Fuel Consumption - Better on a 1.6L or 1.8L Petrol Zafira

gonzo1

Hi Folks,

I'm in the market for a 7-Seater and I was looking at Diesels, but we only do about 14,000KM per annum and all the journey's we do are short hops to and from the school / creche / etc.

So I have been advised to stick with a Petrol Model to avoid Spending more money to Buy / Tax / Service a Diesel ( 1.9L), and also Diesels are only economical on long journeys? Is this true?

So I have spotted a couple of Nice 1.8L Petrol Zafira's - Year '07. The Salesman is telling me to go for the 1.8L because "the Fuel Consumption would be better than the 1.6L petrol, but not quite as good as the Diesel version. Since the Body is heavy the 1.6L has to Work Harder, etc"

So what are your thoughts - Is he talking through his a$$?

Cheers

leex

Opel official figures:

https://www.opel.ie/bypass/download/ie/Brochure_Opel_Zafira_2009.PDF

R.O.R

I would have thought the 1.8 was better for fuel than the 1.6, as that's often the case with a lot of cars, but http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/usedcar/make-model.asp says differently (choose Vauxhall)

Combined consumption of 8.0 for the 1.8, but 7.0 for the 1.6.

1.6 isn't that bad to drive either. Borrowed one for the weekend when my folks were over once so had 4 adults, 2 teenagers and a toddler in. Not great for acceleration on the motorway, but adequate around town.

EPM

That's true of a lot of cars. The bigger engine is less stressed. A Zafira is a very bit car for a 1.6 imo. In saying that the 1.8 will be worth less come resale time and the salesman is probably trying to get rid of it due to our love of small engines

robtri

have a 1.6 petrol zafira myself, for a big bus it is quite reasonable on fuel,
the engine revs freely as well very nicely....

its a good solid motor, easy to maintain.. and the 1.6 is a better buy from a purely resale value...


now if you wanted hardcore, check out the OPC version or the UK spec VXR version.... pure class....

Su Campu

I drove a diesel Zafira (1.9?) for four days in Italy last week, clocking up just over 500kms. Average fuel consumption was 7.3ltr/km over that period, about 80% country driving, 20% urban. Temperatures in low 30s.

johndaman66

gonzo1 wrote: »

more money to Buy / Tax / Service a Diesel ( 1.9L)

Do bear in mind that your motor tax will be practically as much for the 1.8 petrol as the 1.9 diesel, difference will be nominal. People seem to rant and rave about the 1.6 litre engine being underpowered and uneconomical in the Vectra or other similarly sized models for that matter but hand on my heart I can honestly say I never found it to be seriously bad in either regard when I drove one. Used to regularly get high thirties or even 40 and over mpg in mixed driving conditions. I'd have being very surprised if the 1.8 was as frugal. As for power, granted it was by no means the fastest car on the road but I found it to be more than adequate and most of the time driving in Ireland in reality you are only as fast as the red tail lamps in front of you. Fair enough the Zafari may be somewhat heavier but would imagine the difference would not be immense.

barochoc

I'd personally go for the 1.8 as 1.6 as just a little under powered on this size car.

I drove a 1.6 years ago with a decent load & I couldn't believe they were selling it.

You'll regret it when your heading off with a full load & need to over take.

You'll need to red line it just to be on the safe side.

A diesel however is the best option for economy. Around town or motorway.

Lots more torque, better economy & diesel is normally 10c cheaper than petrol where ever you fill up!

gonzo1

Excellent advice from everyone so far thanks to all,

Now another person has told me that Diesel Engines will not be really frugal if it is doing short journeys (2 round trips of 10 to 12 miles would be our norm daily) and the Diesel Engine can get coked up a lot quicker if it is only doing short journeys all or most of the time

I am leaning towards the 1.6L now based on what all of you have said so far, we don't really need the power, and the only loads we'll be carrying will be 2 Adults and 3 Kids Max!

Again, I Appreciate all the advice - keep it coming;)

BTW, we are in a Rural location, so avrage speed is 50mph, with loads of windy roads

JHMEG

The real question should be which petrol, and then is that petrol more suitable than the diesel.

I had a 1.6 for a while, and the gearing is very short to make up for the smaller engine, so it doesn't struggle, but it revs relatively high. Not going to be an issue around town tho.

1.6 vs diesel. Again around town the diesel isn't going to be stellar. Extra maintenance costs and potential problems with the diesel lessen its appeal, not to mention higher road tax.

1.6 is easiest resale of the lot, tho it really depends on the condition. A lot of MPVs get trashed by kids/prams/pets which can have a bigger impact.

I'd say the 1.6 just about squeaks it.

(I use "around town" loosely, meaning not long journeys on straight roads)

gonzo1

Hi All,

One more request from anyone who has a petrol Zafira new model.

I have talked to one owner who has the 1.8L petrol ('07)- he is saying he gets 800km out of a full tank on average...which I think is excellent for a petrol 7 seater,

Does anyone out there own a 1.6L...what are you getting out of a full tank on average?

Thanks

EPM

gonzo1 wrote: »

I have talked to one owner who has the 1.8L petrol ('07)- he is saying he gets 800km out of a full tank on average...which I think is excellent for a petrol 7 seater,

I'd say it's more miraculous tbh...

gonzo1

EPM wrote: »

I'd say it's more miraculous tbh...

Yes I thought it was quite high myself, and no he wasn't trying to sell me his car,;)

Do you have a Zafira yourself EPM?

EPM

gonzo1 wrote: »

Yes I thought it was quite high myself, and no he wasn't trying to sell me his car,;)

Do you have a Zafira yourself EPM?

Nope, but unless you're driving constantly at about 50 miles an hour on a straight road for the whole tank you wont have a hope in hell.

That works out as a 39mpg average over the course of a tank and that will not be achievable in the real world imo...