DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Jessica At Naval Square

Q: Where and how did you get your car?

A: I bought my car from Main Line Honda. I traded in my beloved Jeep Wrangle Rubicon, Ruby, for it. I couldn't keep Ruby for the commute I had, as she guzzled too much gas.

Q: Where do you live?

A: Neighborhood? It depends who you ask. The Toll Brothers tell the out-of-towners we're in Center City, but we're one block south of South Street, so that can't be right. Some say we're in Fitler Square, but then there's that pesky South Street line again. Some say Graduate Hospital no longer exists. I think Grays Ferry or Devil's Pocket is probably the most accurate, but many would deny that since we're all gussied up and gentrified now.

Q: How old are you?

A: You're kidding me, right?

Q: What's your car's main use?

A: It's a commuter for work and for making friends. I spend about 11 hours per week in it, mostly to and from work in Plymouth Meeting.

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

A: I don't like even a millisecond of my commute. I hate that it takes nearly two hours from each of my weekdays.

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

A: I don't take day trips regularly. In fact, I don't love driving. Now that I have a car that's just for utility, and because I drive so much for work, the less time I spend in my car on the weekends, the better.

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

A: Outer Banks, North Carolina is the furthest I've taken my car. I don't know if an ashram in Buckingham, Virginia is considered crazy, but it is at least the most interesting or unexpected place I've driven my car. I traveled with my friend Jen.

Q: Do you have any rules in your car?

A: The only rule I have is G.I.G.O.—Garbage In, Garbage Out.

Q: Does your car have a theme song?

A: My car's theme song is "Move Bitch" by Ludacris, of course.

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

A: Frustrated.

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

A: It easily has another 200,000 miles in it.

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

A: Actually, I'd love to be able to get rid of my car. If I didn't have my daily commute to the 'burbs, I wouldn't have a car. However, if Jeep came out with a more fuel-efficient Wrangler, and I still needed a car, I would buy one of those in an instant.

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

A: I bought the Honda Civic because I had a hatchback in the past. Hondas have a reputation for being reliable and that's all I need it for. It does not bring me status nor joy, apart from that it needs little maintenance to keep going.