Apr 17, 2005
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Hi,

I have a 1990 Swift Danette, Max Laden weight 1060 Kg. Being looking for 1.8 manual Zafia old shape not many about. But loads of new shape 1.6. only tow a couple a times ayear from North Herts to Hunstanton. not much in the way of hills.

Will I struggle. (Can't afford the new 1.9 Diesel)
 
Mar 14, 2005
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The information I have available quotes the Mk2 Zafira 1.6 haws a kerb weight of 1338Kg but is only rated to tow a maximum 1100Kg trailer.

This is slightly less than the 85% but it is the manufactures limit.

The car should not struggle with your caravan, but it will never perform as well as a more powerful car.
 
Jun 10, 2008
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dear mick i had the new shape zafira 1.6 it was a 55 plate and with our 1992 coachman mirage 4 berth the car did struggle a lot dropping gears a lot and its not as if i have a heavy van either but other than towing, my zafira was so unreliable it went through 3 starter motors in 1 week and 4 ecu's put in 1 month fuel injectors needed changing and remote locking kept failing on it, brake lights would stop on plus much more so me personally from my experiance i would look for something else as a towcar but its up to you good luck.
 
Oct 13, 2007
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Hi Mick,

I had a 2000 1.8 petrol Zafira, did all the servicing as required including cam belt my self and it never let me down once in 5years. The only one item that failed was the bearings in the alternator which you could hear well before it failed.

It was an excellent family car and a very good tow car, I know your car is 1.6 but you're within the limits. Yes you will need the gears on the hills but should be ok for a small engine car.

It would seem the later Zafira / Meriva have a few reliability problems, father-in-law has a 56 plate diesel Meriva which so far has had, new Steering column, steering rack, egr valve faults, 2 electric window motors and new boot lock
 
Apr 17, 2005
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Thanks for the info, slower might be better I Tow with a ten year old 2.0 Mondeo and often creeps above 70 which is not what I want to do.

Mick
 
Apr 17, 2005
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Thanks for that. I was looking at buying at BCA car auctions, one of the Mobility one's hoping it's problems have been sorted in the first three years.

Mick
 
Apr 17, 2005
15
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0
Hi,

Thanks for that some good news at last.Probably end up with a 04/05 old shape 1.8 But I do like the new shape 1.6

Mick
 
Apr 17, 2005
15
0
0
The information I have available quotes the Mk2 Zafira 1.6 haws a kerb weight of 1338Kg but is only rated to tow a maximum 1100Kg trailer.

This is slightly less than the 85% but it is the manufactures limit.

The car should not struggle with your caravan, but it will never perform as well as a more powerful car.
Thanks for the info, slower might be better I Tow with a ten year old 2.0 Mondeo and often creeps above 70 which is not what I want to do.

Mick
 
Apr 17, 2005
15
0
0
dear mick i had the new shape zafira 1.6 it was a 55 plate and with our 1992 coachman mirage 4 berth the car did struggle a lot dropping gears a lot and its not as if i have a heavy van either but other than towing, my zafira was so unreliable it went through 3 starter motors in 1 week and 4 ecu's put in 1 month fuel injectors needed changing and remote locking kept failing on it, brake lights would stop on plus much more so me personally from my experiance i would look for something else as a towcar but its up to you good luck.
Thanks for that. I was looking at buying at BCA car auctions, one of the Mobility one's hoping it's problems have been sorted in the first three years.

Mick
 
Apr 17, 2005
15
0
0
Hi Mick,

I had a 2000 1.8 petrol Zafira, did all the servicing as required including cam belt my self and it never let me down once in 5years. The only one item that failed was the bearings in the alternator which you could hear well before it failed.

It was an excellent family car and a very good tow car, I know your car is 1.6 but you're within the limits. Yes you will need the gears on the hills but should be ok for a small engine car.

It would seem the later Zafira / Meriva have a few reliability problems, father-in-law has a 56 plate diesel Meriva which so far has had, new Steering column, steering rack, egr valve faults, 2 electric window motors and new boot lock
Hi,

Thanks for that some good news at last.Probably end up with a 04/05 old shape 1.8 But I do like the new shape 1.6

Mick
 

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