DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Suzanne At The Mall of America

Q: What brings you to the Mall of America?

A: I like to go shopping at some of the specialty stores like Nordstroms. I went to look for the doggy store, but it's gone. They come and go so fast!

Q: Do you have any rules for people about your car?

A: I have no smoking in my car. No drinking in my car. And my pet is going to be seat belted in my car now because he tends to hang out the window. He's going to be seat belted as of today because I'm going to be getting my new seat belt for him. I have an eight-month-old mastiff, Sumo. He likes the air blowing on him and he likes to look up at the sky. He likes to look out at other people.

Q: Do you have any weekend driving trips planned?

A: Yes, I do. I have a trip to Chicago planned and we're taking my car. And then to South Dakota for a bike ride. You bet the top will be down.

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

A: You know there really isn't a worst part. Traffic is really easy, so I don't have a worst part. I guess the worst part is just getting up in the morning.

Q: What is your favorite day trip?

A: I do enjoy driving to Chicago. It's a long drive to see my daughter. And that's the special part. Yes. And I don't mind going up to Grand Forks to visit my son either.

Q: What's the craziest place you've ever driven it?

A: Golly! Wow! I don't know. That's a hard one because I've only had this car for a year. I drove across Washington State for business. I landed in one spot in Washington and had to drive to the other part of Washington. That was really fun because I'd never been to Washington and so it was just kind of a fun time. I was all alone. And I was reading a map. You know, it was great.

Q: What kind of music do you listen to in the car?

A: You know what I really like to listen to, I listen to Italian music. I do honest to God. I listen to Andrea Buscotti [Andrea Bocelli] or whatever his name is. And then there are a couple other artists that I like from Italy. I just love the operatic or classical music they sing.

Q: : If your car had a theme song, what would it be?

A: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.

Q: What are you going to survive?

A: Never mind that, Marla!

Q: Do you have a dream car?

A: This is my dream car. To be perfect honestly, I mean with the convertible and with everything it just…it's just…to me this is just heaven. I mean the only car that I would want to get would be a Lexus. I had a Lexus at one time and I really liked it.

Q: Why'd you sell it?

A: I didn't. It was my husband's car. And he traded it in for a Mercedes. And I didn't like the Mercedes. I liked the Lexus. It was just a great car. Loved it. Loved the ride. I'm into rides. I'm not into gas efficiency. I'm not into small, efficient things. I'm in for the ride! Just with cars. Yes, and if you know of anybody who is six feet and everything works, let me know.

Q: If this car had a personality or human emotion, what would it be?

A: Beauty. My car, I think, has lots of personality because it is white and it is so sleek. I just think it's a beautiful looking car.

Q: How does it make you feel when you drive this car?

A: You know I will have to say I feel free in this car. I've had a number of husbands—five to be exact—and this gives me total freedom with the window blowing in your hair and the top is down and the sun is shining on you. You just feel so good. And there's no stress for me when I'm driving this car. It's just absolutely awesome.

Q: So it's not a car you purchased with your husband?

A: No, no, this is my car.

Q: How many cars have you had?

A: I've had a lot of cars!

Q: That were just yours?

A: You know, I probably had maybe three that have been…that I have just purchased. This is like my freedom. My car is like my freedom. It was the first thing that I purchased all by myself when I was married. It just gave me the sense of freedom and this is mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.

Q: Your car is your freedom to you?

A: Yeah. Yeah. Maybe her nickname should be "Frida for Freedom."