2004 Vauxhall Zafira Energy 2.0DTi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

What 7 seater can you buy for 12.5k new?

General Comments:

Read all the reviews and the diesel supposed to burn a litre of oil per 1,000 miles, but my Zafira hasn't used a drop in nearly 5,000 miles!

The rear wheel theft is an issue as I caught someone trying to pinch mine on my drive!! But Vauxhall have released a wheel locking device which I bought for £13.99 and fitted myself, a pain to fit and remove spare if needed, but keeps the thieves at bay!!

Rear brakes every now and again squeal, but dealer can't find any fault and said give it another 1k miles as the pads are hard and need to bed in!!!.

Fuel consumption is approx 35mpg around town (but I do drive it hard) 42mpg on a run is the best I have seen, but that's doing 80,90+ on a 130 mile trip.

All in all a nice car that gets a lot of flack, but I would recommend the Zafira Energy to any prospective buyer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th September, 2004

1st Apr 2005, 15:12

After 12 months of ownership all is well and not a drop of oil used!! Rear brakes no longer groan when reversing, but that's only just cleared up.

10k on the clock and all its cost me in 12 months is £155 for tax, £110 for 1st service and £13.99 for the anti theft device for the spare, Cheap happy motoring in my book.

2004 Vauxhall Zafira Active 1.6 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Nippy, spacious and comfortable

Faults:

When I picked the car up there was a slight rattle when driving at a certain speed which seemed to be coming from the cabin area. I looked around and found that the fuse box cover was not properly seated so a quick push back into place and everything was cured.

General Comments:

Have had so much trouble with the electronics on my previous car (Peugeot 307) and with the pending expansion of my family I got rid of it after only 6 months.

My local dealer had an offer on for the Active model for just £11k brand new which meant to me that it was very affordable.

After my previous experience I've waited a couple of months before writing anything, but I can say that I'm 100% happy with the Zafira.

The 1.6 is very econmical and the ride is both comfortable and commanding. The active comes with sport seat, so these are a real bonus as they hug the body while taking corners at speed.

The back seat are really easy to put into place when required, and when they're down the load space is fantastic.

If I had to be critic about anything it would be the stereo. Although it's does the job and is very loud the controls are not the most intuitive and the bass is a little booming.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th March, 2004

13th Sep 2004, 14:01

Stick with Vauxhall, you cannot go far wrong. I have a 1994 Cavalier, which we bought used back in 1998 the car having covered just over 51k, it now reads 99,702, and believe me it drives as if it has only covered a third of that amount.

I use this car daily for work, it has YET to let us down, alright this have worn out, IE: brakes, suspension, exhausts, the normal things, 'IF' one day it does die, I will be sad to see it go because it is one tough car.

In reply to 13th Sep 2004, 14:01

28th Feb 2013, 13:42

I can not understand how anyone can consider 50K miles (or even 99k miles come to that) demonstrates 'one tough car'. I would expect that kind of work, without drama, from any decent car, petrol or diesel, even in 2005. I drive Toyota Carinas with 300K on the clock and no real problems, just the regular service changes/lubrication etc. 50K miles over 10 years is not using a car, it's barely run-in!