I have to trust the mechanics because there is way too much I don't know

Yeah. I've lost count of how many times people have told me I'd been overcharged for something - always AFTER the fact, of course. *scowl*

But at least you have public transportation.

Well, sort of. I can move around the city more or less, and I can get to work if I have to - by switching from bus to train and then another bus, which kinda sucks - but visiting my parents out in the suburbs would be a problem. Not that I would necessarily mind having an excuse to visit even less often - but if it ever came to that, I think they'd rather fork out some hidden savings to buy me another used car than let that happen.:P