Our Two Cents: New Year’s Resolutions for 2025
Now that the holidays are over and we begin to wind down the year, I figured this was a good time to ask my coworkers about their New Year’s resolutions. We each have a unique set of goals to go with our varied tastes in vehicles, and resolutions are generally a good way to take a temperature of one’s life.
You will see it all in the following resolutions, and you might see yourself in some of these. So let’s proceed, and please do leave your resolutions for 2025 in the comments!
More Drives
“Go for more drives without an obvious destination. Get in the Miata, head out on two-lane, see where the asphalt takes me.” – Joe DeMatio
Sell Some Cars
“It’s time to thin the herd, and 2025 is the year I plan to do it. Living on the same five acres for 23 years, vehicles just accumulate, you know? It was easier when I didn’t have so much room. I honestly don’t know how many cars, trucks and SUVs I have (assuming the first- and second-generation IH Scouts are SUVs), but it’s somewhere around 20, plus four motorcycles and a pontoon boat that has never been in the water, plus a half-dozen trailers. About half are race cars, and I’m done racing. I think.” – Steven Cole Smith
“Sell two cars. That was also last year’s New Year’s resolution…” – Aaron Robinson
The Year of the Sports Car?
“Find the two-seat, stick shift convertible I’ve always wanted and pull the trigger. C3 Corvette? Austin-Healey? Miata? Fiat 124? MGB? Who knows. I’ve got a little of everything saved on Facebook Marketplace.” – Todd Kraemer
Project Cars
“Get my Formula Vee project at least off the ground, if not finished. That was supposed to be a 2024 thing, then life and house projects got in the way, so I didn’t lift a finger on the car. Now, though, I have a plan, all the tools I need (I think) and hopefully fewer distractions.” – Andrew Newton
“Ugh, spend more money getting Project Valentino taken to the next step by seasoned professionals. And write about it, of course.” – Sajeev Mehta
“I have got to finish the fricking Dino!” – Larry Webster
People That Matter
“Spend more time on my bikes with people that matter to me. That means more rides with my girlfriend and her bike, off road adventures with the guys, and prioritize going places on two wheels instead of four for the experience. I will also prioritize introducing others to that side of the hobby, just as my friends did for me.” – Greg Ingold
Race Prep, Top Down Fun
“I will be more intentional about race preparation, including taking time to seek coaching and setup guidance. Off-track, I’m prioritizing top-down driving this year, and will grab the keys to one of the convertibles whenever possible.” – Eddy Eckart
Do Something New
“After a handful of years being lucky enough to nearly take it for granted, my 2025 resolution is simple: Do something new. A motorcycle or car event or trip that I haven’t tried, or a restoration task that has previously been intimidating. There is such a wide variety of experiences and a lot of them would be new to me. I just need to narrow down what it will be and get to planning.” – Kyle Smith
Rally Somewhere
“I keep on saying I will take one of my old cars on a Lemons Rally, and Rallymaster Jeff Stobbs is probably sick of offering me a spot only to have me turn it down. Or I give a half hearted yes with a lot of conditions, ultimately turning into a no.
I have a few cars that can probably handle it, but I do have to get all needed spare parts in the trunk, tools, etc. to ensure I’m not totally out of luck when the car breaks down. Oh and new tires, I better have new tires too. It never ends!” – Sajeev Mehta
I’m going to get that “new” rubber weatherstripping kit into my ’66 Pontiac 2-door hardtop (you know, the one that I bought 2 years ago and promised Sajeev I’d install then).
I plan on getting my motorcycle license this year (and a motorcycle of course).Not a big deal for most but
I might mention I’m 56.
Never too late to take the motorcycle test and get your license! Best of luck.
Appreciate it.
I am 78 and in very good health but I think I am too old. Perifial vision is not as good as it used to be and I know reaction times are slower. Common sense takes over. And 56 does seem young since I have a kid that is 57.
I started, actually returned, to mc riding at 70 years old, four years ago. I’ve ridden my used BMW R1200 all over including cross country with a group of friends. It’s a lot of fun and I’ll keep doing it while I can.
Ouch MJ! 56 ain’t old.
That helps with the self doubt! Thanks!
Enjoy your youth young man.
Ah yes, if I were young again – like about 56 or so – the things I could/would still take on!
Go for it! I got mine at least 10 years behind my friends and I am glad I did. You’re never too old to do a new thing, and you meet really good people when you’re out on two wheels.
70 and still riding, go for it and make sure you get something you can manage. Best of luck.
I got mine a couple years ago. I just turned 76.
Taught the MSF equivalent in Ontario for 17years and my oldest student was 88 (he passed (the course not away)), MANY students in their 60’s and 70’s, boys and girls and others 🙂 ! Most important thing is to have fun and don’t rush. The clutch is your buddy and keep your eyes UP! It’s a blast and welcome to the fraternity.
I rode motorcycles from age 16 to 59, when, 20 years ago and considering I had pushed my luck far enough, I gave my Gold Wing to a younger friend. Most people behind steering wheels today are busy doing anything but paying attention to actual driving.
Not only that but the overt hostility of so many people.
Good move. I also rode bikes most of my life. I now personally know of 3 riders that have prosthetics due to inattentive drivers that ran them over with cars. At 65 years old, I sold the last of my motorcycles in 2024. Have moved on to British Roadsters. Maybe not the safest cars out there but, I haven’t fallen off of one yet. I figure that if my health/organs hold up, the wheelchair will get here soon enough.
I rode many bikes (Honda, BSA, Harley, etc.) from age 16 to age 62. Had a young girl cross over center line on a rural road, she was obviously texting. I almost “bit the dust” avoiding her. My old days of dirt bike riding helped. I went home and parked the Harley and sold it a year later. Some regrets, so to have the open air feeling again, I bought my Classic ’63 Plymouth Sport Fury Convertible. I never have the top up, and I enjoy the open air with a lot of extra protection around me. Really enjoy the classic car shows and Friday night cruises in my area too. I’m 76 now.
I’m 76, still riding, go for it!
You’re only here once….do whatever makes your clock tick. Just be careful, defensive, and have eyes and ears 360. Pick some predetermined country roads away from all the traffic. Just watch out for the squirrels and tractors….lol. BTW….I’ve probably got some socks that are older than you. Age is in the mind. Been riding for 52 years with no intention of stopping any time soon. Heck….most of my bikes are older than me. I figure if they can keep going so can I.
Stay safe, those 4 wheelers are quite distracted these days. I still have my mc license going back to age 17. You’re never too old to ride if that’s your passion!
one of my favourite quotes. not quite word for word here, but close: “never record ages. it brings with it decay and inaction.”
Find a mid sized dual purpose bike for use for your first bike and get used to what two wheels are like on trails and back roads, the following year get yourself an 08 or newer Goldwing, yes a Goldwing, most reliable, not as heavy as they look, tons of power to when you want to turn it on and will take you across town or across the country as many times as you want. I’m 70 and as long as I can throw my leg across to get on I plan to ride. I have sciatica and could use a knee replacement but the only reason I get off on a ride is to refuel, not like the Harley’s that force you off to stretch between fills. My other ride is a 15 Mustang GT rag. Enjoy the ride!!!
A wise person once told me when my vision was failing if I had lost my nerve on the motorcycle it’s probably best to stay off it. I did so for a few years before having some help with my vision. Now in my 50’s I again feel comfortable riding.
I should sell my 2009 CB1000F since I no longer ride long distances, and replace it with a 750 or smaller bike for casual use around town. Will I? Well, I really like this particular Honda, which was built in Italy in a smallish frame and never sold in the US. It is as small and light as a litrebike can be, with its CBR1000 mill retuned for torque lower down, and fairly flickable for a sport-tourer with a half-fairing and hard bags. It’s my second of this model. But I am getting older…
I also resolve not not waver on my new position that a person can have two modern(ish) cars licensed and insured for road use at the same time, a view I came to this past year when I gave up on pre-airbag vehicles. My wife finds this excessive, but I argue that every km driven in my 2006 Mini Cooper S is one fewer km of much riskier motorcycling…
Sell one car to get back down to four total. Four is still probably one too many, but it’s 20% better than five.
Replace that space saver spare on the Veyron. Its starting to look a little thin.
Better keep it under 200 when the donut spare is on.
Done with project cars. Did one and that was enough. Buy ’em already done if you’re going to buy one. Not getting rid of any, as the collection is small but provides enough variety, that I’ve decided that’s all I need to scratch whatever itch that may arise. Keep it simple stupid…is my new mantra!
That would be fine IF you could guarantee the quality of the work. Lots of shoddy overpriced flips out there.
Build a new garage and workshop so I can get all the vehicles inside next winter
Getting more than “half way to dead” I have arranged the passing along of my beautiful classic upon my demise. This person will love and continue to keep the hobby alive after I’m gone and insure it remains free from the crusher.
Strongly suggest others do likewise.
It’s time to spend more time driving my cars than wrenching on them. Don’t get me wrong, I like working on them, but the time has come to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Over the years I’ve restored, fixed and modified lots of cars, and my garage is my second home, (my wife would argue my first), but as the sun is beginning to set it’s time to lay a little patch of rubber from time to time and feel the rumble under my seat and enjoy life more. Happy New Year to all!
I need to sell my Triumph T120 and pick up something lighter with an electric start.
Sell your Bonneville and get a Honda Grom. You’ll have no mechanical issues, or oil on the floor and plenty of money left over. IMHO, T120’s are great collectable classics but T140’s are better for modern day riding. Both require a lot of routine maintenance. The new T120s are reliable but heavy.
Hard to imagine two machines more different than the T120 and the silly Grom. That swap would be like selling a Mustang 5.0, and buying a dumpy little Toyota Echo. But at least most people could likely sit comfortably in the Echo; try that on a Grom!
Plus 1,2 or three on motorcycle license. I got mine at 53 and don’t regret it. I did end up with 7 bikes currently. Results of the search for a favorite. Thinning that herd definitely on list of 2025 things to do.
Last year traded MINI convertible for 330i. Although an auto ( it’s small enough to drive like the MINI with more comfort and quietness. Will continue to drive top down going out with an excuse to run any day temp reaches 55-60, which happened all winter in Dallas. At 82, I plan to keep top down as long as I can psychically able.
Support your local shops and US parts suppliers. Lobby for more restoration and reproduction parts and lobby to keep more parts for regular cars. Parts supply issues are getting to the point where you can’t get parts for even common cars that aren’t that old. If we can’t keep our cars running, the hobby is doomed. If we can’t keep our late model daily driver running, we will all be walking or taking the bus (assuming those can stay running>>have you seen the emission controls on diesels lately?). Newer cars will be expensive bricks (many are already) due to electronics and complicated designs that are impossible to fix or rebuild.
Is that a resolution? Sounds more like a rant or a directive. And honestly, it would be nice to be able to safely walk or ride a bicycle in my city so maybe the powers that be should focus on infrastructure that doesn’t require cars for transportation. Especially with the prices of cars these days. I love driving, but hate commuting by car.
Amen.
They’re trying that in Denver and Boulder and it’s been a dismal, expensive bust….
It is a resolution: buy more local and US made, not shopping by price alone. All of us need to write the powers that be at the parts suppliers that cater to our cars, new and old, and plead with them to keep the parts available. For us: try not to hoard all the parts. How many have seen people that have been buying up parts and cars for years, never to do anything with them. Then they die and if lucky, the stuff goes up for auction. If unlucky, it goes to the scrap yard because the family doesn’t want to deal with it.
A fine ideal, one I legitimately applaud.
But I think the solution lacks understanding of how people buy items and how companies prioritize profits. We start writing letters to Auto Zone, NAPA, etc. you know where those requests for American made goods will go? Straight to the trash. Unless it is more profitable to do business by selling American made goods, or to make stuff for YOUR car, you cannot reasonably expect that sort of tactic to work. Sorry to break it to you…
Your voice does not matter to big business, nor does anyone else’s.
Hey George. That was part of my search also. I traded a 2016 Triumph T120 for newer Triumph Street Twin. It is and also feels like a much lighter bike. It’s worth a test ride
I tried a Street Twin, but even at 5’8″, it felt cramped. The Bonnevilles felt fine.
Get down to 1 vehicle for the first time since 1976 (which includes selling the airplane).
Good lord! That sounds drastic. I have not been there since around 1990, but during the previous fourteen years, parental cars filled in the gaps. Good luck!