New Wheels…

Vauxhall Meriva 1.7 Cdti 110ps SE automatic in Pepper Dust

This is a marmite vehicle that inspires quite dramatic love/hate views. Some of the ‘quirky’ features include the rear ‘suicide doors’ that open counter to the front in a barn door style to give easy access but can take some getting used to. Inside there is a feeling of space in what is quite a compact vehicle that is enhanced by the upright seating positions with their commanding view and the full-length panoramic glass sun/moon roof that floods the interior with light.

I was not looking at this model of car initially when my company BMW 1 Series was due to be replaced and my primary motivation was to get a practical smallish vehicle with an automatic transmission. Unfortunately the revised car list had a limited choice so after many months of waiting for the yet to appear revised list I was offered a choice from the pool cars (those cars that were surplus to requirements). I had settled on a BMW 3 Series somewhat reluctantly when I was advised it had gone and looking at what else was there I saw the Meriva. In addition to being automatic it was more practical than the BMW saloon and was cheaper too, so I jumped at it. Sue was not so impressed and felt the glass roof made it feel like the Pope-mobile and has christened it the ‘magic mushroom’ due to its colour.

I quite like it for it has a more comfortable ride than my previous sport tuned car, though it feels less positive in the corners. I like the higher driving position that gives me a better view of the traffic and the internal space is better. The build quality is not quite as high (but then neither is the price). I am still getting used to it and it seems to have its quirks so my view might change in the next few years that I have it for.