DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Laura At The Naval Yard
"It would've been crazy to drive from Dallas to Philadelphia, but I had it shipped on a car transporter."
- The Ride
- The Driver: Laura
- Car in Question: 2006 Scion tC Special Edition
- Spotted at: The Philadelphia Naval Yard, Philadelphia, PA 19112
- Odometer: 38,600
- Car's Nickname: "Gonzo like the muppet because it's blue and has a giant nose"
THE DEFENSE
Q: Where and how did you get your car?
A: My parents purchased this car when I graduated high school in 2006, knowing that it would eventually be mine. I took on ownership in 2008 and used the car during my last year in college. My parents transferred the title to my name when I moved to Philly in August 2009 and Gonzo was officially mine.
Q: How would you describe your purchasing experience?
A: We purchased my car at Toyota of Richardson near Dallas, Texas. I was kind of removed from the experience since my parents bought the car, but it seemed to go smoothly.
Q: Where do you live?
Q: How old are you?
A: I'm 23.
Q: What's your car's main use?
A: I use my car to commute from my apartment in Northern Liberties to my office in the Navy Yard, 14 miles round trip. I also use it to run errands to big box stores and shopping malls.
Q: What's the worst part of your commute?
A: The worst part of my commute is drivers who don't know how to get on I-95 from Front and Market. The left lane feeds to the on ramp, not the right!
Q: Where's the furthest place you've driven to with this car?
A: As you can see from the below average mileage, I don't take Gonzo on a lot of big trips. The longest drive I've taken in this car was from Houston to Dallas, which is about a five hour drive. It would've been crazy to drive from Dallas to Philadelphia, which is about a 22-hour drive, but I had it shipped on a car transporter.
Q: Do you have any rules in your car?
A: I have a ton of rules in my car that are the result of both how I was raised and my own personal preferences. Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt at all times. The trunk must be kept clean and covered with a sheet. The two front seats must be symmetrical. Drinks are okay, but they must have lids. Food can be transported, but not eaten.
Q: What do you listen to in your car?
A: I usually listen to the radio. If there is nothing good on, I'll switch to a CD. My car also has a built-in iPod hookup, which I usually only use on road trips.
Q: Do you ever rock out or sing along?
A: I always, always, always sing along to music in my car--facials, air drums, mouth guitar, the works. When I take road trips, I usually show up hoarse from several hours of singing!
Q: If your car had a human emotion, what would it be?
A: Goofy.
Q: How long do you plan on keeping your car?
A: To infinity and beyond!
Q: What do you think your next car will realistically be?
A: Right now, I am realistically crushing on the new VW Jettas and the latest special edition of my car, which is bright yellow.
Q: Is there anything else we should know about your car?
A: Details like the bright blue paint and micro-suede interior are unique to this small production set, so I always get excited when I see a car twin. My car also has a decorative Texas flag front plate and a clear sealant on the nose and side mirrors.
Photos and interview by Michaelangelo Ilagan
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