Aaquil

As question above. Does anyone have one or experience with one. What is the tuning potential and are they attractive to scumbag thieves? How much power can you get through the front wheels (tuning wise) before it get dangerous. I want a fast, nice 7 seater so I guess this is the best choice...right? What about insurance wise?

Any input will be appreciated.

Aaquil.

Aaquil

Anyone?

Jap2Scrap

Almost got embarrassed in my last ST185 GT4 by one. Fortunately I either had the edge over 90 or he backed off. Seemed very quick for a people carrier.

jonc

Check the link for performance upgrades. Check Tesco insurance, they're pretty good.

http://www.regal-shop.co.uk/

Aaquil

Thanks for the responses guys...the link is brilliant!

Tiggs

i test drove one....horrid.

handles like a total dog and isnt very big inside.

got a galaxy V6 in the end, massive inside and handles like a decent car.

T

andrewdelvard

Yeah good site. Bit different.

SJJ84

You can tune them to 240bhp reliably.

Aaquil

Tiggs
Like a total dog compared to what and Impreza or a bog standard normal car? Any other comments on the handling?

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

i rented one to take a mate and his kids and my misses to blackpool for the lights, seemed ok, suspension is ok, good acceleration, good top end, they even gave us the one with dvd and screens in the headrests, brilliant for the kids and plenty of space, it was the turbo as well and it was plenty quick enough

Aaquil

Thanks J4mou it seems quite a good all round package. It is defo a 2WD FWD isn't it?

Tiggs

compared to a big pile of ****e!

The Zafira and megan (small seven seaters) really feel like they look...too tall to handle. VERY wallowy which means the GSI is just a waste...the GSI is only made for dads that feel screwed by life and want to pretend they are still daddy cool and not some old fuddy married to a fat dog that lives at ASDA.

I went from a 540 to the Galaxy and it handles fine...i thought i'd hate it but it just feels like driving a car.....the Zafira never did.

Also the Zafira feels squashed.....depends what you want to put in it but we had 3 kids, 2 adults and shopping and it felt like a very clever way of squashing 7 ppl in a small place.....clever...not comfy!

In the ford we have 6 leather captains chairs, we leave on out which means we have 2 adult seats up front, 1 seat in the middle for baby and 2 kids in the back......the gap in the middle where the 6th seat goes is like a loading baby area!......and theres room behind the rear seats for loads of stuff...unlike the mini MPV's

T

Aaquil

Right Tiggs get your point...What about handling mods? Or is it a complete lost cause? Its gotta be the quickest mini MPV you can get?

LG John

I put the foot to the boards at 70mph with one up my **** and he was still there considerably later!!!! That was in the 406 v6 which is in its element in such tests of acceleration! Quick for a breadvan but they he was probably thinking, '**** that 406 is fast for a taxi!'

Aaquil

Thanks Saxo boy...so I guess its pretty quick in a straight line.

LG John

On the basis classic shape UK scoobys can't pull on me from 70 upwards it stands to reason the GSI would be bloody close to an impreza at the top end as well. No idea about mid-range and lower down but I guess they can shift reasonably well.

Aaquil

Thanks

MattW

Well I disagree, test drove the zafira GSi and it was an absoulte hoot down some country lanes, great fun to drive, went well, comfy, lots of toys.

Took a Galaxy (a tdi granted) out and just couldn't understand why anyone would buy one. It handled like a transit van, in fact it felt totally like a transit van......urgh!

Aaquil

Thanks for the input mate.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Get a Volvo T5, miles better, we had one and now have a Sharan, dont be fooled that any people carrier handles.

Bartop

I've had one for 18 months and what you have to remember is that for what it is it's pretty unique - seven seats / loads of space / good acceleration and straight line speed. Handing is obviously not as good as a saloon or an estate even but if you are in the market for a fun / fast / flexible part time people carrier it's a very good option.

Oh - I'm selling mine btw if you're interested Getting a new MY05 WRX as I don't need the space so much now the kids are a bit older

Aaquil

Thanks mate I'll bear that in mind but I suppose I knew that already. My Legacy Turbo estate wasn't exactly brillinat in the handling dept. so a people carrier is going to be at the least as bad.

Aaquil

Bartop

I'm looking at getting the Zafira in the near future but not that near! I simply do not have the money. Thanks for the offer and input.

Aaquil.

Vec

A Zafira Gsi will out handle and out run a Galaxy V6 no questions asked. It's lighter and also has more power. They share the same tuning packages as the equivilent Astra and VX220 Turbo. So tuning them to 240bhp, will see you getting 0-60 in the late 6's and onto just over 140mph. I gather that the only problem is the exhaust, which is a little more restrictive than the Astra. The handling is based on the Astra Gsi, and granted it's not the best, but it's not the worst. Courtney and Regal can offer you a good deal on a decent set of springs. I recommend Eibachs. 310mm brakes as standard too! I would imagine that if you go for a people carrier, you won't want to hammer it down country roads, with kids and wife hanging on for dear life. It won't keep up with a Scooby or and Evo across the twisties. But it will keep up with most cars. The driving position is a little van like, but the seats almost compensate for that. Baring in mind that the design of this car is late 90's, and there is a VXR version running 240bhp coming in the next year based on the new Astra design.Go for it mate. You won't regret it.

Aaquil

Thanks for the great input Vec.