Vauxhall Meriva 1.4i 16v

General: Good all rounder that the kids love

Image: I am a car lover, so need to have something that makes me feel good as well as catering for the family. The Design has lots of BLING and a fair amount of toys (Air con,CD, Twin Audio, leather steering wheel,front fog lamps , electric windows and mirrors). I got the black one which looks quite "gangster rapper" with its big alloys and the blacked out rear passenger and rear windows.

Driving: A pleasant if not inspiring drive. Surprisingly little body roll for a high sided vehicle. Handles pretty well. Great brakes (ABS and EBD). Gear change biggest let down. I have defeated reverse on numerous occasions. I haven't found the thick front pillars a problem in terms of visiblity. I do like the van-like driving position. Comfy seats too. Parking is ok but find the inability to see the front of the car a bit disconcerting.

Update: The thick front pillars are a hazard. I haven't had an accident in 16 years. I have nearly had two with this car as the pillars create a blind spot which will block out a car at a junction.

Performance: No road rocket but packs enough punch in third to circumvent tourists and the flat cap and specs brigade of which there are many in this area! Fuel Consumption 37mpg on a long run 30mpg in town use.

Practicality: Car looks small from the outside but is quite Tardis like inside. Flex space system suits me as I often carry awkward loads. No need to hire a small van anymore! The system is trickier to work than it looks, it took me a few attempts to get the seats to fold down to the same height. Lots of creature comforts. A bit lacking in the cup holder department (none in the rear). Nice touches are the glasses holder above the drivers head and the individual switchable interior lights for all occupants. I think the boot is massive with a handy cargo net thrown in. Glovebox is a bit small can't hold many CD's in there. Kids love the Twin Audio. Fit two portable DVD players over the front seats and Bob's your uncle the kids are happy.

Costs: Car is leasedfrom new. No outgoings yet as car has only covered 4,000 miles. Fuel consumptiom is improving averages 36/37 in mixed usage. The cost of leasing this car was really low in fact exceptional I would say.

Sum up: First car buying decision that has been heavily influenced by my children. Four year old likes me taking him to school in it .Fourteen year old likes me taking him and his mates to town in it.