Should I avoid Vauxhall Zafiras?

[Lol999]

Needing a cheap <£2k family sized car to fit in wife/grandkids/fishing gear as required. I was heading down the Citroen Picasso/Berlingo route but came across Zafiras. Not necessarily a Vauxhall fan but they might be uop to the job especially if I want a barbeque (has the fire thing been sorted?).

Are they still viable as a family car second hand?

[Jamescrs]

We have a couple on fleet at work, to be honest as a mode of transport from A-B they work. They have proven reliable and are reasonably comfortable as a driver.

Nothing exciting about them.that I can say. The rear most seats probably only good for kids.

You can probably check by calling a Vauxhall dealer re outstanding recalls, I can't see them being anyworse than Picasso's

[anonymous-user]

Theres also a fairly fault with the abs units which need replacing or rerouted to an exterior version of the internals min £600 to £2000,this happened to a low mileage babied litterly driven by nuns at a convent car.

[Lol999]

I supopose every brand has it's horror stories but it's on the whole picture I have to decide.
The 'net recomends avoiding any 1.9 diesel over 6 years old for some reason.

Interestingly a 1600 Life petrol is £100 cheaper per year than a Picasso of similar value.

Decisions, decisions.

[ZX10R NIN]

In a word no they're a decent MPV.

[Johnnytheboy]

Avoid them when they are being driven by other people.

[Tannedbaldhead]

My dad bought an ex demo 1.8 petrol automatic in which he's clocked up 140k miles in 15 years.
All in all it's been a fairly reliable and cheap to run car.

[InitialDave]

Lol999 said:

Interestingly a 1600 Life petrol is £100 cheaper per year than a Picasso of similar value.

My dad used one of those as a "van" for his business, as he could use it as a normal 4/5 seat car while still having a dog cage in the back.

It wasn't that fast to accelerate, but it'd cruise happily at a higher speed than you'd expect, without being too unrefined about it. Didn't half like to squeal the tyres going around roundabouts, though, even at a very sedate pace.

They're not especially inspiring cars, but they do what it says on the tin perfectly competently. TBH the worst thing about them is the mouthbreathing numpties I associate them with out on the roads, but that's hardly the vehicle's fault.

[Wacky Racer]

I've had two.

No issues whatsoever.

Very pleased with them.

[Aidancky]

After seeing how many problems they have from family & friends, as well as the well known fire issues they have - I would rather just get something else myself. Especially if ferrying family about in one.

[Deep Thought]

Speaking as an ex motor trader - i think they're a good all rounder.

I'd probably avoid the diesel variants and go straight to the 1.8i petrol car.

Cheap as chips, 7 seats, lots of space.

[Don Roque]

A friend of mine went from a petrol turbo to a diesel model and has liked them both. I don't think they're anything that special but they're nice enough inside and have bags of room. Unless you're desperate for the seating though, I'd sooner just have an Astra.

[scottyfocus]

Had one for the last 12 months and it's only just had it's first issue. A drop link went. Its 10 years old, 125k and its been nothing but reliable.

As a tool it's perfectly fine.

EDIT: It's the 1.9 150 version. IMO the one to go for just make sure it's serviced.

[Lol999]

Thanks for all the advice. Tbh I'm still leaning towards a Picasso or Berlingo.

[stevemcs]

Avoid the picasso, i'd rather take my chance with Megane Scenic

[ZX10R NIN]

Zafira/Megane Scenic but not the Picasso.

[littlebasher]

Scenics have been by far, the most reliable cars we've owned. They're also a fck ton more comfortable than a Zafira.

[Lol999]

Why no love for the Picasso?

I was looking at about a 06-08 plate without the whiz bangs fitted to the later ones like electronic handbrakes etc.

[clockworks]

Lol999 said:

Why no love for the Picasso?

I was looking at about a 06-08 plate without the whiz bangs fitted to the later ones like electronic handbrakes etc.

Presumably you are asking about the Xsara Picasso?

I had to suffer one of these as a courtesy car while my '54 plate company Vectra was in for repair. Although the Vectra is universally reviled, the Citroen was far worse. Handled like a boat, seating designed to try and throw you onto the floor at the merest hint of a corner, over-assisted brakes and steering totally devoid of feel.
They were cheap and heavily discounted from new for a reason.

[Lol999]

Presumably you are asking about the Xsara Picasso?

I had to suffer one of these as a courtesy car while my '54 plate company Vectra was in for repair. Although the Vectra is universally reviled, the Citroen was far worse. Handled like a boat, seating designed to try and throw you onto the floor at the merest hint of a corner, over-assisted brakes and steering totally devoid of feel.
They were cheap and heavily discounted from new for a reason.
[/quote]
i had one from new on a 54 plate 2.0 hdi and thought it was great. did everything I wanted but I'm always curious as to problems with older cars.