At $4,500, Will This 1991 Suzuki Swift GT-I Go Quick?

Whereas the vacation season generally is a nerve-racking time for lots of oldsters, at this time’s Good Worth or No Cube Suzuki Swift GT-I is more likely to put a smile on the face of even probably the most down-in-the-dumps seasonal sufferer. Let’s examine if this glad little drop-top’s value is simply as heartwarming.

Jungle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg… Oops, sorry. I used to be simply basking in just a little little bit of the vacation spirit. In spite of everything, it ’tis the season for… nicely, apparently not shopping for the 2003 Ferrari 360 Modena Spider we checked out on Christmas Eve, Wednesday. At $79,000, the seemingly first rate, if not spectacular, tremendous sports activities automobile elicited extra “bah, humbug” responses than “bellissima” ones. Maybe it was the considerably staid colour scheme that proved a turn-off. Or perhaps it was its F1 gearbox. Regardless of the purpose, not a lot of you had been having it. In the end, that noticed the Ferrari fall in a 57% ‘No Cube’ loss.

At present is a busy day, as, respectively, each Kwanzaa and Boxing Day are noticed. It is also the day through which faculty soccer followers metal their resolve and gird their loins in preparation for Saturday’s spate of six Bowl video games, together with (checks notes, incredulously) the Snoop Canine Arizona Bowl. Wow, who knew?

For individuals who think about bowls one thing you eat Depend Chocula out of fairly than testosterone-fueled exams of groups, there’s lots else to do. Perhaps even getting out for a drive if the climate cooperates. That would show particularly smile-inducing if the experience had been as enjoyable and fabulous as at this time’s 1991 Suzuki Swift GT-I convertible. I imply, is not it completely lovely?

We have had a couple of Suzuki-built vehicles and vans come our method lately, for no obvious purpose apart from pure happenstance. None, nonetheless, has been fairly as weirdly great showing as this soft-top Swift. This is not only a run-of-the-mill Swift convertible; it has had GT-I ins and outs added. And, primarily based on the aftermarket accoutrements—decals, fender flares, a bra—it has been proven some additional love by its house owners.

Small, quirky, and with a experience that challenges the fixture of the fillings in your enamel, the Swift convertible is one thing of an anachronism in at this time’s automobile market. Nevertheless, being a two-seat drop prime with a DOHC engine, it is nearly precisely the identical specs as Wednesday’s Ferrari, give or take a couple of particulars. It also needs to be famous that Suzuki by no means provided the convertible within the U.S. as a GT-I, so with the badging and a sizzling engine, that is one thing of an odd duck right here.

That engine is a 16-valve, 1.3-liter, naturally aspirated inline-four. Gas-injected, it made a manufacturing facility claimed 100 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque, each fairly first rate numbers for the time. One-upping the Ferrari, that engine is matched to a five-speed handbook driving the entrance wheels. In keeping with the advert, the automobile is in wonderful form, save for a couple of niggling points. I will let the vendor clarify:

That is a particularly reliable automobile, and has been my every day driver for 2yrs. If not for a few points to resolve I might be asking alot extra for this superb little automobile: the third gear synchro is carrying and the entrance finish steering wants some work, and there is some very minor hail dings on the hood.

And it wants just a little tinkering: one rattle within the exhaust, the hood launch lever is wonky (but it surely works), the speedo needle is off, and tight window cranking.

If it had been excellent, it might be boring, proper?

As a part of Swift’s conversion to a convertible, the rear seat was eradicated, making it a two-seater solely. Being a high-zoot GTI mannequin—or not less than a cobbled-together automobile with GT-I components—these seats are sport buckets with deeply hugging bolsters and grippy material upholstery. They seem to have survived the years and the automobile’s modest 40,000 miles of journey admirably. The steering wheel and shift knob, however, have been changed by, respectively, a Grant GT four-spoke and Hurst-style T-handle. Neither is doing the cabin any favors, however neither ought to be problematic in any method past aesthetic considerations.

The outside is as expressive because the Swift’s diminutive dimensions will afford, with decals on the doorways, a baggage rack within the again, and oddly disproportionate 17-inch wheels beneath. A set of smaller 15-inch wheels may present higher steadiness and permit the speedometer to learn appropriately.

Apart from the few points the vendor has recognized, there’s a lot to love about this Suzuki. It is clear, has an issue-free title, and a prime that does its job. Plus, simply taking a look at it may simply elicit a smile if not a full-on chortle. Might that be definitely worth the $4,500 asking value for the automobile?

Sure, I agree, pre-pandemic, this is able to have seemingly been a two-grand automobile on its finest day. That is the timeline we’re dwelling in, although, so let’s recover from our communal indignation over how issues have gone.

With that put to relaxation, what’s your opinion on this Swift and that $4,500 asking? Does that appear honest for a lot expression stuffed into so small a package deal? Or is that an excessive amount of for too little, even given allowances for the vacation season?

You resolve!

Albuquerque, New Mexico Craigslistor go right here if the advert disappears.

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