Blasted car!

I have always had my own car until husband took early retirement and said we only needed one car. I travel from the Midlands to south of London each month to help out with grandchildren which now means three trains and then underground with case on wheels, a second bag plus handbag. Husband needs the car certain evenings. Have also gone from a lovely three year old car to an old Land Rover as husband is a LR fanatic! I would say, if possible keep your independence, I really wish I could and miss my own car.

Mazza245 I didn't see your post about your health tests before I posted. I'm so sorry to hear you are upset over your tests and hope things will improve for you very soon. Take care

So sorry you are having such a bad time Mazza. These things never seem to come one at a time with a decent interval in between. Do hope things improve all round for you. Sorry about your car - we do get attached to them don't we. Hope something good turns up soon.

I would still get a second opinion, mazza. Timing chains and tensioner for a Mercedes A class come in a kit. Forty hours labour to fit one sounds excessive.

Thanks for your lovely sympathetic comments everybody. You are quite right, merlotgran, I'm finding more and more about this job. The mechanic has come back and found someone who is willing to do it. He told me they come in a kit and this man may not have to get the engine out so he is a lot cheaper. Still not cheap in my opinion but within the bounds. He also said that if the engine has to come out it certainly wouldn't take 40 hours! However, the downside is that this man is a free spirit and may do it next week or the week after or..... But I will have to put up with that with a solution in sight!

It really depends on your finances but I lease (3 year deal) a little 5 door Eco Citigo. It's $150 a month, I pay no road tax and my annual insurance is less than £140. It does over 65 miles per gallon and I was astonished when I downgraded from my Freelander at just how cheap motoring could be.

After 3 years I either give it back or pay them about £4K. It includes all the servicing and 3 years roadside assistant in the monthly payment. This is my second one and the only expense on the last one was a tyre I had to replace that was badly damaged on a rough road on holiday.

Don't be afraid to visit some dealers and ask

I have a second hand automatic Nissan one Note which seems to be fine. The grarage where I bought it services it once a year and does the MOT and return gives me RAC membership and a courtesy car when servicing.

Mercedes have just recalled 75,000 cars in the U.K

Susan05 I travel to see DGC quite often by 2 trains and bus with crossbody bag and backpack as I use a walking stick. The stick also stops me using a trolley. The backpack makes a big difference.