Watch CBS News

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Raven At The University Of Chicago

"It's a huge gas guzzling, dying hunk of machine."

The Ride
The Driver: Raven
Car in Question: 2004 Land Rover Discovery
Spotted at: University of Chicago, 1212 E 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Odometer: 119,000
Car's Nickname: The Dinosaur

THE DEFENSE

Q: Hi, Raven. So my first question for you is, why do you call your car the Dinosaur?

A: Because it's a huge gas guzzling, dying hunk of machine.

Q: By the description that you just gave, I'm going to assume you don't like this car very much. Is that true?

A: You guessed right. I can't stand this car anymore. I've wasted so much money on repairs and gas that I'm ready to let this one go.

Q: Since you don't like the Dinosaur, what made you pick it in the first place?

A: I actually didn't pick it. Someone gave it to me as a gift in 2009. Despite the fact that I'm complaining about the car, I'm really grateful to the person who gave it to me.

Q: Was it a graduation or birthday gift?

A: No, it was a just because gift. The person, who is a close friend of mine, bought this car for himself in 2006. When he bought it, he loved it. After awhile he began to really hate because of all the gas it uses. So after driving it for a couple of years, he was ready to sell it. Right around the time he was looking to sell it, I was looking for a car. He decided that he would just give it to me instead of charging me for it.

Q: You have a lot of things that you don't like about this car. Is there anything you do like about this car?

A: I think it's a nice looking car. It has lots of space inside. I can fit a lot of people inside the car. I can also pull down the backseats if I need to move things. These are all silly cosmetics features. I'd rather have a car that works great, than a pretty car that doesn't run well.

Q: Since you don't want another Land Rover, what will your next car be?

A: I've always loved trucks, but after the difficulty I've had with this one, I want a car. I would probably want a Honda. They're reliable, cute and good on gas mileage.

Photos and interview by Nicolette Chambers

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

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.