We hear a lot in the Back Room about motoring problems that people have had, but perhaps not so much about the people who do their jobs well or go beyond the call of duty. So as 2006 draws to a close, who has served you well?

(Please try and stick to people who have served you well, rather than naming and shaming those who haven't - we'll have to remove those!)

My vote(s) go to:

Jacksons Basingstoke, where the salesmen were quite happy to spend a long time with me when I was considering the Skoda. It didn't matter to them that it was going to be a company car, like it does to some dealers. Such a shame a buyer couldn't be found and the showrooms now stand empty.

Breeze VW, Shirley - where I now take the Golf after the problems with the paint at a more local dealer. Customer service as it should be. Nothing (on the fleet side and the service side) is too much trouble.

Halfords at Winnall, near Winchester. The staff actually know what they're talking about, and, when I chose the stereo I wanted for Polo, they couldn't find the box, so discounted it by 30%, fitted it for free and extended the warranty.

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Hi everyone. First time post here so be gentle. Also bear in mind I am not too "up" on cars - that said, I still prefer to have a decent driving experience and not just any old banger.

I passed my test two years ago and my first car which I still have now is a 3 door 1.4 Corsa B (1998, S Reg)

I have a lot of family and am now looking into an equivalent 5 door, alhough not too sure I like the 5 door Corsas (new or old style).

So, I'd very much be grateful if anyone could advise me of a few decent 5 door cars that would be suitable. I would like it to have electric windows, central locking, power steering, and be at least a 1.4 litre. Not too fussed about air con etc, but that would be nice. Ideally it would not be a lot bigger in length than what I have now, but I understand it will be because of the extra 2 doors.

The next problem is my budget. I reckon I could stretch to £4,000. I 'm not sure if that is enough to get a decent 5 door car or not, but my Corsa cost me £2,500 two years back so I would think so.

If you need any more details please feel free to ask.

Thanks

James Read more

Firstly just found that one of the power steering pipes has started leaking and needs replaceing. Is this simply a case of removing the jubile clips, taking out the perished pipe and replacing the lost fluid or does the systme need to be bleed after topping up, the systme has curently lost fluid to below the min mark but the resovoir does still contain fluid.

Secondly The vehicle has just started making a circular saw like wine when aclerating up past 40, is this likely to be caused by the partial loss of power steering fluid? At lower speeds everything is fine but I have not gone above 50 as the noise increases.

Obviously I will take it into the garadge asap, but they may not be open this week and if poss I could do with geting it fixed b4 the new year. The above problems happened on the last five miles of a 100 mile jurney on cristmass day!

Thanks in advance Read more

My Yaris is up for a 40K service and I am trying to find out exactly what is involved at this interval as I am not sure if to have it dealer serviced in line with it's history or if to go with an independant as it wil be 6 yrs old next year.

Yaris 1000cc on a 2001 Y

Regards Read more