Zafira owners help please

terryya

I know it doesn't directly answer your question but we've got an 05 Grand Scenic and have found it fantastic-with only the usual servicing expenses. My dad has also got the Mk1 Zafira so I'm in a bit of a position to compare-although I haven't driven his.

From the praticality side I think the three indepenet sliding seats in the second row are much more convenient than the bench of the Zafira. As mentioned above this is a real pain with fixed child seats. It is also useful when fitting different size kids and adults into the 2nd and 3rd row. Finally the 2nd row are totally removable in the Scenic so more room if you have a large load.

The Scenic is also cheaper than the Zafira (or was when we bought it) although that means you'll prob sell for less as well.

The Scenic (and Renault in general) do seem, according to forums, to suffer from a few electrical gremlins, so I don't think I'll keep mine much longer, but so far no major costs at all.

astraea

Well thanks for your replies, to give a bit more info

I have 4 children (aged 15, 13, 11 and 5), so would only be using a booster seat, Not all the kids are with us all the time, so to be able to have the boot space for the weekly shop etc, when kids are at school, but for us all to be able to go for days out together etc is important, i have not been driving too long so i dont fancy a huge car like the Kias.

We currently have a Renault Megane Scenic, and have had nothing but trouble with it!! I will be looking for something about the £2500-£3000 mark, so maybe an 01 or 02?

Also i will be able to buy the car in about 2 weeks - the car we have the MOT runs out end of this month, i reckon it will need a fair bit of work doing (the ABS light is permenantly on even though brakes are ok!)

would you get the MOT done? i only want to trade the car in for a few hundred towards the new one (it is a S-reg, although very tidy car it has done 120,000 miles) I dont know what to do!!

thanks in advance

Fruity1

I had a Zafira 03 from new loved ther versatility of it. Once it started to have 'valve' problems which many have documented on here it started to get expensive. It had only done 50,000 miles was a 1.6 also worth bearing in mind the road tax is I believe now £215 a yr for it.

mikey72

I've an 04 Zafira A, 1.8 petrol.
Good cars, heavy(ish) on petrol, high tax, but no other running costs apart from the usual tyres and brakes, and a thermostat. Cheap, versatile, doubles as a van or a minbus for the kids friends. I'd buy it again.

wazza

Am also thinking of getting a zafira. Have read that they are reliable workhorse. 1.6 to 2.0 petrol engines should be reliable. I read that the 2.2 petrol engines have or had problems with lubrication and fuel pump.

One think i know if that it is common to find the spare wheel missing. Being under the car it is easily stolen. You can get a kit to prevent this.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=429

iolanthe07

I read that the 2.2 petrol engines have or had problems with lubrication and fuel pump.

My daughter bought an 05 2.2 about a month ago, and the fuel pump failed within the first week in the middle of Slough. She was not a happy bunny.

libbyc3

As previous Zafira owner would highly recommend them in your circumstances. We had our 02 reg from 11 months old til 6 months ago and never once did it need work done aprt from services, flew through all MOTs. Only got Kia as started to transport 4 kids plus 2 dogs and just wasn't enough room. Only time any of my kids moaned about being in the back of the Zaffy was on really long journeys on holiday.

no.1swimmum

I have owned 2 Zafiras, W reg manual and an 02 automatic, our only reason for getting a different car was we out grew it, and found it difficult for the four of us to fit into it comfortably but then 3 of s are 6', 6'4" and 6'7" , our 17yr old at 6'7" found it too uncomfortable in the back as he had to sit with his knees pressing against the front seat, we could manage if it was just me and the kids as he would sit in the front but if all four of us go out he could not sit like that for long - we got a people carrier so that we removed one of the middle row of seats and he sits in the back with plenty of leg room. I do miss my Zafira and when DS moves on to uni we are considering down sizing again, and this would be our first choice. We had no problems with either of ours other than the spare wheels being stolen for numerous occasions, we invested in a k-lock which stopped them being stolen, on the one occasion that I needed the spare it was easy to get the wheel out but I could not get the the other tyre back in and hook the cage back up I had to put it in the boot until hubby could do it for me!

mikey72

Only other comment is that the rear (middle) seat was changed around 04, from a lap belt to a three point one. So if you are carrying 7 people you really need to look at a later one.