Full review by
Mixman
expert review 
on 27th Jun 2007
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
Good Points: Looks, versatility, economy, Sport switch, parking sensors, keyless entry/ignition, Bluetooth.
Bad Points: Cannot stop cleaning it!
General comments: I've not had the Vauxhall Zafira for long, but what a fantastic relationship it's been so far!
My last 3 cars have been Vectra Sri's courtesy of the company I work for. The last of the 3 having the 150ps 1.9Cdti engine. Having a girlfriend and 3 growing kids I bit the bullet and went on the hunt for a Zafira to own myself. I have ended up with the most beautiful looking Zafira (I think) I have ever seen. Not many red ones about plus with the XP you get the VXR body kit and 18" 5 spoke alloys with 225/40 tyres.
I've done over 1500 miles in it already and have found it really comfortable to drive. Economy is slowly creeping up now that the engine is loosening up. Last tankful nearly got me 500 miles at about 38 mpg. The 'Sport' switch really makes a difference on throttle and steering response, but this is something kept to myself for myself when I am driving by myself.
The extras I got are very worthwhile. Front and rear parking sensors are fantastic. With the steep bonnet you have no chance of seeing the end and the rear being as it is, it's hard to think of trying to park without them. The Bluetooth kit for the stereo is fantastic, although the cradles you can get for the phone to sit in aren't very up to date. Climate control is great, does what it says on the button. Keyless entry is fab. Especially when doing the dreaded shopping or have your hands full of cleaning equipment. Walk up to the car, pull the door handle, it unlocks (assuming you have the fob in your pocket).
I have had the front windows tinted to match all the rear windows, just gives it that extra finishing touch.
The car handles great and is really quiet inside with very low road noise. I have read somewhere that the 18" wheels are a lot quieter running than the 17". Not sure why! But they are a lot easier to keep clean. Really comfortable sports seats in the front with more adjustments than could possibly be needed. Up down, back forward, lumber this tilt that. Steering rake and height adjustment makes it just about impossible not to be able to get really comfy. The sports suspension makes bumps in the road more pronounced, but then I knew this when I was buying it. I would always substitute that bit of comfort for better handling around the twisty bits.
One thing I'm not sure about is the lack of spare wheel. Not even a token gesture space saver. What I have in the back, behind a panel, is a contraption which contains a compressor, some tubing and a jar of magic fluid that will seal my hole in the tyre if/when I get a puncture and fill my tyre up making it safe to drive on again. Apparently you hook this compressor up to the tube of fluid which you attach to your flat tyres valve. It blows the fluid into the tyre which in turn seals the hole and inflates the tyre. Will my tyre be able to be used again if it's just a nail in and I can have the tyre repaired? Or will this magic fluid render the tyre useless once used? It's a question I need to ask.
Room inside with the Flex 7 Seating is great. The girls (aged 9 and 11) have very different opinions on what is cool. The youngest thinks it's cool to sit in the back and the eldest think sit's cool to sit in the middle row with the middle seat folded down exposing cup holders, pockets for pens and dozens of things an 11 year old girl finds necessary to take with her everywhere. My 4 year old is happy sat next to the window in his seat enjoying a better view of the world having a slightly higher position than in the previous cars.
It's fast enough. Obviously not as quick as the VXR but quick enough. I think that the 120ps engine would struggle a bit. I have done a bit of a test on speed. 80 mph in top is about 2500rpm I took it up to 3500rpm and was cruising at 115mph. There was plenty left but I wasn't going to rev it too hard whilst I am still taking care nurturing the engine whilst still fairly new.
I can't stop going on about how much I love the look of this car. I have see others in other colours but I think the red is fantastic and looks very sporty.
Mixman's review and ratings | 780 words
