Totally agree, I hate waste personally. You driving in the Micra to Spain then? If you get round to it, few tips...unless you're in a rush, avoid the autoroute 8n France. Tolls aren't cheap and fuel prices are horrendous. On the plus side, there are regular rest areas every 20kms or so where you can stop overnight (none of the 2hr ****e you get in the UK), also some on the Route Nationals but less of them.
Car and parts prices here are more expensive than the UK and although I live just north of the border, I couldn't tell you what they're like in Spain. Fuel is quite a bit cheaper though down there, while in France it's typically slightly less than the UK in most areas.
Hope you make it - we all need an adventure every so often 
