Cry A Meriva

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The production version of the new Opel Meriva will keep the concept’s suicide doors, say Carscoop. Nope, no stylish, efficient people movers in the GM stable. Keep moving people. Nothing to see here.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Eh_political Eh_political on Dec 23, 2008

    Rough in parking lots, but on the other hand those suicide doors would be a godsend for parents struggling with car seats, or anyone struggling with a big bulky object to load. Overall a nice vehicle, and an obvious midsize sedan replacement for many young families or smart people. I added the second category, because I think GM is wise to refrain from introducing "new" at this time. The Astra is a solid vehicle, worthy in many ways. I wouldn't consider one, because as RF pointed out prior to it's launch in NA, it was destined to fail. GM must pare the products it offers to the bone, and only return to innovation when the consumer is open minded and paying attention again. Possibly cars will be hovering at that point, I can't say...

  • Gfen Gfen on Dec 23, 2008

    Suicide/clamshell doors are assy for loading kids, because I inevitably have to do it in the parking lots where the awkwardness of the doors is a serious PITA. Sliding doors are _awesome_. That's why my wife won't drive the Element, but drives the Mazda5.

  • SCE to AUX All that lift makes for an easy rollover of your $70k truck.
  • SCE to AUX My son cross-shopped the RAV4 and Model Y, then bought the Y. To their surprise, they hated the RAV4.
  • SCE to AUX I'm already driving the cheap EV (19 Ioniq EV).$30k MSRP in late 2018, $23k after subsidy at lease (no tax hassle)$549/year insurance$40 in electricity to drive 1000 miles/month66k miles, no range lossAffordable 16" tiresVirtually no maintenance expensesHyundai (for example) has dramatically cut prices on their EVs, so you can get a 361-mile Ioniq 6 in the high 30s right now.But ask me if I'd go to the Subaru brand if one was affordable, and the answer is no.
  • David Murilee Martin, These Toyota Vans were absolute garbage. As the labor even basic service cost 400% as much as servicing a VW Vanagon or American minivan. A skilled Toyota tech would take about 2.5 hours just to change the air cleaner. Also they also broke often, as they overheated and warped the engine and boiled the automatic transmission...
  • Marcr My wife and I mostly work from home (or use public transit), the kid is grown, and we no longer do road trips of more than 150 miles or so. Our one car mostly gets used for local errands and the occasional airport pickup. The first non-Tesla, non-Mini, non-Fiat, non-Kia/Hyundai, non-GM (I do have my biases) small fun-to-drive hatchback EV with 200+ mile range, instrument display behind the wheel where it belongs and actual knobs for oft-used functions for under $35K will get our money. What we really want is a proper 21st century equivalent of the original Honda Civic. The Volvo EX30 is close and may end up being the compromise choice.
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