I grew up in the Middle East (Bahrain, U.A.E., Kuwait)… saw and touched some of the world’s best cars, but was too young to drive… Came to India in 96 and convinced my dad to pick up a wild "sparingly used" 96 Esteem instead of a sober 800… he did but never really let me drive … I did manage sneak the car onto the Mumbai – Pune expressway a couple of times, but never really got to “enjoy” that car…
Then, 911 happened just as I passed out from college as a Software Engineer in 2001… the worst year for the IT industry in India… my first job barely paid for the fuel for my (thirsty) Suzuki Shogun. Loved that bike… took quite a few pretty young things to the moon and back screaming down Palm Beach Road, New Bombay at 120Kmph … lived and loved (life) on the fast lane! But alas, had to part with her at 75Kkm …
Got a few good breaks in the Software Industry and bought MY FIRST CAR!
My “pre-owned” but immaculately maintained 2001 MPFI Esteem LX is my pride and joy… earned her the hard way, blood, sweat, tears & more… makes the whole experience all the more sweet! She does throw the occasional tantrum now and then… power windows jam and sometimes she gets jealous if some hottie gets too much attention at her expense
... still, she never lets me down when I need to prove a point!
Unleashing her 85 horses in first gear (she weighs a little under 1 ton), pretty much leaves most of the competition choking on tyre smoke! That’s what I like the best about her… no frills, no pretence… just plain untamed power! Shift into 2nd at the red line, doing 60Kmph, and ride those 85 horses past 100 Kmph to the next redline… The rasp from the exhaust at 7000 RPM is mind blowing! She screams for even more in 3rd while going past the 140 mark, she’s insatiable! Max speed is in 4th … 175Kmph ! At that speed, I can’t hear myself scream over the engine rasp and the noise of the air forcing its way past her door and window seals, add that to Van Halen blasting out of her 6x9 400 W speakers and it’s heaven on wheels! 5th is for when she wants to behave… nice for cruising at 100Kmph with the engine @ 2500 RPM & 17Kmpl!
Sure… there are lots of cars out there that go faster, handle better and maybe even look prettier… but she’s been great value for money and as they say "You never forget your first … ". And so… that’s me and my machine… I have a passion for Cars, Computers and choose live life like my music… LOUD !
Hello everybody !
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