Opel Zafira (sticky gears!)

Morrisseeee

I was test driving a 07 Zafira recently and there wasn't much wrong with the car except.............the gearbox ! Its........well........sticky, or it takes quite a bit of effort to get it into any gear !! The salesman says 'oh thats normal, its because of the higher gearbox' !! Is this true (sort of) and should I be worried about it, ie. if I was thinking of purchasing ???
I have driven many cars in my lifetime, but the gearstick in this model really surprised me, bit like the old MF tractor :eek::D

freighter

Shouldnt be as tight as you say. Maybe a new box would be tight(parden the pun) but not that bad.

Morrisseeee

LOL just got the 'pun' there now But yeah, I let my wife take it for a spin aswell and I awaited her reaction, and yep, the 1st thing she complained about was the movement through the gears ! What should I say to the salesman, 'sorry mate, no deal' or 'put a new gearbox in and I'll think about it !!' :eek:

freighter

I would be thinking so or failing that test drive another one with similar mileage etc and compare the two.

Morrisseeee

test drive another one

Thanks, yeah, thats my next option, or.............if someone (who has a Zafira or had one) could reply here and let me know if this is 'normal', as the salesman is to ring me back tomorrow !

alo1587

Just brought my brothers 09 one back from the uk last week,5000 miles on it,6 speed,box was fine.Not tight at all.Could be cable problem?

Hal1

Smells like BS from the sales guy. I'd have a look a some others.

Morrisseeee

Thanks alo1587, mmmm......if its a cable problem, I wonder would the garage feel 'obliged' to repair it, or just try and sell it to an unsuspecting customer !!

Smells like BS from the sales guy. I'd have a look a some others

Yeah, I think he knew it too. Looks like I'll keep on searching.

Morrisseeee

Update: ahem ! the 'salesguy of the (celtic tiger) year' got back to me about the above 07 zafira Vs my trade in of a 06 Vectra 1.6 Life, and he wants..................wait for it,...................I couln't believe it,.......................yep, >>>>> €9k !!!!!!!!! WTF drugs is he on !!!!!!!! I LOL'ed so hard my face still hurts :-)

robtri

Have a zafira at home at mo......
not a problem with the box at all, feels the same as an astra or vectra box... smootha nd easy...