It may not be the smoothest ownership experience at times, but your car or bike is still special. There are usually one or more reasons why the ownership is special.
BHPian Omkar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
As enthusiasts, we love being around our machines. Be it a car or a bike, owning a vehicle and living with it is one of the joys of life. It may not be the smoothest ownership experience at times, but your car or bike is still special. There are usually one or more reasons why the ownership is special.
I remember speaking to a Force Gurkha owner who said that although basic, he loves how capable the car is. The most satisfying feeling he had was during the monsoon when there were floods in his hometown. He used his Gurkha to tow out stuck school buses, reach places where no other cars reached and managed to help a few people. That’s the ultimate level of satisfaction one could get from owning a 4×4 and putting it to full use.
(Image used for reference only)
There are a couple of things that are oddly satisfying about owning my Maruti Swift
Low service costs
Over so many years of ownership, the service bill has never been an issue. Apart from the recent service where the suspension components were changed (the first time since purchase in 2014), the annual service costs have always been extremely reasonable. Every time I send the car for servicing, I am not at all worried about how much the bill is going to be, which is oddly satisfying.
The engine
The 1.2L naturally aspirated engine is extremely free-revving and watching the needle moving up the rev counter is extremely satisfying, especially in today’s age where almost all the new engines are turbocharged and don’t rev as freely. It isn’t very powerful, but it’s good enough for driving in and around Mumbai. Another bonus is that even when I push hard on some empty mountain roads or just in general, the fuel efficiency doesn’t jump off a cliff. It’s still very reasonable and easy on the pocket.
Do share some of the oddly satisfying things about your car or bike.
Here’s what BHPian CentreOfGravity shared:
What I infer from ‘oddly satisfying’ is that you are satisfied by things in the car that is run-of-the-mill. Let me list down some satisfying things (describable satisfaction) and oddly satisfying things (satisfaction of OCD ) in our 2022 Honda City MT:
Satisfying things:
- The 1.5 iVTEC engine is incredibly rev-happy and revs all the way till 7200 rpm! Aural satisfaction.
- The gearbox is slick shifting and feels like a hot knife slicing through butter. Physical satisfaction.
- The leather in the cabin, whether the upholstery or padding, elevates the experience. Physical satisfaction.
Oddly satisfying things:
- The driver gets a door handle and a vanity mirror.
- The fact that it has a full size spare tyre that’s an alloy.
- The AC controls produce a satisfying ‘click’ sound while rotating the knob. The light turns blue / red when increasing / decreasing the temperature.
- The LED indicators look sooo good and are drool worthy
- The instrument cluster gives me immense joy thanks to the presence of physical and digital needles.
Must say, I am weird indeed!
Here’s what BHPian Axe77 had to add to this matter:
Turbo petrol: The creamy smooth power delivery of a turbo petrol.
The GLC is my first turbo petrol and in fact it’s been a while since we’ve had a FAST petrol car in the house (the last was my 2009 Civic which got sold in around 2017 IIRC).
3GT’s diesel kick: Now having the benefit of driving the GLC and my remapped 3GT alternately, I am really loving the ‘different’ sort of kick a nice fast diesel car gives.
Paddle shifters: Love driving the car fast on twisties (or even straights) making generous use of the paddle shifters from time to time. Love the engine braking and the specific control they provide over the default drive mode.
Ground clearance: I really appreciate that I don’t have to keep thinking of scraping either German in any driving conditions. I had come from 7 – 8 years of owning the Civic where one had to be constantly mindful of this and even now I see fellow 5er owners being ultra cautious on some of the unscientific speed breakers in my locality.
Looks: I still turn around and take a look at both the 3GT and the GLC every time I park and am walking away. Specially the 3GT. It’s been 8 yrs+ and I still love its silhouette, color and shape – even more than the GLC possibly even though its newer.
GLC’s sienna brown interiors: I’ve wanted this ever since the time I bought the 3GT. I’ve always loved that interior color and never liked beige. My civic had beige seats as did the 3GT. It really pleases me to sit in a car with interior upholstery in that color.
Meanwhile, here’s what BHPian Rajeevraj posted:
Interesting thread. Just today when I was driving home from office-where there was yet another conversation of ‘When are you changing your car?’, I was noticing some small stuff that brought a smile of satisfaction to my face that still makes me look forward to being in my car (Vento 1.2 TSI DSG)
- The 1.2 TSI (with a remap). The joy when you stomp down on the accelerator and it just takes off. Something very few cars can match even today.
- The fact that all windows have auto up down.
- The subtle use of chrome. On the gear lever, headlamp switch.
- The fact that nothing has deteriorated even after close to 11 years. I sometimes think VW took extra care on the initial batches of the Vento TSI with respect to the quality of materials used.
- The inner satisfaction when people refuse to believe it is such an old car.
- The boot that seems to be able to take any amount of luggage. No need to plan or do any mathematics. Bring all you got, I will take it in.
Some more visual elements that just make me feel good any time I get into the car.
The way that the steering wheel is finished and how it has held up.
The stitching. Almost 11 years now and not even one stitch has come off in anyway.
The solid DSG Lever with the embossing and the chrome and leather finish. Feels fantastic to operate
The roof liner that was much talked about in the 2.0 cars. Has just remained as is. Greatly helps keep that good feel inside the cabin
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
