Team-BHP > What Car? > Hatchbacks


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Old 18th September 2005, 11:10   #1
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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...
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Old 18th September 2005, 13:05   #2
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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!
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Old 18th September 2005, 13:42   #3
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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....
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Old 18th September 2005, 14:02   #4
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swift it is unless ur prepared wait in the queue for atleast 6 months..
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Old 18th September 2005, 14:04   #5
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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 14:05.
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Old 18th September 2005, 15:56   #6
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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.

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Old 18th September 2005, 18:40   #7
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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 !
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Old 18th September 2005, 19:12   #8
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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)
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Old 18th September 2005, 19:45   #9
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In terms of Pure Driving Fun, Swift is better than Esteem. Technically current Swift is having refined and recalibered Esteem Engine.
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Old 18th September 2005, 20:14   #10
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Quote:
I dont consider the swift a hot hatch at all


A 87bhp hatch is not a hot hatch even in the Indian context.
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Old 19th September 2005, 00:57   #11
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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.
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Old 19th September 2005, 11:49   #12
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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.
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Old 19th September 2005, 18:55   #13
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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..
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Old 19th September 2005, 19:10   #14
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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
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Old 19th September 2005, 20:41   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dceite
what so special coming in 6 months.. please elaborate..
Nothing special...its the waiting period for the swift.

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