DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Aaron At Liberty Lands Park

Q: Hi Aaron! How did you get your car?

A: I bought it from Pacifico by the airport. Overall, the experience was satisfactory, though nothing to write home about. They gave me a more than fair trade-in on my old car. It is nice to get free car washes every time I take my car in!

Q: How do you feel about your Mazda3?

A: I love it! I wanted something that was pretty fun to drive, zippy and small. But, most of the time I'm driving, I'm either going to a sport that takes a lot of equipment--golf, hockey--or trekking home--Ithaca, New York to see the parents. Either way, I needed a car with a lot of space. Adding the hatchback gave me a ton more room without taking away the ability to parallel park in tight spots.

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

A: Driving to and from hockey or home. I probably average about two hours a week in it, at most.

Q: What kind of trips do you take with it?

A: In the nine months I've owned this car, I think it's been to Manhattan more times than anyone else in my family. Driving down to D.C. is my favorite day trip from home though.

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

A: The farthest I've driven is to the far point of Long Island, The Hamptons. It took forever because it was Friday night and everybody wants to go in and out of New York City on a Friday.

Q: Do you have any rules in your car?

A: Whatever you bring in, you take out! If there's a bunch of stuff on the floor of the car, it better be my stuff!

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

A: "Electric Relaxation" by A Tribe Called Quest. It just feels like it fits.

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

A: Mischievous. A lot of people complain that the new Mazda's "smile." Personally, I think it's kind of a menacing grin, like Cassandra is plotting something.

Q: How does driving make you feel?

A: Driving is fun and relaxing, as long as there's not a lot of people on the road. I'd love to drive more as long as there's no traffic involved.

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

A: Assuming I take care of her, I'd say 180,000 at my current rate of driving. I'm going to drive Cass until she dies. Since I drive maybe 6,000 miles a year, that should be mid-2022.

Q: What's your dream car?

A: The Audi RS3 is my "realistic dream car" if they ever decide to import it.

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

A: She's plotting… something.