Taurus
Ideal car: a green people carrier that is practical like you and gives you the space to drag all your mates from location to location.
Favourite journey: setting off to family and friends reunion.
Worst passenger: Capricorns because they're as obstinate as you! Your car is like your home and you are picky about who you allow into your car's inner sanctum.
Worst driving trait: you can be a stubborn and belligerent driver and refuse to be given directions even if you are heading the wrong way up a one way street. You also love to backseat drive!
Best driving trait: you are loyal and generous with your driving time.
Predictions for 2008: you are dreaming of buying your ideal car. Like the perfect partner, choose carefully and don't plump for the first sexy little number you stumble across!
Gemini
Ideal car: a silver car that is nimble and swifty with plenty of gadgets to keep you amused.
Favourite journey: you relish longer journeys that give you space to ponder your zillions of ideas.
Worst passenger: an intense silent Scorpio who won't open up to you. You love to know what people are thinking and hate silent journeys.
Worst driving trait: you can let your attention wander.
Best driving trait: you are great fun to travel and keep everyone amused.
Predictions for 2008: your fickle Gemini nature is exacerbated this year with the planets making you an unpredictable driver. A car journey to an ex-lover's could turn romantic!
Leo
Ideal car: you desire a car even better looking than you and something that makes a statement.
Favourite journey: to a celebrity party or event which no one else can get tickets to.
Worst passenger: a flaky hippy Pisces with wacky dress sense does not go down well.
Worst driving trait: stop admiring yourself in the mirror when you should have your eyes firmly on the road!
Best driving trait: you are generous and magnanimous and make your passengers feel like a million dollars.
Predictions for 2008: the next car you buy seems to be a big commitment. It is bigger, bolder and more serious than your previous vehicles. Your life and your car are trading up.
Virgo
Ideal car: you would like a nice clean, sensible car with the ability to be turned into a convertible at the flick of a switch to express your hidden cheeky personality.
Favourite journey: your daily trip to work, as you like to be on time. You always get arrive in a neat and pristine vehicle.
Worst passenger: a sporty Aquarius who has just got back from football and has forgotten to shower.
Worst driving trait: you can rattle other drivers on the road when your ultra-cautious driving style means you dip way under the speed limit...again
Best driving trait: a diligent and safe driver, you are probably the least likely sign to get into an accident, as you are.
Predictions for 2008: a drive to the sea is indicated where a sense of freedom is found. Your driving destiny this year is to find remote places you love and to have an adventure with your car.
Libra
Ideal car: everything in your life has to be aesthetically pleasing. It would pain you to drive a car that was unattractive or too noisy.
Your favourite journey: you sometimes need space and use your car to retreat from the world and go off for a solitary drive.
Worst passenger: a loud Aries knocks your driving equilibrium and could be your worst nightmare on a long journey.
Worst driving trait: you are often seen going round and round the roundabout scratching your head and dithering as you attempt to make up that shaggy Libran mind.
Best driving trait: you have impeccable manners on the road. You let people out of turnings and always give a wave if you are let through.
Predictions for 2008: sharing a car is becoming a bit of a problem. You are normally easy going but may need to be assertive and tell your partner to buy their own. If you are single, giving someone a lift home is likely to lead to much, much more.
Scorpio
Ideal car: a jet-black car with an air of mystery and sophistication would be your ideal drive. Something sultry but not obvious, you hate anything ostentatious.
Favourite journey: is to a secret rendezvous with a luscious lover. If you are in a relationship, you will love to surprise your lover with a trip to anywhere mysterious and unknown.
Worst passenger: a charismatic Leo, as you don't like competition.
Worst driving trait: if you're in a bad mood you sulk and go into a world of your own.
Best driving trait: you are very perceptive and your intuitive driving gives you an uncanny ability to avoid traffic jams.
Predictions for 2008: you have started to get into a routine and are about to make a big commitment that could involve a new car. Don't refuse to visit a relative in your new motor: Christmas is a time for forgiveness.
Sagittarius
Ideal car: a caravan or a van in an unusual and daring colour. You have a freedom-loving spirit and want to be able to drive around the world without worrying about accommodation.
Favourite journey: your love of the unusual makes you one of the most daring drivers and you would travel anywhere for the right view or scenery.
Worst passenger: a stuffy Virgo as they may make you feel restricted. You need passengers who allow you to play loud music.
Worst driving trait: you can be easily swayed off route to some other strange and wondrous destination.
Best driving trait: every journey is like a party, you are optimistic and excited about where you might end up.
Predictions for 2008: this year you are even bolder than before and decide to drive to Europe or some far-flung destination. Your car can be trusted but can you? Thank goodness for that fabulous navigational system.
Capricorn
Ideal car: you favour a practical yet exploratory 4x4. You like something that can handle any terrain and weather.
Ideal journey: off-road driving that allows you to flex your car's muscles and feel the earth move under your feet.
Worst passenger: a squeamish Pisces who does not like puddles. You want to roar around and take the track less travelled.
Worst driving trait: you can be a pig-headed driver and rarely back down if you feel you have the right of way.
Best driving trait: you certainly know how to handle your car. You can fix it if it breaks down (or know who to call!).
Predictions for 2008: you have had more new car brochures this year than petrol fill-ups. Make a decision and go for it, you know you want to! Something sporty and practical is going to grab your attention.
Aquarius
Ideal car: you are wacky and original and need a car that expresses this. A nippy car that's small on the outside but packed with interesting gadgets suits you.
Favourite journey: anywhere new! You love to be stimulated by new environments, places, ideas.
Worst passenger: a conservative Virgo who is judgmental or critical.
Worst driving trait: with your mind so keen to get where you are going you may forget to fill up the petrol tank and find yourself stranded.
Best driving trait: your passion and enthusiasm for driving makes you a great person to share a car journey with.
Predictions for 2008: we are still in the age of Aquarius and don't you know it! You decide to feng shui your new car or hang a meaningful object from the dashboard. Make sure it is on securely or it could do more harm than good.
Pisces
Ideal car: your prime choice of car is classically stylish. You are the most likely sign to name your car and build up a friendship with it.
Favourite journey: would be to go to Cornwall and park near a cliff overlooking a castle at midnight. You would open your sunroof and stare at the stars.
Worst passenger: an earthy Capricorn who doesn't take the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Worst driving trait: getting caught up with the view and not applying your handbrake. Don't forget to put on your practical hat when driving.
Best driving trait: your sense of fun is contagious and long journeys fly by.
Predictions for 2008: Uranus is making you very indecisive. You can't seem to make your mind up what car you want or even where you want to go! The bright side of this is an unusual trip can really broaden your horizons.
Soon the road gets quicker (for some of the journey it's actually the M23), letting you experience the lure of the coast, pulling you towards Brighton. The town has changed considerably since the days when Mods and Rockers made the same journey for their seaside confrontations.
In fact, Brighton's not even a town any more - it's been a city since 2000 - and is sometimes nicknamed London-by-the-sea. Cool bars, funky clothes shops, unusual jewellery boutiques (not forgetting shopping mecca, The Lanes) make this the perfect place to unwind after your spin in the car.
Celebsville Central - The Cotswolds
As well as being one of the most beautiful parts of the country, the Cotswolds now rival Beverley Hills as the home of choice for A-list celebs. Whether you're coming from the west or the east, your foot-down fun comes early, as you take the M4 to junction 17.
Then it's the A429 north towards Cirencester (the great place names start straightaway - you'll see signs for Stanton St. Quintin, Little Somerford and Shipton Moyne). Cirencester itself is a pretty little town, well worth a look. Then take the A417 east.
Just after Fairford, take the left turn to Southrop (home to Kate Moss), then follow the signs back through Hatherop and Coln St. Aldwyn's to Barnsley (no, not that one), where Liz Hurley has her 72-acre estate. Then rejoin the A429 heading north, and just after Bourton-on-the-Water, turn right to Westcote, where Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet share a 14th-century manor house.
Then head up to Stow-on-the-Wold, and along the A429 to the equally picturesque Moreton-in-Marsh. This beautiful road (it's been there since Roman times, though there has been the odd resurfacing) will eventually take you to the M40.
Town and Country - The two faces of Yorkshire
It's grim up North, they used to say. Not anymore, with Leeds now one of the most fashionable cities in the UK. Start your trip with some luxury shopping (or keep it cheap with just a frappucino in the Harvey Nicks cafe), then take the A64 to York and Malton, then the A169 to the market town of Pickering, which is a good place to stop for the night.
The second day of this trip will blow out your cobwebs - you're onto the Yorkshire Moors. The A169 heading north lets you pick up speed through some of the bleakest but most awe-inspiring scenery you could imagine, then the port of Whitby offers a lunch of freshly-caught fish.
Take the A171 west, then turn off through Stonegate, Castleton and Hutton-le-Hole down to Kirkbymoorside, which should hold a place in every motorist's heart - it was the last town in England to introduce double yellow lines. Helmsley and Thirsk are great towns for a second night's stay, or if you want to head home the M1 is nearby.
Whisky Galore - The Scottish Highlands
At nearly four hundred miles, and spread over four days, this is the mother of all road trips. But if you or your man like a drop of the hard stuff, it's the one for you.
Starting in Edinburgh, cross the Forth Road Bridge and take the M90 to Perth, then the A9 to the Blair Athol whisky distillery, just south of Pitlochry, where your passenger(s) can sample the produce (don't worry, it's your turn tomorrow). Stop overnight in Pitlochry, then change drivers as the A9 takes you through the Grampian Mountains to the Dalwhinnie distillery, then to Inverness, where you stop your second night.
Day three is the A96 to Elgin, then the A941 to the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown. Stop overnight here. Your final day takes you down the B9009 to the Glenlivet distillery, then the A939, A93 and B974 to the one at Fettercairn. The A90 is waiting to ferry all those bottles south.
Laid back and lazy - The Norfolk coast
If you want to keep your motoring nice and sedate, take the A149 from King's Lynn to Cromer. This stretch of the Norfolk coast is famed for its nature reserves (including Titchwell, Snettisham and Cley), and also includes Sandringham, country estate of the nation's best-known Helen Mirren impersonator.
During the summer, take the B1355 inland to Compton Hall, where there's a fascinating maze - it's cut into a cornfield.
So whether you're a city slicker wanting to flee the metropolis for a while, or you're bored of your usual surroundings and hungry for something new - there's nothing like taking the wheel and setting off on an exciting adventure to restore your zest for life
Tip 1: If you ain't broke, don't fix it
If you're lucky enough to have a new car, remember that it's covered by a three-year warranty. If you suspect something isn't right, take it into a dealer and ask them to check it out; they'll almost certainly fix it for free. This cover applies to the car, not just the original buyer, so you can make use of it even if you haven't had the car from new. And make a note of when the three years are up; the cost of extending the warranty is usually reasonable, and the peace of mind is invaluable.
Shop around for quotes on breakdown cover and carefully compare the level of cover you're getting - it's always a price worth paying. Getting your car recovered can be horrifically expensive otherwise, and the patrolman can often fix it for free. Remember that most policies cover you and not just your car, so keep the emergency number on your phone and not just in your glovebox. If you're a passenger when a friend's car breaks down, you can still use your policy.
Tip 2: Prevention is better than cure
Getting your car serviced regularly is the best way to avoid problems; modern cars need little attention between trips to the professionals. Not keeping your car's service history up to date can ruin its value, so find the service book, see how often it needs done and don't forget when the next one's due.
Tip 3: Getting your hands dirty
There are only three things you need to bother with under the bonnet, and they're all fluids.
Tip 4: Feel the pressure
Worn tyres are dangerous, and under-inflated tyres cost a fortune in extra fuel. The correct pressures are on a label usually found inside the petrol filler cap or in the area where the front door closes. Top up at least once a month, and remember to check the spare too. Get a tyre pressure gauge from somewhere like Halfords as garage air lines are notoriously inaccurate. Pick up a tyre tread depth gauge at the same time; they're only a couple of quid but you can check when your tyres are due for replacement. The legal limit is 1.6mm of tread, but consider changing them when they drop to around 2mm. While you're down there, check for any odd lumps, which indicate tyre damage and a possible blow-out on the way, and for any uneven wear on the tread, which could indicate problems with your wheel balance, steering or suspension.
Tip 5: Pit-stops without the pain
Changing a tyre is invariably a cold, wet, miserable experience. If you opt to do it yourself rather than calling the AA, four key items will make it almost tolerable. Old gloves will keep your hands warm and clean. An old sheet will keep everything else clean when you're sat on a filthy roadside, and can be used to wrap the dirty flat tyre in the boot. An old anorak will keep you dry if it's raining and you won't mind getting it dirty, and a fully-charged, powerful torch is essential. Double-check you have your locking wheel nut key, which you'll need to remove the special, odd-shaped security bolts fitted to some car tyres. Practising in the comfort of your own driveway makes it far easier; you'll also learn where the jacking points are on the underside of your car, which are near impossible to find in the dark.
Be careful though. Frances Browning at Churchill Car Insurance says, 'When shopping around for car insurance, it's important to make sure that you are comparing like for like cover. Some policies may seem cheaper, but you may find you don't have the same level of cover when you have to make a claim.'
2. Ensure that only regular drivers are named on the policy. You can always add someone for a few days when they really need to drive the car.
3. Protect your no-claims bonus. This may increase the premium by a few pounds, but this fades into insignificance against the potential loss of a 60% discount on a premium of several hundred pounds. But the definition of a protected no-claims bonus can vary widely between insurers. Though accidents caused by another driver will normally have no impact on such a bonus, those caused by the insured could.
4. Increase your voluntary excess. Agreeing to pay more towards the cost of any accident repairs will bring down premiums. If you are not at fault in an accident, the excess can be recovered.
5. Fitting an approved alarm, immobiliser or tracking device can attract a discount of around 5%.
6. Agree to a mileage restriction. The fewer miles the car covers, the greater the saving. For example, a reduction in annual mileage of 5,000 miles could save a typical 35-year-old female driver about £50 a year in premiums. A cut of 10,000 miles a year could save more than £100.
But you must be honest about your annual mileage, as innacuracy will jeopardise any claim. And Sally Leeman of Norwich Union adds: 'Check your use cover - if you don't use your car to drive to work or for business you may be able to get a cheaper rate.'
Norwich Union has even introduced a 'pay-as-you-drive' scheme aimed at younger drivers using a "black box" device fitted inside cars.
7. Don't add a young, inexperienced driver to your policy, as it's a false economy. The premium will still be calculated on the youngest driver and he or she will not have a no-claims bonus.
8. If you decide to change your car, check with your insurer if the model will have a significant effect on the premium. Sporty cars can attract a high premium and often a slightly different model or smaller engine can make a big difference in your favour. It will also probably save you on petrol too!
9. If your garage is full of junk, clear it out and use it for your car. Aside from the benefit of not having to scrape the ice off in winter, there is a higher risk of theft by keeping the car on the road, so keeping it in the garage will be reflected in your premium.
10. Drive more carefully. We all know having accidents Join the Pass Plus scheme or take an advanced drivers' course. Both offer discounts - up to 35% - from some of the major insurers.
