New Car - Opinions?

[Bookworm]

My lease is running out in a couple of months and I have to choose a new one.

 

Contenders are a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso or a Vauxhall Zafira.

 

Anyone who has one, drives one or can compare accurately, opinions and feedback, please?

[Rooster-UK]

I drove one a while ago and I was impressed.

My next-door neighbour has one. He suffers severe back problems but can drive the Zaphira without any problem.

Personally, I favour the Vauxhall.

Present car is Vectra 2.0L SRI. which replaced an Astra 1.6 five-door hatchback. That replaced an Astra 1.4 three-door hatchback which replaced a Cavalier 1.6.

 

So. I'm biased.

[Guest wino]

Bookie what do you need a car for? With over 17,000 posts when would you have time to drive it?

[Bookworm]

LOL, amazingly, I do go out occasionally, in fact, my life is a whirlwind of shiny driving moments: school run, shopping to Iceland, etc...

 

Rooster, my problem is that I am biased too... against Vauxhalls. I did a driving job from South East London to Northern Ireland in a Cavalier (new, top of the range) and within a couple of hours my back was shot to pieces and my neck felt like it had doubled in size... I spent the week-end in agony, and since then I have been very reluctant to get back in a Vauxhall... It was a few years ago, granted, so hopefully they have improved, but I am that bit wary... :-|

[DOBBYDOG]

Im against vauxhall also .

 

Mine was a year old and wentfor its first service. The day after it wouldnt start, was taken back to the garage. I then received a phone call to ask meif i'd put any more oil in it since it was serviced. What since yesterday ? i think not ! Apparently 2 litres of oil more than should have been was put in. This knackered the engine and it had to be re-built. I was without that car for 7 weeks !!

 

Iv'e always found vauxhalls after service appauling ! They never have a car for you to use whilst yours is being serviced and it takes ages to get it booked in and then when it does go in you never get it back the same day. Also their staff could do with some customer service training ! I'll never have a vauxhall again, which is a shame coz their cars are really nice.

 

However, that is only my experience and one garage. Dont know what all the others are like.

 

I drive a volkswagon now

[Castlebest]

I've driven Vauxhalls for over 20 years, love the cars but I have to agree with Dobby about the after sales service, as soon as any of my cars came out of warranty I took them to a local garage that I could trust.

[charleyfarley]

My lease is running out in a couple of months and I have to choose a new one.

 

Contenders are a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso or a Vauxhall Zafira.

 

Anyone who has one, drives one or can compare accurately, opinions and feedback, please?

 

 

I've been driving a Zafira for about 6 months now, and I've done over 20,000 miles in it. 1st service last week. It's a very basic model (Club) but it's ok. Comfortable without being fantastic, the seats are clever, but the middle row is a bench seat, and my two galumphing teenage sons find the legroom in the back limited. The rear row are much easier to use than my previous Sharan, but again the legroom is limited for anyone over average height.

 

The carrying capacity is good, the load cover easy to use, the driving position is fine, but there is quite a thick pillar at the edge of the windscreen, so the vis is slightly restricted sometimes.

 

The handbrake is one of the new U-shape things, and a bit clumsy, the audio controls are clear and easy to use, the driving display is ok, but no more..................in summary the car is absolutely adequate.....apart from the coffee cup holder which is totally USELESS:o :o :o

 

can't comment on the Picasso, never driven one

 

 

and as for garages........................I've driven Peugeots,Fords,Volkswagens, Renaults....................and I could write a book about how incompetent they all are. the main trouble seems to be they're staffed by people who like cars and are concerned with image, rather than customer service

[nufsaid]

Bookie the second hand car trade not working out for you then:D and that slap hurt btw:eek: still have bruises.

Defiantly the zafira a girly opinion I know but the Picasso looks like an egg and is a Citroen at the end of the day.

I had a poorly zafira for a while sold to me by delboy it had been in an accident unbeknown to me, the point to this tale is the AA inspection chap told me although the repairs were complete botched rubbish the car withheld perfectly against what was defiantly a hard rear and front hit and the engine was perfect so would get another one in a heart beat just based on this info alone, you know it will be safe this was a Y reg 2001.

Let us know what you get.

[nufsaid]

 

and as for garages........................I've driven Peugeots,Fords,Volkswagens, Renaults....................and I could write a book about how incompetent they all are. the main trouble seems to be they're staffed by people who like cars and are concerned with image, rather than customer service

 

Yep EVERY garage I have dealt with are totally useless all main dealers seem to be incompetent idiots.

[Bookworm]

Bookie the second hand car trade not working out for you then:D and that slap hurt btw:eek: still have bruises.

 

 

[Janet-M]

Zaffira every time ..I am now on my 4th one .. and my next car will be a zaffira ...

 

( like you I'm on contract so have to change them)

[charleyfarley]

Bookie.................I know you said you were leasing, but I've got a very nice Grand Espace for sale at Asda price if you're interested;)

[Bookworm]

Thanks, CF, but mine is on Motability contract. ;-)

[DocH]

Hi Bookworm, I own a Picasso 2.0 diesel. I find it comfortable to drive, economical to run and have never had a problem with it (touch wood). Plenty of adaptable space in the interior. Never had any problems with servicing - providing you give enough notice they'll provide a courtesy car or a lift service free of charge.

 

In fact my two brothers were so impressed they have each bought a Picasso. Youngest brother has a 16 year old lad who is 6' 6" and he doesn't complain of lack of leg room.

[sequenci]

Booky, can you get a 24 hour test drive on them or something?

[Bookworm]

I'll have to find out. It certainly would help if I could, the main problem being lumbar comfort and you can't exactly gauge that with a short test drive.

[sequenci]

I'll have to find out. It certainly would help if I could, the main problem being lumbar comfort and you can't exactly gauge that with a short test drive.

 

I know that some garages will allow you a vehicle for the whole weekend.

 

My gut feeling is that the Piccaso is likey to be more comfy. My friend has a standard C4 and it is a beautiful car.

[jailbird]

Hi Bookie

 

I got a nissan qashqai last June and it is fab. I also suffer from a bad back and this is wonderful......like sitting in an armchair.

 

JB

[ananya]

Hi, we have a Picasso and wouldn't swap it for a Zafira for anything

 

My sister had a Zafira and found it very thirsty on fuel whereas our Pic is quite efficient. I also suffer from back and knee pain but have been more than comfy on long journeys.

 

Also, neither hubby or I are small and we find that there is plenty of room inside and the new C4 Picasso is a lot smarter than the xsara Picasso as well, in my opinion.

[moving on..]

I drive a Zaffira...and due to the thick pillar at the edge of the windscreen I have very nearly hit at least 6 pedestrians..on crossings! The blind spot is massive.! ( and I have been driving for 28 years..and never experienced anything like it before) and never had an accident...so worrying......I complained to the dealer..and they said they were 'well aware of the problem'!! also going round roundabouts, I find myself having to lean forward to see the edge !..not good for bad backs!..Also it only seeem to do about 25miles to the gallon around town,!! ...

regards

moving on.....(not in a Zaffira..hopefully..!!!)