DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Steph At 30th Street Station

Q: Where and how did you get your car?

A: I bought my car in October 2009 after I traded in my old Ford Focus. I had a lot of issues with that car. It died on the side of the road after only six months.

Q: How would you describe your purchasing experience?

A: The dealership was in Montgomery, New Jersey where I grew up. It was refreshing to know that my salesman Brian quoted market value for the car. Other--non-Honda--dealerships played the gender card on me and quoted higher prices. He was really great and helpful.

Q: Where do you live? How old are you?

A: I live on the southern edge of Chinatown, 19107. I'm 22.

Q: What's your car's main use? 

A: I commute to work five days a week, 45 minutes each way to and from Chestnut Hill. I also head down to the shore a lot in the summertime. Sometimes I use it to get to friends in other neighborhoods when I don't feel like taking SEPTA.

Q: What's the best or worst part of your commute?

A: I'm a Jersey driver at heart. While I'll admit my old state doesn't do a great job, we use our turn signal. Winding around Lincoln and Kelly drivers in the morning grates my nerves.

Q: Where do you take your car on the weekends?

A: I usually stay in the area, either around Philly or New Jersey. Occasionally I'll head down to D.C. to visit friends.

Q: Aside from commutes, what kind of day trips do you take? 

A: My favorite trip is heading down to the Jersey Shore. I hang around L.B.I. and there's nothing better than going over the causeway and smelling the sea air.

Q: Where's the furthest place you've driven to with this car?

A: The craziest--and likely furthest--trip I've taken was from Philly to Altoona by way of State College. A friend and I took the trip out for Halloween one year in college. The three-plus hours driving each way with nothing but fields was brutal for a city girl like me.

Q: Do you have any rules in your car?

A: I don't let people smoke in it.

Q: What do you listen to in your car? Do you ever rock out or sing along?

A: I have an iPod hook-up in the car and I'm not afraid to roll through Chestnut Hill at 8 a.m. on a weekday with my music blaring. I've been known to throw a mean traffic dance party too.

Q: Does your car have a theme song?

A: My car's theme song is still "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO. I'm not even ashamed to admit that.

Q: If your car had a human emotion, what would it be and why?

A: My car is pretty sexy for a small sedan, but I have a feeling Stella is a hipster--probably a craft beer lover in her late 20s. What can I say? I've raised her well.

Q: How many miles do you think are left in the life of your car?

A: A ton. Hondas are pretty solid cars and I have no doubt that if I wanted to, I could easily get this baby over 100,000 miles.

Q: What do you think your next car will realistically be?

A: If I could have whatever car I wanted, I'd have a Lamborghini 360 Spyder in an obnoxious chartreuse color. Since that's not exactly in my budget, I'm waiting to see what new Toyota Prius hybrids are coming out. Getting 50-plus miles per gallon isn't something I can overlook. Plus, I like the way they look in metallic pearl.

Q: Is there anything else we should know about your car?

A: Stella has been scraped by the interesting parking some people attempt. Stella is a compact car. Your GMC Denali isn't. Please don't try and pull up alongside her to park in my garage.