Hello from Pune

mandarpotdar · 26th July 2021, 19:00

Hello fellow BHPians!

I am Mandar Potdar, originally from Mumbai and now residing in Pune for last 15 years. Been a silent reader of this wonderful forum for more than 10 years now. Joined this community now feeling confident that I can do some meaningful posts now

The garage:
I love driving my 1st-gen Ford Figo which puts smile on my face on twisties even after 10 years and 1.36L on the odo. Other fun machine I have is the Honda CBR 250, which I am still waiting to take on a multi-day trip. Tata Nano (AT) is used primarily by wife for errands and is preferred for short-distance trips.

Currently I am looking for a worthy upgrade from the Figo, with Kushaq on top of list. Skoda would have had my money if the Style AT had 6 airbags

Primary steed, the Figo:

The city warrior:

Fun machine, with yours truly:

With rest of 2-wheelers in the family:

Where does money come from?
I work on Nvidia Graphics. Since last few years, my code gets used in driving a real car - the BB8:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmVWLr0X1Sk&t=86s

Where does money go?
I do astro-photography

Happy driving!
Regards,
Mandar

pkulkarni.2106 · 27th July 2021, 12:31

Welcome Mandar to Team-BHP!
And hello from a colleague

RahulNagaraj · 27th July 2021, 12:40

Hello mandarpotdar,

Welcome to the forum, it's great to have you onboard!

The Ford Figo is truly an amazing car for all occasions. Why not start off with a 10-year ownership experience of your Figo.

Looking forward to reading your posts on the forum.

Cheers!
Rahul N

Dhillon · 27th July 2021, 13:05

Hi Mandar,

Pune is an amazing city to live in. I used to work for DSK Motowheels and often travelled to the city. Loved the weather and people.

I also had a Figo Petrol for 9 years. Its an amazing car to drive. And yours being diesel is more frugal and powerful also.

Welcome to the family

JoshMachine · 27th July 2021, 17:37

Hello Mandar
Welcome to Team-BHP, from a fellow Punekar

Your Figo ride looks cool, what with the nice alloys. After spending 10 years, your ownership would qualify for a long-term review, please do post.

Also like your astro-photography hobby setup. Looks like you will be in good company on the forum with such exquisite hobbies

mandarpotdar · 27th July 2021, 19:16

Thanks folks. I will surely write a detailed review on the Figo.

Bibendum90949 · 27th July 2021, 23:17

Hello Mandar,

Welcome to the forum. The below thread would surely be of interest to you. You may have already stumbled on it

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shift...phy-hobby.html (Rendezvous with The Universe | My Astrophotography Hobby)

ronford · 28th July 2021, 23:39

Welcome to the forum Mandar!

Glad to hear your code will be the one helping me have my coffee comfortably in the car while in the drivers seat without spilling LOL

sukiwa · 29th July 2021, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandarpotdar

I do astro-photography

Welcome to the forum Mandar.
Hope you recognise this photo and the person. Looks like we have a common friend.

mandarpotdar · 29th July 2021, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibendum90949

Welcome to the forum. The below thread would surely be of interest to you. You may have already stumbled on it

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shift...phy-hobby.html (Rendezvous with The Universe | My Astrophotography Hobby)

Yes, of course

. I have read most of it. Will connect with him soon. I have just joined the forum and don't want to talk only astro and no car

Quote:

Originally Posted by sukiwa

Hope you recognise this photo and the person. Looks like we have a common friend.

Attachment 2185397

It's a small world, just a pale blue dot after all. When this photo was taken, my setup and car was probably directly behind the camera.
I have taken the Figo multiple times to this spot, which is close to 1km from proper road. This is one of the main reasons why my upgrade car need to have high ground clearance.

moralfibre · 29th July 2021, 17:53

Welcome aboard Mandar. Good to virtually meet another fellow Punekar. That was one heck of an intro.

The Figo is a bulletproof car. My sister had one and it was built with bulletproof reliability and backed with solid packaging.

Good luck with your car hunt. Do join fellow bhpians on tapri meet threads.

27th July 2021, 12:31	#2
pkulkarni.2106 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Pune Posts: 311 Thanked: 627 Times	Re: Hello from Pune Welcome Mandar to Team-BHP! And hello from a colleague
	(1) Thanks

27th July 2021, 12:40	#3
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,672 Thanked: 25,331 Times View My Garage	Re: Hello from Pune Hello mandarpotdar, Welcome to the forum, it's great to have you onboard! The Ford Figo is truly an amazing car for all occasions. Why not start off with a 10-year ownership experience of your Figo. Looking forward to reading your posts on the forum. Cheers! Rahul N
	(2) Thanks

27th July 2021, 13:05	#4
Dhillon BHPian Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 178 Thanked: 577 Times	Re: Hello from Pune Hi Mandar, Pune is an amazing city to live in. I used to work for DSK Motowheels and often travelled to the city. Loved the weather and people. I also had a Figo Petrol for 9 years. Its an amazing car to drive. And yours being diesel is more frugal and powerful also. Welcome to the family
	(1) Thanks

27th July 2021, 17:37	#5
JoshMachine Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Pune Posts: 1,251 Thanked: 6,177 Times	Re: Hello from Pune Hello Mandar Welcome to Team-BHP, from a fellow Punekar Your Figo ride looks cool, what with the nice alloys. After spending 10 years, your ownership would qualify for a long-term review, please do post. Also like your astro-photography hobby setup. Looks like you will be in good company on the forum with such exquisite hobbies
	(1) Thanks

27th July 2021, 19:16	#6
mandarpotdar BHPian Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Pune Posts: 25 Thanked: 101 Times	Re: Hello from Pune Thanks folks. I will surely write a detailed review on the Figo.
	() Thanks

27th July 2021, 23:17	#7
Bibendum90949 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Blr/Kochi/Wynd Posts: 1,486 Thanked: 7,457 Times	Re: Hello from Pune Hello Mandar, Welcome to the forum. The below thread would surely be of interest to you. You may have already stumbled on it https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shift...phy-hobby.html (Rendezvous with The Universe \| My Astrophotography Hobby)
	(2) Thanks

28th July 2021, 23:39	#8
ronford BHPian Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Pune Posts: 75 Thanked: 123 Times	Re: Hello from Pune Welcome to the forum Mandar! Glad to hear your code will be the one helping me have my coffee comfortably in the car while in the drivers seat without spilling LOL
	() Thanks

29th July 2021, 17:53	#11
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,566 Thanked: 14,473 Times	Re: Hello from Pune Welcome aboard Mandar. Good to virtually meet another fellow Punekar. That was one heck of an intro. The Figo is a bulletproof car. My sister had one and it was built with bulletproof reliability and backed with solid packaging. Good luck with your car hunt. Do join fellow bhpians on tapri meet threads.
	() Thanks