Test drive Opel Meriva 2003 - 2005 Minivan

All photos Opel Meriva 2003 - 2005

Under a high roof

When they collected this trio, there were many disputes. Say, what competitors did you choose the novelty of the autumn season of the Mitsubishi-Calls? Ah, Opel-Miner? But this is a small, but mini-van, with all the attributes of a passenger saint.
Yes, the cake nodes were used here, but everything else increased so much in length and height that it is just right to draw other analogies. What else, Citroen C3? This is the most hatchback, albeit tidy and pot -bellied.
Nevertheless, if you take a closer look, compare the size, in particular the base, the gamut of the engines, the position in the tables about the ranks and the price, we will see that all three cars of the same field of the berry, all the immigrants from class B. just wise manufacturers tried to allocate each special consumer niche. In the case of Opel and Citroen, it is clearly defined, but Mitsubishi Colt is positioned somewhat unusually. He is called a hatchback with a high roof, what is behind this concept? This will find out the test of different classes of the same class.
Alas, the ideal combination did not work: power units and configurations are serious. But here, perhaps, this is not the main thing, because in the first place the ideology of each of the competitors is important.
Citroen-S3

Despite the solid experience, still original and arouses interest, first of all, the weak half of humanity. And what? Bright appearance, variety of modifications make it an interesting offer.
Of course, we tease over the unusual style of the front panel, we find fault with the hidden God know where the wheels of the seats and the windows shifted to the central console to the central console. Oh, the French love to be original!
But after sitting and en-surpassed, I note: but the machine is equipped with a very solid one! Almost a complete set of electrical services, an automatic box, and also a climatic installation, a convenient box under the seat on the right. In addition, in this Easter testicle you fit easily and without problems, at least in front.

A different thing behind: the knees are crowded, a short pillow does not have long -term trips. Obviously, the creators were concerned not so much comfort as the size of the trunk. It is spacious and quite functional, but an abundance of options for transformations C3, alas, cannot boast.
On the go, this creature is very peaceful. Smooth acceleration, soft switching boxes are tuned to peaceful movement in space. At first, of course, it is boring, but having got used to the car, you will notice acoustic comfort and a very logical operation of an automatic box. The latter not only gently switches, but also smokes reduced gears in time, allowing not to be particularly complex about a weak motor.
At first glance, pendants are also echoed by this softness, which is quite comfortable to work out the irregularities of the road. True, they are unexpectedly gestures and noisy at the seams, joints, and at high speed they become slaughter, allowing unpleasant buildup.
But handling is worthy of praise. Citroen's reactions are accurate and reliable, even if you are imposing a tough pace of driving to him. Of course, the features of pendants manifest themselves and here in quick turns the car does not like irregularities. But on a smooth road bribes good setting, which allows you to confidently control the sliding.
Mitsubishi-Cell

Here, of course, the original interior, other design solutions, but what if you look for something fundamental? Well, of course! Massive front strokes of the body went forward, and the windows of a la mini-wen appeared between them and the door frames. According to the laws of the genre, the driver rose above the road. That's perhaps that’s all, at least in front.
The differences are more noticeable behind. Compared to the usual hatchback, the Colt is much more convenient for passengers. He cannot boast, for example, with a huge width of the salon and only two will sit comfortably here. However, they are guaranteed not only the place for the legs, but also the individual adjustments of each of the halves of the seat, including the longitudinal one. Such delights cannot but be appreciated, although if you look into the trunk, it will become clear where they came from.
It is noticeably smaller than that of C3, but we will not rush with conclusions. Obviously, the creators also concerned a similar drawback, so the rear seat was not only divided, but also worked on the folding mechanism. The backs after simple manipulations can be folded or tossed forward with the pillows, and if there is not enough again, dismantle this whole sandwich. As they say, they felt the difference? So we respected the newcomer.

Although there were no comments. The combination of devices is blind. A massive front stand tightly overlaps the driver on the oncoming lane in the left turn.
In motion, Colt is unexpectedly emotional. It would seem that a plain 1.3-liter motor, but how it goes! To begin with, you need to overcome the adjustment of the clutch, then wait a bit while the tachometer arrow steps over the three thousandth mark and then the song begins. The car instantly becomes playful and mobile, reacts to your actions with a spark. Of course, you should not deceive, redness manifests itself only at high speeds, but still starts. You often switch the programs, work more actively by the gas pedal to use all hidden reserves.
True, no less emotional and sound accompaniment. From 2000 rpm, the rattling voice of the engine breaks into the salon. With an increase in speed, he also echoes the tires, so that you can not look at the tachometer and so audible.
Hard, adapted pendants adapted to Russian roads are actively shaking on small irregularities. Not much they pacify the temper on gentle waves. As a result, Colt repeats the profile of the road in detail, although there are advantages and advantages in this sports. Thanks to the energy -intensive pendants, the car is not afraid of deep pardy, and the buildup of the body at high speed is unfamiliar to it. It is accurate and collected in reactions, moreover, ready for bold experiments. Fast turns his element. Great!
The settings of the steering electrical power of the steering wheel fall a little. Very active in parking, it suddenly loads the steering wheel with a powerful stabilizing effort during ordinary driving. A lively, fast car suddenly becomes heavy. But it is worth spinning the steering wheel from a cut, as everything falls into place, but small stooping tires.

Opel-Miner

We will agree not to pay attention to the Irmsher tuning: this is nothing more than a beautiful candy wrapper, in which a thoughtful and functional car is wrapped.
From the first minutes of acquaintance, he clearly says: I will not flirt with you in all sorts of high roofs there, to remember that it was built on the hatchback platform. I am a mini-wen, albeit small.
Indeed, inside everything is in an adult way. If this is a driver’s seat, then be sure its dimensions and the grip will not cause comments, and the movements of the movements will be sufficient (also with a margin). And the driver’s landing will allow you to look down at the rest. But the box lever turned out to be low, and the handbrake has to stretch exactly the hands suddenly became short. The rear passengers of the meriva were more fortunate. Two here will sit on the leg.

A detailed listing of all options for transformations of the cabin is ungrateful. I only note that with a rather spacious trunk with the rear seat, you can work miracles. Each of its halves not only folds and the seats moves are adjusted even in width! It is a pity that you are unlikely to remember at least half of the proposed options.
Meriva is also primarily convenient to drive. Of course, she was not circumvented by the sights noted on Mitsubishi Colt. The painful engine captivates with responsiveness, although at first its even character seems a little monotonous. A beautifully selected transmission helps out with converged transfer numbers: here you can smoothly roll on the fifth, barely touching the gas pedal, or you can jerk off on the third, easily leaving the pursuers behind. The latter are willingly bought on the Irmsher candy, believing that the measure of the meriva is forced in full. And he is just the most common. And comfortable suspensions seem to echo the motor, gently, at the same time elasticly rolling through irregularities.
But the city is behind, and we break out into the speed. If the Opel has still pleased with clear, balanced responses to the actions of the steering wheel, pampering an excellent feedback, now that the speedometer arrow was picked up to 120 130 km/h, he suddenly remembered: I am a mini-van. And now inaccuracies were outlined in reactions, and the pendants began to graze before deep gentle waves. He is not an athlete, although in most life situations it is almost impeccable.

Nomination ladies
At first glance, Citroen-S3 has nothing to stand out in this company, so to speak, neither physically nor ideologically. However, it is worth considering that a car of this class is rarely bought for a large family. Its main purpose to bring you, your beloved (or beloved) to work, shopping, etc.
And here C3 looks pretty attractive. After all, it doesn’t matter with which motor to clean up in traffic jams, and the automatic machine greatly simplifies control. We will not forget about the impressive list of additional equipment attached to this car.
In second place in the weaker sex will be the Colt is not so cute outwardly, but completely new and on average more affordable. Meriva will give the third place Tuning Irmsher makes her ... courageous.

The nomination started
I think that at the initial stage of our measurements, few expected that Mitsubishi Colt with a 1.3-liter engine would be serious competition for the same Meriva. Of course, the difference in mass (almost 200 kg) also affected: Made In Japan, a groovy motor, managed to disperse the Colt to 100 km/h almost one and a half seconds faster. Obviously, he lacks a little moment below, and the car, respectively, elasticity in higher gears. It is still impressive, all the more so since the rest of the sled indicators of Colt at the height. It, of course, is inferior to competitors in comfort, especially acoustic, but it is controlled simply great.

The nomination is the perfect mini-wen
Among our Trinity, this title, of course, deserves Opel Meriva: everything is thoughtful and unthinkable in it that they were able to fit in the dimensional dimensions. There is even a seditious thought: do I need so many ways of transforming the salon in a generally relatively small car? After all, its basic price is quite significant. In the domestic market, Meriva in a good configuration is closely selected to the larger mini-owl Opel Safira. There is no doubt that the consumer will prefer for similar money.
It is gratifying that the newcomer Mitsubishi Colt is only slightly inferior to Meriva in caring for passengers. Yes, he has fewer opportunities, more compact trunk, but in the consumer plan this machine is even more profitable. For $ 16 thousand, you get a functional vehicle that is noticeably superior to the usual B-class hatchbacks in its cargo-passenger capabilities.

Citroen C3

A five -door hatchback was first shown in the summer of 2001. Recently, the three -door C3 Pluriel and the all -wheel drive version of the C3 XTR were added.
Engines: for Russia, gasoline 1.11.6 liters (61110 l.
Gearboxes: five -speed mechanical, four -speed automatic, robotic Sensodrive.
Complete: SX, Pack.
Price: $ 12 500 20 100.
SUMMARY
Citroen C3 is a good gift for your beloved: comfortable, calm, easy to manage and perfectly equipped.
+ Convenient for two, rational trunk, good acoustic comfort.
- Close up for the rear passengers, modest possibilities of transformation.

Mitsubishi Colt

A five -door hatchback with a high roof in Europe made his debut in 2004. In 2005, a three-door version will appear.
Engines: gasoline 1.11.5 l
(95109 l. P.).
Gearboxes: five -speed mechanical and six -speed robotic Allshift (except 1.1 l).
Complex: Inform, Invite, Instyle.
Price: $ 14 890 19 050.
SUMMARY
Mitsubishi Colt is a bold combination of almost mini-wen and car with interesting driving settings.
+ Convenience for the rear passengers, wide transformation opportunities,
a pronounced number of sled qualities are pronounced.
- A modest trunk, mediocre acoustic comfort, unimportant visibility in corners.

Opel Meriva
A five-door mini-van based on the Corsa model made his debut in 2003 in Geneva.
Engines: for Russia gasoline 1.61.8 liters
(87125 l.
Gearbox: mechanical five -speed.
Complete: Essentia, Enjoy, Cosmo.
Price: $ 16,000 23,000.
SUMMARY
Opel Meriva is roomy, convenient and thought out to the smallest detail; A business partner who does not love improvisations on the road.
+ Good ergonomics, convenience of passengers, rational trunk, excellent transformation opportunities, balanced sled abilities.
- insufficiently effective suspensions, for a mini-wen, the salon is somewhat narrow, problems with visibility in turns.