Hi lads I’ve had enough of driving my van and looking like a pikey so going to get a used car. I have been looking at zafiras and Passat estates in diesel.
Not going to be new round about 2010 reg. I haven’t drove a car for years what would your opinions be ?

Cheers

Can’t comment on passats, but my old man has an opel zafira, bog standard 2.0 diesel. Its about 15 years (he’s had it for 10yr)old with about 90k in the clock.

It’s a cheap no frills practical runabout. It’s not cost anything other than servicing and general wear and tare costs… But he is anal about servicing and stuff. I guess it depends on what sort of life it’s had.

Passat isn’t as big as you’d expect inside. I mean, it’s big but it’s awkwardly shaped so the actual practical load lugging is only the same as some smaller cars. Definitely worth rooting around in the back of one to see if it’ll suit you. Nice cars though.

Passat is a much nicer car to drive & be in. Vauxhall bit more room though.

Cheers lads Il be buying a bike rack but could you fit an MTB in a Passat ? I’m pretty sure you will in a zafira with front wheel off.

Can easily get a 29er with the front wheel off in my zafira, it’s boring but practical

Cheers bud has it been reliable and what year engine is it ?

Have a 14 plate which we bought new, 1.8 petrol, touch wood it’s been fine, front discs after a stone was caught in the caliper & new tyres have been the only costs so far. We have 4 kids so we use the extra 2 seats all the time, but they have no leg room for adults. But it’s a <5 min job to fold all the seats flat & have it as a bike wagon, you could easily sleep in there on a double airbed. It’s a bit plasticy & not the fastest but quiet, comfy, good storage, does the job.

Passat will take a Boardman pro 29er in large with the wheel off and a small BFE lying on its side, wheel on with careful adjustment.

Edit: not at the same time though.

Cheers lads 👍🏻

From experience I’d say the passat is a far nicer place to travel in. Yes, ultimately a bit less practical but a better drive, smoother engine, probably quicker if it’s a 2.0, better interior and stereo. Boot / back seats will still accommodate a fair bit of kit. Have had 6 ht 26ers in (both wheels off). Main restriction is trying to cary bikes upright, Zafira will win hands down here.

Large will fit with saddle lowered, there were a few chain prints on the roof lining in the boot until I got the correct angle!

Hahaha. Every time I get in my van I doubt wether to get rid or not. The vans ideal for the bikes as it has a crew cab and still has 6 seats. I’ve had it since 2012 and only had to change starter and alternator.
Bad points I probs look like a pikey as I have 5 kids 😀 you get asked to pick stuff up all the time And people think it’s ok to borrow it even people your not that close too 😡. Uses more fuel more road tax and insurance.

Will probs wish I’d kept it when I get rid lol but just fancy a change.

If you are looking to buy an 8-9 year old car the car will have wear marks, so you won’t mind adding a few more! The Passat is more comfortable than any van I’ve been in and I’m sure the Zafira will be the same. The passat tdi 170 is frugal and more than quick enough.

I’ve got a 2008 Passat estate. 2010 onwards will be 2.0ltr TDI, not as reliable a unit. Mines the 1.9tdi engine. Bombproof engine, the only downside is the electric handbrake. The actuator motors will fail, and they normally fail on, so it’s a trip on a vehicle transporter to the mechanic or crawl underneath and take the unit off. VW dealers charge about £500-600 each side, my local specialist charged me £200.

It’s a tanker of a car, big inside and out. I’m 6’4″, both of my boys are 6’+, there’s loads of room in the back, seats and legroom. I can get my Stooge in the back with the seats down, both wheels on, it’s a BIG bike.

It’s comfy, economical, 55mpg on a steady run, and so far been reasonably reliable. Only the electrical handbrake actuators. I’d recommend one.

I suspect the e handbrake actuators will start becoming a common theme on cars with them. Wasn’t the Passat one of the first to be fitted with an e handbrake in 2005?

Over the last three years I’ve driven many, many Zaffies, and maybe a couple of Passats. Lots of the Zaffies were driven for 150-200 miles at a time, and I found them to be at least as comfy as my old Octavia – a 220 mile drive back from the depths of Cornwall to North Wiltshire will soon show how comfy a car is going to be, and I like the Zaffy a lot. The 1.4 turbo is almost indecently quick for a 7-seat people hauler, but I can’t comment on long-term fuel bills, I was just picking up and delivering them.
Most were ex-Motability cars, and many were/are (I’m still involved with such vehicles, just in a different capacity), pretty poorly looked after, but once valeted and repaired, they’re all pretty low mileage, and go either to auction or dealers.
There’s lots around so prices should be more favourable than an equivalent age Passat.
If I needed a vehicle to carry a fair amount of stuff, bikes, family and such, I’d have no hesitation in buying a Zaffy.

I’ve got a Zafira (51 plate) and have had two bikes stood up in the back with wheels intact. Admittedly one was 26 and the other 27.5. I don’t know much about cars in general, but it’s relatively cheap to run and has loads of room.

It was bought for lugging around bikes, climbing gear and a Newfoundland. Two kids came along and it’s now used mainly for them. Versatile bit of kit. Drives like a cross between a van and a car imo.

I currently have a Focus C-Max, after having a string of small vans and Berlingo cars, 1.6tdci engine and until last week when turbo hose split, it has been a really good car and east to get on with, plus plenty of space for five in car with lots of trays, charging point in back seats etc for the kids.

OP, you’re concerned about image and you are thinking about getting a Zafira……

The Dapper Gentleman.

12 plate Passat and a transporter. I take the van most places.

But the car is much nicer place and the Passat nicer than a zafira. 1.9 diesel will return 60mpg on run plenty of room. Boot big enough when seats up. Had two road bikes and kit in there with rear seat passengers.

many Zaffies

Sorry, what? You’ve given Vauxhall Zafiras an affectionate nickname? That’s quite funny 🙂

I’ve had my 11 plate Passie er sorry Passat for about 5 years and it’s just fine.
Size wise – I’d have a Mondeo for more space inside, but I took 3 large lads and their bikes (and me and mine, obv) in it the other week. 2 bikes frames on the rack, but everything else fitted inside. I was quite impressed myself. I like the car and have no plans to change it til it dies.
[edit] get a DSG one. Manual sucks balls 😀 )