Vauxhall Zafira

gabyjane

Ok we are looking at getting a 7 seater, only like a selected few and the vauxhall is one of them.

there is one in our paper for £1500 ono and is the following:

1.6ltr
2000 in year
84k
has tax and MOT, full service history etc

Now although it appears to me to be very cheap it is an old car with a lot of miles. how do these cars fare on age? is it likely to last or only do us for a year or so? are there any major things that go wrong (like our MG which the HG has gone!)..
there is another one 2003 for £3k so twice the price..is this a better option? what should we look out for if we go and view any?

Anyone with one would be very helpful to hear how you rate them!

Thanks

Rolandtheroadie

Anyone I know thats had the 1.6 have said they are massively underpowered. I looked at one when we first had kids 3 and 4 and the salesman said "it's just for the wife and kids, she'll potter about and it'll be fine". A friend who had 3 kids (we're talking under 5's here) got rid of theirs again due to how poor it performed.
Perhaps try the 1.8 if your hearts set on a Zafira i'd think fuel economy wont be much difference.

kwaks

I agree with the comments on the underpowered 1.6.

I would also say I think 1500 for a 2000 model zafira is high!!

Not touting for a sale here (other end of the country) but I am willing to let a 2000 grand voyager go for less than that. Vauxhalls don't hold their value better than their american predecessors in this class.

chucknorris

I test drived the 1.6 just to make sure that the 1.8 was the size that I should get. I did this because was concerned about underpowering. I did the test drive by myself (so low loading) and it didn't seem that bad but I bought the 1.8 anyway and have often thought how pleased I was that I didn't buy the 1.6.

gabyjane

Hi thanks for the replies..very helpful!

I have just been to pick up my dd and there was another mum waiting and she has one so i quizzed her over hers! she said she would give me a demo so we had all the seats etc up and down and as far as the car goes for size it looks perfect BUT the back is very tight when all the seats are up and my only concern is whether a double buggy will go in it or not..anybody managed this?

As far as power goes like i said to dh, being a second car i will be doing the school runs in it which is about 15 mins away, as the rds are busy we tend to make it to 40mph max and the rest of the time will be for the odd day out..with 6 kids in it i doubt ill ever be racing round in it but see what you are saying about it so will look into the different specs. Does anyone know if the tax and insurance are higher on the 1.8..i'm assuming so?..but will look into that too.

Looking at Parkers yes the price of the one we saw was very slightly high but may be able to knock them down, i think i would rather buy from a garage than private so we have a little come back on any other probs. I guess i just want a basic cheapish (but safe!) car for the days when there are lots of us in it..at the end of the day there will be other peoples children in it so have to get the right one for them.

thanks again and any other opinions id'e appreciate it.

mikey72

Only niggle is the rear centre only has a lap belt.
1.6 is ok, but not the best engine for the zafira. Check it gets up to temperature ok, as cambelt, water pump and thermostat need to be changed reguarly.

vikingaero

If you can stretch to a 2003 model year Zafira then it should hopefully be the facelift model which has a proper 3 point centre seat belt. The easiest way to tell a facelifted model is the clear indicator lights on the rear cluster, and the absence of a rubber trim around the rear window - ie the window is bonded.

Zafiras are very much chalk and cheese cars. Some will be uber reliable and others a pain in the arris with never ending niggles.

The 84k model you looked at should have have a cambelt change at 80k; if it hasn't it's not worth getting.

Deepmistrust

gabyjane wrote: »

Hi thanks for the replies..very helpful!

I have just been to pick up my dd and there was another mum waiting and she has one so i quizzed her over hers! she said she would give me a demo so we had all the seats etc up and down and as far as the car goes for size it looks perfect BUT the back is very tight when all the seats are up and my only concern is whether a double buggy will go in it or not..anybody managed this?

As far as power goes like i said to dh, being a second car i will be doing the school runs in it which is about 15 mins away, as the rds are busy we tend to make it to 40mph max and the rest of the time will be for the odd day out..with 6 kids in it i doubt ill ever be racing round in it but see what you are saying about it so will look into the different specs. Does anyone know if the tax and insurance are higher on the 1.8..i'm assuming so?..but will look into that too.

Looking at Parkers yes the price of the one we saw was very slightly high but may be able to knock them down, i think i would rather buy from a garage than private so we have a little come back on any other probs. I guess i just want a basic cheapish (but safe!) car for the days when there are lots of us in it..at the end of the day there will be other peoples children in it so have to get the right one for them.

thanks again and any other opinions id'e appreciate it.

I guarantee you won't get a double buggy in the boot with all the seats up (not even the double umbrella style buggies). All it will take is a small single umbrella type buggy.

I've heard they are underpowered (the 1.6), but the mileage isn't that bad for a 10 year old car. Someone I know has the 1.6 and like you, only uses it as a second car for school runs etc. She's been lucky with hers.

I'd want to see full service history on a car that old though.
On a car at that price I'd probably prefer to buy it privately, you'll get a better deal on it. Just make sure it gets a good going over before you hand over any cash.

Rolandtheroadie

Just seen the bit about a 2003. After 2001, the 1.6 Zafira is £230 per year road tax.

skcollobcat10

Deepmistrust wrote: »

I guarantee you won't get a double buggy in the boot with all the seats up (not even the double umbrella style buggies). All it will take is a small single umbrella type buggy.

I've heard they are underpowered (the 1.6), but the mileage isn't that bad for a 10 year old car. Someone I know has the 1.6 and like you, only uses it as a second car for school runs etc. She's been lucky with hers.

I'd want to see full service history on a car that old though.
On a car at that price I'd probably prefer to buy it privately, you'll get a better deal on it. Just make sure it gets a good going over before you hand over any cash.

That is funny when you say that you will not get a double buggy in a Zafira.

I would have got either a mobility scooter or my electric wheelchair in it, (on the hoist) I did not take it because they wanted too much for the better drivers seat, I could not sit in the basic. It is plenty big enough inside though.

merlie

We've had our 2001 Y reg 1.8 Comfort SE for about 9 years .... great car ! No major probs ... only hiccup was an EGR valve - these can cost a small fortune to get diagnosed and repaired by VX garages ... but if like me you know a decent mechanic then nothing to worry about.
Wish though I'd got a diesel powered version in the 1st place . We get around 33 - 35 mpg . I've been toying with the idea of swapping to a Diesel unit but if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Just turning 98k on the clock so I'd not get much for it even if I did try to sell it.
Keep looking I think you can get a lot of Zaffy for your money. Couple of nice ones on Pistonheads .... No mine isnt for sale ... good luck