Catching up: 2012 and 350Z ownership

Last time I wrote something here, I was about to go karting and was getting all het up about wanting to win, despite it not being particularly good etiquette. At least, not in my head. Embarrassingly, it turns out that Dave, the lad who'd invited me along, saw the post, so was well aware of my... somewhat emotional diatribe. Oh dear. Thankfully, he didn't call me an idiot, even though he probably should've done.

In the end, I actually did win, although my embarrassment at having been caught being rather arrogant did take the shine off it a little. Still, my wife and mum got to see me in my element, which was nice. (My mum was only there as it was the anniversary of my dad's death and I didn't want her sat at home alone. I'm pretty sure my dad would've hated the idea of anyone spending the day moping too, so it felt good to be getting on, enjoying life. It is, as they say, what he would've wanted.)

And that's us caught up to February last year. Since then, another year's gone by and it's been another year without any serious track action. Sure, I joined my nephews for a quick fastest-lap session at F1 Karting in Gateshead — the anti-Carlsberg of karting circuits — and promptly set the fastest time, making sure our family at least got the honours (we were on circuit with other random punters). Other than that, however, nothing. The Zed's even been so quiet, I've had to buy a battery charger to keep it in good nick.

In fact, I guess the Zed is where the majority of the news lies this time. Last May, the good wife passed her driving test. The Focus we bought for her to learn in is now the car of choice, what with the price at the pumps having gone as high as £1.40 in 2012. Apart from the odd run-out to keep it active and a motorway trip or two, the big red one's seen little action. It finally seems to be time to bring 5 years of muscle car ownership to an end.

Wait a sec... did I just say 5 years? FIVE years?!? Good grief. That's even longer than I had the Mini. (Oh how I miss that little tyke and our trackday funtimes.)

Anyway, yeah, it no longer makes enough sense to keep the Zed as well as the Focus. I could excuse it while Zoe was still learning (not sure how - Ed.), but not any more. I'll miss it, but the time has come to let someone else enjoy it. It's been as strong as an ox over the 5 years I've had it – much like the Mini in that respect — so it shouldn't be too hard to sell (especially given how much it depreciated in my first couple of years). I just hope the buyer realises what a performance bargain they're getting. And please, god, don't let the next owner stick an exhaust the size of a dustbin on it.