Why the Vauxhall Zafira A (Opel, Holden etc) is great!
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2020
- In this Real Road Test, I put a 1999 Vauxhall Zafira A through its paces, demonstrating the novel Flex 7 seating arrangement, and the sheer grunt of its mighty 1.6-litre DOHC engine. There's also the joy of its claphand windscreen or windshield wipers.
For extra giggles, it snapped a spring during this test. I could hear it rattling as I set off, but such was my desire to drive a Zafira (no, really!) that I continued anyway. For even more giggles, it lost a wheeltrim somewhere between me finishing the review and getting it back to the owner.
FUN FACT! The Zafira was sold on Japan as the Subaru Traviq!
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I owned a 2001 Zafira Club 1.6 from 2004 until it died in 2017 with over 190k miles on the clock. Best car I've ever owned.
Hello Mr. Nut. Just saw this and it brought back some memories. I was one of the designers of the "Monocab" as it was known within Opel at the time. Starting in 1995, Porsche were contracted to engineer it, ensuring that quality and safety were very good. They even asked me to join their team after finishing this and I was lucky to be responsible for several of their products. BTW, the "Flex 7" seating idea came from a Brit at Opel engineering, not Porsche The great advantage was that you did not need to remove the rear seats as in other MPVs of the time - they always stay with the car. I'm thinking that an OPC version might be fun to have in the UK, as I really enjoyed driving these as prototypes....
Zafira DTI was my first car at 19, 51 Plate. My mates ripped the arse out of me until they realised how many could fit in and how little they had to chip in for fuel on long trips.
Nice! There's a thing to be said for practical first cars. My mates in their Fiesta Zetec always laughed at my Fusion 1 with the 1.4 TDCi in it, right up until they found out that it cost £105 less to tax, less things broke on it, and all my other friends preferred it because it had rear doors, more legroom and you could do IKEA trips in it.
How much was it to insure at that age? More/less than a "typical" first car?
I love the dti's. My current one is on 151k
@@marcusmarr3100 Fully agree with you on the Fusion mate. I had one for ten years (2003 reg.1.4 TDCI) and it was a gem of a car. It was my daily driver, my "van" for my gardening business when I was doing that and never really let me down.
I have to admit that I've never looked at a Vauxhall Zafira twice. This film has opened my eyes.
The Zafira A is where the Zafira peaked for me, I've never liked the replacements as much. It's strange to think Zafira is 21 now!
Not to mention that unexpected BBQ feature of badly repaired B's
I had a couple of the A's, and I now have a Tourer SRi. In my opionion they did not peak at the A. The most recent Tourer is lovely, especially in SRi trim. Vauxhall did away with those boomerang headlights and mine has the same one's as the Insignia. I had a Zafira Elite A and this Tourer SRi is nicer in every way. The newest Zafira is the peak for me. They even look way way nicer than the A.
@@superchickenlips1 yeah, the C looks excellent - but bang for buck though... Mine just sailed its MOT, def down to the garages I've used though, solid servicing is always a good idea!
SuperChickenLips it’s a shame they fitted chocolate gearboxes
"... Zafira is 21 now!" And back then it replaced the unfortunate Sintra. I´m getting old.
Even here in Germany you still can find many of them on the roads. Seemed to be very reliable. Most of them have been sold just only because of becoming old.
I never used to think much of these - my dad had a 2002 Ford Galaxy which I was rather fond of and the Zafira seemed a little dull in comparison. But they've aged well and clearly stand the test of time as there are plenty still on the roads. Definitely a success story for Opel/Vauxhall, and a car that probably deserves more respect than I ever gave it before.
Very good condition Zafira. Paintwork looks marvellous. It still has its hubcaps and they look like they have bearly any wear. Its like buying one brand new
Remember the advert for the "new" Zafira? Two lads about 12 years old dressed as your typical suburban man, meeting the new neighbours. Funny ad if I remember. I had the opportunity to drive one of the first Renault Mégane Scenic as a courtesy car for a holiday in the Lake District. It was a useful vehicle, but woefully underpowered with a 1.6 engine. There were only two of us with camping gear so it wasn't laden! We hired a later model a few years on and with four adults, one child, two dogs and all the requisite luggage for a 2 week break to Ireland was much better and had no problems keeping up.
That must be the world's most pointless zebra crossing 🤣😂
I can imagine the regulations. If there is a road (even if its 5 m long), it must have a crossing. If there's a crossing, it must have lamps. A beachside holiday village near me is not that old but, apart from the main street, there are no footpaths. Except for the newest side street, added a year ago, which features paths on both sides and nobby inserts for the visually impaired. I guess the nobby inserts are to warn that the path just goes no further! 🤣
There was also a roundabout sign, just in case any drivers had failed to notice the roundabout when approaching it from such a short road.
The local authority will likely as not have built the road, roundabout and crossings in one hit so that it's ready for the rest of the road to be built by a private developer.
It looks like a driver training circuit
@@steved3702 You are probs right about the nobby bits. Different patterns of nobbies mean different things like giant braille.
My dad had two Galaxy's, a Carens RS and currently has a C4 Grand Picasso - so growing up with people carriers has made me have a soft spot for pretty much all of them, the Zafira has to be one of my favourites.
It's interesting how nice they look when they're well kept because it makes you realise that most people don't look after them and simply run them into the ground, which is sad.
It's difficult to love and be inspired to look after something so intrinsically dull and unexciting, so not surprising these MPVs are invariably treated as they appliances they are.
Hello Ian,that is my current car, 2004 vauxhall zafira life 16 v 1.6 petrol, the best car i've owned, i got the car at 7 months old and it was basically brand new ,i have taken my kids every where in it, and now my grand kids ride in it. i will pick you on the back seats there was another lever which lifts the lower bench up vertical and then you slide the whole rear seat assembly forward,this makes getting seat 6 and 7 easy to put in place, and up by the seat belt pillar the plastic you said was extra toys on higher spec hides the bolts for a vauxhall roof rack.
A great review and 3 mechanics have told me that's the best zafira ,easy to work on,parts are cheap, and generally very reliable and also credit to the owner as this car is in fantastic condition😀😀😀😀😀😀
here here !!!
A very fair review and the old thing doesn't look too bad on camera. It's booked in for two new springs next week, those were the 20-year old originals so they've lasted well.
Adam,I'm guessing this is your old bus,if it is what size wiper blades do you have on it? Mine seems to have bigger blades on...
We have had our Zafira 1.8 16v automatic for 5 years, I LPG converted it and it now has 165k on the clock and still going strong. Not much has gone wrong with it, generally very reliable.
Same here, same spec and engine mod. London and back to Manchester for £42 isn't to be sniffed at, especially with the trains now £100 return pp!
Just at the garage having its 14th MOT... Fingers crossed!
@@jamesmiller113 On LPG we get about 220-230 miles on 43 litres at 55.7p a litre, works out about £24.
@@stiggyness1976 sounds the same as me, my tank takes about 38 litres from empty, costs £21. I see you are a man of Morrisons, can't believe they've left the price unchanged for 4 years! Firm tyre pressures help me get 250 on a tank, 220 normally, but suspension wear probably makes that a false economy
@@jamesmiller113 Our Chrysler grand voyager 3.3 V6 gets about 180 miles for 50 litres, and about 210-220 for 50 litres on a run, that's the main family car. My Vectra 2.8 V6 turbo gets about 650 miles on 131 litres. People complain about Vauxhalls been unreliable, but to be honest I've had good and bad cars from lots of different manufacturers. I find if the effort is put in to keep them maintained it pays off, running it into the ground and then blaming the car is unfair.
Had a Vectra with lpg fitted aftermarket. Bloody thing was a nightmare to drive around town on gas. Was great on a long run if you didn’t need to stop. Got used to switching to petrol if you encountered any stop start traffic
I have now watched the video! - Somehow, yet again you have made me see the error of my ways.
Firsly, this has to be one of the best kept examples of a Zafira A out there, very unusual to see one in this condition. Secondly, I am grateful to FINALLY know how to turn the sodding interior light on!
I think perhaps I was expecting too much of it, I had a poor attitude towards it at the time because I was forced into driving it, when others had much nicer company vehicles to use. The rear seating arrangement is very neat, and this one even seems to accelerate more readily than I remember...
Vauxhall always did a nice wheel trim. Lovely.
Nice to see such a clean and very early example. Credit to your friends for clearly giving it a decent up keep over the last 18 years
Couldn’t agree more usually covered in sweets stains and dog hairs.. nice to see a survivor top marks to the owners..
As soon as I saw the thumbnail the first thought that came into my head was ‘worn gearstick gator’
The perfect alternative to a bl^*+y SUV. Plenty of room but no bigger on the outside. I liked the VW Touran myself. Especially with the 2.0L 170BHP lump. Very good times.
Yeah, had to choose between those two when I bought my Zaf - VW servicing and parts costs are horrifying relatively. Also, nothing's broken on the Vaux (except the air con)
Is the 2.0 a petrol or diesel
@@steviewilson1912 Petrol. I'm not a diesel fan.
I'm kit a diesel fan either are they a turbo or an NA?
@@steviewilson1912 Non turbo.
I quite like this! This is much better than the the SUV/CUV craze going on in the US 🇺🇸, this is far more practical, although it seems drivers today cannot drive even with 4WD/AWD.
I know GM started using ECOTEC engines about the same time here in the US for its smaller compact vehicles.
I love everything about this, and the wipers remind me of our GM minivan purchased in 2001 (December 2000, it was an Oldsmobile, and GM announced killing off the brand the time my father bought the vehicle). Parts breaking off happens in every vehicle, usually at the oddest times. Simply smashing!
You forgot the sandals alert!
My Zafira a 2003 2.2l here in oz, still on the road, 138k , Fantastic 7 seater, just drives like a car ,Now teaching one of the kids who came home from hospital in it, great review Hub Nut
I’ve been in the very back of a Zafira before, very scary when a lorry is behind you at speed!
Rather good nick for 21yrs! Inside and out!
Lovely Jubbly, a classic in the making, especially in that great condition Mr HubNut.
Tempted to give you my Yaris Verso when it becomes surplus to requirements later in the year Ian. I think you'd dig the engineering inside it with the seats folding into the floor and what not. Very clever little car.
I think these Zafira's have aged well. I never liked their looks at the time (or the MK4 astra really) but I have come to like them a lot in recent years.
Now I'm thinking - looking forward to seeing the Toyota Surplus ;)
The best MPV ever this one just looks like new ideal for your family if you can find a good one Ian
Ian, thankyou for your views on the zafira. I value your opinions with cars, as you never hide things.
I have toyed with the idea of a zafira A for a while now. Your review of this great looking vehicle has helped me no end.
Thankyou for sharing.
I love this channel. It seems CZcams is saturated with videos about cars I will never see in real life, nevermind driving them! I'm off to make a big cup of coffee and enjoy the vid. Cheers!
Thank you very much for this episode Ian. I haven’t watched,HubNUT for a week I think because I ended up in hospital but today I used my iPad to watch your show and then I realised it - I was suffering from HubNUT withdrawal. Needless to say I feel much better now having watched this vauxhall Zafira
video. Pete UK
That Astra G platform was great. I had a 1.6 Astra club and it was so solid and reliable. You seem to love this car Ian. A better buy than a Delica perhaps?
I bought an Astra G 1.6 Club a year ago for very little money as a second car, and it has been a refreshingly uninvolved experience. The old 8-valve OHC workhorse has usable midrange torque, the car is easy to maintain, and parts are cheap and plentiful. It handles well and generally just gets out of your way in life. The general experience is so pleasant - no aggravation, no surprises.
Very interesting indeed! The reconfigurable seats are really clever. And what a lovely example!
Brilliant video Ian I enjoyed your review of this 👌
This is the most efficient and comprehensive review of a car interior i´ve ever seen! Good god, if only Doug DeMuro was like this.
I've had two of these; a 1.9 CDTi Elite that was a very nice car indeed and very well equipped. I then had an N/A 1.6 which was woefully slow but extremely reliable. I am currently driving a Zafira Tourer SRi which is sublime. Extremely comfortable and lovely to drive. People say these cars are for fecund, boring schoolrun mom's or similar men who have given up on life. Mine is for someone who isn't bothered about 0-60 times or how many g's during hard cornering. It has comfy seats, a damn good stereo, good in-gear acceleration, and huge boot if you aren't using the 6th and 7th seat.
Have an early Zafira B 1.6 club as the family bus, only had it a year and after replacing the intake manifold, air con compressor, air con condenser, burst coolant hose, coolant, oil, spark plugs, filters, exhaust manifold/cat, exhaust front pipe & cleaning and lubricating the calipers it's not too bad now. Surprisingly good handling and performance for a 1.6 bus :-)
This one looks mint.
Had one as a loaner circa 2004 when my mx5 was at the menders. Felt like I was driving a cave but also surprisingly nimble.
We had four of them over the years. We loved them except for having to move the middle row of seats to get the third row of seats up. A right pain at times especially in the rain with four kids. Never let us down mechanically though. Served us well. Thanks for another great Video. Keep them coming.
Excellent HubNut style video, thanks ian
Phwoar, get a load of this!
A jolly clean example for a T plate, behold that first aid kit! I bet they've got the original handbook, etc. My dad had a blue 52 plate with the next engine up (1.8 16v) but the same trim spec, a company car (surrey ambulance service) with a difference, strobes and sirens fitted. Obliterated it's gearbox when he was on a shout I recall. Fond memories, tidy test!
Original handbook and audio manual are in the glovebox, still in their original Vauxhall zip-up wallet.
When we were looking for a family car about 4 years ago, we avoided the Zafira because it had got a reputation for catching fire at the time, and we figured that the resale value was likely to be approximately zero. So we bought a 2010 Insignia SRI TD with all the toys, leather, sat nav and all that. It goes like stink, which I think the Zafira wouldn't have, it's got so much torque that it's just potty. It did have one bad year when we were hit by a multitude of big bills, but despite all that we do love our Insignia. A Zafira might have been more useful on occasion when we had more people to move that the Insignia would take, and the big boot would have been good for the camping trips. But you're right, a lot of thought has gone into that layout and maybe we should have considered it more.
Nice, clean design. Love it!
Proper car! Great review Ian!
Perfect for you and your family Ian!
I hired a Zafira in Scotland a couple of years ago, thought I would hate, but quite the reverse. Very comfy.
My niece is living in London with her family. She passed the driver's licence last year, 40 years old... What she bought was a Zafira from 2009, I guess. The whole family is happy to have this car to get out of London during lockdown and to go buying groceries for several weeks... A nice, reliable and useful car, indeed!
I have a 2004 zafira life in black with 129K miles, I'll be still driving it in 10 years, hopefully!
Even as a ford and VW guy I have to admit this was the pick of the bunch for mini MPVs
Good to see you giving Vaxhuall some love. I've got a 2003 Signum, I never thought that would be interesting enough to review but based on this Zafara review, maybe it is! It is basically just a Vectra with fancy rear seats... although I bought it because I like the unusual styling, half hatchback, half estate.
I too once owned a Signum, mine was the 2.8 V6 turbo (230bhp). Lovely cars. I now own a Vectra estate with the same 2.8 vxr engine (250bhp).
Great car very underrated. I have a 2004 1.8 16v petrol (in black) that I saved from the scrap yard, it cost me nothing to buy but did need a new clutch. They are great to work on, although I had to drop the front sub frame to change the clutch. I absolutely love driving it and spend many hours tinkering around with it. Thanks for a great vid Ian and keep up the good work 👍
Hubnut. The only CZcams personality, scratch that, person in general, to get excited over a Zafira! Still I watched it though 😂😂 great video 😂👍🏼
That's a good looking car.
We had, years ago, an early Mazda MPV. It was about the same colour as this, and had four side opening doors (maybe three). Unfortunately, the 2.6 Mazda engine died when the fan belt went, it overheated, and my other half failed to notice the temp gauge rising. It started using a little coolant, then a little more, and then the head cracked. Off to the wreckers.
My wife still laments losing that gem. A very simple north/south engine, rear wheel drive. This Zafira reminds me of it, but I know the drive train is different, and the folding seats are advanced.
We had one of these about 5 years ago and it was not sluggish at all. We had 6 of us, a roof box and luggage and got from the South of France to the tunnel at a fair old pace.
I had a W-Reg many years ago, was ok it ,, needed a 6th gear .. W843 ONV ... loved the large window .. and space inside for my child ... even today, the Safire looks fit for purpose.
Excellent video Ian. My first car was an Astra G and I wish id never got rid of it, it was an absolutely fantastic car and I loved owning it across four years 👍
My brother in law had a 2004 2.0 diesel injection from new. I always admired the shape of it and how well made it seemed and good quality materials and then there was 7 seats! I asked for first refusal when he was considering a change and I've been the owner for around 4 years. It still hasn't done 80k and is in excellent condition.With grandkids, the extra seats have made life so much easier. It handles really well and has a lot of poke. It has a real 'chunky' quality feel about it.
Strangely satisfying watching a demonstration of the rear seats in the zafira 🤣
German springs! I bought a 2002 3-series in 2007 and when it was checked over by the garage they found both rear springs broken. They said it was a common problem. I bet the Zafira springs were from the same german spring factory - I bet the Germans have a lovely sounding name for a spring factory!
I'm sure regardless of the brand (Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, etc.) they would have all come from the one factory. A sure sign of flexibility of car makers is how each car coming down the line is different to the next. Not just colour, but also spec, body style and sometimes model. It's not like they build red sedans in the morning and switch to silver hatches in the afternoon! Ford Australia had around five different bodies (without even getting to trim levels) on one line and Holden perhaps seven when they were still manufacturing.
It's nice to see a rear wiper that wipes most of the window.
What a lovely car Ian. I had the very early one and loved it. I know the early ones tended to blow their engines. Lovely vlog
Great memories of the Zafira, I hired one in Brussels and drove in flat out to Calais to get a ferry with six people and luggage. Right foot flat on the floor most of the way, the compliant little beast delivered in every way, we also made the ferry, good times!
I loved this video, thanks!
You should get one of these.
My father is a proud owner of a Opel Zafira 2.0 DTI Comfort 2004(bought new), now it has 350000 km and runs like new.
What a wonderful car.
In fact I'm searching another Zafira only for me, possibly a 1.8 petrol engine...
A Zafira of this color and trim level (was a 2002 example though) is what I grew up with and covered countless miles in (holidays to Kilchoan, Devon, Whitby, South West Ireland and several jaunts just over the border to Northumberland, plus family outings and all that sort of thing). Was my dad's work car too (he used to work at BAe Systems shipyard in Govan, latterly building the Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers prior to their launch and fitting out. Was sadly laid off after the last one was launched; he's now a taxi driver). Dread to think how many miles it covered when it was in daily service (think the odometer went around at least once). Was last used on our holidays in 2012 (was showing it's age then. Wear, tear and and a lack of power especially when fully loaded), has been in the lockup since at least early 2013. Needs a LOT of work doing to it.
But yeah, the main memories of that car for me are the Flex 7 seating (a godsend when transporting 5 people and latterly a labradoodle. The rear seats are very much meant for kids only; this lanky streak would have his knees up at his ears if he tried to squeeze in now) and the trademark Vauxhall growl when under load. Brings back many memories, does this video. Top work as ever, snapped spring and missing wheeltrim aside. ;)
That looks like a perfect vehicle for someone who now has 2 kids to taxi about! Nice video as always Ian.
There were three of us and we had a mini traveller!
I love the seats and the beautiful wheel trims that you get on the earlier Comfort models
Welcome to my world - the Zafira is a brilliant family car - I usually have changed my clunkers every 12 - 18 months but have had my S/H Zafira for 5 years now it's so good. Speed bumps break springs - nothing to do with the springs themselves.
I daily drive this type of Zafira, only 1.8l and black/blue interior but same exterior color and a early 2000. Had it for 4 years now, 6 in the family .. holiday trips with baggage on roof and inside, run well, comfortable. Easy and cheap to maintain as well, good petrol mileage... Hit 200.000km this year, Its a very reliable and good car. Bought it for less to nothing because the ecu didn't work, quick fix....
Bought one to lug our family around in and it was brilliant for taking kids and their friends on outings etc. You could almost guarantee you could fit everyone in. And you could literally take ANYTHING to the tip in it. Teething troubles with a loose connector on the engine management unit, but apart from that no trouble. Bit gutless (1.6) and thirsty but a doddle to drive. Demise due to shattered water pump bearings causing valves to drop. Very sorry to see her go; would have another one tomorrow.
I once took this, loaded to the hilt, to the tip and unloaded it next to a builder with a Vauxhall Combo van. He complained bitterly that I had far more stuff than he did which I could tip for free while he had to pay because his vehicle was a van. My reply was "well sell your van and buy a Zafira then".
Ive been a zafira owner for 15 years, 1.6 petrol elegance and 2.0dti club, i never knew the interior light switch was on the lights 👍
I have a bit of a soft spot for these because we had a blue 2001 model as a family car when I was little. Can barely remember it but this brings back memories 😂 😊
It's amazing; when I was young and found a old rotten car in a field, the last things left would be the chassis and the springs.
Now the whole thing would be left - plastic.
When I first drove a Zafira A in 2002, I was surprised how much it felt like the Astra G to drive i.e. really nice :)
Pinched my silver comment right at the end 😀 Nice to see one so well cared for, always underrated, as was my 2007 Signum 👍
Your videos are a joy to watch. I worked for Vauxhall in that era I sold our dealerships first Zafira with Flex 7 Seat Technology. Mechanical wizardry
You did fail to mention the elephant in the room. The Funky Air vents on the dash....LOL
Lovely. Only two on Trademe at the moment. After watching this i am considering getting one even though its a Holden.
Hi from New Zealand.
Love my Holden Zafira - will be keeping for a long time yet.
I really like the honest and simple nature of this Zafira A, always thought the Mk4 Astra was a handsome, solid car - huge step forward from the mk3. Great and honest road test.
I had four of these back in the day, they are great cars, the last one I had was a 2.2 aluminium Design, well equipped with plenty of power; one motoring journalist stated that he felt depressed every time he sat in one, I used them a lot for family holidays, they always remind me of going on holiday!
Could not agree more. My brother bought 2000 Opel Zafira Elegance 2.0 Di and sold it with 190,000 miles on it to a Mate who wanted to replace his 250,000 mile VW Passat with something with less miles. Best vehicle he ever owned. Only problem was all of us wanted to borrow it to transport families everywhere.
We had a 2002 Zafira A (1.8 16v comfort) for 12 years and it was a superb car. We got it for prams etc when the kids were small, however By far the most versatile and practical car we had, and other than servicing and mot’s it never cost us a bean in 12 years and never broke down.
The negatives were the seats were solid and not that great on a longer run. It was extremely revvy and was screaming for a 6th gear over 60mph, and the 1.8 was very thirsty though and ultimately that’s why we moved it on.
I hired one of these many years ago on Minorca. It was brand new, red,and quite well equipped. When I came home I decided to look for one, so impressed was I. I got a company car instead, and it was a Toyota avensis verso with the seven seats. My wee lad just loved sitting in what he referred to as the back back. I remember the sad looks when the company car went back, and we got a quite ordinary Vauxhall omega instead. The Zafira was definitely one that got away.
I have a Vauxhall zafira in fact I've had 3 and loved them. A robust study design, very trustworthy car. Funny thing is when they first came into the road, I couldn't abide them until I took one for a test drive and absolutely loved it. The one I own presently is silver funny enough 😅
Well, after an Astra, Vectra and a Calibra (albeit the 2.5ltr V6) I have had my fill of Vauxhall. Dad had a Victor FC. I think the best thing about the Zafira and Meriva were the adverts on the telly. "Morning George..." those two lads, very good stuff.
I've now joined the hubnut society with a 1989 Rover 213S and now i have a 1994 Rover 414GSI
It's unbelievable that you could have seven seats in the old Peugeot 404 break for decades and you never had another car like that until the Zafira came around.
I drove a neighbours 2.2 petrol many years back. plenty of torque, but I did notice it used a bit more fuel than my then 1.8 Avensis leanburn.
My brother has a 57 plate Renault Grand Scenic and both left side springs broke at different times. The first time was the front left wheel. They were about to do a long journey, when the spring let go right outside the house, and shot into the tyre. The second time, the rear left went, and even though my brother could hear a knocking and took it to Renault for services and MOT, they didn't spot it. It was when he went to a different MOT, that the broken spring was found. I replaced the spring for him.
I have a mk4 Astra saloon and it is thanks to this video that I know how to turn the interior light on
I agree with you about the styling of this. It's really well proportioned, taut, still fresh. Vauxhall did a good job. Forgot how clever those seats are too. All went a bit wrong with the next iteration for me.
Nice review, good car and nice of you to colour coordinate your too to colour of car.👍
My dad (RIP) really liked Zafiras. He owned an early Megane Scenic & the facelifted mark 1 Scenic. He probably would have bought a Zafira if the opportunity presented itself. The used Vauxhalls he owned previously were excellent used buys.
That is a seriously smart looking vehicle
Self lowering suspension as an optional extra care of Hubnut Test Drive. 🤣
Very good video. :)
I remember getting one of these to drive from Norwich to the south coast office with. Very pleasantly surprised at the quality of ride and ability to keep up with motorway traffic.
We had a 53 plate zafira a 1.6 16v in club spec up until last year. Great car never needed anything doing to it apart from servicing it every year. Replaced rear springs a couple of times and I used to find it liked going through brake pads. And I can confirm when fully laden the 1.6 does struggle a bit but nothing too bad.
nice to see they have a reasonable strut design, back in december i had a spring snap on my xsara picasso.....of course being french it didn't stay on the strut and proceeded to fall off and obliterate a tyre which was incredibly exciting!
i fitted some "spring guards" as they're called, genuine PSA, however they look an absolute afterthought and the bolts on the side hit the arch liner whilst approaching full lock
feel free to have a drive of my picasso, it's a fair bit different from the usual heaps and incredibly period correct
That’s in great condition for its age, nice car too.
My dad had one of these it was 2.0 DTI Elegance with the rare twin sunroof option and trip computer and factory tinted rear windows
Good review! I drove 1 of these as a rental in Ireland in 2003, and again in 2005 (so Opel Zafira). I think they were both the same model spec & engine. I liked it, and I remember around 2005 / 2006 reading that GM was considering selling them (probably the next generation model) as Saturns, but of course, that never happened.
I ran Zafiras when the kids were young - first one was a 1.6 petrol engined A and you are right - lively enough when empty, but put in a wife, 2 kids and luggage for 3 weeks away and performance nose-dives. Coming back up the A1 I had to join the wagons in the left lane as we pulled away from the roundabouts and struggled to keep up - usually managed to work up enough speed to pull out and pass a couple just before the next roundabout. Wonderfully spacious though so kept faith, just moved onto the 2.0 l turbo-diesel which had considerably more oomph.
Great Review As always Hubnut, Bit Of number Plate Geekery as soon as I saw it "VV" On the Reg would Suggest it was originally Registered in the Northampton Area when new. Great to see an Early Survior 👍
It was supplied new by Evans Halshaw (now Crownhill Vauxhall) in Milton Keynes and those are the original dealer plates fitted in 1999
Nice pre 2001 no. plates with large characters