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DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Rhonda At Grandview Park

"It's been a good family car."

The Ride
The Driver: Rhonda
Car in Question: Laser Blue 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
Spotted at: Grandview Park, 499 Bailey Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
Odometer: 59,503
Car's Nickname: Blue

THE DEFENSE

Q: Does your car have a nickname or pet name you like to call it?

A: No. My husband's car does, but mine doesn't. We call his truck Big Red, so I guess this one's name could have something to do with its color, something blue. It's a very reliable car.

Q: What about a stellar theme song?

A: We sing "the wheels on the bus go round and round" in the car a lot. That'd be it. Olivia is five and Aaron's three.

Q: So you must be using your car to drive your kids around a lot?

A: Yes. That's pretty much this car's main use. I take Olivia to kindergarten and drop her off. I take my son to jumpstart and drop him off. Then I have to pick them all back up again. I take the kids everywhere in the car because I will not drive my husband's truck. We go to school, the zoo. We always go to the library, probably three times a week. We visit my family who lives north of here. We take it on vacations.

Q: When you're not in your day-to-day routine, where do you like to vacation?

A: Ocean City, Maryland. It's about a seven-hour drive, but it usually takes more time with the kids. We've taken this car as far as the Outer Banks, North Carolina!

Q: Is there anywhere you don't like driving in or around Pittsburgh?

A: Maytide and 51. Trying to pull off of Maytide onto 51 is a nightmare, especially if you're going to the 88 intersection. Everybody from 51 pulls through the light. You can't turn to make the left off of Maytide.

Q: I know exactly where you mean. So how do you handle your road rage?

A: How do I handle my road rage? Usually with hand signals or screaming. I try to blip through the words I would not like to use.

Q: Do you have any rules in your car?

A: You have to wear your seatbelt. And, for the kids, mommy cannot turn to look at any drawings or pictures while mommy is driving, so don't even ask! If I'm at a light, I will turn around and look, but not when I'm driving.

Q: Do you have any rules about eating or drinking?

A: I do, but I'm not consistent with it. When you have kids, sometimes you have to eat on the go. But typically, I do not like them to eat or drink in the car because something usually gets spilled. If you haul it in, you haul it back out. That's a rule! They have to clean up after themselves.

Q: Finally, how much longer do you think you'll realistically have this car? Will it go the distance?

A: Years. The body on it is still great. As long as it's reliable and in good working condition, we'll keep using it. We keep it very well maintained. We always keep up with oil changes and follow through with anything that needs to be done. I would say we're gonna keep it until it starts falling apart. We have it completely paid off now. We love the no-payments thing.

Photos and interview by Sarah Beth Martin

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



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