Thinking about new car, ask on a Computer forum of course....

tcfreer

tcfreer

tcfreer

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Ok - I'm starting to think about a new car.

Couple of reasons why

1 - I don't do mega mileage and as such the little cdti meriva I have isn't getting used right so it's not worht keeping
2 - I want more space for a myself, and for road trips with friends

I know the road trips mean longer distance - however they are few and infrequeant.

Don't ask why but I have a hankering for a Zafari GSI. Daft I know, but there cheapish, I like the styling and the size - and the 200+BHP from them. And being a plus sized chap, the huge sport seats they have (or at least felt when I last sat in one) feel comfy.

So Motors - using the Zaf GSI as a guide, what would you think of for me to add to the list of 1 and start digging about?
 
tcfreer said:
Don't ask why but I have a hankering for a Zafari GSI. Daft I know, but there cheapish, I like the styling and the size - and the 200+BHP from them. And being a plus sized chap, the huge sport seats they have (or at least felt when I last sat in one) feel comfy.

So Motors - using the Zaf GSI as a guide, what would you think of for me to add to the list of 1 and start digging about?
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Do you mean Zafira?

A friend of mine has a Zaf GSI and, yes it is fast but it is also horribly unreliable. You don't see many about, probably because they all go horribly wrong so often. I'd look elsewhere personally. Last time I saw one, it was parked next to me and oil was literally dripping out of it, it was everywhere.
 
Yeah sorry my mistake there.

Ok so there are some issues then - any ideas on anything else like it and in the same sort of price range as these?
 
Unless you actually need 7 Seats then the Zafira and even the much better handling SMAX (or even galaxy) are a pretty terrible idea.

Would have though you would be better off with either a decent wafty saloon or some form of estate (e.g. if you need to take lots of stuff with you).

Something like a Skoda Superb, or (at the risk of sounding like iaind) a Saab.

Depending on budget then a 5 Series or Audi A6 would surely meet most of the requirement.
 
Looking around Zaf GSi are about 3-4k

S-max 2.5t's are about 4-5k

Budget is up to that at most - less the better.

It's more the acutal space behind the wheel that I need, and I prefer the higher up seating feel
 
Armageus said:
or (at the risk of sounding like iaind) a Saab.
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:D

Really need much more information though, it doesnt sound like he needs a 7 seater so the Zafira is a baffling choice, but I may be reading that wrong.

I dont really know what it means when he says "the little cdti meriva I have isn't getting used right so it's not worht keeping"

Some sort of requirements and budget would go a long way. Maybe a Saab might be a good idea, who knows :)
 
iaind said:
I dont really know what it means when he says "the little cdti meriva I have isn't getting used right so it's not worht keeping"
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I assumed that meant that the OP no longer needed a diesel due to shorter journeys, and only infrequently doing long road trips.

iaind said:
Some sort of requirements and budget would go a long way. Maybe a Saab might be a good idea, who knows :)
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I was going by the need for more comfort for long road trips, as well as a decent level of performance (as indicated by the Vauxhall GSi suggestion).


tcfreer said:
It's more the acutal space behind the wheel that I need, and I prefer the higher up seating feel
Click to expand...

Space behind the wheel should be easy - coming from a Meriva (which is based on a Corsa?) then any bigger car should fulfill this. Certainly from personal experience the Wife's Zafira doesn't noticably have any more space for the driver than my Focus does.

The higher up seating feel obviously you can't replicate in anything other than an MPV or SUV though.

If you could get over the high up position, I still think something like a Superb would be a decent option (decent level of driver comfort, plus huge space in the back (so even with passengers you can have your seat as far back as you want):
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201603312500773
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201601200250689
 
Merivas arent exactly built for big mileage though, despite the diesel engine they're still little city cars...hateful little things too.

I'd probably not suggest spending 4-5k on one, but I'd challenge anyone to find comfier seats than a 9-5 for the money. A 9-3 wouldn't be quite as bargey and wafty but still a step up from the Astra based Zafira - very similar engine too.
 
tcfreer said:
Looking around Zaf GSi are about 3-4k

S-max 2.5t's are about 4-5k

Budget is up to that at most - less the better.

It's more the acutal space behind the wheel that I need, and I prefer the higher up seating feel
Click to expand...

Get a Transit van then :p
 
Armageus said:
The higher up seating feel obviously you can't replicate in anything other than an MPV or SUV though.
Click to expand...

A6 Allroad might be in the middle somewhere, but probably wouldn't recommend as they all seem to have terrible engines.

S-Max is probably the right choice here to be fair. But I do really like my Alhambra. But its a 2.0 TDI. Dont think they did a 2.0T.
 
This is the thing

As I said above - I dont' drive huge mileage so the diesal isn't the right choice.

I like the higher seating postion.

Also I don't need a mega economical car and insurance isn't a big thing

I do about 4k at most a year mileage wise - even thats a push

It's normally just me, however I do sometimes take 3-4 friends out and none of us are small people.
 
tcfreer said:
I like the higher seating postion.

Also I don't need a mega economical car and insurance isn't a big thing

I do about 4k at most a year mileage wise - even thats a push

It's normally just me, however I do sometimes take 3-4 friends out and none of us are small people.
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You can do better than a Zafira though surely - even assuming your higher seating position requirement e.g:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511228904335 - Merc ML430
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201603011517603 - Mazda CX-7 2.3T
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201602271446035 - BMW X5 4.4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201603292422236 - Subaru Forester 2.5 XT
 
tcfreer said:
I do about 4k at most a year mileage wise - even thats a push

It's normally just me, however I do sometimes take 3-4 friends out and none of us are small people.
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Unless you are all morbidly obese, do you really need something so big for 3 or 4 friends? I know you like being a bit higher from the road but you are quite limited in your choice. Any movement on the height requirement?
 
I'm going to say no Jamesyboyjim

And - Well, I'll say look at my thread in the training logs.

According to some doctors I should be dead already in a square coffin made of steel
 
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