I used to hate Hummers, in fact I didn’t even know what they were called as they seemed to be in every USA army movie of the eighties. But one day in the UK a big yellow house with chrome wheels and blacked out windows roared by.

What is that? was the disbelief and so on to the internet to find out it was a Hummer, as they are not so popular in the UK. Then I saw another and by the time CSI Miami had hit our screens I was a fan.

A few trips to Miami and seeing these brutes on roads big enough to handle them, convinced me that some day I would have one, even if it was to get it out of the system.

Well now in the 21st century the new H3 is about to arrive in the UK, this summer to be exact. It looks huge but it seems its about the same size as Grand Cherokee, which makes it a little more acceptable to the UK market, especially with the high fuel costs we have over here and the mini roundabouts. Most US citizens, don’t even know what a mini roundabout is.

I won’t be geting straight away, but after a few reviews and others convincing me its worth its money, it may be a consideration, providing they are right hand drive of course.

But a question i have not asked is what happens if these brutes breakdown? I know they were designed for the army and shouldn’t, but these things do happen. I can’t imagine the local breakdown cover man having spares and it will be some recovery truck that got this beast home. Just a thought

Because it is sometimes difficult to find subjects to write about that are related to breakdown cover I sometimes buy the od mag, to give me insoiration or even factaul information.

This week I have bought the Top Gear Test Directory, of which I am sure to be writing about the odd car here and there in future blogs. (more…)

After writing, or intially trying to write the last post, I realised what an international feel the previous posts have had. Little did I know there would be one more (I hope only one more) post to write about breakdown cover in Europe or more specifically Germany.

A friend rang me, it was the first time we had spoke since his recent trip to Germany. As I asked him how well his family had been, there was a silence and then he explained that on his way back from Germany, to the Belgium Ferry to bring him back to the UK his car had broken down.

Of course he knew I was going to ask about breakdown cover, but he replied he hadn’t bought it, because he was driving a BMW, which are obviously normally very reliable and he was going to Germany wher they made the things. So he felt it was a waste of money to invest in European Breakdown Cover.

He explained that he broke down just short of the German border and the recovery vehicle that had come to assist had cost him 500 Euros.
He knew the fault would not normally cost that much to repair, but he believed that the recovery services man, knew he was in a hurry for the ferry and basically ripped him off.

He had no option but to pay up, or miss the ferry, miss work the next day and the kids miss school.
I asked again why he hadn’t bought the breakdown cover, he replied he was sick of me going on about it and was just stubborn. Never mind 500 euros down I think, one nil to me.

He is off to Spain soon, will he buy? mmmmm

I write this after a business trip to Holland and a failed attept to write posts whilst I was there, but that is another story.

It’s quite sad, but whilst there I tried to research what the national breakdown cover company was, but even though the Dutch can talk English very well, none seemed to be able to understand what I was asking and quote a brand name.

I sat in an internet cafe, another creation from Stelios and the Easy brand just along from the central station and once again, no searches showed up for this service.
So if you do know who the national breakdown cover organistion is for Holland, post is on the comments here and ideally the website too.

The largest breakdown cover service provider in the UK and not normally the cheapest. But at the moment they are offering up to 25% off even their basic option 100 package. (more…)

The Daily Express yesterday reported on the overhaul of driving test centres throughout the UK, due to the change in EU regulations for the motorcycle road test.

They insist that those going through the test must take their exam at 32mph, 2 mph above the speed limit.
The exam insists that riders know how to handle a motorbike at higher speeds, so this means some it will need to be done on track rather than the public roads. (more…)

As of last May 2006 drivers are required to carry Tachographs for the current week, starting midnight Sunday PLUS 15 calendar days worth before that which equates to about 2 weeks of charts.

The regulations will change again on 1st Jan 2008 whereby it will be 1 day PLUS 28 days (probably calendar) before that to bring it into line with what the new digital tachos will provide. (more…)

I don’t know the full details yet, but its seems new EU laws suggest that any vehicle such a s avan or lorry, needs to have a Tacho for journeys over 100km. (more…)

The RAC has what I originally thought was a great online tool for calculating your fuel expenses, it is called the mileage and fuel claim calculator.
You enter in your start pont and destination, then how much per mile you can claim and presto, (more…)

Further to my previous post regarding RAC breakdown Cover and the offer of 15 months for the price of 12.

Well it seem The RAC have gone step further and are now offering up to 20% off online and 15 months cover. (more…)