[Akash_1806]

Hello Everyone,

This is going to be a long post, so I apologize in advance.

I am starting this thread to share a 22-year-old's dream garage—a dream that took many years to materialize. It's a combination of vehicles, each excelling in its own segment. I won't delve into technical details and reviews, as there are already informative posts on our forum. Instead, I'll provide my observations, both pros and cons, based on my personal experience.

Starting with my background:

I'm 22 years old and work for a startup in North India. I've been a car enthusiast for as long as I can remember, and my passion began with my Hot Wheels collection, which now boasts more than 200 die-cast vehicles. I've been driving since I turned 18 and have covered over 150,000 kilometers in the past 4 years.

A brief overview of vehicles we've owned in the past:

1996 Bajaj Chetak: Purchased pre-owned in 1997 and sold in 2010, this scooter was driven 90,000 kilometers over 13 years by my grandfather.

1998 Hero-Honda Splendor: Bought new in 1998 and sold in 2019, this motorcycle covered a total of 232,000 kilometers in 21 years, ridden mostly by my father.

2000 Maruti 800 4 Speed: Acquired pre-owned in 2001 and sold in 2015, this car traveled 73,000 kilometers in 14 years, driven by both my father and grandfather.

2006 Hyundai Santro (Converted to CNG in 2013): This car served as a learning vehicle for me and my mother. We drove it for around 45,000 kilometers. It was purchased new in 2006 and sold in 2021, accumulating a total of 137,000 kilometers in 15 years within the family.

2014 Nissan Terrano: Purchased new in 2014 and sold in 2023, this SUV was driven for a total of 148,000 kilometers by my dad and me in 9 years, with 58,000 kilometers driven by me in 2 years.

Now, onto the title of the thread - A Dream Garage:

I've been planning to write a combined ownership report of all my vehicles, but I must confess, I'm a bit too lazy for that. However, I believe that each vehicle in my garage is unique in its own way and cannot be compared to each other or to any other vehicle. For my family and me, every machine is special, and it wouldn't be fair to compare them.

Starting with the only bike in the house at the moment, the 2023 BMW GS 310:

The first time I saw the baby GS at Lutyen's Motorrad, Okhla.





Here is a clearer shot of the 310-



We purchased the baby GS brand new in April 2023 and have ridden it approximately 2000 kilometers to date. This machine introduced us to modern-day motorcycles.

The initial observations can be found on the below-mentioned thread:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ml#post5537427 (Reyah, The Lady of Bavaria | BMW G 310 GS BS6 Ownership Review)

Pros:

1. A well-engineered product resulting from the BMW-TVS partnership, evident in various aspects.
2. It boasts sorted driving dynamics, providing a stable and reliable ride and handling experience.
3. The build quality is top-notch, with no rattles or vibrations from the body or drivetrain.
4. The 310cc reverse-inclined engine, generating 34bhp and 28nm, is smooth and offers decent fuel economy (averaging 35 kmpl in typical riding conditions). It doesn't heat up like other motorcycles in its segment.
5. The upright seating and riding position, which were essential for me and my father, are comfortable.
6. BMW's after-sales service and customer support have been excellent, with no major issues encountered.

Cons:

1. The cost of spare parts and service is on the higher side. For instance, a brake lever replacement costs around Rs 6000, and the 1000 km service costs approximately Rs 5500. This cost reflects the premium associated with the BMW brand and customer service.
2. While the engine is smooth and refined, the same cannot be said for the 6-speed gearbox. It feels clunky, and shifting between 1-N-2 and vice versa can be challenging.
3. Although there are no vibrations or rattles, the bike becomes quite vibey around the seat and fuel tank at around 6000rpm.


Next comes our most recent acquisition, the 2023 Maruti Suzuki Jimny Zeta AT:

Right before delivery, wearing a cover-



Thes best angles-





We took delivery of this vehicle on August 30, 2023, from Fairdeals Nexa, Sector-10, Noida. We've driven it around 600 kilometers so far. We were looking to replace our 2014 Nissan Terrano, and my dad was particularly impressed with the Jimny, especially its smooth and refined automatic transmission.

The initial observations can be found on the below-mentioned thread:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offic...ml#post5616475 (Maruti Jimny Review)

Pros:

1. We adore the Jimny's looks and its no-nonsense boxy design.
2. The K15B+4AT combination feels decent, and it doesn't feel underpowered in our use case. The car always seems to be in the right gear (possibly due to having fewer gears).
3. It's a proper petrol 4x4 AT with low ratio and most of the bells and whistles, all under 17 lakhs. Features include 6 airbags, ABS, Hill Descent Control, Speed Chimes, Seatbelt reminders, and more.
4. The NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) levels are excellent, especially when compared to my previous daily driver, a 1.5 K9K Diesel Nissan Terrano.
5. With its compact body structure, light weight, and 103hp on tap, this vehicle is fun to drive and handles small bumps and potholes exceptionally well.

Cons:

1. Although the ride quality is better than the Thar, it doesn't quite match up to our Ecosport or the previously owned Terrano.
2. The engine behaves like a turbo-petrol when it comes to fuel efficiency. Even the slightest touch on the accelerator pedal results in extremely low fuel efficiency. Coasting seems to be the only option for longer stretches.
3. The stock tires are fine for on-road usage and extremely mild off-road trails. However, extreme rough road or off-road usage may necessitate a switch to all-terrain or mud-terrain tires.


Our trusted family Steed, the 2014 Ford Ecosport 1.0 Ecoboost Titanium:



This vehicle was purchased pre-owned in 2021 with approximately 60,000 kilometers on the clock. It has covered around 20,000 kilometers to date, driven by my mom and dad.

Pros:

1. The 1.0 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 125hp (stock) and paired with a 5-speed MT, is extremely fun to drive.
2. It handles like it's on rails, with no surprises in terms of ride quality and handling. I particularly enjoy the hatchback-like handling in corners.
3. The spare parts and service costs are reasonable. We haven't encountered any issues with Ford's service so far, and we hope it remains the same.
4. Loaded with features compared to the Terrano of the same manufacturing year.
5. The build quality seems decent, and the NVH levels are on the better side.

Cons:

1. The 1.0 turbo-petrol has mediocre fuel efficiency. City driving yields around 10 kmpl, and sensible highway driving provides around 14 kmpl.
2. With Ford India's exit, we are uncertain about the quality of spare parts and service.
3. The ride quality is acceptable but on the stiffer side. All the bumps and undulations are felt inside the cabin.
4. The 1.0 3-cylinder engine doesn't sound good at higher RPMs. It's average at best, and the signature 3-cylinder vibrations become noticeable at higher RPMs.


The Project Car and Off-road Build, the 2005 Ex-Army Maruti Gypsy King 1.3 MPFI (prepped to taste):





I affectionately call it the 'King.' We acquired it in 2020 (it was registered in 2016 with a few modifications already done) and have driven it around 19,000 kilometers since then, mostly by me. It has undergone various modifications but remains as robust as any off-roader can be. It was built by Auto Attitudes in Noida, courtesy of a fellow BHPian, Amanpreet. The list of mods includes:

1. FFE Side exit with Performance Headers.
2. K&N Air Filter, Conical type.
3. Gabriel Shock Absorbers.
4. One less leaf spring on each wheel.
5. AC.
6. Radiator from 1.6 Baleno.
7. Upgraded cooling system with an electric fan.
8. 65 Amp Battery.
9. NGK Iridium Spark Plugs.
10. 6-inch Extended Rally Cabin.
11. JBR Reclining Racing Seats.
12. Blaupunkt Music System with two 6-inch JBL speakers.
13. Checkered floor and bed plates.
14. Tachometer.
15. Yokohama Geolander All-Terrain Tires, 205/70/15, on stock steel rims.

Pros:

1. An extremely capable and mod-friendly G13BB engine, a proper 4x4 with low ratio, and no electrical aids for pure driving bliss.
2. Spare parts and service costs are minimal compared to other vehicles, and spare parts availability is not a concern.
3. A no-nonsense off-road machine built for one purpose: conquering obstacles one after the other.
4. Did I mention that the Gypsy is extremely mod-friendly? Modified NA builds have reached up to 190hp, and TC builds have achieved a whopping 450hp at the crank.
5. The narrow body structure is a blessing in traffic.
6. The mods done to the engine provide excellent low-end torque and a livable mid-range, which is not the strong suit of NA petrol engines.

Cons:

1. Power steering? Power Windows? Stock AC? Creature comforts? These terms are foreign to the Gypsy.
2. Gypsies tend to overheat in extreme off-road and traffic conditions if the radiator hasn't been upgraded.
3. The less said about the ride quality, the better. A Gypsy is only stable when it's at a standstill, thanks to its leaf spring suspension.
4. Fuel Efficiency? What is that? It gives me around 6 to 8 kmpl on average.
5. It can only be driven on private roads or tracks due to the NGT ban on 15-year-old petrol vehicles.

After going through the above-mentioned points and details about the vehicles, a question might arise for the readers: How is this a dream garage?

To answer that question, I'd like to emphasize that I have realistic dreams and ambitions in life. I believe that things in life take time and happen only at the right moment. While I do think that this garage could use a proper 7-seater SUV (perhaps a Fortuner?) and a fast sedan or sports car (maybe a pre-owned 530D or a Porsche Cayman?), I feel that this is a perfect dream garage for someone like me. It surpasses what I had imagined five years ago, wondering if I'd be able to own my chosen cars in my early twenties. And here I am, with these beauties from the diverse and amazing world of wheels.

An entry-level adventure tourer, a versatile petrol 4x4 with AT and plenty of features, a nimble and comfortable turbo-petrol C-SUV, and a raw and unadulterated project car that would terrify any sane person (read non-enthusiasts). It's a perfect experience!

Ending the post with 2 beautiful pictures-

[GTO]

Love the sheer variety of your garage . Big congrats, lucky you. I also believe in maintaining some variety & spice in my garage. You should post pics in this recent hot thread (Pictures of YOU with your car or bike) that's now 10 pages long!

Appreciate the way you've listed the pros & cons of each car.

Originally Posted by Akash_1806

I affectionately call it the 'King.' We acquired it in 2020 (it was registered in 2016 with a few modifications already done) and have driven it around 19,000 kilometers since then, mostly by me. It has undergone various modifications but remains as robust as any off-roader can be. It was built by Auto Attitudes in Noida, courtesy of a fellow BHPian, Amanpreet.

Indisputably the "star" of your garage! Thanks for sharing. Your thread is going to our homepage today .

[jackofsome]

What a lovely set of cars. It definitely struck a chord when you said being realistic about dreams. Indeed we who have not been born with a silver spoon, navigate through a lot to keep our passions alive. Kudos to that.

Just wished that you had the KTM 390 Adv in place of the GS310 as that bike is eons ahead of what it offers.

Cheers!

[Akash_1806]

Originally Posted by GTO

Love the sheer variety of your garage . Big congrats, lucky you. I also believe in maintaining some variety & spice in my garage. You should post pics in this recent hot thread (Pictures of YOU with your car or bike) that's now 10 pages long!

Appreciate the way you've listed the pros & cons of each car.

Indisputably the "star" of your garage! Thanks for sharing. Your thread is going to our homepage today .

Thank you for the kind words GTO. Will definitely click some pictures and post them on the thread. You have been my inspiration, right from the start

The Gypsy holds a special place in my heart as this is the first car that I can call truly my own and it has been a great learning experience.

Originally Posted by jackofsome

What a lovely set of cars. It definitely struck a chord when you said being realistic about dreams. Indeed we who have not been born with a silver spoon, navigate through a lot to keep our passions alive. Kudos to that.

Just wished that you had the KTM 390 Adv in place of the GS310 as that bike is eons ahead of what it offers.

Cheers!

Thank you Jackofsome,

Yes, that is absolutely correct that we do navigate through a lot keep our passion alive. I believe that with the will to go on, nothing can stop you from achieving what you want in life.

I chose the GS 310 over the KTM 390 ADV due to the following 2 reasons-

1. We wanted a comfortable bike for daily riding purpose and off-road runs would be once in a blue moon. The GS felt sufficient for that.

2. I was not comfortable managing the 390 ADV in traffic due to the higher seat height. I had to ride it with only one foot firmly on the ground, which did not inspire confidence

[Ashdel]

Awesome writeup and a dream collection - remember your Gypsy in our last NCR meetup - hope to see you soon in next catchup. Keep revving !!!

[Sahil00090]

That's a solid Garage right there. Congratulations on your new purchase, I just love that Gypsy of yours.

Hope to see you soon with your Jimny.

[Akash_1806]

Originally Posted by Ashdel

Awesome writeup and a dream collection - remember your Gypsy in our last NCR meetup - hope to see you soon in next catchup. Keep revving !!!

Thank you for your kind words Ashdel, eagerly waiting for the next meet up.

Originally Posted by Sahil00090

That's a solid Garage right there. Congratulations on your new purchase, I just love that Gypsy of yours.

Hope to see you soon with your Jimny.

Thanks Sahil00090, have already started tinkering with the Jimny. Another project car? Maybe.

[Akash_1806]

Hello everyone,

It has been quite some time since this thread was last updated. Work and responsibilities at home have kept me busy.

In my previous post, I admitted that I was lazy to write an ownership review of all the vehicles at home. Hence, I will be posting timely updates here on this thread.

Also, the TBHP sticker set arrived and was applied to the rides.

Starting with the two-wheeled madness,



A short night ride.



'www.teambhp.com' sticker on the frame

The baby GS has clocked around 4000 kms, slightly less than my intended mileage. Delhi winters and a busy schedule are to blame for that. I went on a few short rides to Jewar and Leopard Trail, Gurgaon, in between.

The brake lever broke again while the bike was parked in Sector 18, Noida. I have ordered a replacement, which will be installed in a week or two.

Impressions after almost a year of riding:

1. One of the best motorcycles in the segment, whether in looks, drivetrain, build quality, or simply in its ability to bring a smile to my face every time I pick up the keys.

2. The gear shifting has improved significantly. As the 310 has a reverse inclined engine, shifting can be a little hard. However, adjusting the chain tension has helped.

3. Ride quality is amazing, handling potholes and bumps effortlessly.

4. No vibrations, no rattles, no drama. It rides like a charm.

Moving on to the family's daily runner, the 1.0 Ecosport,



Short run with mom and dad



80,000 completed. Many more to go



'I Drive Safe' sticker at the back.

This one recently crossed the 80,000 km mark and will soon undergo servicing. NCR traffic has taken a toll on the clutch, which needs to be checked as it has become a little stiff. Additionally, the front suspension is due for replacement.

Recent experiences with Ford have not been great. The vehicle was taken to Gautam Buddh Ford for suspension replacement twice but was returned without any work being done. They started with excuses, blaming lateness for appointments, claiming the vehicle needed extensive work, and suggesting leaving it at the dealership for a few days, etc. I believe it is time to switch dealerships as I intend to keep this vehicle for the long term.

Quick question - When should the timing belt be replaced in the 1.0 Ecosport? The manual states it is fitted for life, but I consider it more of a gimmick. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Next, my trusted steed, the Jimny Zeta AT,



4x4 vehicles look best when they are dirty




Country roadssss, take me home.



The best bumper sticker ever, period.

Well, this one has been my go-to car due to its automatic transmission, which is extremely convenient for city driving. It has completed 9000 km and will soon undergo the third free service/first oil change.

I have made a few cosmetic changes like adding Jimny Graphics from Nexa and a sticker set from our group, 'Cars of Hindustan - Driving for a cause.' on both the front doors.

Off-road drives with the Jimny have been nothing but fun. Compared to the Gypsy, it can tackle similar terrain but with more comfort.

Observations after almost 7 months:

1. The K15B engine does not feel underpowered in my usage. The gearbox always seems to be in the right gear and does not hesitate to downshift when needed.

2. Performance with stock tires has been more than satisfactory, both on and off-road. Though I am struggling to find the right tire pressure. 26 PSI seems too low, and anything higher increases bouncing at the rear. Still experimenting.

3. No matter what the world thinks about this car, it turns heads. People look at it, stare at it, and even slow down on the road. I have started to enjoy these reactions.

Raw power? Yup, the King 1.3 MPFI.



MG413W badge on the fender



Parked in the corner slot, waiting for some action.

She saw the least usage in the past few months due to lack of time and my inability to attend meets and events. Tried attaching a video of her cold start after almost 2 months of hibernation, but got some error.

There were a few issues in the past few months:

1. Starter relay malfunctioned, replaced.
2. Starter wiring was also replaced.
3. Clutch cable replaced twice. Once when it snapped in the middle of a drive and the second time when the previous replacement was not done properly.
4. The wiring for the tachometer needs to be checked as it is not working.
5. Needs to be detailed; the paint has become quite rough and uneven (it is time for some TLC which has been pending for too long).

These are the updates and observations about my 'dream garage,' as I prefer to call it. I will be updating this thread regularly, provided I overcome my laziness and get back to what I love most, anything and everything on wheels.

Cheers,
Akash