looking to get a used MPV - vauxhall zafira?

rokki

Expecting child number 3, regularly help out with school runs for other parents, and thinking of getting a small caravan in near future, so a decent MPV is what I'm looking for
Budget no more than 7K and there's so many Vauxhall zafira's about they seem to be cheapest of the used MPV's around


Have seen a 2007 diesel 1.9 automatic transmission (really would like to have an automatic this time!) with 150bhp so should be able to tow the future caravan. One owner, approx. 50,000 miles. Price just under 6K. Don't do many miles, every so often a blast up the motorway to visit parents, and the occasional day out/holiday.


Would be really grateful for any opinions good and bad on our choice, any other suggestions gratefully received
Last time I bought a car was 11 years ago!

JimmyTheWig

I'm about as far from a car expert as they come, but we have looked at various 7 seaters over the last 6 years.

The Zafira is definitely the best value 7-seater out there. As you say there are loads of them. Supply and demand brings the price down.

My problems with the Zafira are...
1. it is very small. With the back seats in action there is very little space for luggage.
2. the back seats aren't what I would call "proper" seats.

If you can get your three children (including appropriate car seats) across the middle row and aren't planning on having any more children then I think it would do nicely.
You've got the added seats at the back which are fine for the school-run, etc, and by having the back seats down when you go out as a family you've got plenty of boot space.

But if it was me I wouldn't buy one planning on using the back seats regularly. [Though I'm sure others would disagree.]

Personally I'd suggest the Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra or the Renault Grand Espace or Citroen C8. These are the ones that we've found that have 5 proper seats in the back.


If you're doing mainly driving around town I believe a petrol is better than a diesel. But as I said at the start, I wouldn't take my word on that!

Ebe_Scrooge

I agree with what Jimmy has said. The Zafira is a good car, but the big drawback is the fact that you can't have it in 7-seat mode PLUS decent luggage space at the same time.

I'd be a bit worried about the strain a caravan would put on an auto gearbox. Don't know why, I'm probably being a bit paranoid, but that's just my feeling.

How about something like one of the older Volvo estates that have extra seats in the back ?

motorguy

rokki wrote: »

Expecting child number 3, regularly help out with school runs for other parents, and thinking of getting a small caravan in near future, so a decent MPV is what I'm looking for
Budget no more than 7K and there's so many Vauxhall zafira's about they seem to be cheapest of the used MPV's around


Have seen a 2007 diesel 1.9 automatic transmission (really would like to have an automatic this time!) with 150bhp so should be able to tow the future caravan. One owner, approx. 50,000 miles. Price just under 6K. Don't do many miles, every so often a blast up the motorway to visit parents, and the occasional day out/holiday.


Would be really grateful for any opinions good and bad on our choice, any other suggestions gratefully received
Last time I bought a car was 11 years ago!

I've had a lot of experience with Zafiras, having bought and sold quite a few while motor trading. I would echo what others are saying - in 7 seat mode there is very little bootspace, but maybe thats not an issue for occasional use?

The auto box is a better idea than the manual, as the manual car has a dual mass flywheel that is prone to failure around 80K miles, also the six speed manual box doesnt operate at the revs necessary to keep the diesel particulate filter clear.

Cant comment on the towing abilities.

Definitely cheap. Within the parameters above (or a petrol one) i'd recommend them.

rokki

thanks for replies
agreed about the smaller seat in the middle row - shame the zafira doesn't have similar seats as the c8 (or similar). We're struggling to find one with 3 "proper" seats that fits in our budget.


Driving is mostly pootling about doing the school run and local supermarket, wasn't aware about the fuel consumption with that sort of driving and the difference between petrol and diesel....don't know much about cars tbh but will research that as don't want running costs to be higher than necessary.


Have just asked the question about auto gearbox on a caravanning forum as that was something I hadn't thought of

rokki

motorguy wrote: »

the manual car has a dual mass flywheel .

I have no idea what that means lol I'm hopeless regarding cars, but any justification to go for an automatic sounds good to me! Will see what the caravanners say about towing with an automatic


All replies are so useful, its really helping, thank you

Tigerprint

I'm always very wary of Vauxhall Autos, be sure to have it checked that the auto gearbox fluid pipe does not run through the radiator (or something of the like, I am female & not sure of such technicalities) just google Vauxhall Automatic problems....

Maybe Kia Carens 7 seater... Or, I would recommend the Seat Alhambra or the VW Touran...

RichardD1970

We were looking at the same sort of thing a couple of years ago. In the end we went for a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso.

Again, not much boot space when rear most seats are up, but that is common with all part-time 7 seaters.

The rear most seats can take a 6 foot adult (although a bit cramped), 3 individual seat in middle row which can be moved individually so when going on holiday with 6 of us, the middle seat is down which gives some storage space (usually the cool box full of nice things ).



It seemed a better car all round than a Zafira and was around the same price point.

I know there will be people who decry it for a, being French b, having an EGS (basically a manual gear box controlled by a computer, so in effect automatic with paddles to override or use as manual) but all cars have their detractors and we have never had any problems.

JimmyTheWig

RichardD1970 wrote: »

I know there will be people who decry it for a, being French

I've always been advised to avoid French cars, but we went for the Grand Espace this time, so I can't really comment on that!

But while you say

The rear most seats can take a 6 foot adult

and I'm sure you're right, they're not what I call "proper" seats. You can see from the picture you posted that the base of the seat is about a third of the thickness of the seats in the middle row.

For me, personally, I would rather a car with "proper" seats throughout unless the extra ones were only going to be used occaisionally.
But I accept that budget comes into play, too, and the likes of the C4 and Zafira are significantly better value than the bigger ones.

RichardD1970

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

For me, personally, I would rather a car with "proper" seats throughout unless the extra ones were only going to be used occaisionally.
But I accept that budget comes into play, too, and the likes of the C4 and Zafira are significantly better value than the bigger ones.

Oh, I agree these cars are nothing if not a compromise. Our 7 seat use is only occasional so not worth the extra ££ for a full sized 7 seater.

JimmyTheWig

Sounds like it was definitely the right choice for you guys, then, Richard.
And could well be a good choice for the OP if they are stopping at 3 children...