Let me start by giving thanks to the Mods for approving my request to join Team-BHP.
This is one of the few sites which has had a deep impact on how I view cars.
Well about me,I am 28yrs old, S/W Engg in Pune. Sounds boring huh!
I just love to drive!! Be it Bikes or Cars. For some reason I prefer power over mileage.
My engg. college was just 1km from my house, but as soon as I turned 18 I bought myself a Pulsar150 (way back in 2002). Had to really convince my parents to buy it.
I was in the USA for about 5 yrs(not surprising i say). There initially bought a 2.4L 4cyclinder 97'Accord which was driven for 125k miles but still going strong. After 6months I sold this car and bought (actually Leased) myself a brand new Honda Accord EXL-V6.
My desi friends were instructing me all the time, "dude you are here for short time, why do you need a V6, just get the 4cyclinder Civic/ Corolla." But all I was thinking was, when will I drive the V6 in India?! So the V6 Accord (couldn't afford the BMWs then). It drove smoothly as silk. Loved the many rides in my baby.
After 5 yrs there, returned home.Once here wanted to buy a new car. We initially had a Fiat Premium-Padmini, Then the Maruti 800 AC. So wanted a sedan.
One of my friends (who is still trying to be a member
) suggested teap-bhp. This was more than a year back. Read official reviews/ownership threads of all the cars in <10L segment. Fell in love with the unbiased and detailed reviews written on this site. Finally to cut a long story short fell in Love with my Italian beuty "Monica" aka the Linea TJET+. The awesome review by GTO helped me tremendously in paying the premium of 1L to get the Turbo-charged beauty. And boy am i happy with the choice!!
i have experienced some of the lines written by GTO first-hand like "The next 2.5 hours is me alone in the car, and alone on the highway. No disturbances inside the car, no traffic outside. Stopping at a dhaba (Kadak chai + Marlboro) after 90 minutes of high-revving = Priceless. Ah, the simpler pleasures of life. "
and the line "let me tell you this : It is IMPOSSIBLE to drive this car with a light foot. The turbo boost is addictive. Don’t fret over the fuel economy, there’s more to life than kpl. Take the wife for a dinner less or something. " just nailed it for me. This car was just made for me!! Brings a smile on my face everytime I drive it!
After this, upgraded our Maruti800 to the pocket-rocket Alto K10 Vxi. That is also one hell of a ride! My dad who is a sedantary driver, also has a smile on his face when he returns from office.
Once again, thanks to Team-BHP in helping me not to underestimate the value of a smile on my face VS the fuel economy of my drive!!