Vauxhall Zafira any advice on best model to buy?
 

Thinking of getting a Vauxhall Zafira as a 2nd car to kart the kids about in.
Anyone got one? What's the best model to go for (Petrol/diesel) trim, etc?
Cheers,
Mark :rolleyes:

GSI Turbo is the best. The others are just slow and boring.

Don't need a gsi turbo Have a WRX for speed ;)
1.6/1.8 will do the job.
Anyone else with some advice?

Also looking at these, let's face it you don't buy them for speed, but the 1.6 looks pedestrian, so it's either the 1.8 petrol or preferably the 2.0 DTI (but at a hefty premium).
The revised models (upto 18mths old ?) included a diagonal belt in the centre seat, which previously was only a lapbelt - a trifle worrying !

I'm still juggling between the Zafira and Picasso

D

The 2.0 DTi pulls very well
we use ours to tow a twin axle trailer+car :D

Just have to make sure the revs are above 1200rpm when you need to pull away quick - otherwise you won't go anywhere very fast (think turbo lag - and you get the idea).

Ours is the "comfort" model, which has a/c and errr, I think thats about it barring the eleccy windows. Oh - I only found out the steering wheel adjusts last week :rolleyes:.

Suspension is like a cross channel ferry (sick inducing), But it does handle well, it's just softly sprung. So I'd recommend it if you could get one sports suspension - if it exists. Failing that a GSi Turbo with full leather would do the job nicely (vomit wipes straight off ) :D

Mothers got the 2.2ltr petrol version, 3 yrs old now, had it from new, drove the smaler engined ones but they were just gutless!!
I drove the diesel last week, as she was thinking of changing, but the diesel is noisey, and slow, well, from pull away anyway, didn't get much of a chance to boot it on the open road, it was snowing when I drove it!!

Get the one with three diagonals, I hate lap belts, especially with kids!!

if fuel consumption is not an issue, get the 2.2, ours does about 30/31 normally, a little more on a run.

Anyone else care to comment? :)

We've got the 1.8 at work. It seems plenty fast enough (that is if you've got a Scoob as well!! :D) If I was in the market for a 'junior' MPV, I would seriously look into buying one.

Hope this helps a little

I looked into these quite seriously about a year ago. They had just (slightly) revised the range, the biggest change being that the middle row could split 40/20/40 and had 3 proper seat belts. I was looking at the 'design' trim which had replaced the 'comfort' and had all the toys and practicality features you needed. The 1.8 seamed the best engine choice. The Diesel was more expensive but was only slightly more economical and the 1.6 was slow. (didn't consider the 2.2 as it was more expensive and a lot less economical)

The rear 2 seats were ok, but getting access to them was a pain. Although you could tilt the middle backrests forward, the easiest way into the back was to slide the whole middle bench forward which meant everyone getting out. Also with the rear seats in use you have virtually no boot space. The middle row is also quite tight for 3 people (being based on an Astra) and you can't get 3 child seats in if needed. It's also not that good as a tow car as it can only tow upto 1100kg, oh and our local Vauxhall garage was pants. On the plus side it drove well (for an MPV), was well equiped (air-con on all models), and looked like it would stand up to a good battering by the kids.

In the end we went for a Fiat Multipla. Six full sized seats and a decent boot, plus all the usual flexibility to move/remove individual seats, and the kids love sitting up front. The Zafira is a very good car, it just didn't quite suit our requirements.

Thanks.

Steve.

I had a 2L Diesel for a while. Good car! Did 40 - 48 mile to gallon.
Elegance is the best spec to use daily. Has all the toys including Alloys and sunroof.

Tried the 1.8 LPG version but just felt under powered.

The best thing with the diesel is the service intervals

Every 30,000 miles. No belt change as it runs a chain system. Main dealer service costs of about £250 + vat i think.

the "Y" reg ones did have a minor problem with the turbo's, mine dumped all the oil out of the engine. Fixed under warranty though.

I'm looking for another myself

I'd have doubts about any of them

http://img4.photobucket.com/albums/0...afira_2001.jpg

Not the best if the worst happens :eek:

D

Roll up Roll up!!

I've got a lovely silver 2001 Y Zafira 2.0 DTI Comfort for sale. FSH 29000 miles. Car was one of my company cars and is in pretty good nick.

I'll be happy with 8.5K or near offers!

Cheers
Dom.

I bet you would ;)

Could be worse... trying having an accident in Rover 100...
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/10.../rover_100.jpg
or a Nissan Almera
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/10...lmera_1999.jpg

Nowt much wrong with that crash simulation in your picture,

A-pillar stays in shape as does the roofline which suggests the front crumple zones (the bonnet bit) did their job....as DMC shows...looks at the passenger space and interior deformation of the above...

Intrusion into the interior space by way of the A-pillar kinking, roof buckling, and wheel being pushed beyond the bulkhead.

What MPV's do show badly safetywise is for REAR passengers...as there isn't much distance between the boot and the passenger...but you can say that for most MPV's and small cars.

The zafira also has pedals which drop out of their mountings if the impact is hard enough, having been a firefighter for a few years I can confirm that that alone should be an invaluable advantage, not quite sure at exactly which moment the brakes would stop working though!!

An old subject but i'll mention it, i hear the diesel Zafria likes a drop of engine oil,
approx 1 litre to every 1,000 miles :eek: as it gets burnt away.

Apparently Vauxhall say its well within there spec!!

Any Zafira DTi owners here got any comments on the oil consumption ??

No oil problems then ??

I drive one daily, and as far as I am aware the owner has never had to top it up yet.

Does 20k miles between intervals too :eek:

DB nice to c ya again :)

The model you drive what year is it ??

How's clare ?

and you too.

The model is a "club" oil burner.

Clare is cool!

Nice one, glad you are all :cool:

What year is that "club" you drive ?

Its a 52 plate.