Why This 222,000 Mile Vauxhall Zafira GSI Is A Member Of The Family

Today I'm driving a bit of a performance car legend - the Vauxhall Zafira GSI. Launched with a marketing campaign in the UK featuring Boney M's "Daddy Cool" - the aim was to make the super practical Zafira appeal to the petrolhead with a growing family. It wasn't a hit, but it was a legend. 15 years later though, how does it fare?
#Vauxhall #Zafira #GSI
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[@lunchtimewatches1854]

Honestly, hats off to Opel/vauxhall for having the balls to build a performance minivan. Twice.

[@andymiller8877]

Not forgetting the meriva vxr

[@chrisogrady28]

Ford S Max 2.5 had the 5 cylinder turbo from the Focus ST of the time (the best one)

[@asifnoaman8978]

I have both the GSI and VXR

[@idimidodjimi6760]

@@asifnoaman8978 I think he meant Zafira A and Zafira B / MK1 and MK2 , VXR or OPC for Opel GSI was not at that level, it was below that

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

@@idimidodjimi6760 gsi was a 4 pot 2.2 nasp if I’m not mistaken a pretty dead engine

[@pka8514]

More content like this! No more boring supercars.

[@samthoma2719]

I think you’re going to be in the minority here haha, but I do agree that cars for a couple grand should be on this channel more often

[@sparky4878]

These are a bit fun for a change as everyone does supercars. A few oddities makes good viewing.

[@chrisogrady28]

I just want more NA Manual cars

[@redyellowpink01]

@@samthoma2719 i think you'd be surprised. Everyone does supercars and there's really only so many ways you can say "it looks nice, costs a lot and goes very fast". Weird stuff like this is so much more interesting

[@samthoma2719]

@hyper I did say cars around a couple grand, just not a zafira that’s all 🤣

[@supatubz74]

My grandfather owned one of these. I remember sitting in the very back as he swept through the Italian alps with all 7 seats occupied with my mother begging him to slow down. I however had a massive grin on my face & I was egging him on. He now has the VXR that succeeded it. He’s 82.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Your Grandad sounds like a legend

[@Holdeenio]

Legendary. Please get him and his VXR on the channel 🤣

[@beny9461]

Lovely story! Is a good idea to get him in the channel with the VXR 😁

[@Buck3366]

Awesome!! I actually watched the RS3 video with Jays Grandad again yesterday. Probably one of my favourite videos on the channel so yeah be great to see the VXR on here as a successor to the Gsi AND have your Grandad along for the ride.

[@joshbacon8241]

That must have been a great moment of your childhood…

[@SquidgyPickle]

Late '90s early '00s cars were just technologically advanced enough to be refined etc but just mechanical enough for people like myself to work on them easily.

[@Kacpa2]

And for same reasons they also felt more fun to drive :)

[@DjDolHaus86]

There's a Zafira VXR around my way and it always brings a smile to my face, it's obnoxiously loud, makes all the turbo noises, often seen/heard chirping the wheels away from the lights and is seemingly always rammed to the gunnels with kids and shopping. I salute the juxtaposition

[@iantownsend500]

You got to find a 5 cylinder S Max for a review now

[@chrisogrady28]

YES

[@simonbailey2151]

Definitely. A fast people carrier that actually wants to go round corners!

[@onelyone6976]

Yup, or a 3.5 V6 Renault Espace

[@chappy2121]

A e51 nissan Elgrand perhaps, especially with the 3.5v6 nissan vq motor in it. My mates just got one insane for what he paid for it. Especially compared to a Transporter or Vito he was looking at

[@simonbailey2151]

@@onelyone6976 I think those have literally all broken.

[@superbracey]

Just picked a 2003 Zafira 2.0 dti up an hour ago. One owner, 70k miles, FSH for a grand. I'm really rather pleased with it. There are cheaper ones, but it looks a good one and I believe the later Fiat 1.9 engined ones with the M32 gearboxes can give a lot of trouble. I knew you and HubNut would have some Zafira-based entertainment for me to watch this evening. My reason for buying this old car is, a few weeks ago I bought my dream car - another one you have reviewed - a 2012 Jaguar XFR. I've enjoyed every minute of ownership and it really has lived up to my expectations so far. But I don't want to pile too many miles on it. The 100bhp / 45mpg Zafira is the perfect daily driver to counter the 500bhp / 20mpg Jag, which will feel all the more special when used ocasssionally. Also, I can let the kids eat, drop crumbs, kick the seats, put the dog in the boot, take the grandparents out and generally treat the Zafira like the family car that it is without me getting annoyed about it getting messed up, or worrying about how close people park next to it.

[@paulallwood6033]

When I was about 20 years old I thought these were basically Supercars. They absolutely blew my mind. Zafira GSI, Even sounds exotic and dangerous

[@nikolaslarson6891]

Those were the days when the practicality was still important and you didn‘t have to search for the obnoxious electronic handbrake button for half an hour...

[@stevenmoran4060]

You never need to as they auto deploy and release!

[@asifnoaman8978]

@@stevenmoran4060 not on all cars they dont

[@pedroborda7227]

I *love* this epoch of GM. I grew up in 90's and 00's Brasil, when GMB (Brasilian Chevy) was in it's golden years. These GMs were the best option for low and middle class brasilian petrolheads. We did not get these proper hot versions, though, we only got sticker tunning. Thanks for the video Jay! Nobody covers these, and you've convinced me to have a headach... I mean, buy one for no good reason. : D

[@MrMartyv6]

Credit to its owner, man after my own heart. Currently have one of these as my daily driver too and my previous car was also a Zafira GSI(which racked up 232k) absolutely cracking all rounder and as you said in your review they last well with simple servicing. Like the mods he’s done, decent suspension and a light remap👍🏻 love the fact he has an M2 comp yet still cherishes his beloved Zaf GSI. Hope Paul enjoys many more miles in the future🙂

[@hsvcommodore4111]

Thanks for the Review! This is one of those cars That will be completely gone and forgotten in a few years. I still remember when this car was new, my neighbour had one and it was considered really cool By dad's, wow, what a time That was!

[@jasonk7072]

The most Lonsdale of cars

[@samthoma2719]

Best comment yet 🤣😂

[@PeteCourtier]

With a Sports Direct umbrella in the boot.

[@Salubrious101]

Excellent comment, it's accuracy can't be faulted😂😂

[@francoisworld9924]

hahahaha oh yes 2003 onwards ... sports direct :)

[@Holdeenio]

I had a 2001 Astra Bertone at 18 years old and absolutely loved it. This being from the same era makes me reminisce. At the end of my time with it had accumulated 156,000 miles of experience, still on the original clutch with literally zero mechanical issues. Most people in my circle had much newer 1.2L Corsas 😑

[@ianfrost3529]

Years ago I use to collect cars all around the UK me and 2 other young lads had to pick up 2 BMW e36 318i coupe and one of these by the time I had gone in and sorted the paperwork they were settled in to the BMW’s and I was stuck with the Zafira but I really enjoyed it was great fun. You should also try the S max with the 2.5 five pot that’s quite a surprising car as well love your channel as always.

[@JonCannings]

I had one of these for about 7 or 8 years. Fantastic car. Fast when needed, good on fuel and importantly roomy! I cared for it so much. the bloke I sold it too, once he paid me, sped off like a lunatic and I dread to think what happened to it. The Imrscher body kit was still great looking and it shocked lots of people when the turbo kicked in. I went from the Zafira GSI to an R53 Cooper S. One extreme to the other in terms of size

[@worthlessdollar1]

If you remember the reg you can always google the MOT. You never know, it might still be on the road!

[@JonCannings]

@@worthlessdollar1 it's still on the road, just had a quick look

[@worthlessdollar1]

@@JonCannings I'm not surprised. There are plenty of ancient Vauxhalls still kicking around - long after "superior" brands have gone to the scrap yard.

[@JonCannings]

@@worthlessdollar1 just hope it's with someone who will care for it

[@worthlessdollar1]

@@JonCannings I know the feeling. They can become practically part of the family lol.

[@a_gsi_nut8894]

Future classic I hope,absolutely love mine, my drive train is slowly changing to a vxr but I can live with that and the extra power it brings with it

[@antfox7394]

I've always thought the Zafira A should become a classic (very clever car), the performance version adds even more to it.

[@phil8437]

You mention SUV's. I have just purchased a two wheel drive Suzuki Vitara. The main reason I purchased an SUV was that my wife because of her disability, finds it very difficult getting in and out of lower vehicles and I find that the Vitara because of the thicker tyre walls and raised ride height copes far better on the UKs dreadful road surfaces than most "normal cars". Four wheel drive SUVs are a bit silly unless you use the vehicle off road or live in a climate that has icy roads most of the year. I like this Zafira - good review.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

See Phil, you've got a genuine need to buy that car. and I don't want the segment to stop existing, I would just rather people admit they "probably should have bought a Golf" in most cases instead of an X2 or something silly

[@francoisworld9924]

A good genuine reason , i get frustrated when i see one child coming out of massive Q7 on then school run , crazy , but it’s the sign of then times and many with private plates ! i’d rather have a bright orange 🍊 2cv x

[@81Alfetta]

There is a school of thought (which I increasingly agree with) that says the sort of mid-90's to mid-late 2000's was the peak of car desirability. Not perhaps the most fun (go older), or most comfortable/fastest (go newer), but it was a period where the technology had come far enough that everything worked reliably and easily, but it had also not started getting in the way like it does now. Based on that, it doesn't surprise me greatly most of what you end up with comes from that era. Also, love these sorts of reviews, actually just love the variety of this channel in general. Keep it up.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yep, we had computers to help us make things better but without obscene amounts of legislation and tech to make them worse

[@81Alfetta]

Pretty much the feeling yeah. Engine management, TC for when you want it, infotainment that will talk to my phone reliably? Yes please. “No you can’t go through that gap, or near that white line, and let me bing at you because I read the speed limit on the off ramp” all presented on a touch screen... not so much. Add in that of late it kind of feels like the marketing people and accountants are getting the upper hand over the engineers and designers, and it feels like we’re getting cars meant to look flash in a showroom and sell on the merits of a phone rather than the merits of a car. Tools for the job etc. God I sound old and bitter.

[@morgman43]

Hats off to you, I'd never have guessed you'd be reviewing a Zafira, but I love that you have.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

We are an inclusive channel here - cars of all ages and budgets are welcome, so long as they're interesting in some way :)

[@morgman43]

@@JayEmmOnCars the Ford S-Max with the 2.5T out of the Focus ST was always my "oh shit, I've had too many children" backup car. Fortunately haven't had to find one yet 😆

[@Bombastic_Spastic]

Zafira GSI/VXR for when you can fit a pod filter but not a condom

[@markdiesel6432]

😂😂😂

[@andisadler2897]

i HAVE A bLACK ONE AND 10 KIDS, SO YOUR BANG ON. I BLAME THE GOOD EXTACY IN LATE 80S EARLY 90S.

[@simonfreeman2808]

Credit to its owner. Always liked these.

[@iandavidson99]

Wow! I've not heard Courtenay mentioned since the Max Power 90's. Blast from the past!

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

It's an odd sleeper really, goes far better than its looks suggest.

[@lptomtom]

*its looks

[@iantaylor620]

That's uncanny. Daddy cool was on the radio this very morning. The song they used for the tv advert. I actually nearly bought one of these years ago when the kids were young.

[@TheShinyShow]

You can actually tune the Z20LET engines quite well and slap a nice turbo on to get good power from these. I'm not the biggest modern Vauxhall fan, but I do like this gen of Zafira and Astra.

[@lexburen5932]

yes the z20let is a good engine. build correct it can make 500hp reliable everyday wherever whenever. that would be quitte epic in a non assuming car otherwise

[@chiefrocka8604]

Yeah thanks for stating the completely obvious

[@rosco3223]

I had a mk3 gsi with the c20let in the day. Don’t make cars with character like that now.

[@zaamuro8408]

Another cool review. More of the UK specific fun cars please!

[@6770connor]

I think it’s a really smart looking MPV, much better than the generic crossover/SUV’s that are littered on the roads today.

[@AStick3Pedals]

I'd love to see a Vectra VXR review or a normal Signum

[@dannyconway2612]

Loved this video, old school vauxhall, had one of these back in the day, any chance of a review on a Cavalier or Calibra Turbo, if you can find one.

[@asifnoaman8978]

I have both the Zafira GSI and VXR. I happily walked away from a BMW 535d with 6 kids in the car and shopping. Absolutely underrated cars It's no wonder why Auto Express magazine praised it for being in a class of its own out of all the MPV's that were for sale at the time

[@pgr3290]

Uh huh, the 535D being parked one presumes....

[@asifnoaman8978]

@@pgr3290 oh please kid, its past your bed time. 😂🤦‍♂️ What a rubbish response, seems as though you have not driven either cars before

[@pgr3290]

​@@asifnoaman8978 What you mean apart from the fact even a first generation 535d being a full second quicker to 60mph than a Zafira VXR? That the slowest oldest 535d model has at least 30 more horsepower, 240nm more torque and any later models are even faster and more powerful? You mean how you chat complete shite about how a fully laden Zafira VXR 'walks away' from a saloon car that would annihilate it even if it was empty, ESPECIALLY on a roll with the preposterous torque they have? Yes, it really is your bedtime. The only time a Zafira walks away from any 535d is when the BMW is parked. 🤣🤣 Absolute dreamers on here

[@asifnoaman8978]

@@pgr3290 Stop reading the brochures mate, mine is mapped to 300 BHP and 440 NM of torque. So silly...

[@pgr3290]

@@asifnoaman8978 Is that all? So you would probably be carrying best part of 300kg of additional weight over unladen and you only have an extra 30 horsepower (optimistically) and still over 100 NM less torque than the slowest model of 535d and yet you still walked it? 🤣🤣 Stop chatting shite. After just 3 years of building the E60 535d BMW uprated the M57 engine to make over 280 horsepower, 580NM of torque and were professionally timed 0-60mph in the very low 6 seconds. They would comfortably run with the mk2 Focus RS of that day. Whether it's from a dig a rear drive traction BMW will own a Zafira VXR, and from a roll it'll obliterate it. The absolute utter bollocks chavs with VXRs spout LOL

[@R-Tap]

Back then I thought this was a bit crazy, but cool. Fast forward 15 years, not so crazy, but still cool. Correct colour.

[@adrianflower3230]

They did build em better in the noughties 👍 Great underrated car, I had a 2.2 petrol 145 BHP, 12 years of family use, still going well at 19 years and 193k on original engine, clutch and gearbox.

[@jo05dk]

My first choice would be a Opel Zafira A, OPC version if i'm being silly. This british/Vauxhall version of that car is stunning.. My jaw had to be picked up from the floor when you mentioned the miles it has covered. I have a lot of respect for anyone who runs a car for that long, covers so many miles, and has a car that looks this good to show for it. ..and a lot of love for his taste in MPVs. Still to this day i would try hard to find a revelant version of a Zafira A if i needed the room, or people carrying ability, it offers. Have good experiences with these, from a family member who is on his second Zafira A, and covers silly miles in them (diesels of course). Great cars for what they are, imho.

[@pittmotoring]

I have an arden blue zafira gsi just around the corner from my house. I love them and perfect for me and the family (we can't have anything less than 7 seats). Proper nostalgia moment, love to see more like this on the Channel.

[@tim1polman]

Its always cool to see cars like these still drive around. Looks to be in really good nick still too.

[@JustTrumpeeh]

Would rather sit and watch you talking and going through something like this any day. KZbin is full of supercars and they're just lacking the realism (for me, anyway) to ever own one. It's refreshing to be able to see regular people showcasing their regularly driven cars with real stories to them. Great.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I'll never stop featuring cars like this!

[@AllWheelsGood]

My favourite thing about this car is that a lot of the work on it was done by Courtney. She's a great mechanic!

[@thomasdawe1837]

I spent a lot of my childhood in one of these (probably a slightly earlier and slower one)! Very period correct: the seats in the boot didn't have charge ports, they had ash trays

[@Hargan]

To this day that blue always makes me turn my head when I see it

[@andisadler2897]

I have a Black one and owned it since 2017. Was a bargain and worth more now than what i paid for it. these cars hold their value well. People love them and their engine. Ours is a member of our family also. It gets gifts once a year (For MOT) like children do for christmas. It gets plenty of drinks throughout the year (oil changes etc) likle children do. It gets new trainers (Tyres) like children do.

[@5ebra1]

This is the type of review I love. Forgotten gems. Please do more like this. The Ford Galaxy was amazingly spacious and would be a good comparison.

[@fatturbo7680]

Please talk more about all the GSI cars please please 👍

[@jamesstaggs4160]

I think the early 2000s is the sweet spot for cars. Go back ten years and you've got underpowered cars due to emissions restrictions and automakers not yet figuring out how to make power and meet guidelines, go ten years ahead and you get too much tech that loves to break and the cars are getting too heavy for one reason or another. If 2001 to about 2004/5 was porridge Goldilocks would be all over that shit.

[@antfox7394]

Ha! I said exactly the same thing to someone recently. Also, cars like the Astra G/ Zafira A had galvanised shells so last well, definately a sweet spot era for buying used.

[@carlmanders5414]

Finally a return to form .. no more silly Ferraris Lamborghinis etc . MORE LIKE THIS PLEASE 👍🏻

[@karsnoordhuis4351]

I got taught driving in a 2017 zafira (i believe) and good god that car was fun. The instructor ticked ALL the boxes and let me tell you, a heated steering wheel is nice in the winter. It had a 170ish hp diesel engine so was excellent at scaring the instructor by pulling in front at somebody at the last moment. It also looked quite good! More fancy than most instruction cars.

[@MetalHead1904]

It's great to see a variety of cars on this channel!

[@idimidodjimi6760]

I had Opel Zafira OPC Irmcher MK1 for years and it was a blast of a car. Fully specced out - It was really one of the rare cars I regret selling. 200 HP in a minivan at that time trough front wheels - and it was planted in the road like something You really wouldnt believe. It was a great car and far better choice than having some sensible VAG variant. Altought the price of one fully specced with entertainmant in the roof with flip out screen was double than starting price of regular Zafira.

[@idimidodjimi6760]

Just to add , mine was in pearlescent black, there were 2 color options as far as I recall Blue or Black for MK1

[@joshbacon8241]

Imagine being the kid at school in the 2000s that got dropped off in a GSi…

[@Jack-wu3ie]

My dad had one of these for ages, was our family car growing up. Ended up being fettled by Courtney Sport, was just shy of 300bhp. Have fond memories of racing M3s off of traffic lights with 6 of us in, and 100m long burnouts down Southend on the Sunday night and back to the school run Monday morning. Very under rated car

[@SuperYutoober]

Still have my 2005 ZaffyGSi to this day and LOVE it still. Was asked to swap for a Zafira VXR but turned it down.

[@robertreid1378]

Brilliant review and Beautiful car, Definitely up there with one of the best cars Vauxhall ever built and one of the coolest things on the road if you ever see one, Grew up in one my Dad had it was an absolute weapon of a car in its day running Courtney stage 3, Great watch and please do more cars like these, Much more interesting than the average things KZbinrs do these days👍

[@mishalchotai4721]

Hats off to the owner ! Ticking over and cooling down on turn off... see it makes the difference!

[@charlien8148]

Brilliant! Think this and the vxr will always be weirdly cool! Dropping the kids off at school in relative comfort but still fun enough to get you into trouble 🤣

[@gerardowen7495]

Had a 2001 1.8 elegance best car ever sadly due to ulez had to sell last year. So 23 years of great driving and was a member of the family.

[@eze8970]

Great to see a well used, & loved by the family car, showing the world it can still do it's thing! Thanks J, more like this please!

[@69hongkongphooey]

At 4:20 ...was that a glitch in the otherwise flawless matrix I hear? 🤣

[@sparky4878]

I believe it was. I had to replay that bit, thought my feed had gone funny.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

A rare mistake.. they do happen :)

[@69hongkongphooey]

@@JayEmmOnCars never 🤓

[@stevemason4753]

I had a 2.2l petrol Zafira... so much useful space and 7-seats when you needed them. The amount you could fit in the back with all the seats down was astonishing! Fond memories of that car but was expensive to run with 30 mpg and expensive to tax!

[@dylanh1978]

These are so cool, the 2006 VXR was epic too. And Porsche was brought in to engineer the mechanisms and system for folding the third row into the floor.

[@neildavies9351]

This was a wolf in sheeps clothing and the original exhaust sounded so sporty. Had one from new 2003 in Arden blue and wish i still had it. 0-60 in 7.4 (even less if you fast shift). Acceleration was up there with most hot hatches. Cornering and fast turning with the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) was phenomenal for such a tall vehicle. Those snowflake alloys are still the best looking on any vehicle today IMO. Only gripe was Vauxhalls useless service centres.

[@Reventon777]

That generation was also designed with the aid of Porsche. I need it!!

[@themanipulator1]

Content like this is why I subscribe, Ferrari or McLaren are boring in comparison.

[@mgmarrison]

Excellent watch, as always. As a Astra ‘K’ owner (2017), your explanation of the traction control resonates well 😂.

[@psircos]

I genuinely think that's a good looking car. The Gsi spec was always quite striking in my view. Btw, as far as I'm aware the KW variant 1 coilovers, if that's what's on there and I heard correctly, are height adjustable 👍

[@robertmorris1115]

Hello JayEmm. That is a very good review of the GSI, a very nice motor. I have been looking on here for any review about the Zafira A SRI, there is nothing on here. So if you like to review my SRI, please let me know how to contact you. Keep up the good work.

[@markymark-r]

I love the Zafira GSi. So much so I’m actively looking for one now!

[@jimradford9540]

We have a silver GSI. Don't know how many silver ones there are.. Your's in better condition though ! Had it almost 20yrs.. On it's last legs, we spend too much on it, so presently looking for a smaller SUV. Really fun car though, all the years of the kids in the back, really did it's work. Will be sad to let it go. Nice video btw.

[@pwareham61]

This is brilliant, it's a pity that Top Gear or the Grand Tour doesn't feature vehicles like this, and other cars of this era, rather than bloody supercars all the time. These were within people's reach, unlike Ferraris, and their ilk.

[@colinirvine1869]

Had one of these and it was an awesome car! Mine had quite a few rare touches and I honestly regret selling it. Oh and that colour was awesome when polished up!

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

Great car and vice to see it being looked after in the right ways. I follow the same mechanical sympathy schedule

[@davidhayes4814]

Vauxhall were known for the longevity of their engines back in the early 2000s. Their petrol 1.6 and 1.8s used in the Astras and Zafiras were regarded as pretty much bomb-proof. Sad then that the brand is a bit down on its luck nowadays.

[@kingofohio5689]

You mean opel

[@simonk337]

Really enjoyed that review. I remember my overriding memory of them when I was 20 is that they were driven by meathead, shaven head, Stella drinking thug dads who were always angry. The cars have aged well! Those dads are now no doubt granddads and aged less well. The car oddly appeals now. Only yesterday I was looking at a Subaru Exiga, a similar concept. Would like to see a review on one if you can find one, might be the answer to your next car question too.

[@oxstorm644]

These are definitely becoming a popular choice these days, especially money and practicality. Know a guy round the corner from me with couple of them, one is a blue gsi. Another guy a few streets has a beautiful vxr in black with a turbo and some tasteful mods

[@Tigermoto]

Always wanted one of these since I was a kid. Think it was the Boney M, Daddy Cool adverts at the time. I still think they look cool. But Vauxhall interiors have since put me off. It's still one of the Vauxhall's I'd like to try.

[@maxxo5534]

MPVs are a weird thing, now i'm an estate car fan but for 3 years i drove a Xsara picasso 2.0 HDi, i put a pair of lowering springs on it and you know what, that thing handled and drove way better than it had any right to, weird catagory of cars is the MPV i don't mind, much better than the SUV got an 03 C5 now with it's fantastic suspension also handles way better than expected

[@dann756]

I don't care how boring mid 00s Vauxhall are, and I'll admit they were. But, the "best" doesn't mean it's your favourite. I've had better cars than my old 2003 vectra 2.2DTI but I loved that thing. Nothing was wrong with it, nothing was great, nothing was terrible. I fell in love just because I could. I had no expectations and it had nothing to prove. Unfortunately it was written off via a Micra hitting the rear arch. Currently I own a BMW F10 5 series and it doesn't have any feeling, the same as the vectra. But, my expectations are on a "BMW" level. I'm always on auto trader just browsing early vectra C models, late VXRs, even insignias to replace my current car. This was a great review on a car a few will love but many will enjoy just for the content. I remember seeing one of these zafiras just with the kit and thought it was beautiful. It was the reason I chose my vectra. Something I will never regret. Great video.

[@johngriffiths2881]

Great trip down memory lane. I remember once seriously considering a used Meriva VXR.

[@kingofohio5689]

I used to own a vectra C opc such a good sleeper

[@donwk1892]

Love them.. I had one for about 10 year from couple of years old.. Mine had full leather which i loved.. Got a zafira vxr now that ive had for bout 10 year also with full leather

[@johnmyers8493]

Aye well they were a bit of a secret ,they can motor on and the performance of 1 of these was very good ! I had 2 draw on some real horses 2 flash past 1 that was obviously wanting 2 see my bike in action ! A big power bike will show most family cars the way but the 7seater was impressive and very surprising

[@SULKNATIONtv]

Loved the farmer comment! Being from Cornwall and living in Devon, this scene of road fed matter is a common sight when trying to take any cars down some excellent roads!

[@pvgreaser]

Great video - I bought brand new black twin sunroof roof rails black ‘52 plate . I battled Vxl as it had a light rattle from ?balancer shaft FROM NEW - no joy but apparently it was a well known fault 🤷‍♂️

[@paulcs2607]

Just turned 250,000 miles! 🎉

[@swannyson8609]

Saw someone in a gray zafira Sri so wasn't a gsi but man it must of had at the very least 400bhp because it was faster than any gsi or later vxr cars I've seen, I heard it rumbling and popping through my headphones, slid one to the side and turned my head to see the beast just come round a corner about 200 metres down a long straight road, so I stopped took my headphones off completely and gave him a thumbs, heard him drop a gear and give it full beans, must have gone from about 40mph to 90/100 in seconds thing looked like it was electric with the force it pulled forward, asides from the lowered stance and the huge silver/chrome exhaust tips coming from the back you'd assume it was standard, proper sleeper I was vwye impressed as I'm sure you would be too, definitely fully forged you could just tell

[@sugar4522]

I’ve had 4 of these and tuned right they can be proper rapid for what they are! Gearstick location is awful though 🤣

[@vrsmartin2981]

Like you James, I have a soft spot for the Astra G! Did my B+E on them in Blandford and wanted one. Always wanted the GSi but couldn't afford it so an astra club 1.6 8v was my first car. Absolutely loved and cherished it. Sold on to get a mk1 Octavia vRS in 2005. Last check she was still on the road with mot and tax. The SXi had the same dials.

[@robertanthony8092]

Back in the day I had both the Zafira GSI and then the VXR models, great cars for my young family.

[@Buck3366]

I love the left of field reviews. Maybe an S-Max 2.5 5 cylinder at some point?? I remember the G R-J adverts and friends with the Astra Gsi Turbo that shared the Zafiras engine have got good power from them. The gearbox is one hell of an Achilles heel though.

[@andisadler2897]

You are mistaken bud. the GSI shared the F23 box whioch is great. The later M32 box in VXR terrible. PLastic bearings that fail at 60k.

[@Buck3366]

@@andisadler2897 Perhaps I was a bit harsh.My friends is on it’s third box due to be fitted ( finally got round to an LSD too) as second is shagged BUT it is running stage 3.5 and gets some abuse so I think that’s a fair point. My brothers old Turbo H shat 2 M32’s in a couple of years so I suppose by comparison the 5 speed is far superior.

[@andisadler2897]

@@Buck3366 Fair point bud and yes it is far far superior. I have F23 in mine and it gets abused but works mint still. F23 means there good upto a certain power, the numbers do mean something.

[@Buck3366]

@@andisadler2897 While I have someone who’s into these ( I see Aaron Unknown in your faves) who would you recommend mapping his car when done? It’s due for a VXR engine swap once it’s had some internals done and a hybrid turbo. He’s set on Courtnay but I don’t know if someone in the know may know anyone who’s decent. Getting big numbers isn’t what he’s after rather more reliable and a good linear power curve. The bloke who did my brothers years back needed shooting talk about boost spike!!

[@andisadler2897]

@@Buck3366 Theres a few.bro. Courtney are good firm yeh all depends were he is and what he wants. Budget etc. A few hundred will see good results without rebuilding engine. Z20LETS LEH.LEL etc built for tuning but not the M32 gearbox lol.

[@baby_ninja_uk4741]

Love my zafira gsi. Its fairly quick. Handles well enoigh. Plenty of space inside. Doubles up as a mid size van. Other than its of road capabilities i genuinely cant knock it. Ps. Its a long was from standard. The smiles and looks it brings thoigh. I'd never ever part ways with it

[@kwakgreen]

That Doo Doo left by the tractor is a nightmare for bikers.

[@nicolas_h9090]

Hey,I own a 2002 DTH! It's amazing,and parts are dirt cheap

[@mikeyyeoman8581]

Everyone loves a gsi. Z20let is a awesome engine for getting power out of. Love the video.

[@beny9461]

Thanks for the review of this GSI! A lot of us are waiting for the review of one VXR! Please try to find one and do the review ASAP! 😁

[@Flexnes1]

I totally get it. I used to have a Ford S-max with the 2.2 turbodiesel engine, churning out some 200 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. It was fairly fun to drive and I would have loved to keep it, had it not leaked quite so much oil. I nicknamed it the Exxon Valdez for that particular reason.

[@davidwilson7579]

As they say power less is more I have 1.6 w reg zafira which I've had for 5 years I get joy out of mine gets me from AtoB turbo's not everything just more trouble when they break down

[@KenFilmsCars]

Got mine in Arden blue and love it, yes the exhaust can mess things up, I went stainless as the standard rear boxes are hard to find with any form of quality to them! It's to loud now and will be further modified with sound mating added to lower the drone! Even with 2 boxes and a cat its daft loud and not in keeping. Bought mine on 99k, hit 100k on the drive home and have fixed many issues, mine wont make it to 200k without a rebuild I'm sure, she is smokey but has been since I bought it 4 years ago and is now on 126k

[@tom24057]

You need to find and review an ultra rare Mercedes R63... that’s the ultimate minivan🤪

[@JayEmmOnCars]

My friend Darren spotted one in London once

[@krzysztofik79]

I drive one and love it every minute

[@theblueeyes3889]

We used to have a 1.6 zafira and even that was quite a fun car despite us timing if from 0-60 in 10.5 seconds

[@souk-tv]

My bro has one of these in original condition externally and professionally tuned, it's still a decent motor and it's fast as fk.

[@agostinocangelli]

It's a very good car. The fastest mpv in europe in that period. Opel/vauxhall had the balls to make this car.

[@kingofohio5689]

Opel