Perennial
| Perennial | |
|---|---|
 A Perennial in GTA III. | |
| Appearance(s) |
GTA III GTA Vice City GTA San Andreas GTA Liberty City Stories GTA Vice City Stories GTA IV GTA Chinatown Wars |
| Also known as | Maurice (During GTA III development) |
| Vehicle type |
Station wagon (GTA III — GTA:VCS) Minivan (GTA IV — GTA:CW) |
| Body style |
4-door station wagon (GTA III — GTA:VCS) 4-door minivan (GTA IV — GTA:CW) |
| Capacity | 4 (driver and 3 passengers) |
| Manufacturer | Dinka (GTA IV) |
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The Perennial is a recurring station wagon/minivan featured in every Grand Theft Auto game since Grand Theft Auto III (except Grand Theft Auto Advance). The car's outward appearance and performance has changed only slightly throughout its appearance, having only been radically redesigned as a minivan from Grand Theft Auto IV onwards.
Design
GTA III — GTA Vice City Stories
In GTA III, GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas, the Perennial has a close resemblance to the 1962-1964 Chevrolet Nova station wagon, though they are fashioned much smaller and shorter. The GTA San Andreas version features the most cosmetic changes among the three, with changable two-tone body colors, a redesigned frontal V-bumper, redressed light clusters, and metallic side trimming. The GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas renditions also feature optional roof racks towards the rear.
In GTA Liberty City Stories and GTA Vice City Stories, the car assumes a slightly newer and slimmer model that resembles a 1969 Ford LTD Country Squire, based on the position of the side panels and grille, but retains elements of previous iterations of the car in the rear. The cars also constantly feature roof racks.
According to the Capital Autos website, the Perennial in GTA III was known as the "Maurice" during development of the game.[1]
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An early form of the Grand Theft Auto III Perennial as the "Maurice", as depicted in the Capital Autos website.
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Grand Theft Auto III (Rear quarter view).
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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, with a roof rack (Rear quarter view, with roof rack).
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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, without roof rack (Rear quarter view, with roof rack).
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GTA IV — GTA Chinatown Wars
In GTA IV, in contrast to the Perennial's rustic station wagon appearance throughout the GTA III Era, the Perennial is now based on a more streamlined and modern minivan, the JDM Third Generation Honda Odyssey with the windows of a 3rd gen Honda CRV and 2nd gen Honda Stream. The US version of the Honda Odyssey is much taller and more formal-looking, so it appears to be the JDM/International version of the Odyssey, which looks more futuristic and is not sold in the US despite it being common in the game. It does not have sliding doors, as the international version does not feature them. The rear of the sides and rear window are also similar to those a Mercedes-Benz R-Class. It is the only vehicle in GTA IV which has fully glassed roof, which is very reminiscent of the ill-fated Renault Avantime, though it was a coupe and not an MPV. The taillights seem invented but loosely resemble a 2003-2005 (US) Accord. The interior seating is part leather and part cloth.
GTA IV's Perennial is also available as an airport shuttle van, bearing FlyUS liveries and a strobe light, lacking a glass roof, and spawning at the Francis International Airport.
The GTA Chinatown Wars rendition appears to revert to an older design, sporting a lean 1970s appearance more alike early renditions of the Regina. For the PSP and iOS renditions however, the Perennial adopts the GTA IV design; the front end however seems to have been tweaked such that it resembles the second-generation Toyota Previa/Estima/Tarago.
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Grand Theft Auto IV; FlyUS variant.
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Performance
GTA III — GTA Vice City Stories
The underpowered, front-wheel drive Perennial is quite sluggish. Acceleration is highly lacking, as is speed. The handling is responsive, but quite slow, and is prone to oversteer, as well as rollovers due to its unstable suspension. Because of its large turning radius, it's hard to perform J-turns or 180-degree spins, although it is FWD. It is, however, quite sturdy, and can withstand significant crash damage before bursting into flames and exploding. The Perennial is also easy to ram off roads, especially with large, fast vehicles such as the Fire Truck and the Barracks OL. In GTA Vice City Stories, it's slightly faster.
GTA IV
The Dinka Perennial "MPV AW" returns to the GTA lineup with a significant makeover, both in looks and performance. Gone is the horrendous FWD layout, ditched in favor of a rear-biased 30% Front/70% Rear AWD layout (hence, AW). The Perennial is more than likely powered by a mid-range V6, and is coupled to a 5 speed gearbox. Acceleration is now average, with a reasonable top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h). Handling is also upgraded significantly, as the Perennial no longer flops about on the road, but keeps steady. The suspension is quite firm for a vehicle of this size, and aides high-speed cornering. Braking is average, and the optional (but rare) ABS definitely helps. Crash deformation is below average, and as such the Perennial cannot sustain much damage before being un-drivable. However in a head on crash, minimal damage is suffered in the interior.
Customization in GTA San Andreas
The Perennial in GTA San Andreas can be modified at a TransFender, which offers a moderate range of customizations for the car:
Italicized pricing denotes prices at the Las Venturas TransFender, which charges 20% more except Colors.
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Trivia
- In GTA San Andreas, Big Smoke is originally depicted during "Big Smoke" to own an all-black Perennial at the very beginning of the game, only to watch it blown up during a drive-by an enemy gang. Smoke subsequently replaces it with a Glendale. There are several ways to obtain this Perinnial; after the cutscene of the Ballas destroying Smoke's car, kill them with a weapon and push the Perennial to a garage. Alternatively, enter the blow up all cars cheat during the cutscene where Carl and Smoke are about to enter the Perennial. You'll fail the mission for destroying Smoke's car, and he will walk off. Then push it to the garage next to you. However a much easier way to obtain an all-black Perennial is take one to Transfender and paint all the parts black.
- In GTA San Andreas, driving the Perennial will dramatically reduce the player character's sex appeal.
- In dialog during outings with Michelle Cannes in GTA San Andreas, she will mention that her first car was a Perennial.
- In GTA Vice City Stories, during the mission Truck Stop, the player would be driving a fireproof Perennial.
- The roof-mounted light on the FlyUS variant of the Perennial in GTA IV does not light up when the engine is running, unlike the FlyUS Feroci, but it is more easier to be broken than the former's.
- In GTA IV, the police radio refers the Perennial as a "MPV".
- When dating in GTA IV, Kiki Jenkins will compliment the player for his choice of vehicle if driving a Perennial.
- In perfect condition, this car can be sold in the S&M Auto Sales for $2,200 in GTA IV.
- Within GTA IV multiplayer races, it is only possible to select the FlyUS version of the Perennial, rather than the civilian version, whereas the Feroci is available as a civilian model only.
- The Perennial plays the following radio stations by default when entered:
- K-JAH West in GTA San Andreas.
- Jazz Nation Radio 108.5 or Fusion FM in GTA IV.
Locations
- GTA III
- Capital Autos, Harwood, Portland.
- Portland Harbor, Portland
- Side of road near Police Station, Trenton, Portland.
- Alley beside XXX Mags, Red Light District, Portland
- GTA San Andreas
- Common in poorer areas in the state of San Andreas.
- Importable from Easter Basin, San Fierro for $8,000 after unlocking importing/exporting (Tuesdays and Fridays only).
- Parked in front of the Coutt and Schutz used car dealership in Jefferson, Los Santos
- GTA Liberty City Stories
- Building just south of the Callahan Bridge, Callahan Point.
- Capital Autos parking area, Harwood, Portland
- Next to the crusher in Harwood, Portland.
- The construction site in Hepburn Heights, Portland
- Parking lot next to the curvy road in Cedar Grove, Shoreside Vale.
- The flophouse in Pike Creek, Shoreside Vale in where Donald Love lived after being bankrupt
- Next to the payphone that gives missions in Wichita Gardens, Shoreside Vale.
- GTA Vice City Stories
- By Phil Cassidy's depot in Viceport.
- Northeast of the West Haven Community Healthcare Centre in Little Havana.
- Parked in front of Sunshine Autos along with the Blista Compact and the Admiral.
- GTA IV
- In the whole city, but mostly in Algonquin.
- The FlyUS version is only available in Francis International Airport.
- A Perennial can be seen blocking the road in the ending of the chase between Ivan Bytchkov and Niko Bellic in the mission Ivan The Not So Terrible. It has no driver, so the player is able to easily take it.
References