DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Nate At Rock & Roll McDonald's

Q: Hi Nate. What is your car's main use?

A: Work, recreation, and business purposes. It seems like I am always in my car. I think I'm in my car more than I am in my bed, which is unfortunate.

Q: What's your favorite or worst part of your commute to work?

A: I say my favorite part is that I'm going away from traffic. When I go to and from work, traffic is always going the opposite direction. So I have a pretty smooth ride. I generally listen to some music or educational tapes, while driving. The worst part is the miles that I have to drive. Gas is kinda of high and it eats up a lot of the paycheck driving around.

Q: What was your favorite trip that you took from home in your car?

A: I would probably say a road trip that I took to Illinois State University my sophomore year of college. I was going down there to see my friends. There was also a party going on at the same time. We had a good time, so I would say that was definitely one of my favorite excursions. The second favorite trip I took was to pick up my brother from Alabama A&M. It was a seven-hour drive going, and a seven-hour drive coming back. I drove a total of 14 hours in one day.

Q: When did you start driving?

A: I started driving at 15, and got my license at 16. I taught myself how to drive. I asked my mom to see the car and started driving it around the block, even on the highway. I was a natural at it. I took driver's education, but by that time I already knew how to drive.

Q: How did you come about your car?

A: It took me about 18 months to find it. I was trying to find the right car that fit me. I just wanted to have a car by my sophomore year. I worked really hard to get it. I did have a little bit of help getting it though. The car cost $6,000. My grandmother paid $1,000. I paid the rest. It was fully paid off in two years.

Q: What does your car say about you?

A: It's a Taurus and I'm a Taurus. It gets me around from point A to point B. It's a smooth ride. It has leather seats, a sunroof, and nice surround sound. It was the best car that I could afford at the time.

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

A: I would say smooth. If you count smooth as an emotion, I would call it smooth because it's a smooth ride.

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

A: I need to get a fuel efficient car. If I had it my way, I would get an Audi 8, a Taurus, or a Ford Fusion. I am not stuck on any of them now. When the time comes, I will make the decision. I hope that this car survives one more Chicago winter. Then I'm going to get a new car. If I could have it my way, it would be new. But more than likely, it will be used.

Q: Anything else you want us to know about your ride?

A: It has truly lasted the test of time. I have truly abused this car. I have driven the car a lot. Others have driven the car. I have put hard miles on it, highway miles, city miles. I pretty much haven't had any problems with the car. It is definitely a soldier. It has lasted. It was the first car I ever bought. You know, the first car you ever have is always special to you. It has lasted much longer than I ever thought it would last. Another reason why I got this car is because it is spacious. When people don't have cars, they always want to ride in your car. I wanted to get something that four or five people could fit into comfortably.

Photos and interview by Nicolette Chambers

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