[drivenbypassion]

Hello everyone!

After years of lurking in the shadows, absorbing the wisdom of this incredible forum, I've decided to finally put pedal to the metal and join the conversation. Finally I can consisder this as my official "Vroooom!" into the Team-BHP family.

Hailing from the vibrant land of Gandhis, Ambanis, and Adanis, my automotive journey started young – really young. Picture this: a wide-eyed me, barely tall enough to see over the dashboard, pilfering the keys to my Dad's Benz SE 250 and driving it all alone to the hotel porch was how I rode my first car all alone. An astonishment for my parents and accomplishment for myself !
Observing my dad during our epic India road trips was my driving school. The solo ride to the hotel entrance was a moment of pure, unadulterated exhilaration with a bit of parental shock, I'm sure!. That memory, almost three decades ago, still feels as fresh as new.

Fast forward to today, and the passion burns brighter than ever. For me, cars aren't just metal boxes on wheels; they're expressions of freedom, style statements, and instruments of pure joy and a sprinkle of mischief while off-roading. When I'm not passionately debating the merits of various engine roars or plotting my next great escape route I find myself planning the twist and turn of my next road trip.

Now, for the intersting part – the metal that has left sweet rubber marks on my memory lane:

My Automotive "Hall of Fame"

The Genesis: My inaugural solo drive in the Mercedes-Benz SE 250 of 1967 in 1990. Pure nostalgia!

The "Old Money" charm in My 20s
* The incredible Mercedes-Benz SE 250 which was our family favourite! Eyeball and envious during 1980’s
* The silky smooth Toyota Cressida
* The Indian automotive quartet: The nimble Maruti Suzuki 800, the stylish Zen back then, the practical 1000, the sophisticated Esteem, the adventurous Gypsy, and the iconic Ambassador. Each held a unique charm during that era.
* The dream machines owned: Mitsubishi 3000GT and the quirky, bubble-topped Toyota Sera. Talk about turning heads!

The Mid-Life Garage in My 30s & 40s
* The efficient yet elegant Mercedes C250 CDI Avantgarde.
* The purest driving pleasure and a head turner Porsche Boxster S.
* A Honda dynasty with two generations of the ever-reliable City.
* The sensible and spacious Toyota Corolla Altis and Camry.
* The king of the road, the Toyota Fortuner.

The Current Stable in My 40s and counting!
* The beastly Porsche Cayenne 3.0 Petrol with a sports exhaust that announces its arrival.
* The sophisticated and an agile Porsche Panamera 3.0 Diesel.
* The refined and tech-laden Audi A6 45TFSI.
* My goto companion, the Jeep Compass Model S 4x4.

When I swap keys - From my Better Half’s family exquisite Collection.
* The statement of automotive prowess, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G63 (2025).
* The most comfortable sedan Mercedes-Benz E220d and Suv GLC 220d .
* British luxury with excellent capability, the Range Rover Sport.

So that’s a small glimpse into my automotive world. While being absolutely thrilled I look forward to keep those engines roaring and stories flowing!

Cheers

[Dippy]

Wow man... thats quite an entry to the forum. I must say you and your family have owned some fine automobiles over the years.

However my picks would be the Toyota Cressida, the 3000GT and the Toyota Sera. These cars have my childhood written all over them.

I had the chance to drive a Sera briefly, and while its nothing to boast of in terms of performance, the cool factor is hard to ignore.

We too owned a Toyota Cressida when I lived in Dubai in the 80s. It was a 1983 model and our first automatic car.

Also in your current stable, the Cayenne petrol must be quite the beast.

Hope to read some ownership reviews soon. See you around in the discussions.

[drivenbypassion]

Originally Posted by Dippy

Wow man... thats quite an entry to the forum. I must say you and your family have owned some fine automobiles over the years.

Thank you so much! It's been quite a journey making some truly memorable moments with these machines.

Originally Posted by Dippy

However my picks would be the Toyota Cressida, the 3000GT and the Toyota Sera. These cars have my childhood written all over them.I had the chance to drive a Sera briefly, and while its nothing to boast of in terms of performance, the cool factor is hard to ignore.

I agree! The Cressida, 3000GT, and especially the Sera holds a special nostalgic charm. And you're spot on about the Sera – while the performance might have been modest, the fuel efficiency was surprisingly good; I used to regularly get upwards of 16 kmpl. Plus, those butterfly doors were an absolute showstopper! It was quite a party trick during those times and whenever I had the opportunity to showcase it I would not shy away from opening those doors.

Originally Posted by Dippy

We too owned a Toyota Cressida when I lived in Dubai in the 80s. It was a 1983 model and our first automatic car.

I can imagine the fond memories you must have made with that car – a reliable and comfortable companion during that time.

Originally Posted by Dippy

Also in your current stable, the Cayenne petrol must be quite the beast.

Yes indeed. I often call it a growling beast and a 911 on stilts, offering true Porsche driving experience with the added practicality and go-anywhere capability of an SUV. The comfort levels are superb, and the peace of mind knowing you don't have to baby it over rough roads is something I value a lot with that car.

Originally Posted by Dippy

Hope to read some ownership reviews soon. See you around in the discussions.

Definitely and I look forward to penning down an ownership review once I hit a significant milestone with it. See you around in the discussions and its a pleasure to engage in such conversations !