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DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Jackie In Queen Village

"We've gotten really close, like best friends."

The Ride
The Driver: Jackie
Vehicle in Question: 2008 Mercury Mariner
Spotted at: Queen Village, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Odometer: 55,000
Nickname: Silver Fox

THE DEFENSE

Q: Hi Jackie! How long have your owned your Mariner?

A: I've owned it since 2008 when my hand-me-down Ford Escort ZX2 died on me. It's been about four years now and it hasn't let me down. I officially own it now and the title is under my name, my first "big girl" car.

Q: Tell is, how did you get your car?

A: When my last car's transmission went out on me--twice mind you--I asked my parents if I could somehow get a new car. At the time, one of my jobs was driving kids to school in the morning, so a new car would have been helpful. We leased it from Varsity Lincoln in Michigan, where I'm from. My dad is a designing engineer for Ford Motor Company and he helped me pick out the perfect car. And let me tell you, it's a great car.

Q: How do you feel about your Mercury Mariner?

A: I wasn't sure if I wanted an SUV, but I knew that one day I'd be moving out of Michigan and having a bigger car wouldn't hurt. This baby has done wonders, helped me move from one apartment to another in Philly and also assisted my sister with her moves in Brooklyn. It has plenty of space when you put the back seats down. I might as well just start my own moving company.

Q: What's your car's main use? How much time do you spend in it?

A: Its main use is for trips, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, D.C. Also grocery shopping and running errands where I need to carry heavy things.

Q: Tell me more about your trips. What are those like?

A: I go to New York a lot to visit my sister. I choose to drive because I've had too many issues with Megabus and Bolt Bus being late and such. Plus, there's free parking in her neighborhood, so no big deal.

Q: What's the one thing you would change or add to your car if you could?

A: If only I didn't have to pay to put gasoline in it. Do you think that could change?

Photos and interview by Michaelangelo Ilagan

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with "Defend Your Ride Philly" in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at Philadelphia.CbsLocal.com/Autos

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