1. Name and Surname
Chelsy Pinto
2. Date of Birth
5 August 1988
3. What model is your Swift? (incl. year)
2009 Suzuki Swift 1.5 GLS M/T
4. What is the mileage on your Swift?
175,000km
5. Does your Swift have a name?
#PandaSwift 🐼
6. How long have you owned your Swift, and what has your experience been like?
I’ve had Panda since 1 July 2022 so almost three years, in that time I have done less than 10,000kms mostly because I use other cars or I was working remotely for awhile.
Honestly, she was 13 years old when I bought her and she needed a lot of TLC (Still does), but I still love driving her, despite her being a work in progress. There has been a few unexpected surprises (she is old after all and was kinda abandoned), hence the TLC but she’s an epic car, and I will get her in tip-top shape.
7. What cars have you previously owned?
In order: Toyota Tazz, Ford Ka, Suzuki Swift ZC21S (silver), Honda Ballade SR4, Nissan 200SX S13, Honda CR-X EE8, Suzuki Swift Sport ZA31S, Mazda MX-5 NA, Suzuki Swift ZC21S (orange), Swift Sport ZC32S, Suzuki Ignis, and Suzuki Jimny JB74
8. What made you choose the Suzuki Swift? What other cars did you consider?
In 2008, I drove past a Sunlight Copper Suzuki Swift by Clearwater Mall robot and I was like “WTF is that? I need it!” Thus began an obsession with the Suzuki brand and namely the Suzuki Swift, it took me a year to get my first Swift after stalking all the local dealers and manifesting the car into my life, it finally happened in September 2009, thanx to a drunk driver in a Nissan Xtrail – silver linings 🥰
I have always loved the first gen Swift the most out of all the Swifts (I have owned two gens previously), and I called up the now previous owner of Panda and asked if he would be interested in selling.
Unfortunately due to the exorbitant interest rate increases that started occurring in South Africa from 2021, I was unable to pay both my bond and my Jimny’s monthly installment so one of these things had to go… Luckily, Justin sold me his Swift and in return he bought my Jimny.
I wasn’t considering any other cars, I knew I wanted to get back into a Swift, it was just a matter of which one.
9. What do you love most about your Swift?
I love how unique she is and that’s actually thanx to Justin who made her look the way she does, but I if I look at what I love about ZC21’s is I really love the handling, the agility with the low weight, the torque delivery, the simple and classic looks, the small size, the no-nonsense interior, they do exude a classic JDM air about them, and they becoming pretty rare now, with the 31 being so rare some people didn’t even realise they were sold here. 🤣
10. If you could describe your Swift in three words, what would they be?
A complete underdog
Performance & Driving Experience
11. How does your Swift handle sharp corners, winding roads, and straight
lines?
Sharp corners and winding roads are really where this car shines, she is not fast but damn she is fun! She does have the added benefit of a full coilover suspension, and front and rear strut braces so she really sticks to corners with ease and inspires driver confidence.
She’s not built for straight line speed but at least she does perform better than other higher powered vehicles, I’ve given a few of them higher powered cars a hard time over the years.
12. What modifications have you made to your Swift? How have these mods
affected the driving experience?
Ok so full mods list include:
- Exterior
- Front and rear Swift Sport bumpers, with LED DRL
- Rear Swift Sport spoiler
- Swift Sport side skirts
- Swift Sport LED tail lights
- Type R style blacked out headlights
- Phillips WhiteVision Ultra bulbs
- Smoked LED side indicators
- Monster Sport grille
- Genuine carbon fiber bonnet
- Yellow fog lights
- Interior
- Swift Sport front and rear seats
- Swift Sport steering wheel
- Swift Sport pedal covers
- Swift Sport gear leaver boot
- Swift Sport instrument cluster with speedo corrector
- Clarion HU with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Monster Sport rear view mirror cover
- White LED interior and boot light
- Wheels & Chassis
- 17″ Lenso lightweight alloy wheels
- Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres
- D2 spec racing lug nuts in red
- Powerbrake slotted front discs
- Ultra Racing front and rear strut braces
- Tanabe Sustec Pro coilovers
- Engine
- Full Viper including 4-2-1 headers, single exit
- Rising Sun tappet cover
Of course the biggest improvement to the driving experience is from the suspension upgrades, but the exhaust has also really improved the low end toque delivery and sounds fabulous as well.
13. Have you taken your Swift to a track or motorsports event? If so, how did it perform?
I haven’t taken this specific Swift out on track, unfortunately I was diagnosed with a neurological condition back in December 2020 and as a result I need to avoid activities such as track driving, skidpan, drifting, etc. (I am working on this and hope to one day be able to go out on track again).
But I have taken out my previous Swifts and it was an incredible experience! I did Zwartkops, Tarlton, and The Rock in my first 21 a few times, and then Redstar Raceway in my ZC32S.
14. What’s one feature of the Swift that surprised you the most?
Not really a feature and I know I keep mentioning the handling, but the handling 😅 Looking back to 2009 though, one of the reasons why I was so keen on a Swift was because for a very affordable price, you could get a very well specced vehicle, and I really loved the idea that the Swift GLS came standard with 6x airbags and radio controls on the steering.
15. How does your Swift compare to other cars you’ve driven?
Ok I have driven a lot of cars, like a lot, but I just love how easy to drive Swifts are and so much fun! I really appreciate the low weight and small dimensions of my car, it keeps her nimble. Swifts by nature are cheeky, and even with the latest turbocharged Swift Sport ZC33S, they still remain an underdog and only those who know, will know, you know?
16. If you could improve one aspect of your Swift, what would it be?
If we looking at the features of my car for it’s time, what I would really have liked is bottle holders in the doors, it has always been a gripe of mine 🙃 She is old though and technology has advanced a lot, like what I really love about my company car, which is a 4th generation Swift GLX CVT, is the LED projector headlights with LED DRL, the colour information display, the 9″ DA 2 radio with Wireless Apple CarPlay, the auto up and down drivers window, etc but back then you didn’t find these features on more affordable small vehicles and I respect that.
Back when the new gen Swift came out in 2011 and it had bottle holders and a USB port, I was jealous, at least I gained a USB port with upgrading the HU and I have Apple Car Play which makes me very happy 😅
That being said, I am not really a features person, the way the car drives and the fun aspect is more important to me.
17. Would you recommend the Swift for someone who enjoys spirited driving? Why or why not?
Absolutely! I recommend the Swift to everyone, all the time, no matter their needs. Need a small car? Swift. Need a fun car? Swift. Need tons of value for that teeny paycheck? Swift. Got kids? Doesn’t matter, get a Swift! 🤣 For spirited driving, very few cars offer such great levels of driver engagement, especially the Sport, for only a fraction of the cost, and all while still being a practical day-to-day car.
18. What’s the best road trip or journey you’ve taken with your Swift?
I have owned Suzuki’s for 16 years and there have been many awesome road trips, but when it comes to Panda, I think the best journey has to be back in March this year when I picked up Badee and Warren (Swift Speed Cape Town Committee members) from ORT and journeyed down to Vanderbijl Park to collect Badee’s “new” ZA31S 🥰 It was really cool for Badee and Warren to experience a trip in a 1st gen Swift, especially a modded one, ahead of their journey down to CPT in the 1st gen Swift Sport, and they are both fans of Panda so it was cool to create those memories.
19. What’s the most fun or exciting experience you’ve had with your Swift?
I think taking her for her first photoshoot back in January 2023, Brandon Powell took some amazing photos of her in the Lanseria area, we got up super early and it felt like I could really say she was mine after doing this shoot. Since then I’ve had more photoshoots with Raj Automotive Media and Rynii Photography.
The Swift Speed Club
20. What made you decide to join a car club, and why did you choose Swift Speed?
I chose Swift Speed because I created it, back in April 2010, and originally under the name ‘Swift Owners’ 😅
I always loved cars although I didn’t grow up in a family who loved cars, but my interest really evolved when I joined the motor industry back when I was 19, and then reached new levels when I started dating someone who happened to be part of the Honda Club (HRC), and he opened my eyes to a whole community of Petrolheads that I honestly didn’t know existed outside of the movies.
When I saw how passionate these Honda owners were and found more car clubs who shared similar sentiments, I thought to myself that there had to be people out there who love their Swift like I do and decided to risk it for the biscuit and here we are! 15 years later and Swift Speed has curated a passionate community of Swift owners, and has become one of the few Car Clubs left in SA.
It was difficult to gain a following for a while, Suzuki had been in the country for less than two years when Swift Speed started, there weren’t many Suzuki’s on the road, never mind Swifts on it’s own and considering you are targeting a specific model from a niche brand at the time, it was tough to gain recognition and be taken seriously. A lot has changed since then, Suzuki now sits firmly as SA’s second highest selling vehicle brand, with the Swift often taken first place in sales for passenger cars, and now many people want to share in that success from a community perspective. It’s amazing, really.
21. How did you find out about the Swift Speed Club?
Well, if I didn’t know about it, that would be a problem cause then who is running the show? 🤣
22. How long have you been a VIP member of Swift Speed?
Since the beginning, which is about 2012.
23. What’s the best memory or event you’ve experienced with Swift Speed so far?
There are a few…
First, when we reached 20x Swifts at a Breakfast Run back in 2014 (we reached 20x cars previously but with a few brands) 😍
Then, Jo-Durbs Invasion, a combined meet with Gauteng and KZN as we officially re-launched Swift Speed KZN in 2017.
Another epic memory was Swift Sessions 2017 at Redstar Raceway, which was our first ever track day event hosted by Swift Speed, before that we only ever joined other clubs or venues track days, and it showed how big we were getting and how the club was making an impact in the community.
A surprise unveiling of the all-new Swift Sport to Swift Speed members at a private event hosted at Suzuki SA’s offices, back in April 2019, 3 months ahead of the vehicles’ official launch
Hosting a few Swift Speed members at the official media launch of the all-new Swift in Stellenbosch in November 2024.
And lastly, Swift Sessions 2025 which was so much bigger and better than any event we ever hosted before, the event was completely sold out with Swift Speed members who attended across the country and it was something to be proud of.
24. How has being part of Swift Speed enhanced your experience as a Suzuki Swift owner?
Swift Speed has become an integral part of my life, and as a result I will probably always be a Suzuki owner. As the Founder & President, I try to ensure that all Suzuki owners who are part of Swift Speed, really enjoy their time with the club and find something of value out of it.
My only mission is to continue to provide a safe and welcoming space for all Suzuki owners, a place where people are passionate to be part of and want to grow, and learn, and build with the club. I want people to buy a Swift simply to be part of this amazing club because they want to be part of something really great. 😋
25. Do you feel that being in Swift Speed has helped you learn more about
your car? If so, in what ways?
Oh definitely, of course I have grown with this brand considering I have been an owner for over 16 years and then became obsessed with knowing as much as I can about the brand and it’s products, knowledge that has been hugely beneficial to me as I am now Suzuki SA’s Assistant Manager for Product Planning and Sales Development.
One of the benefits of being part of Swift Speed is the ability to share knowledge and experiences between members and many people have benefitted from this greatly, there is a wealth of knowledge from many of the older members that can really help people make the best out of their Swift ownership experience.
26. Have the friendships you’ve made within Swift Speed grown beyond just car meets, leading to socialising outside of the club? If so, how has this bond impacted your experience as a member?
I have made very few friends from the club over the years, I believe people mostly see me as “The Boss” and not someone who just loves her car and wants to hang out with other people who love their car too 😅 but there are a select few who I can definitely call friends and who I regularly talk to and hang out with (time permitting, being an adult is very time consuming).
However, we have some amazing members in the club, I know many many friendships have been formed amongst other Swift Speed members, and it has been wonderful to see these members grow with the club, and learn so many things bout their cars, the Suzuki brand, and cars in general, they have found a community they can vibe and grow with and that’s the whole point of the club at the end of the day.
27. What advice would you give to someone considering joining a car club for the first time?
If you are considering it, then do it 😎 you will learn lots and have fun doing it. Make sure it is a reputable association though with a great crowd, you don’t want to be part of groups that just like to cause kak. Also, in the day and age of Social Media, there are very few car clubs left anymore.
Future Plans & Improvements
28. Are there any future upgrades or modifications you’d like to make?
Always 🤣 but in all seriousness, I am focusing on sorting out all the TLC required. Some of the work to be done include clutch, tie rod ends, rack ends, ball joints, wheel bearings, engine mounts, shocks, stabiliser bushes, body work, etc, etc. these of course will all be done with upgraded parts where applicable.
29. If Suzuki were to improve the Swift, what features or changes would you like to see?
For years I wanted a 2.0 turbo Swift with AWD just because 🤣 which is of course completely unattainable from an OEM perspective but hey, would be cool 😅
But in all seriousness and speaking about the Swift only – I think it is a brilliant package as is, although telescopic steering would be great. On the Sport, it just needs those 17″ OEM wheels and a rear foglight – no hybrid or autonomous driving features, please 😅
30. Would you consider buying another Swift in the future?
Obviously. I think I will always have a Swift in my life 😋
31. What advice would you give to someone considering a Swift as their next car?
Stop considering and start buying, like right now! Contact Michael at Suzuki Kyalami, he’ll make it happen 😋
Photo’s of Panda:
What Panda used to look like:
Photo’s of my previous Suzukis:
2008 Swift 1.5 GLS (ZC21S) – The O.G. and the first one to wear the ZOOKIE GP plate, owned from 2009 to 2012
2010 Swift Sport 1.6 (ZA31S) – I supercharged this one, it was an expensive lesson 😅 owned from 2013 to 2015
2008 Swift 1.5 GLS (ZC21S) – owned from 2015 till 2016 (she died a horrible death, I am still heartsore about that one 💔)
2016 Suzuki Swift Sport (ZC32S) – owned from 2017 to 2019
2019 Ignis 1.2 GLX – owned from 2019 to 2020
2020 Jimny 1.5 GLX AT (JB74) – owned from 2020 to 2022