Car Raid Story

Car Raid Project

Notes:

-Got new car because "was afraid something big was going to break down on it" "it would cost more to fix the problem than the car was worth"

-wanted bucket chairs because of kids "because I wanted a car that had captains chairs for the second row and still had third row optional seating so that when my kids sat together in the backseat they'd be separated"

-"I chose a Toyota over dodge because it had higher safety ratings and quality ratings"

-"I like them equally" "I really did like my last car"

-"I had my hands full" without mail "I consider myself a busy mom"

-"I do camp gladiator workouts" bring your own yoga mat and weights

-"I'm scared of bugs that have stingers or that bite me like mosquitos"

-"I hate minivans" "I think they're hideous" doesn't think 2 kids justify a minivan so that's why she wanted a mid size SUV

-her mom had a minivan "I did not like the minivan my mom had as a kid because it was awful and tainted my perception of minivans"

-"I have a dog towel on the seat because I don't want my dog to scratch the leather" because he's a big dog

-"I took my dog to the park over the weekend and he loves to tear up frisbees"

-"that's where the dog always sits. Cause he's a dog and dogs drool"

-"I keep old cds in my car because when I travel to go visit family there are parts of the drive where I don't know the good radio stations to listen to so I throw on my 80's rock cds and jam out to Bon Jovi and Prince"

-"I keep napkins in my car because of messes and spills"

-"I'm a reusable bag hoarder"

Interviewee notes:

• Name: Sarah Duval
• Relationship: Mother (Sorry, I didn’t have anyone else to interview)
• Car: 2016 Toyota Highlander

Car observations:

• Umbrella
• Napkins
• CDS
• Dog towel + frisbee
• Mail on floor
• Phone charger
• Nail filer
• HEB bags
• Yoga mat
• Weights
• Lost bug
• Drool on window

Close-ended questions:

• How far away is your work? 25 minutes/14 miles
• How many miles does your car have? 25,000 miles
• How long have you had the car for? Almost 2 years

Story:

Ever wonder what’s in someone’s car? The items scattered along the floor and shoved in the console can actually tell you a lot about someone. Sarah Duval’s 2016 Toyota Highlander tells the story of her busy lifestyle as a working single mother.

I began my interview with Duval by observing what I saw around me. Just by looking around a bit, I could tell that she is a responsible woman with an active lifestyle. With an umbrella to my left and plentiful napkins and straws in the console, it was easy to see that Duval is prepared for anything.

“I keep napkins in my car because of messes and spills,” said Duval, implying that her family isn’t always the most careful and clean.

Speaking of cleanliness, I noticed there was a lot of drool on the left backseat window and a thick towel on the seat. “That’s where the dog always sits,” said Duval regarding the drool on the window. “He’s a dog and dogs drool.”

Duval also mentioned that her dog, named Brody, sits on the towel because she doesn’t want him to scratch the leather seats. He’s a large dog, nearly 75 pounds, and big dogs have big feet and sharp nails.

It became clear that Brody is a very important part of Duval’s life. I also noticed a plastic frisbee in the backseat. It had several holes and bite marks in it. She had taken Brody to the park that weekend. “He loves to tear up frisbees,” said Duval.

While I was looking in the back, I couldn’t help but take note of the car’s bucket seats. “I wanted a car that had captains chairs...so that when my kids sat together in the backseat they'd be separated," said Duval.

From this, I can conclude that she has sometimes rowdy children. I also noticed an optional third row for additional seating.

This car seemed like the perfect vehicle for a woman like Duval. “I consider myself a busy mom,” said Duval. Then I decided to ask her about her car purchasing process.

She made it clear to me that bucket seats and optional third row were a priority for her, and once Duval had found cars with these requirements, she made a decision. “I chose a Toyota over Dodge because it had higher safety ratings and quality ratings,” said Duval.

She seemed very happy about her choice of a new car. Then I asked about her old one. “I really did like my last car,” said Duval. “(But) I like them equally.”

(425 words)