Practical Zafira With Many Ailments

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

The Opel Zafira caused a sensation eleven years ago with its seating concept. However, the ADAC's Yellow Angels couldn't complain about a lack of missions.

As a practical seven-seater with retractable stalls in the back row and optional natural gas drive, the Opel Zafira has made itself popular with taxi drivers and large families. But as flexible and inexpensive as the minivan from Rüsselheim was in terms of maintenance - in the breakdown statistics of the ADAC, the car performed comparatively poorly even in the second generation.

Engine damage and defective turbochargers

According to ADAC, the first series up to 2005 gave motorists a lot more breakdowns. Engine damage due to increased oil consumption occurred with the 2.0 DTI, and the unit caused problems especially in cars built in 2000. The ADAC also found defective turbochargers and slipped air hoses quite often. In the case of gasoline engines, the years 1999 to 2001 were particularly conspicuous with broken timing belts, defective fuel pumps and wet spark plugs. Even the improved second generation took a lower position in the 2008 ADAC statistics.

The van trendsetter Zafira A was launched in 1999. Before a facelift was carried out in 2003 with optical changes to the front and rear as well as in the interior, the natural gas version CNG was sold in 2002. In 2005, Opel presented the completely newly developed second generation, which was upgraded with a facelift in 2008. The retractable seating system was always retained.

From 3200 euros

The OPC variant with 177 kW / 240 PS earned the current Zafira the reputation of the “fastest minivan in the world”. With moderate engines, however, the car sold more often. Depending on the generation and model year, the other petrol engines produce between 74 kW / 100 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. The diesel versions range from 60 kW / 82 PS to 110 kW / 150 PS.

According to the Schwacke list, the Zafira is available as a used car from 3200 euros - but you only get a 1.6-liter gasoline engine from the first year of 1999 with 74 kW / 100 PS. A seven years younger Zafira 1.8 Easytronic Sport with 103 kW / 140 PS from 2006 should therefore be available for around 11,400 euros. The 1.9 CDTI automatic 88 kW / 120 PS from 2008 is listed with a retail price of 13,050 euros. For the 1.6 CNG Turbo Sport with 110 kW / 150 PS from 2009, 15,450 euros have to be invested. (dpa / tmn)