have time, please use it.

Enjoy the drive

balechaparka · 12th November 2007, 11:05

Swift D is very easy to drive ,I am also a learner and went for driving class 7 months back.November 02 took the delivery and November 06 took the vehicle to my native 400KM highway(NH48) +Ghat section.
I did not find any difficulties in driving and need to take care during turbo charge in highway.As WhiteKnight said learn the fundamentals first and go ahead and enjoy the swift D.Already covered 1200KM.

snaronikar · 12th November 2007, 11:28

I have seen couple of ladies driving sedans (Logan & Indigo) almost falling on the steering wheel. They were not able to reach out the pedals and see the front. Hope the same thing should not happen. Why not cancel this booking and go for WagonR / santro which are better for ladies ?

11th November 2007, 23:42	#1
speed_devil BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: mangalore\hyderabad Posts: 91 Thanked: 0 Times	Is swift D a good car for a lady beginner? hello folks, i recently booked a white swift vdi with abs for my girlfriend. my gf recently learnt to drive and is not very comfortable driving. now when we took the test drive of the swift i found it very comfortable to drive with the torque and all. But my gf did not drive. she just sat in the driving seat and said she could not view the road properly. I think it might be due to her height she's only 5feet 3inches tall. Now the car looks good on all other parameters to me, im only worried as to how easily will my gf be able to adjust to driving it and master it. The car will mostly come in jan so have lot of time to teach my gal about the fine points of driving. But then i wanted to know do you guys think swiftD is a good first car for a lady begginer? Looking for your feedback people.. especially from lady drivers or begginers.. Last edited by speed_devil : 12th November 2007 at 00:01.
	() Thanks

11th November 2007, 23:54	#2
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,387 Thanked: 13,301 Times	chek this out http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/what-car/26129-hatchback-first-time-driver.html Might answer some of your queries
	() Thanks

11th November 2007, 23:55	#3
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	No, visibility is not great, and there is too much torque.
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 00:00	#4
speed_devil BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: mangalore\hyderabad Posts: 91 Thanked: 0 Times	@eddy im looking more for swift D specific reviews..
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 00:01	#5
CrAzY dRiVeR Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore / TVM Posts: 17,180 Thanked: 73,491 Times View My Garage	She is particular about having a diesel car? If its just for her daily commute, i think the i10 makes more sense. Should be better to drive for a lady.
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 00:01	#6
Amey BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 679 Thanked: 248 Times View My Garage	Just hope she handle the torque well and also the turbo lag thing.Otherwise i dont see any problem.If she is short, visibility can be an issue.
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 00:06	#8
speed_devil BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: mangalore\hyderabad Posts: 91 Thanked: 0 Times	[quote=CrAzY dRiVeR;623239]She is particular about having a diesel car? The reason we are going for the diesel is apart from her, myself and her dad will be drivng it occasionally. And we also plan to have long drives in it.
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 01:40	#9
ancer BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 121 Thanked: 2 Times	well based on what you say i think a old honda city should be a good car to learn, its driving seat is quite high up and she should be able to see all corners of the car besides its a lot cheaper than a new swift. other wise you can get a drivers cushion for the swift which will put her higher up on the seat enabiling her to get a better view of the road.
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 10:08	#12
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,004 Thanked: 26,428 Times	Just a few thoughts... How can one have too much torque? This is not some high-performance thing that runs away with you if you so much as breathe on the gas pedal! That torque will save a beginner from stalling many a time. My wife showed an interest in keeping our old Indica for herself to learn; she was nervous about trying on the brand-new swift. I told her: the Swift is easy to drive, but you need experience just to keep that old Indica running sometimes. She didn't need stuff like remembering to turn off the AC before any acceleration is possible doing a U-turn on the East Coast Road. Even I didn't need that. (BTW, I have to say that apart from the hight issue, what difference does it make that it is a woman driving? There are short guys too.) I also have to say that small cars are not necessarily easier to drive than big ones. But they are easier to get through small gaps in cities. The Swift is good for this, but one of the narrower cars mentioned might be even better. Has she done that sitting test in other cars? It is a very good place to start: ability to reach the pedals without sitting on top of wheel, comfortability with view... Make sure she sits properly, as she would when driving. There is a beginner's tendency to lean forward.
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 10:30	#13
WhiteKnight BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 998 Thanked: 662 Times View My Garage	No one remain a beginner for long. I think you should give less priority to the "beginner" part and focus on your other requirements, such as " long drives" etc. Only thing you got to ensure is that she is strong on fundamentals of driving before getting on the road on her own. Seems you do have time, please use it. Enjoy the drive
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 11:05	#14
balechaparka BANNED Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 140 Thanked: 33 Times	Swift D is very easy to drive ,I am also a learner and went for driving class 7 months back.November 02 took the delivery and November 06 took the vehicle to my native 400KM highway(NH48) +Ghat section. I did not find any difficulties in driving and need to take care during turbo charge in highway.As WhiteKnight said learn the fundamentals first and go ahead and enjoy the swift D.Already covered 1200KM.
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 11:28	#15
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	I have seen couple of ladies driving sedans (Logan & Indigo) almost falling on the steering wheel. They were not able to reach out the pedals and see the front. Hope the same thing should not happen. Why not cancel this booking and go for WagonR / santro which are better for ladies ?
	() Thanks