Estating the obvious

Could you suggest a suitable car for my daughter and her husband? They have a three-year old son with another due any minute. Their annual mileage is about 11,000 miles, mainly short journeys with 400 mile round trips about once a month. They have a budget of £12,000-£14,000 plus their 2009 Meriva 1.6 Design petrol with about 45,000 miles on it. They also have two medium sized dogs. I have suggested a conventional estate, but my daughter quite likes the raised driving position.

Asked on 20 September 2013 by IM, via email

Answered by Honest John
The newer model Meriva 1.4T. Vastly better than the original Meriva. www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/vauxhall/vauxhall-.../. A taller MPV is better for parents backs lifting babies and children in and out.
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