Is £14,000 a good p/x price for a new Vauxhall Meriva, and does it still suffer from power steering problems?

I have a 2004 Vauxhall Meriva which has just has £1200 spent on it for a new steering column and other steering and gear-related work. I am considering a new Meriva SE 140ps to replace it. I have been quoted £14,000, which includes £3500 for my current Meriva and a discount of £1420 from the on-the-road RRP. I also want approximately £1700 worth of options on top of the price quoted. Does the above £14,000 seem fair or should I seek more of a reduction and should I try for a reduction in option prices?

In your opinion, has the much discussed, and expensive to repair, Meriva problem with electronic power steering failures (which I have had) been overcome in the new Meriva?

Asked on 29 June 2010 by Bonus

Answered by Honest John
The new Meriva has a completely different PAS system. The old Meriva had a system that was vulnerable to drivers holding it on lock, which burned out the electric PAS motor. It's always bad news to hold PAS on lock, but particularly bad in the old Meriva and FIATs like 500s, Pandas and Puntos.
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