Spec or economy?
Discussion
Anyone driven something with the Vauxhall 2.2 in it?
Went to look at a couple of Zafiras (stop sniggering at the back) and the higher spec 2.2 Design (auto, damnit) was much nicer inside (leather, glass roof with electric blinds and more) than the poverty spec economical engined ones (mainly 1.6 life, club, exclusiv or similar). Mrs Cjelli put her foot down and categorically stated that we wouldn't be having a gas guzzling 2.2 in the present climate, after the salesman showed us the full colour info screen that was presently reading an economy figure of 28.2mpg.
Care to give me some good reasons for her to change her mind?
Went to look at a couple of Zafiras (stop sniggering at the back) and the higher spec 2.2 Design (auto, damnit) was much nicer inside (leather, glass roof with electric blinds and more) than the poverty spec economical engined ones (mainly 1.6 life, club, exclusiv or similar). Mrs Cjelli put her foot down and categorically stated that we wouldn't be having a gas guzzling 2.2 in the present climate, after the salesman showed us the full colour info screen that was presently reading an economy figure of 28.2mpg.
Care to give me some good reasons for her to change her mind?
LuS1fer said:
The Mazda 5.
Aha, the other car on our shortlist.Really want to go the Japanese route, but she is being dazzled by the newer lower mileage Zafiras available for similar dough. Although the only reason we looked inside a Vauxhall today was because we were there collecting shed no.2 from the service department.
I have tried to explain that Zafiras only look better value because they are behind on nearly every spec item, but I think I need concrete evidence. And not sure I can buy another 1.6 Vauxhall without handing my driving license back due to crimes against PH.
vladcjelli said:
Anyone driven something with the Vauxhall 2.2 in it?
Went to look at a couple of Zafiras (stop sniggering at the back) and the higher spec 2.2 Design (auto, damnit) was much nicer inside (leather, glass roof with electric blinds and more) than the poverty spec economical engined ones (mainly 1.6 life, club, exclusiv or similar). Mrs Cjelli put her foot down and categorically stated that we wouldn't be having a gas guzzling 2.2 in the present climate, after the salesman showed us the full colour info screen that was presently reading an economy figure of 28.2mpg.
Care to give me some good reasons for her to change her mind?
Parkers lists the 1.6 5d as 34mpg! (combined) so it's a no brainer to get the specced-up 2.2 - which parkers lists as 33mpg. What kind of a crappy 1.6 engine was that Vauxhall was using?!?! Mind you 144Bhp from a 2.2 is fairly woeful, can't you get the 189Bhp 2.0 GSi or preferably the VXR? Most importantly, make sure the missus realises you find it painful enough to have to buy a Zafira, without her compounding the misery by insisting on a poverty spec lawnmower engined example.Went to look at a couple of Zafiras (stop sniggering at the back) and the higher spec 2.2 Design (auto, damnit) was much nicer inside (leather, glass roof with electric blinds and more) than the poverty spec economical engined ones (mainly 1.6 life, club, exclusiv or similar). Mrs Cjelli put her foot down and categorically stated that we wouldn't be having a gas guzzling 2.2 in the present climate, after the salesman showed us the full colour info screen that was presently reading an economy figure of 28.2mpg.
Care to give me some good reasons for her to change her mind?
vladcjelli said:
Aha, the other car on our shortlist.
Really want to go the Japanese route, but she is being dazzled by the newer lower mileage Zafiras available for similar dough. Although the only reason we looked inside a Vauxhall today was because we were there collecting shed no.2 from the service department.
I have tried to explain that Zafiras only look better value because they are behind on nearly every spec item, but I think I need concrete evidence. And not sure I can buy another 1.6 Vauxhall without handing my driving license back due to crimes against PH.
The Zafira is awful in comparison, it really is. The Mazda will depreciate less and has far better doors that slide. Based on the C-Max platform, it handles very well too. The only downside of the Mazda (which we had for 4 years in 1.8 TS2 form)is it's really a 2+2+2 and the folding "bridge" in the middle row isn't really a good seat. Still miss it though.Really want to go the Japanese route, but she is being dazzled by the newer lower mileage Zafiras available for similar dough. Although the only reason we looked inside a Vauxhall today was because we were there collecting shed no.2 from the service department.
I have tried to explain that Zafiras only look better value because they are behind on nearly every spec item, but I think I need concrete evidence. And not sure I can buy another 1.6 Vauxhall without handing my driving license back due to crimes against PH.
vladcjelli said:
Mrs Cjelli put her foot down and categorically stated that we wouldn't be having a gas guzzling 2.2 in the present climate, after the salesman showed us the full colour info screen that was presently reading an economy figure of 28.2mpg.
28.2mpg over what distance and what style of driving? If it's only been shunted round the forecourt since last reset then that's bloody good! If it's been left running for the last two years and all the previous owner did was drive it a mile to work and back every day then that's bloody good! If it was zeroed before you had a five mile test drive in town from stone cold then that's bloody good!MPG figures are meaningless without context.
If you regularly need to put the extra boot seats up and down then forget the zafita - way too much hassle sliding the whole middle bench forward and emptying the entire boot.
Had a look at the Mitsubishi grandis?
(just avoid the 2.4 auto if you like efficient engines as we average 23mpg..).
Had a 1.6 scenic a few years back- we got the same mpg from a 2.0 grand scenic as the engine was so laboured in the 1.6 once loaded with people and luggage and then try to keep up with the traffic - stressful and uneconomical.
Had a look at the Mitsubishi grandis?
(just avoid the 2.4 auto if you like efficient engines as we average 23mpg..).
Had a 1.6 scenic a few years back- we got the same mpg from a 2.0 grand scenic as the engine was so laboured in the 1.6 once loaded with people and luggage and then try to keep up with the traffic - stressful and uneconomical.
Go for the 2.2 Design. As others have said 28MPG is not bad for a heavy, 2.2 Auto, 7 seater. We have had 2 Zafira's and I don't know why there are so many horror stories as ours were fine.
The Mazda 5 thats been mentioned is also a good bet. I don't know much about them apart from they have sliding doors and they don't look to bad, but my Aunt had one and she didn't have many problems.
IMO I would go with the Vauxhall Zafira 2.2.
The Mazda 5 thats been mentioned is also a good bet. I don't know much about them apart from they have sliding doors and they don't look to bad, but my Aunt had one and she didn't have many problems.
IMO I would go with the Vauxhall Zafira 2.2.
vladcjelli said:
It was the contents, or rather the spillage of such that got me into the position of needing a people carrier.
Now I tend to keep them concealed for fear of further trouble.
10/10 for a witty and intelligent reply without resorting to abuse. Seems rare on PH these days.Now I tend to keep them concealed for fear of further trouble.
Made me smile.
28mpg around roundabouts and town is to be expected from a 2.2 litre auto. The 1.6 won't be any better though, despite her thinking it should be 30% better. On a motorway I'd expect you to get nearly 40mpg out of it.
The solution is a smaller car but with a child and 'child things' in the boot I suspect thats not what you want. Vauxhall do LPG cars which will improve things of course and their Diesels are very ecconomic if you want one.
I understand how the current £1.40 a litre is just getting too much to stand. Have you looked at something like an Astra 1.8 manual? I was seeing 2010 models yesterday for under £8k on trader so you can get a relatively new one for a good price (but they will continue to depreciate) and it will hold a child with bits and pieces, get good ecconomy and still be able to move around town and tight car parks.
MK5's are down below £3k now so a good MK4 would be peanuts and probably leave room in the budget for a second car.
The solution is a smaller car but with a child and 'child things' in the boot I suspect thats not what you want. Vauxhall do LPG cars which will improve things of course and their Diesels are very ecconomic if you want one.
I understand how the current £1.40 a litre is just getting too much to stand. Have you looked at something like an Astra 1.8 manual? I was seeing 2010 models yesterday for under £8k on trader so you can get a relatively new one for a good price (but they will continue to depreciate) and it will hold a child with bits and pieces, get good ecconomy and still be able to move around town and tight car parks.
MK5's are down below £3k now so a good MK4 would be peanuts and probably leave room in the budget for a second car.
Zafiras are dull but for that type of car they are ok. 1.6 is rubbish though, 2.2 nice engine and fairly quick too, bhp is not the headline figure it has a reasonable ammount of torque and nice and smooth too. Timing chains a a weakness on this engine. They must be run on the correct oil as the oil jets block up causing the timing chain to snap. Only other thing with this type of vehicle is they generally get a hard time with families push chairs car parks etc.
vladcjelli said:
Anyone driven something with the Vauxhall 2.2 in it?
Went to look at a couple of Zafiras (stop sniggering at the back) and the higher spec 2.2 Design (auto, damnit) was much nicer inside (leather, glass roof with electric blinds and more) than the poverty spec economical engined ones (mainly 1.6 life, club, exclusiv or similar). Mrs Cjelli put her foot down and categorically stated that we wouldn't be having a gas guzzling 2.2 in the present climate, after the salesman showed us the full colour info screen that was presently reading an economy figure of 28.2mpg.
Care to give me some good reasons for her to change her mind?
Start seriuosly looking at some V8 powered cars or even a used V12 Jag. The 2.2 will suddenly seem quite sensible. Went to look at a couple of Zafiras (stop sniggering at the back) and the higher spec 2.2 Design (auto, damnit) was much nicer inside (leather, glass roof with electric blinds and more) than the poverty spec economical engined ones (mainly 1.6 life, club, exclusiv or similar). Mrs Cjelli put her foot down and categorically stated that we wouldn't be having a gas guzzling 2.2 in the present climate, after the salesman showed us the full colour info screen that was presently reading an economy figure of 28.2mpg.
Care to give me some good reasons for her to change her mind?
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