Meriva VXR: any thoughts chaps?

[JakeR]

I am starting to get itchy feet, with a desire to chop my work hack in for something a little more fun (currently a diesel Jeep)...

I need a relatively compact car (car park issues) that is comfy enough for 4, with reasonable bootspace, nippy and fun. Fuel costs not a biggie, but overall running costs should be reasonable. Newish is preferred. £10k or £11k is the budget.

So far, I've come up with the Meriva and a used Impreza 5 door.

Any comments on the Meriva?
Any obvious choices I've missed?

thanks

JakeR

[patmahe]

Fiat Panda 100HP jumps out at me, or a 500.

Fiesta ST

Clio 182? or whatever it is at this stage.

All available well within budget slightly used.

[JakeR]

patmahe said:

Fiat Panda 100HP jumps out at me, or a 500.

Fiesta ST

Clio 182? or whatever it is at this stage.

All available well within budget slightly used.

cheers for the reply patmahe, I know I said compact, but not quite THAT compact

the thing will mainly be on the motorway with me in it so a bit bigger would be nice.

[dannytherev]

Comment on the Meriva Vxr test drive one!!!!!!! It's good fun to drive a mate had one for a while loads of tuning parts available same lump as the corsa vxr handles very well for a boxy shape it's different try one

[JakeR]

dannytherev said:

Comment on the Meriva Vxr test drive one!!!!!!! It's good fun to drive a mate had one for a while loads of tuning parts available same lump as the corsa vxr handles very well for a boxy shape it's different try one

cheers danny... there really is chuff all info out there on them. They are hens teeth-rare but I did read someone on here say they were a hoot, which kind of sparked my interest. I think Thorney are working on some modifications too... that turbo lump should release a few more ponies I say...

cheers

[VIRIDIS76]

IVE GOT A MERIVA VXR THERE A GREAT CAR. ME AND THE MISSUS COMPROMISED SHE WANTED A FAMILY CAR AND I WANTED SOMETHING SPORTY AND GUESS WHAT, WE BOUGHT THE MERIVA. THERE GOOD ON FUEL DEPENDING HOW YOU DRIVE IT BOOT SPACE AMPLE AND CHEAP ON INSURANCE ONLY A GROUP 6 I BELIEVE

[dannytherev]

Funnily enough went to view this one for sale today very tempting
http://www.drivingrange.co.uk/vehicle-details.asp?...

[richcorsavxr]

the engines hand built by the german so it can't be bad.
can't turn the traction control off...........and non of the vxr range are good in heavy snow, have a look on vxronline you'll get owners opinions on there

[stevenandalex]

I had one for a week while my astra vxr was playing up. I was not sure about the looks, but it drove and handled well. I would be going to courtenays for mods if I were to own one. http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/index.php?act=view...

[Yanayaya]

One word TWINGO

[billysaph]

i have a meriva vxr and they are wicked cars not many tuning parts around as theres only 262 of them in the country so tuners are reluctent to make stuff we just seem to get a modified corsa part
theres a few of us on www.vxronline.co.uk come and register and have a look at some of our mervs