USED Vauxhall Zafira MPV (05 - )

My car

we got this car three weeks ago and we are happy we did we have had no problims with it at all its fast fun to drive prictical lots of gagets i personily live the heated seats and the auto lights it is very easy to drive and the cruse control is really good its range is 10-120 of corse i don't do 120 im sensable the running costs are good we have a deasil and we get about 33 mpg around the town out of town i got it up to 56 mpg but that was pusing it there is so much room so its not hard to get comfy there is plenty of room in the boot even with the two back seats up the drivers arm rest is handy but can sometimes get in the way when using the handbreak at traficc lights but there is good storage space in the armrest plus the seats have so meny ajustments hight tilt lumbar ect the rain senisng wipers are good but can be ocward to set gear changes are good and with the additional 6th gear its even better also when parking its very easy with the parking sensors frount and rear and the bigger wing mirror's all in all i think this is a great family car and great value for money and i would defonitley recomens it to anyone.

ps please forgive the bad spelling

My car

I have driven a Zafira from new, since September 2005, and have put over 85k miles on the thing with little problems throughout. The car has taken me to all corners of Europe on business and although never the most comfortable of drives, it has more than held its own on roads of ever varying quality.

Amongst the likes is the load carrying capability (especially with the centre-row seats folded down) and the average return across it's life of in excess of 53MPG.

Dislikes may seem petty, but a distinct lack of cabin storage space has been a constant bugbear, a rattle from new within the dashboard has never been rectified despite many visits to the dealers and a non-existent windscreen demist (15 minutes to clear slight fogging!). The biggest dislike has to be the very poor forward visibility because of the A-pillars that intrude. Very dangerous.

Overall a good, reliable workhorse that I am going to miss, albeit grudgingly.

My car

I bought a 57 plate 1.8SRI and i am very pleased so far. (2 weeks) It feels nice to drive, has enough power for the size of the car. It is vauxhall quality inside so nice enough but not nice as previous golf/saab/mazda6. I like the 7 seat system though is a pain to have to undo the child seat to slide the bench forward to raise the rear seats. I will rarly use the rear seats but its a nice option to have. My biggest disapointment with this car is the short gearing. Why does it not have a 6th gear?? the 2.2SRI does. This needs it. At motorway speeds i find myself checking to make sure i am in 5th. Push it slightly above and it is very loud.

So far i like it alot though and we mainly use it round town. We have a 4 hour + trip to Cornwall later this month so maybe i will report back after that. Might buy some ear plugs for that drive!

My car

Had this car 18 months, 15,000 miles now, having bought this as a one year old car. As a one year old, the rather savage early depreciation works for the Buyer - also tried Mazda 5 (too small), Verso (too small), Touran (too dull/expensive) and C4 Picasso (very good, but couldn't get comfortable).

Plus points - strong engine above ~1800 rpm, economical (average 46mpg, best 53, worst 38), good equipement list, firm ride (can be too firm though), good boot space, reasonable servicing costs, good front seats (if you fit), I think it looks good

not so good points - performance on motorway can be lethargic if traffic slows, poor spare wheel security (my second Zafira, both have had wheels stolen), needs better in cabin storage, ESP only standard on 150 model, and rear seat layout not as practical as rivals

So I'd recomend this if buying second hand, as excellent value. Generally takes my family and all stuff well (though in common with most MPVs, 3 child seats will be a problem!), good performance/economy balance. Had no problems with it, and seem to have a good local dealer (Ely). MPVs are never going to be exciting, but this one has strong performance, reasonable looks,and a sport-ish ride. The sport seats won't suit anyone of a (ahem) large berth, and the ride is a little firm for a family car.

Finally, my 4 year old son loves the sport button - it's undoutbly a frivolity in an MPV, but one that will appeal to kids of all ages