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DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Calvin At Schoolcraft's VisTaTech Center

"I don't need anything too fancy. It gets me from point A to point B."

The Ride
The Driver: Calvin
Car in Question: Blue 2009 Ford Focus
Spotted at: Schoolcraft College, VisTaTech Center, Livonia, MI 48150
Odometer: 32,000
Car's Nickname: My Car

THE DEFENSE

Q: All right, the basics. What year is your car and when did you get it?

A: It's a 2009 and I got it late in the year, like October 2009. It's got about 32,000 miles on it now. I actually got it through that "Cash for Clunkers" program.

Q: So what did you trade in to get it?

A: My old car was a Winstar van. Ew, I know right? Everybody was obsessed with key scratching it. I guess they thought it was a soccer mom van or something. A car is a car.

Q: OK, moving forward, have you taken any road trips in your Focus?

A: Oh yeah, I've done a few seven to 15 hour drives in it. I've taken it all the way to Pennsylvania and South Carolina there.

Q: Sounds like it's had a few adventures before. How did it do?

A: Oh yeah, definitely. It's good, you know, because you don't have to stop for gas so much. Maybe on a 500-mile trip you only have to stop once or twice for gas, depending on how you drive.

Q: So are you the only one who drives this car?

A: Yeah, it's specifically my car. Gotta give credit where credit is due though, my parents do help me out a little with insurance.

Q: What do you like most about it?

A: As I said, I like the mileage it gets, and I like that I don't have to fill up each week like I did with my old car just to run some errands. I like it. It works for my needs. I don't need anything too fancy. It gets me from point A to point B.

Q: Anything else?

A: It has a good amount of trunk space. And it's low maintenance.

Q: Do you have any rules for your passengers?

A: I've really only got two rules. Don't pig up my car and pay for your share of the gas if we go somewhere.

Q: Fair enough, so what do you think your next car will be?

A: I've never put much thought into that. For my needs, probably an SUV, maybe a Ford Ranger. I'm going to go into civil engineering and that may require me to have a more work-oriented vehicle. This thing is still practically brand new though and I take care of my things, so this should last!

Photos and interview by Don Gurka

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with "Defend Your Ride Detroit" in the subject line for submission details.

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

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