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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
Marketplace
Buy and sell classics with confidence
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
Sell my 1948 Chevrolet Aerosedan and my 1967 Cougar and buy a newer convertible with airbags. I hate to do it, but Atlanta traffic contains too many bad drivers. I lost my 2004 mustang to someone who pulled out from behind a UPS truck. I wouldn’t be around if I had been driving either of the two I’ll sell. My wife will also be happier, and I’m keeping my MGB!
I’m with you. My kids forced me to look at the NHSTA stats for fatalities with and without airbags… and now my fun car is a 2006 Mini Cooper S with the full suite of airbags.
Start to put my GLHS back to semi streetable. It’s registered but I really use it for 99% track. I have all the original pieces. I’m starting with the heat!
Will be 89 in month, just have 1960 Elva Courier now and know where it goes when I’m gone. In 11 years I will make long range plans. I may get older, but I refuse to grow up.
More drives for me!
If you do decide to sell a car, be careful if you list it on Hagerty Marketplace. It’s free, but you’re getting what you’re paing for.
Their website states they will help market your classified listing, but in reality they do not. Only auction listing get promotion.
This is the wrong place for that. Contact customer service if you have a complaint, Sparky.
Todd, I would heartily recommend a fuel injected Fiat 124 Spider 2000 as an affordable and fun, top-down choice. They are beautifully styled, surprisingly quick, and a blast to work on and drive. Parts are affordable and plentiful, and the Fiat community is forever helpful and welcoming. Bring your lovely 124 to the next Italian car gathering and rub shoulders with their rich cousins, the Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
PS: Loved the accompanying picture!!
👍👍
In addition to the annual resolutions to eat more salad and get more exercise my personal target is to participate in a track day with the S2000 and attend a vintage sports car race day if I can find one within reach. At 82 I intend to continue top down summer driving as long as I can get into and out of the hot Honda. HNY to all.
I need to get out and drive my 240Z more. Getting my triple Webers restored so just need to make time to enjoy doing what a car is meant to do, drive it!
I need to sell a tractor, two cars, and a Honda C70. Beyond that, more riding (bicycles and motorcycles both) and top-down driving!
How about getting some real shoes – for the guy in the picture.
Stop posting so many comments to the forum, or tone down my snark. Pick one, can’t do both.
I vote for neither!
happy new year to all!
i’ve come up with things to accomplish after the new year but can’t remember making any official resolutions. that said, what i’d like to complete is a lot of what’s already said here: thin the heard, organize and update the shop, take more road trips, stay active. although i’d like to buy a decent ’67 galaxy 500 (maybe battery & fluids then drive) in the state of NE, and look for a ’58-60 amc rambler american, i shouldn’t buy before selling first. and there’s plenty of projects i’ve mentioned elsewhere i’d like to finish before year’s end. sharing thoughts & ideas with others here is for me a good motivator – thanx
I thinned the herd by 3 last year (I’m down to a daily, 3 80s Toyotas and 2 projects) and another will have go this year when my dually gets on the road.
refreshing my granddaughters 1976 corvette. started it last January coming into
the home stretch. It sat for 15 years in a garage, so it wasn’t too bad. gives me
something to do at age 73 and it’s fun !
I’m retiring in Feb. so with all the “extra” time, I plan to get my 65 Mustang Fastback out more. I’m also going to work on my wife’s 66 T-5 conv. (German export Mustang) that’s been sitting in the garage for way too long (over 30 yrs.)!