We Bought a Top Gear Reasonably Priced Car!

[@Drivetribe]

What should we do with our Liana? Thank you to Lanoguard for sponsoring today's video, check out their underbody protection products here: bit.ly/DT-Lanoguard-24

[@Baukevandijk]

You should make it a full track build and take it to the nurburgring. Or perhaps make it go head to head with an official reasonably priced car. (i dont think the original liana still exists). You can also do an upgrade series where with each upgrade you lap the car and see what makes the biggest difference. Car Throttle dit a similar thing a few years back with a 330D and that was fun to watch.

[@WithCars9]

Can we put this car on a rolling road before any modifications?

[@DJSvenNo1]

Increase the displacement and turbo :)

[@konstantinoschatzidakis6394]

You should put a star in the reasonably priced car!

[@pjccwest]

Weight reduction-turbo or engine conversion-E85-aerodynamics-paint-brakes/tyres/drivetrain/other bits

[@adriches406]

Sleeper build, nurburgring, ben chasing supercars in a reasonably priced car

[@HunGaRage]

with a john deere turbo on it

[@jps26]

Yes 1000% imagine the looks getting CHOPPED by a linana on the ring!

[@mhjl0]

You should be a producer, great idea!

[@mrflippant]

And he has to wear the old Simpson Diamondback helmet while doing it, so everyone things he's just some poser until he takes the helmet off.

[@TommyCullen-VacuumConnisour]

Sleeper liana, don't make it look silly, just make it a rocketship.

[@britishgaming6]

most humiliating car to be overtaken by on a motorway

[@Crackhead__]

K20 swap or another big turbo Honda engine

[@traingameiacs]

YES, SLEEPER LIANA

[@sirhenners204]

turbo the 1.6- HKS do a kit that takes the M16A (also in the old Vitaras and Swift Sports) that'll take the 1.6 up to about 200hp on stock internals.

[@weesketchyhaggis5392]

agreed! would be awesome

[@Oliverdobbins]

Count me in for the sleeper option. That engine bay is BEGGING to have something more impressive in it. Leave the rest of it as factory - but crank the powertrain to 11. Make a horizon-piercing land missile that you can go shopping in!

[@bhizahr]

Cranking powertrain to 11 means new brakes, tires and probably suspension to make it safe so better not let everything else 20+y/o factory 😅

[@dalehadley3283]

Honestly, I agree with the sleeper build,the Liana is an absolute legend and changing the entire car would kinda ruin it's legacy, because everyone knows this boring everyday reasonably priced car,not a track day monster

[@mrflippant]

I bet you could fit the engine and trans from an X-Type Jag in there, easy peasy!

[@hairyneil]

It's a Suzuki, so .......gixxer?

[@souotubo]

I think the BEST thing you could do is, get Richard, James and Clarkson to do a lap at the top gear track in the liana! That be pretty sick!

[@duraeble2]

i mean mike knows richard personally, who can reach out to james and clarkson to do it

[@BeKindToBirds]

For complicated reasons relating to the current unique state of the British government and how the BBC is funded we are now able to have a celebrity do a lap in our reasonably priced car! Introducing Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and the last driver the reasonably priced car will ever have, Richard Hammond!

[@MycketTuff]

Only Hammond will ever be seen on drivetribe

[@ambivalentonion2620]

The track has been destroyed

[@dinispaulino7512]

​@@MycketTuffWhat about May?

[@ciaranbromhead1001]

It’s time to put a star in our reasonably priced car

[@lucaswilson1701]

Now my guest tonight...

[@arslan479]

I reckon it will give Mike’s Rover a run for its money

[@rungerungeanator9447]

Jeremy Clarkson

[@johnedwards3198]

It's time to put a star in our scrap car. TBF in true Top Gear form it needs to be (dis)tastefully modified!!!

[@stichupman]

I hated this bit of top gear.

[@TGBDalton]

The reason it has so much space ion the engine bay is because it was designed to have everything from the M15A 1.5l i4 they got in Japan to the J24 2.4l i4 engine they got in the states with either manual, auto's or auto x 4WD. It was a world car that Suzuki put their all into only to have it flop. They tried again with the Kizashi to the same fate. There's so much you can do to it, you just have to be prepared to spend big for parts to be made or ready to bodge stuff on. I have a modified Liana estate and I've had to do a lot of research into this stuff to see what's possible. I can help advise if you're interested. Also, a fun fact, the Liana is what debuted the M16A 1.6l engine to the UK market! They used that engine right up until 2017 with many iterations which settled it at 130hp and perfected VVT head

[@newfelo]

I've got a '03 Aerio 1.6 here in Chile and there was a Sport version with a 2.4 4l (different trims and all) and some people swapped it with a 2.7 V6 (they said with minor modifications) from a Suzuki Gran Nomade back in the day

[@MrBrno]

The Swift got way more popular than the Liana funnily enough

[@Slothdeman]

It’s got a digital speedometer - therefore, it’s basically a Honda S2000

[@Felice_Enellen]

Make it a sleeper.

[@SirChivalRegal]

Sleeper ? Meaning ...

[@Felice_Enellen]

@@SirChivalRegal A sleeper is a car that looks like a plain, unaltered production car at a glance, but is actually massively modified to surprise anyone it challenges.

[@SirChivalRegal]

@@Felice_Enellen Used cars modified by the previous owner I assume.?

[@Felice_Enellen]

@@SirChivalRegal Usually its current owner.

[@anusername8350]

The moment i saw that engine bay i started thinking about completely ridiculous swap options

[@Grover91]

Oh 100%. 😂

[@MatiPryjomko]

"I got a V8 moturrrrr"

[@cafe405]

Space for an LS?

[@warol_kojtyla2137]

@@cafe405 american detected

[@1968spikey]

It's gagging for a built K-swap

[@regantnz]

We need a battle of the car KZbinrs around the Top Gear test track before you modify it. Get all the AutoAlex crew, TDC, All the Gear, Tavarish, Matt Armstrong, Mark McCann etc etc

[@perthshirewildfoods8760]

ben collins is already doing that

[@YOEL_44]

Are you aware most of them are spread all over the world?

[@TheTechGameish]

As soon as I see that blurred image at the start I knew it was the leana

[@groovytirma2409]

It's in the thumbnail

[@Makrel94]

Liana*

[@Finrayy]

it's *a* liana...

[@Lordddiesel]

@@Makrel94get a life

[@briocheman21]

It was ​originally blurred@@groovytirma2409

[@douglaspealing5608]

Had a scroll through the comments. Majority rules sleeper build. I have to agree. The exterior is iconic, and needs to be left as standard as possible.

[@conor3663]

Shoutout to Maxwell - he’s a great addition to the Drivetribe team!

[@maxwellpeter5955]

Max's the best

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Modify it to where it is perfectly balanced to drive on two wheels. One of my favorite moments on Top Gear was Michael Gambon putting it up on two wheels. And then posting a halfway decent time, despite it being very slick, in the grass, hitting a sign with the wing mirror, up on two wheels, etc.

[@LukeGB003]

I was on training a few months ago at Suzuki and I actually saw two lianas used on Top Gear.

[@sirhenners204]

there are also a few ex-Top Gear cars at the apprentice training centre

[@Blue_m3]

Where did you see them at?

[@LukeGB003]

@@Blue_m3 Suzuki GB PLC Milton Keynes.

[@gtoger]

I've got Landsail tires on my 1930 Ford. They're an amazing upgrade over what originally came on that car. I'm not sure they're much else. But they are round, black and made of rubber, so that fits the requirements I had for the application.

[@joshuamoore5389]

4:37 As a man who has experienced Landsail Ls388's i can confirm maxwell is talking straight up facts right here

[@anusername8350]

6:14 its Johnny's mighty Cant!

[@CalumRaasay]

Haha im glad I’m not the only one who noticed!

[@aayushkarnik7166]

Refurbish the car to its original state, and make it look like your average car but completely revamp the engine and turn it into a sleeper car.

[@ecophreak1]

Shame that Michael Gambon is no longer with us to bin it round a corner once you've restored it

[@naikjoy]

Full restoration, fully mooded to look like the Top Gear one

[@itsJayTea]

as someone who has owned a Suzuki Liana like that, but in black, I'm glad you guys are saving another one! they were all driven by Grandmas and Grandpas you might struggle to find coilovers, but I'm sure it can be pieced together from suzuki swift parts that rattle is likely to just be the exhaust heatshield

[@WithCars9]

Can we put this car on a rolling road before any modifications?

[@SuperSportyGaming]

id be super intrested to see that

[@pjccwest]

Weight reduction-turbo or engine conversion-E85-aerodynamics-paint-brakes/tyres/drivetrain/other bits

[@airbagsagain]

Clean up the outside but keep the standard look. Modify suspension, wheels, windows, and interior to dtm spec. Then freshen up the engine and exhaust a bit to get a few extra horsepower.

[@lenpeeters4498]

Tune it, go crazy on it. Make it a 200+ bhp sleeper. The car made a huge part of the Top Gear legacy.

[@timsmith5339]

I can imagine the story behind that paint 'match' on the boot lid. The little old man who bought it from new and then reversed it into a lamp post, went into Halfords for the paint. They asked him what make of car it was, he couldn't remember but thought it was blue. The assistant showed him the blue section and he could only narrow it down to, 'definitely not red'. The assistant gave up at this point and gave him an old tin of blue emulsion they had used to decorate the staff canteen last year.

[@Maxwell_Millz]

I think it was actually caused by a tree falling on the car, but I can't confirm this 100%.

[@incognito_donut]

Oh I thought it was that Blue Chevy Lacetti for the Celebrity Runs

[@spacegarnaal]

The Liana was the first car used for that segment, in fact because of that it kept being used for F1 drivers

[@gimble447]

I think there was always 2 of each car, so if I remember correctly one of the lacetti ended up under a blown up chimney didn’t it?

[@RicardoD957]

​@gimble447 correct. They kept the Liana for F1 drivers.

[@BugattiONE666]

@@gimble447 2 Blue Lianas, one Silver automatic

[@robisfantasticutube]

I've driven a lacceti and I think it's the worst car I've ever driven.

[@Matthew-Fletcher]

Im sure I recognise those roads. Wales, near Tywyn? And the Talyllyn Railway?

[@RadiantDuck]

I think so. I used to work in NW Wales and was in that area all the time and I recognise Abergynolwyn and Llyn Mwyngil

[@bradwhite5884]

Love to see Ben reunite with that thing, the history those two had with that car tbh, also make this car a sleeper car like someone suggested it, lol

[@catmantech]

My first suggestion would be to get an ECU remap put on it (no other mods to start with). First get an economy remap to see what fuel efficiency savings you can get out of it on a standard weekly drive (same driver, same route etc), then see if you can get a performance remap put on it and see what power you can get out of it, compared to stock and then compare the fuel economy and drive ability again. Compare the quote from your insurance company both before and after the remap file. Second suggestion would be to see if you can fit a supercharger to it and drive it round the test track, both before and after. 😉😜🥵

[@southcalder]

I see Austerity has finally hit home at Drivetribe.

[@oikkuoek]

The head design doesn't allow any serious tuning mods, so even the NO2 will grenade the engine. If you could find a serious Naturally Aspirated tuner, who knows his way around ports, header design and velocity stacks, that engine would provide a decent challenge. The aero as stock form is actually quite decent compared to the power level the engine is producing. If you start winging it, the power supply simply can't keep up.

[@unfilterednations]

no need nos, just change the parts (eg, spark plug, fan, muffler) with racing specs then wheels + shock+body kit for a stabile drive, turbo and new interior rebuild might be an option if the budget allowed

[@LeeSlatt]

With the amount of space in that engine bay, you could but a turbo the size of a dustbin lid in it!

[@Drivetribe]

😂

[@0Y02USH]

Mike and Maxwell have literally done God's work right here. Can we get a raise for them?? Now all that remains is the Chevrolet (Daewoo), Kia and the Vauxhall. Can't wait to see 'em as well!!!

[@MemphiStig]

That car always looked like such a fun ride on the show. I really wanted to get out there and thrash on it myself. I don't think it was ever even in a game with the track. But it's definitely a legend. A secret beast. I wouldn't NOS it but I would tune up the engine, but do what you must. Give it the beans!

[@michaelg8821]

the guy you bought it from is a legend in himself, the little yellow picanto he modified so Johnny smith could take it rallying.

[@TheGhiaDriver]

Keep it looking stock but restore it and upgrade the engine. It's charm is it's the underdog heroically doing what it was never intended to do. Modify it and change it too much you lose all that made it what it was. It just becomes another modified car.

[@ASBO_LUTELY]

There are some Tom Selleck moustaches masquerading as eyebrows in this video.

[@WaechterDerNacht]

I would love a sleeper liana... There is alot of room - there might be a motor with more power that fits in there.

[@TheCounty90]

That car used to be parked out the back of a unit in Royal Portbury docks for a few years in the late 2000's. Occasionally it would go on a truck for the show.

[@z-trip5457]

Sleeper build. Try to get your hands on a 1.8, it will be a bolt-in. Supercharge/turbo it. We've all seen V8 and K20 stuff, try to keep a bit more OEM!

[@MINIMOTOMADNESS]

maxwell is a genius,dtm time sounds epic,induction kit and an exhaust

[@LordWalsallian]

Wish more people would try and keep cars on the road as long as possible rather than buying new ones every 5 years or so. I drive a 2006 Ford Focus C-Max and i adore it and will do what i can to keep it going for as long as i can.

[@Tromi1986]

Just NOS and engine mods, keep the looks original ... This car is a royalty !

[@mobyhuge4346]

The car so legendary, multiple F1 drivers took it to the limit

[@laurenceallmark]

Why don’t we get them all together? I have the Kia, I know who has the Astra. Just need one of the Lacettis…

[@rndka_]

Isn't the lacetti destroyed?

[@VXGaming]

Time to give it to Ben.

[@luissamper1974]

Time to put a straight 6 in there :D….keep the outside trash. Ultimate sleeper

[@josephkelly4893]

Would have to be a v6 me thinks

[@AnonymAnonym-fv3uc]

No a V8

[@jerrywhittington6607]

Might rebuild that motor before NO2

[@newfelo]

I've got a 03 Aerio, as it was sold in Chile, and it also came with the M16A, but there was also a sport version with a 2.3l... but back then some people swapped it with a V6 from a Suzuki Grand Nomade with little to no modifications

[@oliverhilton6086]

If I'm not mistaken the 1.6 in this is the same engine thats used in the suzuki swift sport, the motor in those are a lot peppier and have VVT which feels like maybe two thirds of a VTEC? They also get forged internals from stock so turboing would definitely be on the cards. You should consider swapping it in

[@jasontrevor2527]

Hi Mike I see the E S Jones sticker in rear window so it was a originally supplied by this main dealer based in Dobshill Buckley North Wales who were before this a MG Rover dealer for many many years . This place was a Mecca for pensioners . It's now a Costa coffee and fuel station .

[@SeanPwnery]

Turbo is on the menu for sure with that much space to work with. Coil-overs, a set of NT-01's - maybe run it lap for lap against the old Avantime if you still have it 🤣

[@davem9204]

My GF had one of the hatch versions of the Liana. It did have a very roly ride. Had to go to car heaven as I couldn't easily sort out the rusted up wishbones and subframes that it failed the MOT on.

[@si_h44]

i think you should go full modded on this like and old max power car, air suspension, a crazy paintjob, huge wheels, big engine, nos, a proper old school 90's type modded out car

[@Jones-xx2gc]

The landsail tyre description cracked me up.

[@iamtherealzombie]

"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts" - Runs better than any other project Mike bought so far.

[@JRock3091]

There is so much room for activities under that hood. Giant Turbo, several different swap options.

[@IanMaddock]

Idea. We never had the Liana lap the Ebola drome, get Ben Collins to do a lap. Also Ben as Ben to beat the Stig's or Barricello time at Dunsfold?

[@bird6691]

I'm one of the only people selling a liana in the country right now so this video might be quite handy.

[@jasperwest2141]

The synchronised speed movements in their seats give me start trek vibes.

[@liviubita4238]

NOS the Liana, ok, but you can also put a quick bolt-on hybrid electric turbo-compressor for extra thrills.

[@maybenot6075]

Should of got a lacetti! My dads got the estate for 1500 nearly 10years ago, hes beaten it beyond belief & it just won't die 💪

[@TheFakeFatLegitimate]

Installing a turbo without any other modifications would be a funny. MCM did this with a Camry, big fan 😂

[@IceWolfLoki]

Definitely need to finish that rollered on racing stripe. But you have to match it to the current rollered on paint and apply it in the same way.

[@lucitribal]

After you blow up the engine with NOS, you can do an engine swap

[@addisonmaves8348]

Sleeper!! Absolutely. When better wheels and tires enter the chat, retain the stock wheel covers somehow. 😊

[@Da_Osta]

DTMing / SuperTouring the Suzuki is a brilliant idea

[@sanphir3]

Looking forward to seeing this project progress. What ever you choose to do, I have only one request. Please leave the petrol cap door *exactly* as it is.😂

[@Grover91]

Turbo hyabusa would fit nicely in that engine bay.🙈 Strip the interior and any excess weight and it'll be a beast.

[@PatG-yi1di]

I always wondered what happened to this reasonably priced car. So glad to know it will live on! Definitely have to get Hammond involved in someway or another, even if it’s just to tell stories about its history.

[@stephenbell3882]

You boys have to build it, Stig it and Ring it.

[@Mr.M1STER]

How can you not picture the type of person that would buy that new? Older people, people that just want a "new" car, people that don't know about cars and listen to the sales guy.... Not hard to imagine.

[@cwhite90999]

Making an assumption the parts would fit with minimal reengineering - I'd be curious how well a Swift Sport setup would work (engine, gearbox, springs, etc.) I like the sleeper idea, but I do also like the sound of just going mental with it.

[@hexgraphica]

James should buy a Perodua Kelisa

[@marksaddler]

Go for it on the power and suspension mods, but keep it looking stock so it’s a proper sleeper then have some fun.

[@nigelpipe8933]

WOW You found a Winston Head, Given away by the insurance company of the same name :) You gotta give it the works including body kit, that would be awesome

[@joonassummanen6130]

You should do a full on Fast n' Furious treatment on it. NOS, Body kit, bigger wheels the lot.

[@lindamndlovu2023]

Young slam, wider wheel n tire setup, free flow exhaust for a bit more power..👌🏾

[@ArnoldScheepers]

I'd love to see you DTM and turbo it.

[@DeadReckon]

Preserve it as is cosmetically and make it a sleeper!

[@molochi]

That would make an excellent 24hours at Lemons racer. Many team themes could apply.

[@youquagmire]

I kinda wanted to see Maxwell ride off with the Peugeot

[@duramaxadventures5832]

Sleeper build, nurburgring, Ben. Let's GOOOOOO

[@MrHugaKuga]

The last 4 years MOTs have had front and rear sub frame corrosion advisories 🤣. Swap in the running gear of a Subaru, but leave it as a sleeper.

[@asweseeit1742]

Make it the fastest production car to go around the Top Gear track.....the Liana deserves it.

[@CaydeSmax]

slam it, body kit, upgrades all round, more power, more displacement, tuning, roll cage take it rallying.

[@anusername8350]

"Slam it" "rallying" Hmm..

[@Spheredalai]

this is the best car (pause) in the world, has most screen time than any other cars in top gear history (it appears on every episode) and i much prefer this than the lacetti and the cee apostrophe d

[@AdamsWorlds]

I think you should put the engine from the newest reasonably priced car into it and see how much improvement you get.

[@bradcraig6676]

Yes, give that old Suzuki the NOX treatment, and anything else you can shoehorn in there.

[@andrewiwm9980]

They now only need to find a short guy to complete the trio, life is about to come full circle for us ❤❤❤

[@anthonysims7636]

Dude sleeper Liana sounds like a lot of fun some turbos maybe a bigger engine rocket ship on any tracks

[@ivorharden]

No make it a sleeper. The full works underneath with NOS but leave it bodykit free.

[@floydpalmer2492]

A sleeper build would be great put a vr6 in it with a turbo

[@TrashLefties]

Dont change it, put it in a museum. Its history on wheels.

[@wanchaicowboy]

Sleeper. Mike needs that nodding dog for his Rover.

[@sambarker7930]

I want to say in fairness, the reasonably priced car I think of is the Chevrolet Lacetti (I think the best era of Top Gear coincided with it, and on a personal level I started watching Top Gear during one of the last series with the Liana, which meant it didn’t leave as much of an impact on me as the Lacetti)