I have issues - The Zafira
Discussion
Some will remember the last car, a £375 seat Ibiza. While that was a great car, it just wasn't suited to carrying two kids about. It also wouldn't be suitable for my return into security dog handling. So we purchased this....
A 2010 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Petrol with just over 140,000 miles on the clock. Yes, I do have issues.
I've had it a little over a month and have covered 1,300 miles in it. I'd like to say trouble free but nope...
On the way to a shift the driveshaft snapped at the CV joint. this was a real PITA... it got abandoned on a petrol station forecourt for a few days until a mobile mechanic could get to it.
Other than that it hasn't been too bad so far.
A 2010 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Petrol with just over 140,000 miles on the clock. Yes, I do have issues.
I've had it a little over a month and have covered 1,300 miles in it. I'd like to say trouble free but nope...
On the way to a shift the driveshaft snapped at the CV joint. this was a real PITA... it got abandoned on a petrol station forecourt for a few days until a mobile mechanic could get to it.
Other than that it hasn't been too bad so far.
Bobupndown said:
That's a really unusual failure, looks like the cv itself has actually broken. Was there no warning noises beforehand?
Nope nothing. Drove there just fine, started to reverse out of the parking space two clicks and then just wouldn't drive. The mobile mechanic said that he believes that the CV boot was ripped and had ran dry of grease, it had been running dry for some time and it was just it's time.
Wacky Racer said:
As long as it doesn't set on fire 
Zafiras are decent cars, this is a failure that could happen on any car with that mileage.
I ran a Zafira "B" and a Zafira Grand tourer without any problems, other than the alternator failed on the GT which was replaced under warranty.
I've made sure the recall to prevent that happening was done Zafiras are decent cars, this is a failure that could happen on any car with that mileage.I ran a Zafira "B" and a Zafira Grand tourer without any problems, other than the alternator failed on the GT which was replaced under warranty.
It does the job. Nothing more. And I love it for that.
I had a Zafira B and now a Tourer, both SRi spec, I don't know why. They're perfect for lugging the kids around in, the wife won't keep it tidy so until that changes cheap and functional is as good as it's going to get.
The Zafira B I got rid of because it humped me dry over a power steering pump and then several racks, though I suspect a better garage wouldn't have had me in quite such a deep hole. The Tourer drives a lot nicer, but it was twice the price so you'd hope so!
They're so flexible, I wouldn't have anything else for the money. I bought a big roof box last year so I can comfortably carry 6 people and their luggage now, and recently added a tow bar so I could start using my trailer for tip-runs again. I got a bike rack for that yesterday, although I can get an adult bike, two kids bikes and 4 people's kit for a weekend away in the boot, it's much easier if I can put two on the back. I'm now imagining how much stuff I can lug with the bikes on the back and the roof box on, the adventures I can have.......
The Zafira B I got rid of because it humped me dry over a power steering pump and then several racks, though I suspect a better garage wouldn't have had me in quite such a deep hole. The Tourer drives a lot nicer, but it was twice the price so you'd hope so!
They're so flexible, I wouldn't have anything else for the money. I bought a big roof box last year so I can comfortably carry 6 people and their luggage now, and recently added a tow bar so I could start using my trailer for tip-runs again. I got a bike rack for that yesterday, although I can get an adult bike, two kids bikes and 4 people's kit for a weekend away in the boot, it's much easier if I can put two on the back. I'm now imagining how much stuff I can lug with the bikes on the back and the roof box on, the adventures I can have.......
It's been working hard over the last week. Has covered just over 900 miles. Temporary dog cage set up until I get my new ones from transK9.
Accidentally locked myself out of the car while on a site, keys were inside and I jumped out quickly to open a gate for a driver. Door shut behind me and I had no option but to smash the front quarter glass to get back in.
New glass coming tomorrow. Cost £12. Going to get a blank key and have a spare cut just incase it ever happens again.
New pads and discs for the rear arrived today so will be fitting them this afternoon.
Accidentally locked myself out of the car while on a site, keys were inside and I jumped out quickly to open a gate for a driver. Door shut behind me and I had no option but to smash the front quarter glass to get back in.
New glass coming tomorrow. Cost £12. Going to get a blank key and have a spare cut just incase it ever happens again.
New pads and discs for the rear arrived today so will be fitting them this afternoon.
D'oh!
Glad the glass is cheap. That is a nice thing about driving certain cars. I've had stuff that's been a bit more flash and paying for the unusual parts tires quickly. Getting stuff for peanuts is good, because stuff is going to happen, and it's still much, much cheaper motoring than paying hundreds every month for something new enough for a manufacturer's warranty.
Glad the glass is cheap. That is a nice thing about driving certain cars. I've had stuff that's been a bit more flash and paying for the unusual parts tires quickly. Getting stuff for peanuts is good, because stuff is going to happen, and it's still much, much cheaper motoring than paying hundreds every month for something new enough for a manufacturer's warranty.
All usual maintenance stuff so far.
Couple of things to watch out for.
The big one is the little plastic manifold on the side of the engine goes really brittle, and will suddenly fail, with the resultant loss of all the cooling water. This is why I understand these engines to be prone to HG failure. The part is about £30, and it's something we routinely change. £30 and an hours work to prevent engine failure seems good value to me.
And on these cars, the rear doors stop opening - wiring loom at fault. Plenty of youtube vids on it.
And as for a drive shaft, I had a Corrolla one break on me once. So if Toyota can manage it, Vaux certainly will.
For a 7 seater though, I think they are pretty decent, sturdy, and drive well. And cheap to buy.
Couple of things to watch out for.
The big one is the little plastic manifold on the side of the engine goes really brittle, and will suddenly fail, with the resultant loss of all the cooling water. This is why I understand these engines to be prone to HG failure. The part is about £30, and it's something we routinely change. £30 and an hours work to prevent engine failure seems good value to me.
And on these cars, the rear doors stop opening - wiring loom at fault. Plenty of youtube vids on it.
And as for a drive shaft, I had a Corrolla one break on me once. So if Toyota can manage it, Vaux certainly will.
For a 7 seater though, I think they are pretty decent, sturdy, and drive well. And cheap to buy.
egor110 said:
Once you factor in the cost of the dog cage , wouldn't it of been cheaper to get a ex police/mod dog car ?
Far from it. For a decent ex police/MOD dog car your looking at £5k minimum and even then your buying something that's been crashed numerous times, ragged and idled to within an inch of its life. Even with repairs and new cages, Ill be into this for under £2k. I swap stuff like fans/vents from car to car. I also prefer to build to my specification rather than live with something already done. I've had a few ex police dog cars, they aren't worth it. bearman68 said:
All usual maintenance stuff so far.
Couple of things to watch out for.
The big one is the little plastic manifold on the side of the engine goes really brittle, and will suddenly fail, with the resultant loss of all the cooling water. This is why I understand these engines to be prone to HG failure. The part is about £30, and it's something we routinely change. £30 and an hours work to prevent engine failure seems good value to me.
And on these cars, the rear doors stop opening - wiring loom at fault. Plenty of youtube vids on it.
And as for a drive shaft, I had a Corrolla one break on me once. So if Toyota can manage it, Vaux certainly will.
For a 7 seater though, I think they are pretty decent, sturdy, and drive well. And cheap to buy.
Handy to know, I'll definitely get the manifold done. Couple of things to watch out for.
The big one is the little plastic manifold on the side of the engine goes really brittle, and will suddenly fail, with the resultant loss of all the cooling water. This is why I understand these engines to be prone to HG failure. The part is about £30, and it's something we routinely change. £30 and an hours work to prevent engine failure seems good value to me.
And on these cars, the rear doors stop opening - wiring loom at fault. Plenty of youtube vids on it.
And as for a drive shaft, I had a Corrolla one break on me once. So if Toyota can manage it, Vaux certainly will.
For a 7 seater though, I think they are pretty decent, sturdy, and drive well. And cheap to buy.
Finally got around to replacing the glass I smashed when I locked myself out of the car.
Removed the trim on the pillar to expose the four plastic nuts securing the old glass in.
Old glass out.
New glass in.
Trim fitted back in.
Job done.
Removed the remains of the double sided tape I used to patch the glassless hole and cleaned the glass up. Job done and all for £12.
Decided to replace both rear wheel bearings, I'm fairly sure the drivers side needs doing due to the amount of metal shavings on the hub. The passenger side definitely needs doing as there's play in the wheel when you do the top to bottom and side to side test. £90 from fleabay for both sides Vs £130 per side from euro car parts, will see if being cheap pays off.
Removed the trim on the pillar to expose the four plastic nuts securing the old glass in.
Old glass out.
New glass in.
Trim fitted back in.
Job done.
Removed the remains of the double sided tape I used to patch the glassless hole and cleaned the glass up. Job done and all for £12.
Decided to replace both rear wheel bearings, I'm fairly sure the drivers side needs doing due to the amount of metal shavings on the hub. The passenger side definitely needs doing as there's play in the wheel when you do the top to bottom and side to side test. £90 from fleabay for both sides Vs £130 per side from euro car parts, will see if being cheap pays off.
Four part worns fitted today. Costing £147. All four are less than a year old with 6-7mm tread.
Wheel bearings arrived today, just waiting on the brake disc retaining bolts and then I'm ready to sort the wheel bearings and rear brakes out. Hopefully it'll be tomorrow.
Have a trip planned for Monday. Swindon - Great Barr, Birmingham - Coventry - Swindon. That'll test it out nicely
Edited by BigHeavy10 on Wednesday 17th May 18:29
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