DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Adam In Mount Vernon

Q: Hi Adam. Love the Mini Cooper S. What can you tell us about yours? Where did you get it?

A: I was driving just a few blocks away from here and someone drove right into my 2003 GTI six cylinder. It was a beautiful car. Someone drove right into it and it stopped working right there.

Q: Has the Cooper lived up to the GTI?

A: It's very short. The other car was pretty short as well. Both of them are two-door hatchbacks. It has a turbo-charger and a much smaller engine. It's not as fast, but it's still fast. This one also parks better. I can park it pretty much anywhere, which is fantastic when you live in the city.

Q: You're a little taller. Is the car annoying to sit in?

A: I actually have a lot of headroom. Since it's a sports car, it's got really low seats. Also, I play a stand-up bass. I've actually found that most stand-up bass players have very, very small cars. I can fit it in here. I could fit it in my GTI. It's weird.

Q: What are some of the main things you use your car for?

A: I try to use it as little as possible, partially because of gas, but partially because I don't like driving to get places. I mean, I love driving, but if I can walk somewhere, I'll walk.

Q: Do you get annoyed when you drive through Baltimore?

A: Usually not. I've gotten pretty used to it. Although, in the past week or two, it's been pretty bad. Sometimes I talk to cars and tell them they're stupid, but generally I don't get very angry. I do drive fast though! I used to be a very fast driver in my GTI.

Q: Oh yeah? How fast?

A: I know from experience that the speed limit in my GTI was 133 miles per hour. I knew it was up there somewhere. That wasn't the actual max of what's in the book, but my car would not let you accelerate past 133. I did it on 83. There's this one stretch on 83 North just before—I probably shouldn't say it—before uh—I'm sure there's a statute of limitations—right before Shawan. It's basically a big dip and it comes right back up. It's very straight and you can see if there's a cop on the other side very easily. The GTI was new at the time and I wanted to see what it could do.