In desperate need of getting rid of money sucking car!

brunettebimbo

We are stuck in a really tough position at the moment. We currently have a Vauxhall Zafira, it's a 2006 model and has done around 149000 miles so it's not worth very much. It is constantly in the garage for one thing or another. It's draining us of money. Our problem is we need a new car but can't see a way out. We have 2 children and Hubby has 2 that stay with us every other weekend. My Hubby has said we should get a 5 seater because he only picks his kids up and comes home really, his eldest is 12 and is wanting to spend more time with his friends too but I think he would regret it as we are limited as to what we can do those weekends. I've cried all afternoon because yet again the heap of !!!! is back in the garage. We are so stuck and just don't know how to get out of this mess 😢 Any ideas welcomed X

AdrianC

Find a car that suits you. If it's sold by a trader, ask them if they'll take the Zafira in trade-in.
Failing that, sell it privately - ebay or WBAC or just the local paper.

How often do you have six or more in this car?

PasturesNew

Your post doesn't give any actual details. Knowing the mileage you do, what trips/why etc would help people to maybe suggest alternatives.

So. Why do you NEED a car? Nothing in your post gives us a clue.

Iceweasel

So sorry to hear that your car troubles reduced you to tears today.

Think positive - make yourself a cup of tea, sit down and as Pastures New has said, make a list of details that will allow us to give you some suggestions as to how to improve things.

Annual mileage.

What kind of journeys you make.

As AdrianC asked - how often would you need 6 seats?

What budget do you have for a new car?

brunettebimbo

We definitely NEED a car. I have to be at work by 8.10am. My youngest nursery opens at 7.30, oldests school 7.45. They are all well spread out so walking isn't an option.

We probably use the back seats maybe once a month?

When we bought the car in March 2011 it had around 110000 miles on the clock. It's now got around 149000.

We've had nothing but problems with the DPF because we rarely drive on the motorway so would be looking for petrol.

forgotmyname

Why is it back in the garage? Whilst its an older car and may need repairs if done properly then its a job that wont need doing again for a long time.

Whilst its costing in repairs it not really depreciating.

Buy something newer and its going to lose money in depreciation and unless its new and under the manufacturers warranty then repairs may still be needed.

Some repairs wont be covered also. Brakes and tyres etc..

Marktheshark

Clean it up and sell it, they are plenty of people that are unaware at just what terrible cars Vauxhalls are of this 2004 + era.
You may have to buy an older car, but one with better reliability.
Basic 1.6 + 2.0 Petrol Ford Focus are very reliable cars and a 2005 can be bought around £1500 with reasonable mileage.
Avoid French especially Renault, they are as bad as the VX and any high mileage diesels are worth avoiding.
The last Volvo V40's petrol in old shape were 2004, they are a car that refuse to break again, cheap bangernomics, £1200 buys a old mans pride and joy.
Many will say buy German, but I doubt you have the budget and reliability is over egged especially on VW.
Dont rule out Japanese, Toyota are out of fashion but the avensis again is another car that just runs and runs and the estate is great value.
Many will say they knew a guy with a Zafira that went to the moon and back, but in reality, they are dogs and just when you get it going, the ECU will pack in and then the bills really start.

If it has to be seven seats, options demise quickly, Kia people carriers are reasonable on a budget.

AdrianC

brunettebimbo wrote: »

We probably use the back seats maybe once a month?

So a five-seater is a daft idea.

When we bought the car in March 2011 it had around 110000 miles on the clock. It's now got around 149000.

We've had nothing but problems with the DPF because we rarely drive on the motorway so would be looking for petrol.

No great surprise when you've only done an average of 8k a year for the last five years. A modern diesel was the wrong choice for you, but I suspect the fuel consumption and tax swung it...?

Are there other problems with it, or is it just unsuitability for your requirements that are causing it to give problems?

brunettebimbo

No it never swung it. It was a reasonable price, it had 7 seats and it seemed like a nice car. We had absolutely no idea how badly suited we were to it. The garage sold us it without telling us how a DPF worked etc. Partially our faults too as we should have researched further. A mistake we are paying for now.

We have paid a lot in repairs, maybe 2.5-3K? We've had various things done, clutch, fly wheel, wheel axis, various pipes, new DPF etc. It's currently in for the alternator.

wrightk

Marktheshark wrote: »

If it has to be seven seats, options demise quickly, Kia people carriers are reasonable on a budget.

one of the least reliable cars out there

wrightk

brunettebimbo wrote: »

We are stuck in a really tough position at the moment. We currently have a Vauxhall Zafira, it's a 2006 model and has done around 149000 miles so it's not worth very much. It is constantly in the garage for one thing or another. It's draining us of money. Our problem is we need a new car but can't see a way out. We have 2 children and Hubby has 2 that stay with us every other weekend. My Hubby has said we should get a 5 seater because he only picks his kids up and comes home really, his eldest is 12 and is wanting to spend more time with his friends too but I think he would regret it as we are limited as to what we can do those weekends. I've cried all afternoon because yet again the heap of !!!! is back in the garage. We are so stuck and just don't know how to get out of this mess 😢 Any ideas welcomed X

choose a petrol, something with a timing chain not a belt, if you can manage 5 seats go for it. have a browse on http://www.reliabilityindex.com/

Currently have a c-max. yes its dull but its cheap to run/insure/fix and reliable/spacious