In a similar boat myself. Wife needs a bigger car as we've got 4 kids (well 3 with another one due within the next 3 weeks) so she was looking at getting an S Max. Have driven a 2006 Zafira 1.8 diesel myself and it wasn't too bad, nothing special but functional which is what you want it to be really. But does anyone have any experience or opinions on the S Max?
Spec meh: MPV Needed, Zafira etc. what's best?
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Everyone I've known who have driven them both (plus most reviews) have said exactly the opposite to that!
Horses for courses I suppose. I relate the Zafira to an Astra estate rather than a mini bus.
Could just have been because of the engine too, our Zafira has a 1.8 petrol engine, the S-Max had a 2.0 TDCI and felt very sluggish. Steering feedback also wasn't as responsive in the S-Max.
Could just have been because of the engine too, our Zafira has a 1.8 petrol engine, the S-Max had a 2.0 TDCI and felt very sluggish. Steering feedback also wasn't as responsive in the S-Max.
Which i'd echo, the Zafira is ok, feels like a big rolley kid wagon (which is exactly what it is) - the Smax drives and feels far more like a car, but also seems a bit lacking in space compared to the vauxhall (to me, someone without kids so not exactly an expert)
Has op thought of a SUV rather MPV ?. I know not strictly the same but much less too hate and still roomy.
I got a 57 plate CRV for family runabout and it's perfect for the 5 of us, comfy and has all mod cons and nice high up driving position.
I got a 57 plate CRV for family runabout and it's perfect for the 5 of us, comfy and has all mod cons and nice high up driving position.
That would be because the Zafira A is just a high roofed Astra G. In the same way the Meriva is a tall Corsa C.
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We had a Zafira A for 7 years, nothing went wrong with it although we worried about the 'timing belt' thing constantly as the mileage racked up. We've now have a Zafira B for a year, nothing has gone wrong with that either. They recon you should change the timing belt/water pump at 45K, we pushed ours to 70.
It's a compromise, it is just a tall Astra estate and space in the back is cramped if you try and get an adult in there with 2 kids. The extra seats in the boot are only any good for children up to about 12, and if you use them you can't get luggage in. On the other hand it fits into normal parking spaces and you can still get in and out.
It's a compromise, it is just a tall Astra estate and space in the back is cramped if you try and get an adult in there with 2 kids. The extra seats in the boot are only any good for children up to about 12, and if you use them you can't get luggage in. On the other hand it fits into normal parking spaces and you can still get in and out.
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