Bought a 2001 1.6 Club in 2005 , to transport a music act + equipment (& growing family!) around . Still got her, now on 165,000 miles . She has been very reliable ,but I had the valve seals( & piston rings & timing & fan belt as a precaution ) replaced about a year ago as she was using a lot of oil & 'smoking', especially when I stopped at traffic lights . When I drove off, I left the cars behind in a cloud of blue smoke (a common fault specific to the 1.6 engine apparently!) she now pulls like a steam train & doesn't use a drop of oil . I know what you mean about coil springs breaking as it was about every 2nd MOT!! . I was advised to use after market ones as it appears that it is the Vauxhall items are crap . So far no trouble since . I have had the Cam belt changed a couple of times before & think your family are very 'brave' to still be on the original one. I personally wouldn't risk a 2mile drive with a belt that age !!
My 1.6 is 20 year old and still going strong you could of got these issues sorted I bought my work mate zafira and I took out the interior seats side panels and put them into my 20year old zafira like your the body work isn't perfect but I love it what you got now then
Like my w Reg 1.6 I've put all new seats in from a another zafira and side trims and it as the socket for the cigarette lighter fitted that they are great cars at the time what you got now then
