Archive for February, 2017


Passion towards motors

I always loved motors in one form or the other.

When back in India during 1997-2000 it was motorbikes especially those Yamaha RX 100 cc. I went to an extent where I asked my dad to get me a bike and not pay the capitation fee to study in a full-time college for my masters. Looking at my passion towards bikes and my persistence, my late grandfather gave me Rs.50,000,  which I used to buy a brand new Yamaha RX 135 ( next gen to RX 100) back in 1998.

At the age of 23, I came to the UK right after my MCA graduation in June 2001 with £100 in my pocket + a Job.  In the third month (August) I bought an old used car (Vauxhall Cavalier – Opel in India) for £1000 + applying for UK driving license. You were allowed to drive for 1 year with your Indian license (that time). I won’t forget the date I cleared my driving theory test, it was 9/11 (world trade center disaster). I must have driven around 60,000 miles in that old/rusty car for 2 years all over the UK before it was completely broken.

In that weekend, I bought a Toyota MR2. A fun two seat car without any boot space and crashed it very badly within 3 months in a road accident on a rainy evening.

Next step is one of the craziest things I have done. At the age of 25 in 2004, using all my credit cards + some savings I bought a BMW Z4 (again a two seater) for £25,000. The second production car in the series made by BMW. If that money was invested in a land/house in India/UK that time, it would have roughly been worth 10-15 times now. But I have no regrets, I loved every journey I have made in that car all the way up to the tip of Scotland and many little islands surrounding the UK – Isle of Man, Isle of Wight etc.

BMW-Z4 BMW-Z4

I had the BMW Z4 for 2 years, just 2 months before my son was born, I didn’t have a choice but to swap a sports car to a family car in 2006. I still remember that Saturday morning drive from Leeds to London, not really excited to swap the BMW Z4 with a boring family car.

In 2006, I bought BMW 320d M-Sport, nothing fancy but a standard family car, however, still a very good car. Then life priorities changed, 2007 to 2010 it’s all about family and kids. I have driven 1000’s of miles in this car purely for work across the country.

BMW-320d BMW-320d

From 2010 to 2015 my complete focus was taken over by BizTalk360, there was no room to think anything outside BizTalk360 (24×7).

In mid of 2015, I thought it’s time to think about a new car after owning the current 320d for 10 years. Spent about 6 weeks looking for the car we wanted and settled down for BMW X6 in Aug 2015.  It’s a beautiful machine.

BMW-X6 BMW-X6

Things moved on, as usual, we made some exciting trips in the car, spending the 2015 Christmas break without any plans traveling across the country covering 2000 miles in 7 days in the X6.

For a car enthusiast like me, there is always a list of dream cars you wanted to own. Of course, there is no limit to the amount you can spend on these dream machines, as and when you reach a stage and afford something in that category you wanted to own it.

Porsche 911 will be there on the list for anyone who likes sports cars because it’s the only practical day-to-day sports car designed for a family.  It looks like a 2 seater but there are 2 small bucket seats at the back for kids, and it doesn’t require too much special attention.

In the beginning of this year, I made the decision it’s time to think about it, given 2017 is a special year for me, my 40th birthday is just around the corner. Sometimes you need to treat yourself, life is all about little things that will make you happy here and there. Also thought, if I leave it too late, then it probably may not be appropriate to own a 911, especially kids will grow up too soon.

Understanding Porsche 911 models are quite complex, given there are 21 different variance. I spent some time reading about it and finally decided on the model, color, and options I want in the car. Started the hunt and found the car in 2 weeks.

Porsche - 911 Porsche - 911

Driven 400 miles on day one, and honestly felt what an awesome piece of engineering. A very raw machine, the focus is not on luxury items on the car, but basic things built to very high quality.

I’m happy with both the cars (X4 and 911) and can just enjoy it for few more years before the next level kicks in.

Back to business now.