Vauxhall Meriva 2008- Watchdog Steering fault, deposit paid
Discussion
Rather stupidly I left a deposit over the phone for a vauxhall Meriva 1.4 2008. It's a network q car with 40k priced at £4k, £300 deposit paid by CC. I've just been reading up on the EPS electronic power steering fault that seems to affect Meriva's, massive amounts of cars appear to have the problem and even a watchdog program about, I had no idea, don't watch watchdog!
I'm due to look at the car tomorrow and pay the balance and collect the car Thursday. Dealer said someone else was interested and mentioned the deposit was non returnable, I never agreed and only said car should as described. I honestly never knew of this problem and certainly wouldn't have gone for the car had I known. I know vauxhall are replacing the steering racks but if the cars for the mother in law, if it fails on her, good chance she'll loose control, the steering gets very heavy, she certainly won't drive the car again, bit nervous driver anyway.
I edging to walking away from the deal and looking at something else, dealer will kick up a fuss but I'm hoping my deposit will be refunded and covered under distance selling regulations, only left the deposit this afternoon and the car was already prepared so shouldn't be much of a loss to him. I don't like doing things like this but might regret it if I proceed, not sure what else to get though.
I'm due to look at the car tomorrow and pay the balance and collect the car Thursday. Dealer said someone else was interested and mentioned the deposit was non returnable, I never agreed and only said car should as described. I honestly never knew of this problem and certainly wouldn't have gone for the car had I known. I know vauxhall are replacing the steering racks but if the cars for the mother in law, if it fails on her, good chance she'll loose control, the steering gets very heavy, she certainly won't drive the car again, bit nervous driver anyway.
I edging to walking away from the deal and looking at something else, dealer will kick up a fuss but I'm hoping my deposit will be refunded and covered under distance selling regulations, only left the deposit this afternoon and the car was already prepared so shouldn't be much of a loss to him. I don't like doing things like this but might regret it if I proceed, not sure what else to get though.
I wouldn't walk away for something that doesn't affect all cars and if VX are prepared to stump up the cost anyway, is it such a big deal? As a Network tarted up car, I imagine the warranty should be good.
I would walk away for it being a Meriva though. Have you driven one? They are dreadful.
If I was not a confident driver I'd give up all hope after driving one of those things. How that comes from the same brand as Astra, Corsa and Insignia is beyond me.
I would walk away for it being a Meriva though. Have you driven one? They are dreadful.
If I was not a confident driver I'd give up all hope after driving one of those things. How that comes from the same brand as Astra, Corsa and Insignia is beyond me.
We have a 1.6 2004 Meriva which is potentially affected my this issue, but in 2 years/30k hasn't done yet. I asked vauxhall for any records of warranty work when we bought it too and none done so is on the original rack.
1.4 though, our 1.6 is pretty damn slow until you really poke it, whereby it makes lots of noise and lurches higher up the speedometer whilst you hang onto every gear until the last second to wrong every little bit of 'torque' out of it...
Missus loves it though, which means it's fine by me, as I rarely drive the hateful thing, unless moving something big and dirty...
1.4 though, our 1.6 is pretty damn slow until you really poke it, whereby it makes lots of noise and lurches higher up the speedometer whilst you hang onto every gear until the last second to wrong every little bit of 'torque' out of it...
Missus loves it though, which means it's fine by me, as I rarely drive the hateful thing, unless moving something big and dirty...
We had a mk1 meriva, hatefull gutless thing, and the steering locked slightly on me the once, never did it again.we have the second generation 1.4t version now which does not have the epas system and it's night and day a better car, as said not all were affected and as its so old what's the chances of it starting to fail now? .
Deposit returned, so looking for an alternative. The 1.4 16v twinport engine also seems a little weak. Sales manager went ballistic when I told him I'd like a refund, rather than finding out my concerns he was just abusive. Anyway, two hours after telling me to sing for the deposit his junior called to say it wound be refunded in full.
Any recommendations for a similar car to the meriva, nissian note or cmax better?
Any recommendations for a similar car to the meriva, nissian note or cmax better?
I've just gone from a BMW e60 530i to a Nissan Note 1.5dCi, they get excellent reviews.
I can see why. It's actually quite fun to drive with good positive steering and excellent handling and grip.
90bhp doesn't seem much but it's a really torquey engine and just right as a daily driver. It can be remapped to around 115bhp too.
The interior is cavernous considering it's not a huge car externally. It actually has more front and rear legroom than my 5 series had which is better for the kids. The compromise is boot space but it has a clever trick up it's sleeve - the entire rear seat slides on runners so it becomes a car that'll carry bigger loads when you need to.
Mine's an n-tec model which has satnav, climate control, auto wipers, auto lights, cruise control, speed limiter which is great in variable speed limits with the cameras as the car won't go above the speed you set. It has ipod integration, bluetooth for phone and music streaming from any bluetooth device.
It costs £20 a year to tax and averages 60mpg.
I can see why. It's actually quite fun to drive with good positive steering and excellent handling and grip.
90bhp doesn't seem much but it's a really torquey engine and just right as a daily driver. It can be remapped to around 115bhp too.
The interior is cavernous considering it's not a huge car externally. It actually has more front and rear legroom than my 5 series had which is better for the kids. The compromise is boot space but it has a clever trick up it's sleeve - the entire rear seat slides on runners so it becomes a car that'll carry bigger loads when you need to.
Mine's an n-tec model which has satnav, climate control, auto wipers, auto lights, cruise control, speed limiter which is great in variable speed limits with the cameras as the car won't go above the speed you set. It has ipod integration, bluetooth for phone and music streaming from any bluetooth device.
It costs £20 a year to tax and averages 60mpg.
Thanks, I've heard good things about the note, I just know nothing about them, I'd be looking at sub £4k price so quite possible could end up with a ropey example.
I'm still not discounted the meriva just not going to spend £4k one, can anyone point me to a reliable one, ie 1.6 8v, performance might not be good but more reliable, diesel? seem to be some decent 1.7 cdti with about 60k, are they likely to last longer?
Even something like the Honda jazz might be ok, I understand that I'll have to have an older car, but might be more reliable.
I'm still not discounted the meriva just not going to spend £4k one, can anyone point me to a reliable one, ie 1.6 8v, performance might not be good but more reliable, diesel? seem to be some decent 1.7 cdti with about 60k, are they likely to last longer?
Even something like the Honda jazz might be ok, I understand that I'll have to have an older car, but might be more reliable.
jep said:
As said, the Note's aren't bad motors at all. Plenty on AT for £4k. SVE or Tekna trim are better, and you should be able to pick up at least an 07 with less than 50k on the clock for your cash.
Cheers, quite few cat d's out there, seems more than others cars for some reason. Had look at one locally which claimed to have done 40k, looked more like 140k, steering wheel had almost shed all it's fake leather coating, looked a mess. A lot of 1.4 out there, must be underpowered as Note is a fair size car. We need something with a slightly higher seating position, any others suggestions ? Going off the Meriva but size and height wise it's perfect.
You really have to experience the back of the Note to believe it, I have no idea how it's been achieved. There is indeed more rear legroom than a 5er. The new one is even better, with rear doors that open to 88 degrees too..
1.5dCi (K9K) engine is a good piece of kit. Refined and pretty punchy in something that size. While it looks big, remember it's a B-platform car and only about 1200kg so they're not too slow.
Plus it somehow avoids the horrible image of a small MPV by managing to look like a slightly strange hatchback instead.
1.5dCi (K9K) engine is a good piece of kit. Refined and pretty punchy in something that size. While it looks big, remember it's a B-platform car and only about 1200kg so they're not too slow.
Plus it somehow avoids the horrible image of a small MPV by managing to look like a slightly strange hatchback instead.
Renault Modus another alternative. Lots of mechanical parts shared with Nissan Note. I've currently got a Modus 1.5 DCi 106 bhp with 6 speed manual box - slightly dearer road tax at £105 per year than the lower output £30 a year tax ones. It feels really punchy and can be proper fun to drive - in a car where you really are least expecting it.
Had a Note, an OK car but IMO they are spoilt by the way the roof line steeply slopes down at the rear. I'm not overly tall and I have to really duck down to get under the Note tailgate. Does not sound like a big deal but tiresome on a daily basis. In comparison The Modus 'feels' a lot more spacious. And the Note always felt a bit small car / Micra like - which of course it is in many ways, where the Modus seems to hide its small car underpinnings more successfully.
Citroen C3 Picasso trumps them all for space, practicality and more in this type of car IMO. 500 litre boot space seats forward is just one feature. But they are still nowhere near down to £4k yet so would mean extending the OP's mentioned budget.
Had a Note, an OK car but IMO they are spoilt by the way the roof line steeply slopes down at the rear. I'm not overly tall and I have to really duck down to get under the Note tailgate. Does not sound like a big deal but tiresome on a daily basis. In comparison The Modus 'feels' a lot more spacious. And the Note always felt a bit small car / Micra like - which of course it is in many ways, where the Modus seems to hide its small car underpinnings more successfully.
Citroen C3 Picasso trumps them all for space, practicality and more in this type of car IMO. 500 litre boot space seats forward is just one feature. But they are still nowhere near down to £4k yet so would mean extending the OP's mentioned budget.
Cheers, didn't even look at the Modus, always thought Renault as being unreliable, but if they share much with the Note the can't be too bad. There's a 1.4 oasis 06 with 40k on autotrader for 1895.00, seems very cheap, are these ok or to be avoided. On paper seems slightly more powerful than the equivalent Note or Mariva, prefer the looks of the other two but just need something practical and reliable.
Edited by Casa1862 on Friday 21st February 00:21
My best mates wife has a 56 plate Note 1.6SE, fantastic car. Had it from new and used to ferry kids and associated detritus all over the place. They even used it for family holidays before he got a company S-Max.
It's going to be available at the beginning of March as his new co car arrives - about £2.5k. PM me if interested.
It's going to be available at the beginning of March as his new co car arrives - about £2.5k. PM me if interested.
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