Nice write up! I also just bought a 2008 manual ZC31S a few weeks back for my son to learn driving. We absolutely love it! I got the car in almost stock condition with only lowered using Eibach springs and 17' black Lenso rims with super thin 205/40/17 tires. I hate the rims/tire size combo coz the ride is damn harsh so within a few weeks I changed them to white 5Zigen 15x7 using Hankook V12 Evo 2 tires size 195/55/15. Now way much better as the ride is much more comfortable without sacrificing the handling and it accelerates even faster now due to less weight. IMHO it looks better too coz more proportional (small car matched with small rims) and more racing look (white rims on white car).

I also have remapped mine using RRP v2, agree that it's highly recommended as the torque response especially from low-mid rpm is much more punchy. I have mod my exhaust using 4-2-1 headers and Suzuki Sport rear muffler. Now the response is even more meaty with more top end while sounding sweet all the way!

I also have tried ron 97 & 100 but currently I'm just filling it up with 95 and it still works fine, just a slightly less throttle response than 97 but not so noticeable and more importantly no knocking. Fuel consumption IMHO is excellent as I can still easily get 10-11km/ltr while driving aggressively most of the time. Last round I tried to drive smoother and more patient and able to get 12.4km/ltr, but for me it's hard to drive slowly with this car as I just feel I want to floor it all the time coz it's so fun!

What I love about this car:
1. Great, sharp handling with good steering feedback. The handling is surprisingly neutral for a FWD car that makes this car loves eating corners fast!
2. Good engine power for its' size, making it a true pocket rocket and can surprise those with bigger cars!
3. Nice manual gearbox with very short ratios and short throw action too, great for acceleration. Like you said the clutch pedal feel is also just nice.
4. Good fuel consumption.
5. Excellent front seats, hugging the body nicely almost as good as Recaros in Evos or WRXs but easier to live with.
6. Good pedal positioning/alignment.
7. Good brakes.
8. Rear folding seats to allow carrying larger stuff.
9. Last but not least 8 airbags for safety! No other cars in this class has as many airbags s this little baby.

What I think are not so good in this car (but nothing major):
1. Seating position just a bit high.
2. No auto up for driver's window.
3. It needs a 6th gear! That's why ZC32S has a 6th gear.
4. Even though the braking power is good enough but the brake pedal feel is on the soft side.
5. Also like your experience, it's slightly nervous at the rear but if this is the small price to pay for making it so neutral and well balanced during cornering then I'll gladly live with it!
6. The turning radius is surprisingly wide for such small car! It's even wider than my other much longer cars! Feels almost like doing a U-turn in an Evo.
7. Rattling around the driver's side power window switches.
8. Seems to attract other small cars like Myvi and Ford Fiesta S to cucuk from behind to try test you!

For further upgrades, later today I want to install coil on plug for every cylinder to make a bit more power/improve response, plus a drop-in after market air filter. Also considering to upgrade the brakes maybe with a 2 pot caliper and later better performance pads once the current pads finished. I'm not considering to install any chassis stiffening bars yet since I think the chassis is stiff and sweet handling enough for now.

As for repairs, I haven't done much yet since I just got the car and so far don't see much issues as the car is running beautifully. Planning to bring it to check the engine mountings and suspension bushings, and replace the cam cover gasket coz got some oil leaks there.

Btw where do you get the RRP 5th gear ratio replacement? How much does it cost? Where do you bring your car to service/repair? I'm thinking to bring mine to Stephen Loh at Fine Works Garage.

This post has been edited by 6UE5T: Sep 12 2018, 12:39 AM

Yeah I have not much choice, because I want a small but cool, fun manual Japanese car with the most airbags which is within my budget of rm30k which he will also like so that's the only option. I also don't feel like buying just any junk of a car (even though that might be easier) for him coz I also want him to like the car so he'll take care of it. So yeah, that's how we ended up buying this car.

Oh that guy, yeah I saw his posts a lot in FB. Hmm Kajang a bit too far for me.

I paid rm900 for the rims. Not cheap but quite desperate since it's difficult to find original rims for 15x7 or 15x6.5 with 5x114.3 PCD. Was considering to just put back the stock 16' rims but the 195/50/16 tire size is not much choice for good UHP tires and much more expensive too.

Thx for the info on Kegani Racing & RRP, will try to check out.

Yup the 16' tire size is very difficult/limited choices and much more expensive, plus the stock rims is a bit narrow at 6.5j with only 50 offset.

My 5Zigen is also a 6 spoke design similar to TE37 but normal cast rims so the weight is also normal only, not lightweight.
There's a 5 spoke black Lenso on sale now in King Of Rims, size 15x7 offset 35 which is perfect, asking rm1280 brand new.

If more torque but car heavier then it would be about similar pick up but again need to see the gear ratios. Our ZC31S has very short ratios that compensate for lower torque at the low-mid rpm, hence the pick up is also still pretty good. If Iriz has better engine torque but longer ratios and heavier then it may actually ends up not as responsive too.

It is that much fun! What surprised me the most after buying this car is the handling, didn't expect it to be as sharp and neutral. Then the response/acceleration is quick enough to surprise bigger cars. It basically lives up the term pocket rocket.

I've been driving it every day now while on certain days I teach my son to drive it. After driving my other AT car for so long, driving this manual SSS is really enjoyable for me and at least fulfills my craving to drive a manual car again. Now my other car is just sleeping for a over a month now!

It's becoming a very rare car also nowadays. So few manual cars available on sale. If you check in Mudah now, only 3 manual ZC31S on sale for the whole Malaysia! Most people just prefer the normal ZC21 auto version. I'm glad that I have bought mine, especially at a price below rm30k.

Wife wants a manual car?? That's a rarity so you should take advantage of that! Previous owner of my car was also a female though.

I just checked there are only 4 manual ZC31S on sale now in Mudah and only 1 seems in good condition but the price is a bit high! And I know for sure there's already someone eyeing on it too.
https://www.mudah.my/2008+Suzuki+Swift+Spor...M+-68140796.htm

I had previously also checked out this unit before but decided not to buy it because the rear boot somehow was so wet/filled with water until the rear carpet got a lot of fungus!
https://www.mudah.my/Suzuki+Swift+1+6+M+5+s...ec-66620529.htm

Then there's this one in Penang from Carlist, seems pretty cheap but not sure if ori ZC31S or converted one from ZC21. https://www.carlist.my/used-cars/2007-suzuk...tchback/5125061
I encountered one unit whereby full conversion had been done and the car is in good condition too asking only rm26k, but found out from the chassis/engines stamping on the passenger door frame that it's actually converted unit.

Maybe for you get the newer 2013-2014 ZC32S so can still easily get loan, but the price is steep and also still very rare, like this one below.
https://www.mudah.my/2013+Suzuki+SWIFT+1+6+...M+-65137615.htm
Last time for just about 3 weeks got 1 white unit on sale for just around rm56k but now gone already so maybe sold out.

Well if you get a good and relatively stock ZC31S like mine then not much to restore actually.

6 speed is good leh, I wish mine has 6th gear!

General spec can see here:
https://swiftclubbrunei.blogspot.com/2012/0...c32s-specs.html
Plus at least 8 airbags, not sure if got VSC/TRC or not though.

Yeah, odd tire size, not many choices of good UHP tires, only those stupid Toyos! That's why I downsize to 15' which I think is the perfect size for this small car.

CPS engine is not good. The only Proton I'd remotely consider is the old Satria GTI with the Mitsubishi 4G93 engine coz that is basically a rebadged Mitsubishi Mirage and it's a pretty fast car.
CRZ is more complicated coz of the hybrid system.
Anyway all those above don't have as many airbags and they are 2 doors so not as practical. So IMHO, our ZC31S as a whole package is clearly the better car.

As long as the age is still within 10yrs old then still can get loan. Public Bank may even still give up to 12 yrs old car. Not sure of the interest rates though.

Yeah, its a very rare car now, in total seems only 6 genuine ZC31S in mudah now for both manual and auto versions in the whole Malaysia! Good luck and happy hunting.

Welcome. Are you also an owner or looking for one?

It's not me who are looking to buy coz I already own one now.

Yeah, stock rims most of the time are heavy to be strong. That is typical weight for stock 16' rims. My Mark X 16x7 rims are heavier at over 9kg. For my son's ZC31S, the 15x7 5Zigen is about 7kg, still heavy for 15' but at least quite a bit lighter than stock.

So what's the new wheel? This ones are pretty nice:
https://www.mudah.my/Rim+15inci+ORI+LENSO+P...K9-69216067.htm
https://www.mudah.my/Sport+rim+ORIGINAL+LEN...a+-68732261.htm

Susah dapat.

Oh really? It's becoming like collector car now.

Too much hassle yet still not the same. Original is always the best.

For those looking, now got 4 on sale!
https://www.mudah.my/2011+Suzuki+Swift+1+6+...8282.htm?last=1
https://www.mudah.my/2010+Suzuki+SWIFT+1+6+...ED-71795507.htm
https://www.mudah.my/2008+Suzuki+Swift+1+6+M+-71816225.htm
https://www.mudah.my/+ORI+SWIFT+SPORT+2008+...M+-70196633.htm

The first one seems to be the best example if it's truly a 2011 car.

Ah congrats then! That one looks good especially with the Greddy front lip, and seems a good deal also ya. Just wondering why there are bumper clips at the front? Hopefully not because of frontal accident before that broke the inner bumper mountings.

So it's true 2010 made car or actually older? How much is the final price if I may ask?

Typical used car dealer trick to bait customer but then mark up price.

Really? Last time when I was looking for mine, I only saw 1 which had accidents before but the rest also had other issues.
Anyway good that you finally got one and then you can join the Swift Club Malaysia. We just had year end gathering organized by Swift Gang in GlennMarie, estimated around 160-170 cars attending!