DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Meagan At Reunion Tower

Q: Sweet ride Meagan. Can you tell us about it?

A: It's a 2011 Mazda 3. It has manual transmission because I like to drive a stick. I love it. I bought it brand new. I bought it with seven miles on it. Before this, I had a '98 Chevy Cavalier hatchback that I bought for $2,000 straight out. Lasted three years, then it blew a head gasket. I've never had a car payment before this car, so I now have one.

Q: Where did you buy it?

A: Town North Mazda. Up on 75. I got zero percent interest and it's only a 60-month deal. I did all the research and I had a Mazda before. It was the best car ever. So I looked at every dealership in a 30-mile radius. They had the specific car I wanted: manual transmission, brand new, black. I went in, I was like, this is my car, and I bought it.

Q: Sounds exhilarating. Does your car have a nickname?

A: Her name is Cora because I saw Tron. It was right after I bought the car. I said, oh my gosh! All the cool cars in Tron look like my car. So, that's where she got her name. It's an identity thing. My Chevy was named Shaniqua. Then I had a '69 Volkswagen Bug. I loved that car. Before that I had a little '96 Geotracker that was teal with magenta racing stripes on the side. She was so awesome! Her name was Britney.

Q: Do you have any rules inside your car?

A: Nope. No rules. I'm not really a rules person. I'm sort of like, do what you do, it's fine.

Q: How about a theme song? Does Cora have a theme song?

A: I really love The Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition" when I'm driving with the windows down. I think that's her theme song.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Cora?

A: That it runs. No. When you're in it, it feels really sporty or really expensive. When I turn on my ignition it says, "Hello," and when I turn it off it says, "Goodbye." I feel like it's my big girl car. It's mine. It's part of my independent woman thing, my independent woman empire.

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: The only thing I haul is school stuff, art supplies. I drive a lot because I do stuff. I do nonprofit stuff, technology stuff. I'm always on the road, all over Dallas doing concerts, brunch with friends. And I love her. I never want to let her go. Mazdas have the best resale value in their class. They're a better-made car for less. She's my baby!

Photos and interview by Lacy Mahone

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