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1,700km in the Ignis Sport (Part 1)

1,700km in the Ignis Sport (Part 1)

chitchatboy

Entry posted by chitchatboy ·

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blogentry-133713-0-52097500-1399559398_thumb.jpgFor those of you who have been reading my posts, you would have probably guessed that I am pretty fond of Suzuki's little Ignis Sport. But alas, like what others say, all good things must come to an end. With the Ignis Sport's time almost up (blame it on the silly COE system here), I told myself I had to do an epic drive in it before it goes. Epic? Unfortunately, we live in Singapore so there aren't going to be any Stelvio Pass or scenic ocean roads to drive on. So I guess Penang will have to do.

 

blogentry-133713-0-91580000-1399554188_thumb.jpg

 

Having decided on it being a 3 days 2 nights trip, I knew time was not going to be on my side. So on one fine Friday morning, I set the meters to zero, filled the tank up and started driving.

 

blogentry-133713-0-50462200-1399559520_thumb.jpgThe GPS said I would reach Penang around 4:00pm but I felt it was a little too optimistic.

 

blogentry-133713-0-52151000-1399559612_thumb.jpgSoon, I was in Kuala Lumpur and headed towards Ipoh. Still felt pretty fresh even though the Ignis was not the best car to cross countries in.

 

blogentry-133713-0-00071300-1399559685_thumb.jpgThen the haze suddenly appeared as I was at the Petaling Jaya exit.

 

blogentry-133713-0-01477500-1399561265_thumb.jpgIt got pretty bad and I had to cut our speed.

 

blogentry-133713-0-92847900-1399561382_thumb.jpgBy then it was already 2:00pm and we had to stop for lunch and fuel.

 

blogentry-133713-0-31020700-1399561448_thumb.jpgIpoh passed quickly...

 

blogentry-133713-0-21857900-1399562142_thumb.jpgA couple more hours later, Penang was within reach. Note the Vios up ahead that was also taking this long drive up!

 

blogentry-133713-0-31514400-1399645393_thumb.jpgSignboard showed two bridges. I planned to go to the newer one (leading to Batu Maung) but missed the exit to the bridge!

 

blogentry-133713-0-81121000-1399645365_thumb.jpgSneaked a quick shot on the older bridge.

 

blogentry-133713-0-81016400-1399645682_thumb.jpgIt took me another hour to locate my hotel (Spice Residence) as it was not easy to spot.

 

blogentry-133713-0-50987300-1399645701_thumb.jpgBut once we stepped inside, all was forgiven. This was one charming and cosy place!

 

blogentry-133713-0-54950600-1399645748_thumb.jpgThe room had a nice, distinctive decor too.

 

blogentry-133713-0-41400700-1399645812_thumb.jpgNightfall came and we had dinner at Lebuh Kimberly.

 

blogentry-133713-0-62745400-1399646327_thumb.jpgChar Kway Teow was good but the prawn mee was pretty average.

 

blogentry-133713-0-39894900-1399646548_thumb.jpg

 

blogentry-133713-0-49372100-1399646536_thumb.jpgAfter the simple dinner, some coffee was required to wash down the oily stuff. Chanced upon and decided on Sugar Honey as it looked like a nice place to chill out. Happy to report that coffee is cheaper here as compared to Singapore.

 

blogentry-133713-0-25457900-1399646575_thumb.jpg

 

blogentry-133713-0-86341300-1399646563_thumb.jpgBefore the day ended, we hopped over to another cafe for some desserts. The cake is pretty good here at China House.


10 Comments

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Macrosszero

There's no Stelvio Pass but there is the Gua Musang. Pity you missed that.

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Nc35

kudos bro.. i used to own an ignis sport as well.. fun car to drive.

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Vinceng

Absolute shame that such a rare great condition icon got to head to the scrapyard soon.

 

Could have been driven for at least another decade.

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Pocus

Ignis Sport was one of my affordable dream cars when I first got my license. I vividly remembers the first time I seat behind the wheels of this hot hatch due my very first testdrive with Mr Frankie, my SE, beside me.

 

I was driving like a turtle when Mr Frankie asked me to "Whack the car! drag to redline!" I complied and was rewarded with a sporty roar and a gush of torque as the car easily reaches the maximum speed limit for the road.

 

109ps? No way!

 

But alas practicality got in the way as I have family needs, so I had to give up this 2 door hatch and opt for a family friendly 4 door Swift.

 

I dare to admit, even up to now, I still regretted not following my heart then...

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Hotnyh

What a waste to scrap this car... damn the COE time limit!

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chitchatboy

There's no Stelvio Pass but there is the Gua Musang. Pity you missed that.

 

Yup. Been there years back. Will definitely go back again.

 

 

 

What a waste to scrap this car... damn the COE time limit!

 

Ignis Sport was one of my affordable dream cars when I first got my license. I vividly remembers the first time I seat behind the wheels of this hot hatch due my very first testdrive with Mr Frankie, my SE, beside me.

 

I was driving like a turtle when Mr Frankie asked me to "Whack the car! drag to redline!" I complied and was rewarded with a sporty roar and a gush of torque as the car easily reaches the maximum speed limit for the road.

 

109ps? No way!

 

But alas practicality got in the way as I have family needs, so I had to give up this 2 door hatch and opt for a family friendly 4 door Swift.

 

I dare to admit, even up to now, I still regretted not following my heart then...

 

Absolute shame that such a rare great condition icon got to head to the scrapyard soon. Could have been driven for at least another decade.

 

kudos bro.. i used to own an ignis sport as well.. fun car to drive.

 

Agree with all of you. The Ignis is a very good example of less is more.

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Zaxx

Igniis sport was the first car that I got when I got my license. Fun little thing that has pretty decent handling BUT horrible nvh and vv flimsy. (Hit a rock on the floor and the wheel fell off). Buak at the back by a vios and the whole back caved in whereas the vios suffers min damage. And for car that prides itself on it's cornering actually slides around the corner at 50km/h as it's way to light. (might be stock tires too)

 

And I really salute the author for taking the car for such long drive. My spine would not have taken the hard punishing ride seriously.and the noise! Not exhaust but road and wind and rattles. Sold the car off after a year. Too dangerous. But still had some pleasant memories with it.

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chitchatboy

Igniis sport was the first car that I got when I got my license. Fun little thing that has pretty decent handling BUT horrible nvh and vv flimsy. (Hit a rock on the floor and the wheel fell off). Buak at the back by a vios and the whole back caved in whereas the vios suffers min damage. And for car that prides itself on it's cornering actually slides around the corner at 50km/h as it's way to light. (might be stock tires too) And I really salute the author for taking the car for such long drive. My spine would not have taken the hard punishing ride seriously.and the noise! Not exhaust but road and wind and rattles. Sold the car off after a year. Too dangerous. But still had some pleasant memories with it.

 

Fortunately for me, I did not have any accidents with it so I can't agree it was a flimsy car. As a matter of fact, considering the amount of yanking on the handbrake and hard launches i did, I thought it was a pretty robust thing!

 

NVH was bad like you mention though. I could not hear what was coming through the radio mostly!

 

Yup, the Ignis does like to slide around like you mention. I believe it was meant to do that so that you can adjust your line of attack mid corner.

 

 

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