Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 Turbo

snips86x · 21 Sep 2014 at 08:30

Has anyone got or driven one? What are they like?

I'm hoping for a test drive later today. If I look to purchase, is there anything I should be aware of?

Flukester · 21 Sep 2014 at 08:48

Plenty of storage

snips86x · 21 Sep 2014 at 08:50

Flukester said:
Plenty of storage

haha

unrealrocks · 21 Sep 2014 at 12:42

I've driven a few Merivas through work and although I generally hate diesel engines in general - the diesel suited the car better, better low down torque and better suited to the type of driving a Meriva is going to normally expect. The turbo is the best of the petrol engines however it doesn't have the urgency or torque of the VW equivalent unit - I personally rate the VW unit far better (albeit with its sketchy reliability).

The new Meriva is a huge step up from the old one and especially the higher spec ones aren't too bad - suicide doors are pointless and quite irritating but but pano roof works really well in the car and generally its a fairly decent car as far as smaller MPVs go.

snips86x · 21 Sep 2014 at 13:32

unrealrocks said:
I've driven a few Merivas through work and although I generally hate diesel engines in general - the diesel suited the car better, better low down torque and better suited to the type of driving a Meriva is going to normally expect. The turbo is the best of the petrol engines however it doesn't have the urgency or torque of the VW equivalent unit - I personally rate the VW unit far better (albeit with its sketchy reliability).

The new Meriva is a huge step up from the old one and especially the higher spec ones aren't too bad - suicide doors are pointless and quite irritating but but pano roof works really well in the car and generally its a fairly decent car as far as smaller MPVs go.

Thanks for that, it gives me something to consider when driving it.

I'm looking for something a bit fun, 5 door, petrol which is why I looked at the Meriva. If I was going to get one, I'd consider a remap with an extra 35bhp and 63nm torque - which I think would make a difference.

Do you have other suggestions? Fabia VRS - I know its different to the Meriva, but I'm just shopping at the moment.

unrealrocks · 21 Sep 2014 at 14:00

I personally wouldn't rate the Meriva as fun really, be definition MPV style cars generally aren't very fun as they are generally high up, have very assisted controls and because of that generally don't 'feel' very fast or involving - they are more simple and comfortable cars to drive.

Personally if you were looking for something more fun I would look at more hatchback related cars, Civic, Focus etc. rather than their MPV equivalents. That said if you must go the MPV route the most 'fun' one I have experienced is the Ford C-Max as its based on the Focus which is a great car for driving fun ... IMO!

snips86x · 21 Sep 2014 at 15:36

I wasn't really looking to the Meriva as a fun car, but I'm looking to replace my diesel with a petrol car which wont run out of pull. I think a 1.4/1.6 naturally aspirated engine would drive me up the wall with its lack of power, hence looking for a turbo engine.

The VRS was hoping my wife would like it but she thinks its too small. The Meriva could be remapped which could give a better drive, an extra 35bhp, brining the total to 155.

Dav4 · 21 Sep 2014 at 16:33

snips86x;26935816 I'm looking for something a bit fun said:
How do u come up with the meriva when looking for something fun
IMO its an awful looking car and i have only ever seen 65+ year old's driving them as they need a high roofed car so they dont have trouble bending in and out of it.
whats your budget?

snips86x · 21 Sep 2014 at 17:28

Dav4 said:
How do u come up with the meriva when looking for something fun
IMO its an awful looking car and i have only ever seen 65+ year old's driving them as they need a high roofed car so they dont have trouble bending in and out of it.
whats your budget?

I did correct myself, I didn't construct it overly well, but I get your point.

Having a family, its not a bad choice. You've got the child right there when getting them out and a bit of a safety net.

Few questions regarding diesel engines:

1. How soon do we expect them to be penalised for being dirty? The gov have already stated they'll tax them heavily for entering London.

2. I also understand car manufacturers are going to stop producing diesel engines as options - how soon until this happens? I doubt it'll be less than 5 years, but I bet more fuel tax will be added by the gov.