Testimonies

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20 comments:

  1. Hi we would like to share our amazing story about how we have become proud owners of a Zafira.
    We are a family of 6 and had been driving a four wheel drive which was very expensive to run and maintain. We knew we needed another family car but didnt know where to start, as we knew we couldnt afford to buy a brand new one and buying second hand is a scary ordeal. We were visiting with Nigel and family one day and he had told us about his amazing story about his experience with the zafiras. He then offered to help us out. Nigel picked up a zafira that needed work and then restored it completely to a new car. Within a month of speaking with him we recieved a phone call to say its ready. We are so overwhelmed by the blessing this is to us. The car is excellent to drive the fuel costs have dropped more than half a week, its excellent for city or country drives, it has the power if you need it, and is comfortable and roomy to our amazment. This is the best car we have ever owned and can not turn back now. We want to say thankyou very much to Nigel for his passion, dedication, and integrity!
    To all that maybe considering a Zafira we say go for it!

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  2. Our 2002 Zafira is part of the family and much loved. My wife, Megan loves the driving position, visibility, relatively small size and 7 seats. I love the versatility, low running costs and the fact that Megan loves it (and me).
    About 6 months ago, the car ran seriously low on oil and developed a nasty engine growl. Adding 3+L of oil partially fixed the noises but it sounded like a truck. Our regular, local mechanic inspected it and added thicker oil indicating that the car was getting old (185,000 Km) and was going to cost some big money to fix soon but was unable to tell us what might be wrong. The water pump was already leaking and that is a big job to fix. A Google search on Zafira's indicated that we almost certainly were facing lots of expense or a new car.
    A blessed encounter with Nigel has changed everything. He quickly diagnosed a worn timing chain which he then replaced in under a day. The car now purrs again, almost sounding new. Inspection of the old engine components, particularly the timing chain guides showed us how close we had come to a blown engine. Even the water pump seems to be behaving again and it wasn't touched.
    Shortly thereafter the battery, then the alternator failed. Again Nigel came to our rescue replacing the alternator in our garage.
    The car has run like magic since. No complaints and I've stopped looking at alternative cars. We now know what we'll do if the car comes to an untimely end - we'll get Nigel to source another Zafira and recondition it...
    So we highly recommend Nigel and Zippy Zafira. All future servicing will be done by Zippy Zafira.
    Zafira and Zippy Zafira are a great combination. Great car and great service.

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    1. Hi to all, It was through a family member that I met Nigel. When he found out that we had just bought a 2001 zafira he asked if we could meet. He had some very important information to share about the timing chain, guide rails and oil feed jet in relation to the early model zafira. I am very glad that we met. Not only did Nigel share his time he also helped me to fix my car with a replacement guide rail a couple of guide rail bolts and an oil feed jet. He installed the parts for me as well. Our car is now running great.
      Thanks to Nigel we have been able to share this important info with another friend who has a 2002 zafira who was quoted an unrealistic price to repare her car. She is over the moon that there are still some good people out there who are honest and genuine.
      Thankyou Nigel

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  3. I am not ashamed to admit it. We loved Toyota Tarago's Having 8 people in my family there was not a lot of choice. But as our kids and car grew older the oldest son started drive and the tarago started to cost large amount of money in petrol. Then one day she shook and stopped. The diagnosis... to expensive to fix. We need a 7 seater, which does not cost the earth in petrol, it needs to be comfortable. Nigel lend us his fixed Zafira. It had blown up but he had fixed it by doing his thing. (This is my techno talk for I am not sure how he did it, but he did.) Not really sure because I thought once a tarago fan always a tarago fan. As we drove it around we noticed the saving in petrol, the comfort, the space and the power. We drive this car every where, you know what I mean. Taking the kids to school, taking them to sports, taking them to their friends places, taking them shopping, taking them to church. Mum's taxi is not just a sticker, it is realty in our home. We drive at least once if not more often to Brisbane per week and we have had not one issue. The kids love the versatility, my beloved loves the air conditioning I love the economy and power and the storage space for my stock.

    We have some very close friends they are very special to us, and they are looking for a great family car... guess what I am telling them ? Buy a Zafira with Nigel you will not regret it.

    I have to say Toyota Tarago, we had a great time but a new one has stolen our hearts and has filled the hole you left behind more than enough and her name is ZAFIRA

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  4. Thank you Nigel for saving our 2001 Zafira from impending disaster! A few weeks ago Nigel left a note on our windscreen requesting that we call him about the Zafira. He told us about the timing chain lubrication problem and encouraged us to google for more information. Lo and behold there were hundreds of references to this particular design problem. Nigel steered us in the direction of Vauxpart in UK where we ordered the updated replacement kit by email. Within 4 days the parts had arrived and Nigel very kindly installed them for us. In the process of repair it transpired that one of the timing chain tension arms had indeed snapped at one end and was basically hanging by a thread. Disaster averted, thanks to Nigel's public-spirited action.

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  5. Thankyou Nigel! For saving our 2001 zafira from destruction...
    We are a family of five, soon to be six, we looked around at 7 seat cars in our price range and found the zafira. We purchased one from a car yard and drove off happily until we got home and it wouldn't start because of the alternator, our local mechanic fixed that and informed us the timing chain was about to come off...after a bit of research on the internet, i found out about the common timing chain problems and found Nigel, he told me where to get the parts and installed them for us in no time :D
    Thanks again Nigel,
    Jarron

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  6. When my wife expressed a wish to purchase a Zafira back in 2004 I had some doubts. There weren’t too many of them around. They looked a little on the smaller side. They were a bit of an odd shape. Anyhow, once we looked closely and drove one, that was it. The decision was made and we’ve been the proud owners of Gina the Zafira ever since.
    Late last year things were not well. Strange noises rattles started to appear. The engine was running erratically. Our local mechanic told us that the timing chain was cactus and we’d be looking at 3 or 4 thousand dollars to replace it. Ouch. Alternatively, a new engine at 7 or 8 thousand. You’ve got to be kidding! Poor old Gina was nudging the 250,000 km mark and had been well loved, so she was probably worth only 3 or 4 thousand - if running well. We figured that it wasn’t worth spending that much money however much we loved her. We started looking at newer cars – Captivas, nice but too much wasted space and too Korean, Tarragos, too big and thirsty, Odysseys, too expensive and so on. Surely, we thought there must be a way to make Gina well again.
    We began researching and discovered that the timing chain problem was a common fault due to the way it was manufactured. It had been addressed in the UK and Europe but swept under the rug by Holden in Australia. Nice one guys.
    Around this time we stumbled upon Nigel’s blog. Wow! His description of the faults we had were a perfect fit. A phone call confirmed this. Could he fix it? Yes he could. How much? A reasonable amount. Good, we’re in business. After a bit of juggling the car was transported to the Sunshine Coast. Parts were ordered and delivered by air mail from the UK at a fraction of the time and cost of sourcing them locally. Gives you a lot of confidence in GMH’s operations…not.
    The engine was fixed and we picked up the Old Girl. Nigel had been meticulous in his work, going over and above the call of duty. The car ran like NEW! We were absolutely stoked. But wait a minute, this doesn’t add up. Since when is there a mechanic who will fix up your car properly and charge a fair price? What’s the catch? Hmmm
    Well this all happened a couple of months ago and we are pleased to report that Gina the Zafira is getting around the streets of the Gold Coast with renewed vigor and a spring in her step. No dramas what so ever. It gives us a warm feeling that there are people like Nigel (and his family) who work in such a way. We are deeply appreciative for all that he did for us and wish him every success in his ventures. Again, many thanks,
    Chris and Tina

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  7. Our 2004 Zafira suffered the dreaded Timing Chain issue late last year, and after pulling the rocker-cover off, I found that the head was damaged and in need of replacement, in addition to all the other parts that would be necessary to undertake the work. After doing some online searching, I came across Nigel, who was all to happy to give me advice and encouragement to do the work myself (a desk-jock) and point me in the direction of an overseas supplier for a replacement head, as well as an OEM parts supplier in the UK. The Zafira is now back on the road and running well after the partial-overhaul, and I'd like to thank Nigel for his genuine interest in providing assistance to all Zafira owners, no matter where they are. Thanks again Nigel.
    Stuart (from VIC).

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  8. Ross November 2013
    About a month ago my son and his partner were faced with what seemed a destroyed engine (timing chain failure) or a blown auto transmission.As his partner had only bought the zafira a few months back it was a real blow.A certain motoring organization came out and said the transmission had gone aprrox cost $2500.Then a well known mobile mechanic came out and diagnosed a timing chain issue and also recommended a replacement engine was needed that cost them $250 for his 35 minutes.Now they were faced with a real dilemma,where to find the money for a new engine.The cheapest quote was for $3500 however that engine also had the suspect timing chain.Now they are a young family with 4 children and it looked like the car was heading to the wreckers.I told them i would do some research and that's where i found Nigel's blog.I rang Nigel and he told me all the horror stories,however he then said he'll come down and give them a correct diagnoses.Within 40 mins he found the timing chain was intact,the engine wasn't destroyed and the culprit was more than likely a blocked pre cat on the exhaust manifold.He came down again today took it off and sure as heck the pre cat was a molten mess.He proceeded to drill it out and after a couple of broken drill bits and much self composure on his part dug it out.The moral of the story is if your driving along in your zafira and suddenly lose power DON'T rely on 2 or 3 mechanics telling you the engine is blown or the transmission is cactus.Ring Nigel,he was just so helpful and generous with his time and expertise with the Zafira.We are now in the process of ordering parts from the UK to upgrade the timing chain and replace front sway bar links and a few other minor parts which need replacing.Nigel has saved this young family thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs and heartache.Soon there nifty red Zafira will be back in peak condition.I can't thank you enough Nigel for what you have done and look forward to you being able to keep there Zafira in top shape.

    Ross (QLD)

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  9. Hi
    How can I find details to purchase the correct timing chain.
    Regards Damon

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  10. I have a 2005 Zifira Auto which I have had since near new, was a demo model with 8000km. One of the last to be sold in Australia. I have enjoyed 130000km of trouble free driving. Recently it developed a problem which I initially thought was a transmission problem. After several trips to various Holden dealers, other mechanics and several hundred dollars I decided to seek the help of Google.
    It was here I found Nigel. After making contact I soon found that there could be something more serious at 130000km namely the timing chain. With Nigels help I was able to source the correct parts. Nigel came down and installed these. While here Nigel went over the car and pointed to other problem areas and gave plenty of tips & tricks. Although we still need to correct the first problem we have identified this and it is planned for the near future. It is not serious
    I now have peace of mind and am again happy with the car.
    If you own one of there Great cars you need to speak to Nigel he is an absolute wealth of information, and will now be looking after my Zafira

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  11. Thanks Everyone :) We have now saved more than 50 people from potential disaster and have meet some great people along the way... please return the favor i did you buy talking to others you see driving a Zafira

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  15. Recently I was looking for a cost effective alternative to the small cars I've previously owned. After starting out looking at Zafira's, then reading they may require work. I consulted with Nigel, who was unbelievably helpful and courteous in determining a particular one to buy. After I purchased a Zafira and being informed what work may be required, Nigel was able to assist with his expert knowledge over the phone, to allow a bit of backyard mechanic work for a cost effective fix. Truly a gentleman and a godsend. You don't come across people in the world as generous and patient with their time, like Nigel.

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  16. We bought a second hand Zafira in September 2015 from a car dealer as we were upgrading to a larger car for our growing family.... As soon as we got the car home there was a problem with the car idling after trying to deal with the car dealer and his mechanic and getting nowhere Nigel came to our rescue and flew all the way from the Sunny Coast to Tasmania to fix what no-one here seemed to be able to fix (mainly because they didn't want to listen to Nigel's expert advice). He was always patient with every phone call we made to him, always eager to assist in any way that he could. He is truly an amazing credit to the human race - this is how everyone should be - wanting to help just simply for no other reason than just that - to help. Thank you so much Nigel! We will be forever grateful for what you did to help us!! Jo, Mark and our 3 kiddies :)

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    1. Woudl do it again and again and again... happy to get another back on the road

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  17. I Brawt a 2003 zafira last week I was hesitant in buying a zafira after all the bad reviews but our family was in desperate need of a 7 seater car not being able to go on family outings in such a long time due to not haveing the funds to buy the car to suit us Id finally had enofe I seen a zafira on gumtree was going rather cheep I looked up zippy zafiras to make sure Nigel was still around and surly enofe he was (and just as well to) I purchased the car from seller from gumtree was assured the car was in great machenical order and seller would even provide a road worthy cert the car passed first go!
    Day 2 of driving the car I started to hear some odd sounds and the car wasn't running real well I got her home and parked her up oil and water leaks is what I found the next mornng! That's when I called Nigel not thinking Id need to so soon after purchacing the car he booked me in to have the car upgraded, I had planned our first family weekend away and already booked and paid for the accomodation ect I explaoned this to Nigel and he told me I could loan his zippy zafira for the weekend while he upgraded mine what a life saver
    It was the next day after we swapped cars I got the txt from Nigel to say how lucky we were that our car made it to him the man I brawt the car off sold me a lemon Nigel was amazed at the fact we made it to him with out the car blowing up �� it wasn't long at all b4 Nigel had my zafira all fixed and running smooth again at such a low cost the lemon I brawt off the dodgy bloke on gumtree 10 days ago is now driving like a brand new car and it's all thanks to Nigel I honestly can't thank him enofe for all he did for me and my family this weekend! And I'm even lucky enofe to live just 2 hrs away from him to have him continue any future work I'll need done on the car plus the services ect I don't need to look around for a machenic that knows my car when I have Nigel a short drive away who knows these cars back to front
    Thanks heaps Nigel look forward to the service ��
    Ashlee and family

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