Message Forums

We have a 1989 Lunar Jupiter 5 berth.   952 kilos gross mgw  20ft.11ins overall shipping length.

Our beloved K reg Toyota Previa towed us fully loaded with 7 passengers up hill and down dale no problem but she died sadly and we have been unable to get away for 3 years now.

DH has decided we should get a Vauxhall as parts are cheaper etc.   I believe we have worked out that a 2.0 - 2.5 ltr enginge will suffice ...is this correct ?

I like MVP's but DH wants an estate or 5 door.    Need help dechipering which is going to be the best overall between  Vectra, Omega or Zafira ?

Please give some advice to solve huge family dispute that is going round and round in circles and going nowhere literally ... i need to get away in my van as its outside my home and it is torture not being able to use it.  Im sick of pikeys offering me pfaff all to take it away as if they are doing me some favour as its old and going green !  Its mine, its paid for and I will never be able to buy one again  due to dire financial position that cant be resolved in the near of distant future ... so Im hanging on to it by a thread in hope.

DH talked of camping ...not an option as i have fibromyalgia and in too much pain for all that crawling and crouching about .. I did try it but was in too much pain.

Thanks

LJ

The Omega is the best to drive, but heavier. You'd need the bigger engine and if you do a big mileage the fuel costs may be a deciding factor. For a big car they are well balanced and vastly under-rated. Also rear wheel drive.

The Veccy - I use a 2.2 petrol to tow a 1000kg van - if it's well serviced they are reliable and very economical. Most of the problems with them come from the silly 20k service intervals which were a sales gimmick to sell them to fleet managers. Not the nicest drive, by a long shot, but their numbers and lack of sex appeal mean you can buy a lot of car for your money. Pick carefully, there's plenty to choose from.

The Zafira is of course immensley popular and therefore more expensive 2nd hand. I've never towed with one, but the bigger engines are the same as the Veccy so they ought to be OK. My sister has one and loves it, but they only tow a camping trailer. Of the three the Zafira is probably the least robust, it's based on the Astra and they never seem to last as well as the Vectra or Omega. We've had several in the family and they don't seem to last as long as the bigger Vauxhalls.

Hello,

I've towed with two Omegas over the last 10 years. Both are estates and have towed superbly. The latest one is a 3 litre auto which has plenty of go for towing. The only downside is 19mpg towing.

The Omega is/was a very underated car. I nearly bought a newish Volvo V70 D5 last year-but it was no comaprison to the Omega.

Steve

Thanks so much folks, your replies give us very sound advice and plenty of food for thought.  

Grad Sailor ... thanks for the in depth reply, very helpful; it has turned me off the Zafira for towing.  

Steve and Kenles, good points re the diesel and the comparison to volvo.  

Thanks Campingnoobie but I think we will stick with Vauxhall.   I have been driving an old P reg Corsa which for an old crock is very reliable even with 5 of us crammed in at times.   It has plenty of room, and some really good features inside.   It seems Vauxhall design is pretty innovative.

Thanks again the fog is clearing at last ... some light at the end of a long tunnel   :)

55 plate onwards Zafira 1.9 150 CDTi models are good tow cars.  We towed a 1500kg mtplm caravan with no problems.

The earlier 2.0 DTi models are weak with very low tow limits (1050kg).  You would be ok with your current van, but it would give you no scope for upgrade.

It depends on if your budget will strech to a Zafira II 150 CDTi model.  The 120 CDTi models can tow 130 kg, but loose the standard sports suspension and the ESP which contribute towards the assured tow from the 150 hp model.