Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 00:56
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - JonoM

Thanks for taking a moment to help out!

We're in the market for a Zafira (2007-09) as both my wife and I only drive Automatic. However, I hear the 1.9 diesel can cause issues...but then again, we don't really need a 2.2 litlre that you get with the petrol.

It's interesting that the diesel is so prevelant in the marketplace, but petrols seem somewhat rare.

Any advice to help us make up our mind? We typically only use the care for school runs etc.

Thanks again :)

Jono

Edited by JonoM on 25/08/2017 at 00:57

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 01:50
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - SLO76
The Fiat 1.9 diesel is known for numerous issues especially at the age you're talking of. It would almost certainly be a total money pit. The 2.2 petrol however isn't much better. It's thirsty (sub 30mpg unless you drive like a nun) and prone to timing chain failure. Neither are good options. The only Zafira's I'd recommend are the 1.6 petrol and the Isuzu 1.7 diesel, neither of which can be had as an auto. The only other option is the 1.8 but VVT pulleys are common failures and can throw the timing belt ruining the engine.

Better bet (depending on budget) would be a Mazda 5 2.0 petrol auto Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170610631...4

Or a Toyota Verso 1.8 auto Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170816839...5

The Ford C-Max is s another worthy. It uses a Mazda unit here but can also be had with a Yamaha designed 1.6... do not touch the diesel! Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170816839...6

The need for an auto rules the Zafira out effectively as it does any French options such as a Scenic, 3008 or Picasso. Stick with Japanese and petrol. Think long and hard also as to whether you really need an MPV as again this seriously limits your options.

Edited by SLO76 on 25/08/2017 at 01:54

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 09:25
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - nellyjak

As above...given your useage, forget the diesel...go petrol.

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 10:23
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - JonoM

Wow, thank you for your thoughftul and helpful reply!

We certainly would need an 7-seater given the size of our family.

The Verso and Mazda 5 are ideal, but...they're mostly out of our budget. (I wouldn't want to spend more then £4k if possible). Intrestingly, I saw a Mazda 5 over the weekend that just scraped into that budget, but one could tell that it was never well-looked after.

Any thoughts on the Grandis?

Thanks again :)

Jono

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Fri 25 Aug 2017 11:14
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - SLO76
"The Verso and Mazda 5 are ideal, but...they're mostly out of our budget. (I wouldn't want to spend more then £4k if possible). Intrestingly, I saw a Mazda 5 over the weekend that just scraped into that budget, but one could tell that it was never well-looked after.

Any thoughts on the Grandis?"

Beg, borrow or steal to buy the better car up front rather than live to regret it and pay the bills later. Loans are available through high street banks and supermarkets at as low as 2.8% APR and a few hundred quid is better spent on interest than thousands on repairs. Remember also you're talking about family safety here so the newer the better plus you don't want reliability issues stranding you with young kids.

The Mitsubishi Grandis is rare but a good big family wagon. Its cripplingly thirsty though in 2.4 auto with 25mpg being the norm day to day and don't buy one registered in 2006 onwards as they attract the £520 tax which makes them next to unsaleable. Parts prices are also a big worry. Due to the low volumes sold there's often no alternative to main dealer parts which can be grossely overpriced.

The Ford Galaxy is available with a 2.3 petrol and an automatic box but it's again in the £520 tax bracket and is greedy as hell. The 2.0 petrol is ok if you can manage a manual box.

Spend the extra and go for the Verso or the Mazda. The Toyota will be the cheapest to run, easier to sell on and the most reliable but it's smaller than the Mazda.

Edited by SLO76 on 25/08/2017 at 11:21

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Tue 29 Aug 2017 00:22
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - JonoM

Thank you again for the clarity :)

Following your recommendation, I had found an excellent deal on an 07 Verso with about 50k miles - but just before I got there it had been sold. I'll crary on keeping a look out!

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Tue 29 Aug 2017 00:28
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - JonoM

On thing I am confused about is this semi-auto gearbox?

We're looking for a straight automatic...is that possible or do they only come in an on of these MMT gearboxes? Speaking to some people, they tell me stay far away!

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Tue 29 Aug 2017 01:29
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - SLO76

On thing I am confused about is this semi-auto gearbox?

We're looking for a straight automatic...is that possible or do they only come in an on of these MMT gearboxes? Speaking to some people, they tell me stay far away!

Good point. The MMT box isn't a good one, it's another one of those automated manuals that manufactures just don't seem able to get right and something to avoid. It's only on the Corolla Verso but the later Verso as I linked earlier uses a much more robust CVT box. You will need to spend more than £4K to get a good one though.

Edited by SLO76 on 29/08/2017 at 01:30

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Sat 26 Aug 2017 01:58
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - Avant

The Verso surely can't be out of your budget? Toyota have made them for ages.

My sister-in-law had a 2002 petrol Verso for about 10 years - never went wrong.

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Sat 26 Aug 2017 19:08
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - argybargy

Matter of interest, did they ever fix the thing that was causing Zafiras to ignite?

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Sat 26 Aug 2017 21:09
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - SLO76

Matter of interest, did they ever fix the thing that was causing Zafiras to ignite?

Good point. There were two recalls issued for this and all cars with no aircon or the basic manual aircon are affected, I believe those with climate control are not. According to a quick search around 55,000 Zafira B models out of the 234,938 affected have yet to have their second, and final recall fix carried out. If anyone is looking at one you must contact your nearest Vauxhall dealer to check that car has had both recalls covered.
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Sun 27 Aug 2017 16:12
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - argybargy

Matter of interest, did they ever fix the thing that was causing Zafiras to ignite?

Good point. There were two recalls issued for this and all cars with no aircon or the basic manual aircon are affected, I believe those with climate control are not. According to a quick search around 55,000 Zafira B models out of the 234,938 affected have yet to have their second, and final recall fix carried out. If anyone is looking at one you must contact your nearest Vauxhall dealer to check that car has had both recalls covered.

Thanks for the info.

Because of that issue, the Zafira never figured in my recent search for a replacement car.

Better sit on top of a dodgy gearbox than inside a ball of flame.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 18:04
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - corax

The Verso surely can't be out of your budget? Toyota have made them for ages.

They have, but if the budget is low, the OP needs to look for the Corolla Verso as it was called before they named it Verso.

Edited by corax on 27/08/2017 at 18:05

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 19:49
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - badbusdriver

The Verso surely can't be out of your budget? Toyota have made them for ages.

They have, but if the budget is low, the OP needs to look for the Corolla Verso as it was called before they named it Verso.

Wasn't the corolla verso just a 5 seater though?, as you got an avensis verso around the same time which was bigger and had 7 seats.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 20:07
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - corax

The Verso surely can't be out of your budget? Toyota have made them for ages.

They have, but if the budget is low, the OP needs to look for the Corolla Verso as it was called before they named it Verso.

Wasn't the corolla verso just a 5 seater though?, as you got an avensis verso around the same time which was bigger and had 7 seats.

The Corolla Verso was a seven seater, but the third row was very cramped, the car itself was slightly smaller than the later Verso. A good choice though with the petrol engines and torque converter auto if big enough.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 20:28
Vauxhall Zafira B - Auto 2.2 Petrol vs 1.9 Diesel - badbusdriver

The Verso surely can't be out of your budget? Toyota have made them for ages.

They have, but if the budget is low, the OP needs to look for the Corolla Verso as it was called before they named it Verso.

Wasn't the corolla verso just a 5 seater though?, as you got an avensis verso around the same time which was bigger and had 7 seats.

The Corolla Verso was a seven seater, but the third row was very cramped, the car itself was slightly smaller than the later Verso. A good choice though with the petrol engines and torque converter auto if big enough.

You are right, i was thinking about the pre 2004 (i think), i didn't realise the 2004> were called corolla verso's, thought it was just verso by then.

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