Suzuki Swift Problems

And just sometimes, you can get it all and still hear the reassuring sounds of change rattling in your pocket.  Small cars don't have to be cheap and nasty or even perform like an asthmatic snail in a bid to maximise fuel economy. Nor do they have to be cramped or have the visual appeal of a packing crate that instantly identifies you as cheap.  Here are five small cars that will haul you and three friends - and do it on a miserly fuel budget.The good news is they're all less than $30,000. And that includes comprehensive safety features with electronic stability control and ABS brakes.  But best of all, turn up the wick and these things will give you a decent thrill.  Two are turbocharged and one has a 2.5-litre engine. No need to be red-faced at the traffic lights in these.Mitsubishi Colt RalliartThis looks like a small apartment block sitting on a cute set of alloys. In fact, it's a powerhouse that will dust of a lot of cars with twice the engine capacity and has room for four adults, parks in weeny car bays, runs on a sip of fuel - though you'll need premium brand - and is the perfect shopping trolley for people who like their food fast.Price: $25,740Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 113kW/210NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 6.7 l/100km premiumPerformance: 0-100km/h in 7.6 secSafety: two airbags, ESC, ABS, BAVolkswagen Polo GTIThis baby sister of the Golf GTI quickly gets off the mark thanks to some component sharing and a 1.8-litre turbo engine. It comes only as a three door so may limit those with heaps of friends, though certainly looks as good as it goes. Solid German construction and versatile interior add to its appeal.Price: $26,990Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged 110kW/220NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 7.9 l/100km Premium0-100km/h: 8.2 secSafety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, diff lockFord Fiesta ZetecYou can get this in three and five-door versions (extra money for the five door) and while it's not turbocharged, is a spirited performer with lots of aesthetic charm. It's an easy hatchback to live with and aside from a small fuel thirst, runs on cheaper unleaded petrol. Comprehensive safety features show you care for your friends.Price: $20,490Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 88kW/152NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 6.1 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 8.2 sec (estimated)Safety: 5 airbags, ESC, ABS, BASuzuki Swift SportYou know the Swift, now meet its more beefed up brother. The Sport is unassuming though gets a bigger engine and tauter suspension to accentuate its handling and acceleration. That makes it as practical and reliable as its less-powerful relations. Also has great features and the full safety package.Price: $23,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl 92kW/148NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel economy: 7.5 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 8.8 secSafety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BAMazda3 SP25This is a great package at a superb price. The SP25 just takes the refreshed Mazda3 to another level, boosting power and torque yet not crushing attributes such as its fuel economy. The features are also excellent as is the safety equipment. It's physically bigger than its rivals here and that means more cabin and luggage room, so it never feels like a small car.Price: $29,740Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cyl 122kW/227NmTransmission: 6-speed manualFuel economy: 8.6 l/100km Unleaded0-100km/h: 7.9 sec (estimated)Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, BA

The popular little hatchback was recalled on March 29 for a possible fuel leak from an incorrectly installed fuel filler pipe hose clamp which could cause a fire "in rare cases". It has now been recalled again over the same issue, but for vehicles made more recently.The first recall affected about 11,000 Swifts sold from February 1, 2011, to March 29 this year in Australia -- and was part of a global recall of 109,000. The second recall affects vehicles sold since then. According to VFacts industry figures, Suzuki Australia sold 715 Swifts in April and has sold 3713 since the start of the year.Four cases of leaking fuel filler hoses have been reported in Japan, but Suzuki says the incidents did not lead to any accidents. There have been no reports of leaks in cars sold in the Australian market.Suzuki Australia spokesman Andrew Ellis says the second recall is for an inspection of the re-work that was carried out in the plant to rectify the situation. ``Essentially a visual inspection and confirmation of location of the fuel filler hose that should only take a few minutes,'' he says.The voluntary recall by Suzuki Australia Pty Limited claims insufficient sealing between the rubber filler hose and the metal filler pipe leading to possible fuel escaping from the fuel tank filler port.The defect is a result of a production error during installation. Owners have been advised to contact an authorised Suzuki dealer for the fault to be fixed. 

The cars were produced between September 2010 and last month, with 55,146 shipped to the domestic market and 53,801 others that were exported to countries including to Australia, Mexico, and Europe.Suzuki said that an inadequate connection on the rubber fuel filler hose could cause petrol to leak. Four cases of such leakage have been reported in Japan, but they did not lead to any accidents, the statement revealed."There have been no reports of such defects abroad,'' the spokesman added. "About the exported cars, we will deal with them in keeping with local procedures of the countries concerned.''In March, Suzuki recalled about 93,000 Swifts, including 11,000 in Australia, to repair the fuel filling system.