For the unconverted Zafira Doubters....

[Howard]

New shape, was 6 months old IIRC (this was about 6-8 months ago). I'm sure the old one didn't have a fly by wire throttle

[Stoo]

We rented one for an airport run not so long ago.. bloody uncomfortable!

The rear seats were about as comfortable as a plank of wood, and we felt oddly up in the air, and strangely tipped forward too, numb bums all around after only about 30 minutes!

[DannyM]

We rented one for an airport run not so long ago.. bloody uncomfortable!

The rear seats were about as comfortable as a plank of wood, and we felt oddly up in the air, and strangely tipped forward too, numb bums all around after only about 30 minutes!

mmm... Rear as in the 2 that fold away at the back or rear as in the seat behind the drivers seat? If so, I wonder if it was locked back in place properly?

[kalniel]

New shape, was 6 months old IIRC (this was about 6-8 months ago). I'm sure the old one didn't have a fly by wire throttle

Why so sure? I thought nearly all vaux had fly by wire from about 99 onwards. Guess it depends on the engine model, but I'm pretty sure there were engines in the old zafira that were fly by wire too.

[dangel]

Is this thread an excercise in convincing us or yourselves?

[Konan555]

You'll find diesels will tend to be fly-by-wire as they don't have a throttle and mechanical fuel pumps are now old news.

Not sure which companies now use them on petrol engines. I suppose there's some use couple with traction control and cruise control. There's no good reason a fly by wire throttle should be laggy.

[Butcher]

I think most cars are going FBW now, easier to meet emissions targets since they can control fuel/air mixture much more precisely.

They don't have to be laggy, but some are. I'd assume it's deliberate, but no idea why they do it.

[Howard]

No, they're not all laggy. It's another thing Ford seem to have done so well in comparison to Vauxhall

[kalniel]

They don't have to be laggy, but some are. I'd assume it's deliberate, but no idea why they do it.

If there's a turbo then there's lag (unless it's a really tiny one).

It's another thing Ford seem to have done so well in comparison to Vauxhall

Along with making sure their engines break after only 80k

[Howard]

Along with making sure their engines break after only 80k

Is your name Sam Tyler?

[McMav]

Having had mine since 2004 its still going though not without a few niggley problems

First the reverse light sensor went then the rear wash wipe motor then EML came on intermitently thoug no loss of power. Got the codes read apparently it was the glow plugs so got them changed and the light stayed off for a couple of months its now back on and off say 3-4 times a month with still no loss of power so not to bothered by it. Could be the glow plug relay I guess so we'll see its due a service in Jan will see how it goes once the really cold weather comes. But as a versatile tool its all that. chuck in cavern of a boot and like tumble its 2 adults kid and a dog. Probs change it in a year or 2 but fanc summit different this time round Maye a Tucson or a Santa Fe

[Butcher]

2004 is only 5 years old, I'd expect the car to be in good order after such a short period of time. Or are cars these days built to fall to bits 5 days out of warranty?

[Zak33]

2004 is only 5 years old, I'd expect the car to be in good order after such a short period of time. Or are cars these days built to fall to bits 5 days out of warranty?

Most modern cars can last 20 years, but they can go wrong from day one sadly.

People carriers take a hell of a hammering... I have part exchanged hundreds and the quality difference is mortifying... from "showroom standard, out of the box" to totally shagged in 6 months, out with a London rental company.

[McMav]

2004 is only 5 years old, I'd expect the car to be in good order after such a short period of time. Or are cars these days built to fall to bits 5 days out of warranty?

Aye will be 6 in Jan. Regularly serviced as well. 74k miles on the clock. Its probs a dodgy sensor somewhere but knowing VX will cost a fortune to find it.

[Guy]

Unfortunatly there hasnt been many good experiences with zafira's here.

1 chap here at work has one as his company car.

It has been in the garage longer than it has been on the road.

Its a 56 plate, always been serviced, using the correct parts etc etc. He has only just got it back on the road after a 4 month ordeal trying to get a replacement cat for it. Apparently there were 2 to choose from, and even ringing up/speaking to VX themselves we couldnt get a straight answer as to which one we required. Frankly at times it was like banging your head against a brick wall, the level of CS was shocking.
On top of that there was some sort of shortage for said part, and you couldnt get one for love no money. Its barely 3 years old and already there is a backorder and shortage of parts, that doesnt bode well for another 3/4 years down the line.

To top it all off over the weekend one of the locks in the rear door has packed in. Most of the time it stays locked and wont unlock no matter what you do, other times it stays unlocked no matter what you do! So atm its having to be treated like a work van, in that at the end of the day ANYTHING of value etc needs to be removed and taken in the house

So unfortunatly the experience isnt good here, I believe there used to be one of the older first gen shaped Zafira's here originally (before my time) and that also caused no end of grief, so much so that from now on any company cars are not to be from the GM range (the directors words, not mine).

Whilst I will admit Ford at times are just as bad, I have never had any issues getting parts, or being advised which part is actually needed!