2003 Vauxhall Zafira Elegance 2.0 DTi turbo diesel

Summary:

Would be a very nice car, but for the small problems I'm having with it

Faults:

My engine management light kept coming on intermittently, but seems to have sorted itself out now after spotting loose fuses in the fuse box.

Now the alarm has a mind of its own, and tends to trigger at the most inconvenient times; IE two or three in the morning.

I took the car to a Vauxhall dealership and their mechanic says that he identified 15 error codes, and wanted 140 pounds plus VAT to have a further look.

But it's funny, cos since the mechanic identified the error codes, is when the alarm has started playing up.

General Comments:

Seats are comfy.

Very quick and cheap to run.

Generally tidy car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th January, 2009

2003 Vauxhall Zafira GSI Turbo 2.0 turbo

Summary:

Superb; tempted by the new version

Faults:

Problems with petrol gauge going up and down; can get in and the light flashes for low fuel 5 minutes, but later you have a quarter of a tank!

General Comments:

Superb performance; acceleration is great, beats many boy racers at the lights, but drinks petrol, averaging 25 miles per gallon.

Tyres are a pain in the backside; low profile 17 inch, which cost an arm and a leg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th August, 2007

2003 Vauxhall Zafira Elegance 1.8 petrol

Summary:

A great family car

Faults:

Washer bottle clogged up because of 'over-use of windscreen washer fluid'

General Comments:

I've just sold this car to a dealer, but what a great 4 years we've had with the car. We ordered the grey interior rather than the black, and it made a huge difference by lightening up the interior of the car.

Nothing electrical or mechanical failed in the 4 years we had the car. The car even had the original brake pads still on (only just).

We've had 6 people in the car plus 3 suitcases and 2 sports bags.. no problem, the car truly is much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside.

The flex seven seating may not suit all, as you have to get all of the middle row people out to allow the rear passengers to exit. If doing school runs with young kids, this could be irritating. However if you only use the extra seats for a few family trips a year with gran and grandpa, it's not a problem.

You can change the car into a mini van quickly by sliding the middle bench forward, rather than adjusting 3 midle row individual seats as seen in many other MPV's.

Compared with the old Zafira, the new Zafira is lower than the previous model, and the dash has soft squishy buttons where the markings on them are sure to rub off, plus you can't get a gray interior. The new black interior looks too dull and gloomy...

The only faults with the car were that fifth gear was geared too low and the fuel economy. We'd only get 25 mpg around town. The most we ever got was 40 mpg out of the car.

So bye bye to a fantastic MPV. Would we buy a new Zafira? No - the new model isn't a real improvement over what was a very clever design. It's a Kia Carens for us this time!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th March, 2007

2003 Vauxhall Zafira Club 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Generally good car, but poor customer support

Faults:

Engine Management Light at 38,000 miles. Poor service from Vauxhall and the dealership. Had to speak to Chief Execs office to get help. No solution to the problem after a week in the workshop.

General Comments:

Good famliy allrounder. Great for trips to the tip, and for the family day out.

Interior is dull, but tough enough to manage the 4 kids pulling at it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th June, 2006

2003 Vauxhall Zafira Design 2.0 dti

Summary:

Quick, comfortable and practical

Faults:

Engine Management system developed fault that caused hesitation when accelerating in high gears at low speed, from 42000 miles. Took 2 attempts to fix.

Oil warning light started coming on at idle at 60,000 miles. Traced to faulty oil switch. Fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

This is a company car which I inherited in December 2004. I Have covered around 22000miles in 7 months and found it comfortable to drive and quite quick for a diesel. With 4 kids and a dog we use all the seats to the full without complaint. However the boot is tiny with all seats in use.

We have a large 6 berth caravan, which it pulls very well, although at 1300kg all up, we are well over the recommended towing limit, set at 1055kg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th August, 2005

5th Oct 2007, 13:25

How sad that someone is happy to go into print and admit to driving their vehicle in an overloaded situation. For the sake of his family, lets hope it doesn't backfire on him.

19th Apr 2013, 16:29

I'm sure this person wasn't attempting to place his family in any danger; rather an over the top reply methinks!!