Merit
Merit | |
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(Rear quarter view) A Merit in GTA San Andreas. | |
Appearance(s) |
GTA San Andreas GTA IV |
Vehicle type | Civilian car |
Body style | 4-door sedan |
Capacity | 3 (driver and 4 passenger) |
Manufacturer | Declasse (GTA IV) |
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The Merit is one of the many full-size four-door sedans featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto IV.
Design
GTA San Andreas
The Merit is originally based on a fourth generation, 1992-1995 Mazda 929, one of a handful of vehicles in GTA San Andreas with a rounded body design.
GTA IV
In Grand Theft Auto IV, the Merit, assuming a Declasse badge, is redesigned with a similar look to the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala with the back seemingly inspired by a mid-1990s BMW E36 3-Series, the front bumper could be derived from a variety of cars, and the headlights look more reminiscent of a fourth generation Pontiac GTO than the Impala (the split grille is also Pontiac-like). This car is also the standard base for the Police Patrol car and a taxi car.
In Michelle is depicted to own a unique silver Merit when the player first meets her. The car is used during the mission First Date and can be kept afterwards. It has the same properties as that of a regular Merit.
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A Merit in GTA IV (Rear quarter view).
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Michelle's silver Merit in GTA IV.
Performance
GTA San Andreas
This rendition of the Merit is designed as a balanced out performance, having average brake response and cornering, and good acceleration and speed. Coupled with its four-seat capacity, the Merit is a good choice for drive-bys and police evasion.
GTA IV
The GTA IV rendition of the Merit is powered by a V6, mated to a 5 speed transmission in a rear-wheel drive layout. Acceleration is good, but nothing special, and in line with the Merit's vanilla, everyday sedan image. Its top speed, 145 km/h (90 mph), is good, but not impressive. Braking is very good, and ABS is standard. The suspension is very firm, keeping the Merit flat through corners, and enabling it to corner effectively at speed.
Accident deformation is acceptable, as the Merit will survive a few frontal impacts before being rendered unusable. The Merit seems suited towards any situation; it's capable of high speeds and it seems able to survive a serious car chase, making it a perfect addition to any parking space.
Customization in GTA San Andreas
The Merit in GTA San Andreas can be modified at a TransFender, which offers a substantial range of parts for the car:
Italicized pricing denotes prices at the Las Venturas TransFender, which charges 20% more except Colors.
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Trivia
- The Merit plays the following radio stations by default when entered:
- West Coast Talk Radio in GTA San Andreas.
- The Beat 102.7 or The Classics 104.1 in GTA IV.
- In GTA San Andreas, the Merit has a unique horn.
- It plays a significant role in 555 We Tip, and is owned by a district attorney. This Merit is bulletproof, explosionproof, fireproof, and damageproof. To get it, after you take it to the parking lot, block the valet's path, and shoot him out, then take it to the garage. Put it in the garage, but keep the garage door open, and set yourself on fire through a flamethrower or Molotov cocktails. Quickly get in the vehicle, and when it catches on fire, get out, wait for it to explode, then close the garage door, and re-open it, and the Merit is yours to keep.
- A Merit in pristine condition sells for $1,800 at S&M Auto Sales in GTA IV after completion of Stevie's Car Thefts.
- The GTA IV rendition of the car unusually features a metal partition between the front and rear occupant compartments, similar to the Taxi and Police Patrol, despite being a private vehicle and thus having no need for it.
- Wrecks of the Merit can be found in GTA IV.