[MrsCarEnthusiast]

I have been enjoying marital bliss for over two years now. Even before tying the knot, through our phase of getting-to-know-each-other telephonic conversations, I realised that I was getting married to a die-hard car enthusiast. During the initial days, I pretended to understand everything he said about cars.. but soon, my charade came crashing down one day when he realised that I didn't even recognise an Innova on the road.

From then on, my husband took on the role of a well-versed teacher, and me, that of a kindergarten student; and he took over the mission to instill knowledge of vehicles into my brain.

Earlier I knew only two types of cars : the smaller ones I called "Cars", and the larger ones I called "Jeep".
Now my husband can brag, because I can name atleast one car starting with every letter of the English alphabet; moreover, I know the difference between SUVs, sedans and hatchbacks; I can also differentiate electric cars, rental cars and taxis by the colour of their number plates.

The former me, only viewed cars as objects that transferred people from point A to point B. But now, I take time to appreciate the beauty of a Mini Cooper or a Jaguar. While watching a series on Prime, I literally paused a few minutes to ogle at the curves of a Corvette.


Earlier I was aware of only one liquid used to wash cars : plain water. But now I know that true car lovers are supposed to clean the windshield using Colin glass cleaner or isopropyl (50:50 dilution); whereas for the interior plastics, 3M dashboard dresser is ideal. There is also a specific shampoo called 3M shampoo. And after washing, a thing called a detailer named Sonax BSD is sprayed on the panel, while ensuring that the detailer is not sprayed on the front windshield.

And the ignorant me, had no idea that using an ordinary cloth for the purpose of wiping, is an act of utter atrocity on the car. The car should only be mopped using delicate microfibre towels.


After our son was born last year, my husband insisted that ultrasoft microfibre cloth towels are the best for baby skin. And he ordered a dozen of them. Now I realize the ulterior motive behind the purchase. A few years down the line, when our baby boy no longer needs these, the same soft microfibre cloth can be put to use on our new baby Honda City.


My husband was the one who introduced me to TeamBHP. Not only cars, TeamBHP is the go-to site for all topics under the sun.

Every night, a few minutes are devoted to scourging through the latest trending threads on team BHP. It is like his sleeping pill; perhaps, a little more addictive. When he is working from home, during boring meetings, some active thread on team BHP would be actively running in the background. In fact, team BHP seems to be the most active on working days. On weekends, the activity on the site sees a dip; my husband says that it is because teamBHPians devote weekends to time with their families.

Due to the plethora of knowledge and handy advice readily available on the website; team BHP has proven to be useful many times. Last year, when we performed the first 'pooja' on our brand new Honda City, the pujari dabbed a little turmeric powder onto the front of the white car. Though my husband immediately wiped off the powder, but a slight yellow stain stubbornly persisted. After a night immersed in grief, the next day he chanced about a team BHP thread on how to fix such car stains. As recommended, he used a gentle amount of isopropyl alcohol - and lo behold - the next day the stain had vanished!!


And I mean it when I say every topic under the sun. In fact, when our son was born, we selected a name for him from a teamBHP thread on Hindu boy names! So, I guess I shall forever be indebted to teamBHP.


Before marriage, I thought that my dad was the most learned car buff on earth. But now I realise that my team BHPian husband is a much bigger car buff; in fact, team BHPians deserve to be placed on a totally different pedestal.



Now, whenever I see "Live to drive" stickers behind cars and even autorickshaws, it brings a smile to my face. And now, our son is barely a year old, and he is already fascinated by anything with wheels.. and so I can already see a future teamBHPian evolving !!

[Sheel]

Introduction Approved!

Welcome to Team-BHP .

[ABHI_1512]

Welcome to the forum MrsCarEnthusiast, what a lovely introduction ! This forum has this unique ability to throw up surprises in these day and age of toxic social media days. Your experience which you just shared is one more heartwarming story to come up here. Glad you shared it with us, enjoy your time here.

Regards.

[ghodlur]

Welcome to the minefield of information of not just about cars but almost everything under the sky.

I tired to influence my better half to learn more about the cars and the TBHP forum reference on numerous occasions but also all me efforts were met with a smirk on the face and a question back to me asking whether I know the difference between Masoor and Masoor Dal. So that ends my attempts.

Have a pleasant stay, share your experiences and enrich yourself too.

[amtak]

Welcome to the forum! It would be great, if you could also mention the fellow Bhpian (err. Mr. Husband), who introduced you to the world of cars!

[MrsCarEnthusiast]

@ Amtak : He hasn't seen the thread yet
After he does, I'll reveal his name

[DicKy]

Welcome @MrsCarEnthusiast !!!

Can relate to it in a way as my mother can spot TeamBHP being open whether on PC or phone and would chide me to study (earlier) or work (now)., unlike other people who think I am in some serious high tech site (the BHP Silver theme does help)

Thanks to my enthusiasm, she can identify any model or brand and has her own set of ideals for a vehicle being cute, aggressive, in shape or ugly. And though my brother and me have yet to get the ultimate badge of trust, her nodding off in the car while we are driving (only reserved when dad is at the wheel), she is so used to our driving that she is super critical of most drivers. Either they are turtle slow or speedy rash driving maniacs. Also she is so considerate for driving comfort that we take her for granted until we have to transport our aunts or other relatives. Mum would plan in advance the point of drop or pickup, be ready to quickly get out or get in case of super rushy areas and for safe parking. Other aunts and relatives... Would point out some random shop and demand to stop the vehicle right then and there. Even if we are blocking the whole narrow road and holding up traffic, will take there own sweet time to get out (or get inside) the car. Okay, am going off topic.

[JoshMachine]

Welcome to Team-BHP

And now that you are here, maybe I will show your introductory post to my better half who will relate to many bits of what you said

Would be good to know the name of the 'inspiration' that made you to join us folks here?!

[thirumalkumaran]

Welcome to Team-Bhp @MrsCarEnthusiast!

1st half nearly got me thinking its a new approach of introduction, later it does seem "MrCarEnthusiast" has did a wonderful job of instilling the data about our passion.

You might not need a special introduction about your car knowledge, as the entry into this forum itself proves it. There are many who took multiple tries to get into here!

Have a great stay and kindly share the perspective from your end on this passion!

[silverado]

Welcome to Team Bhp. My wife will relate to lot of things you have mentioned here. Just 2 weeks ago we had invited her friends and their families for dinner, and i was clearly told not to start topic on cars

Being a Bhpian means a lot and its a way of life for most of us now.

[DogNDamsel12]

Welcome, fellow lady-BHPian! Though this group is very inclusive and doesn't care about genders, driving itself has always been skewed towards men. So I am personally delighted when I hear of women being enthused by cars/driving.

More so, because driving is a life-skill. I share your husband's enthusiasm (waiting for the mystery man to reveal himself), in that I chase after people especially women to take up driving at least to get them from one place to the other so that they don't need any help in reaching a hospital in an emergency.

For invoking the driving goddess in you, I am further sharing a couple of really interesting articles shared by some of our ladies here.

1. Bangalore to Arunachal Pradesh in a Thar
2. Bangalore to Spiti in a Jeep Compass

Also sharing a link to a Safe Driving Workshop (Safe Driving Workshop for 10 Women via "She Must Drive" and R-THREE) that I had organised with 10 women, when SS-Traveller, one of our Senior BHPians and a certified R-THREE trainer was travelling to Kolkata from Delhi, and we took full advantage of the situation and had him train us on driving safety.

So imagine the crazy you have signed up for Our mind functions in miles and rpm-s.

I am sure you are well-versed with the site by now. Enjoy every bit of now becoming a BHPian. And hope to catch up in person some time.

[Latheesh]

Welcome to TBHP! Me still thinking who is that white Honda city owner from Thrissur.

Originally Posted by MrsCarEnthusiast

Earlier I knew only two types of cars : the smaller ones I called "Cars", and the larger ones I called "Jeep".

My wife:
Car with one side = hatchback
Car with two sides = sedan

[dhanushs]

What a wonderful introduction!! You have really written it so well, that I guess most of us can relate to soo much.

Originally Posted by MrsCarEnthusiast

........

Earlier I was aware of only one liquid used to wash cars : plain water. But now I know that true car lovers are supposed to clean the windshield using Colin glass cleaner or isopropyl (50:50 dilution); whereas for the interior plastics, 3M dashboard dresser is ideal. There is also a specific shampoo called 3M shampoo. And after washing, a thing called a detailer named Sonax BSD is sprayed on the panel, while ensuring that the detailer is not sprayed on the front windshield.


.......................

And the ignorant me, had no idea that using an ordinary cloth for the purpose of wiping, is an act of utter atrocity on the car. The car should only be mopped using delicate microfibre towels.

.......................

After our son was born last year, my husband insisted that ultrasoft microfibre cloth towels are the best for baby skin. And he ordered a dozen of them. Now I realize the ulterior motive behind the purchase. A few years down the line, when our baby boy no longer needs these, the same soft microfibre cloth can be put to use on our new baby Honda City.

...........................................

Loved your writing... .. Please please do keep writing.

[GTO]

Welcome aboard! Great intro, but we'd love to know more about your automotive preferences, what you enjoy driving etc. Also looking forward to your husband's response on this thread.

My girl is quite the expert driver herself and one of the 5 people I can calmly sit with, with no stress, worries or apprehensions . She loves cars (drives a Q5 & City) and drives a lot of cars with me around. In the last 6 months alone, she's driven like 10 cars including my own cars, the EQS, Scorpio-N, Venue Facelift etc. Although I think the new Thar is fast becoming her favourite. She loves cars with character (Land Rover Defender caught her eye recently). Give her a good car, a good road, good music & some good dhaba / food...she's all set for endless road-tripping.

Cars are an integral part of our companionship . She drives the 530d like a champ:


EQS preview:


Scorpio-N test-drive, decked in Team-BHP gear:

[MrsCarEnthusiast]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

Me still thinking who is that white Honda city owner from Thrissur.

I never said that my husband is from Trissur