My car went nowhere for practically 2.5 years of its life July 2004 - October 2006, pottered to the supermarket, couple of trips to UK/ Denmark but not regular long journeys or daily use. It then sat on the drive in all weathers October - December last year whilst we were in US. Come January I started commuting to T's school 30 kms away - 2 x round trips 5 days a week and a few speeding fines. February someone reversed into it - cost 1k euros to fix, side bulb went in parking lights (fine leave it till MOT later), then main lamp went - had MOT early and fixed them. Then come May squeaking brakes/ wheel when going around corners, steering off slight. Couldn't find anything wrong. Then my gear stick breaks - unknown stress to it caused it to break -not common fault - get that fixed and get them to check wheel again - stone found in drum - possibly squeak - no squeak worse and more persistent now and brakes unbelieveably tight. So 2 days in garage last week. Then today passenger side lamp goes! What is going on with the car! Oh guess what 3 year warranty ran out 2 weeks ago - it knows doesn't it.

However, I'm not whinging in writing this today. I'm so delighted with what happened. Majority of schools in area went on holiday on Friday last week - hence our town is nearly empty - the dutch take off in their caravans en masse to France, Denmark, Spain or pack into to Schiphol to get to warmer climes and trust me they've all gone this week with the crxp weather we've been having. So empty town, the garage were quiet. We can do it now, do you want to wait. Wait with a 4 year old obssessed with cars in a car showroom. Not sure I want to but.....we're going to drive to UK (via Ferry) on Saturday so want car done. OK. T was perfectly well behaved, played with the Lego they had. Someone gave me a cup of coffee and 20 mins later my car was done - all for the the price of parts only 29.99 Euros!? 20 Quid!!!!! When Holland is good, its great. If only customer service was like this all the time here!!!!! I love Sam Van Lingens. Still the salesman did give me a whole pack of brochures and plans for purchasing a new car soon. I'd like the new spider but don't think its going to do for a family car really. So if they could do a 4 seater convertible I'd be in there like a shot as would W and he's paying.