For a while, we looked at a Golf V replacing the old, trusty Polo 6N (due ISOFIX and general comfort/safety considerations).

Too many of those are so badly taken by paint letting go and Norwegian salting, a lot has rust to them.

 

Then we thought what we are doing for the next couple of years, defining what type of car we should have.

VW Touran came up, same challenge as with Golf V. A friend offered his 2.0 FSI for cheap, and I said OK! But sadly it turned out to be impossible taking it out of the bargain on his new aquisition... Besides his car, I find nothing I like for the price you'd pay for such old ones (type 1T1), considering average yearly depreciation.

 

We started looking at Opel (Vauxhall) Zafira As...it hruts my soul a little, but they are significantly more in petrol versions than Tourans, and comes cheaper.

Does anyone have any experience with them? Is the 1.8 125hk a must over the 1.6 101hp?

 

We will mainly be running to kindergarden, and on a seldom occasion use it for towing a mini-trailer, and utilize the space when moving on to next home.

 

 

I'd put 16"s and some H&R/Eibach to it, and close my eyes for the rest.

Hmm where these not setting fire?

Hmm where these not setting fire?

No its the Zafira B were self combusting

They have a lot of emissions issues so it depends on the limits for your national vehicle test, all the steel brake pipes rust badly so replace all with nickel blend, they break front springs (seldom rear). A lot of them have been scrapped for a top end knock in the engine that rises with revs but it is just a baffle plate in the inlet manifold and very easy and free fix. Overall they are reliable enough but they do like to use a drop of oil.

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Edited 15 June, 20169 yr by Cavanmick

Thank you for the proper input Cavanmick!

 

I do of coure see that a cheap purchased car may just as well represent the same monthly/yearly running cost/depreciation as a newer one - so it is defineatly a calculation into it too.

Bur for let's say >£3000, how bad can it go before you bin it?

 

I question the 1.6 101hp capacity for such a car, but there is a low mileage low price example for sale, which seems pretty ok at condition (professionally reworked sills), if not hot selected hardware...

 

Edited 15 June, 20169 yr by WAUOla

Hold out for a 1.8 - the 1.6 is underpowered for the size of the car. Head gaskets can fail at about 130k miles and the gearbox can give trouble if the oil level drops. Running gear wise, basically it's a mk4 Astra underneath, so parts wise plenty of spares options, and really easy to repair. Main thing is to look for a good history, and also that the cam belt and water pump have been changed (pump is belt driven, so should be changed with the belt - easy enough job, about 2 hours work - no special tools required and plenty of access).

Rust can be an issue, mainly the front sub frames, although that shouldn't be too much of an issue where you are. Try and find the highest spec you can, a friend of mine has an elegance model, which is well equipped. Power steering, ABS, power windows, tinted rear windows, trip computer etc and for a people carrier it does shift and handle fairly well - I would imagine with some decent suspension, poly bushes in the wishbones and a decent set of wheels/tyres would be quite a bit of fun