Q. What vehicle do you drive?

A. A 1997 Volkswagen Golf Mark 3 Convertible. However, currently I’m not driving it as it won’t start.

Q. How long have you had it?

A. Two years.

Q. How much did it cost?

A. £1,300.

Q. What work have you done to the vehicle and how much does it cost to repair?

A. Just about every component of the car seems to have failed me at some point and needed repairing, much to the amusement of my workmates. I’ve pretty much given up counting the cost.

Q. Why did you get this particular vehicle?

A. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted a convertible. Before I bought this I’d been driving a clapped-out Citroen ZX for four years which was literally screeching out to be scrapped. I was searching for second-hand convertibles on the internet and found this on eBay. NEVER. Buy. A. Car. On. eBay.

Q. What do you like most about it?

A. It’s not as cool as a Mark II Golf, but I like the styling. However, the obvious joy of owning a convertible is when you stick the top down on a summer day and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. After I bought her I found myself enjoying driving again for the first time in years. Not only does the car allow you to get a tan (or in my case sunburn) while pootling along, but it also gives you a greater sense of freedom on the road and a better appreciation of your surroundings.

Q. What irritates you most about it?

A. Just about everything else, but particularly the fact that it doesn’t seem to start in the wet. No-one seems to be able to diagnose the problem so if anyone knows a mechanic that could help, please get in touch! Last week Max Mason said his classic MGB was exhausting to maintain but it was okay because the most fantastic women are also exhausting to maintain.

Q. Is it good value for money?

A. It would have been if it didn’t keep breaking down.

Q. Does it have a name?

A. No.

Q. What is your favourite memory of the vehicle?

A. I’ve had two long and beautiful summer road trips to Cornwall in it.

Q. And your worst?

A. Sometimes I think I single-handedly keep Britain’s breakdown recovery industry afloat. My worst breakdown was last November on the Oxford ring road. I’d just returned from a week in Lisbon where the temperature was tipping 22C and drove through what I thought was a small puddle. Turns out it was not a small puddle. After a failed rescue attempt from a friend and another hour waiting in the cold and wet waiting to be rescued by the AA my holiday glow soon turned into post-holiday gloom.

Q. If you could own any vehicle what would it be?

A. I would love to own a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. However, I also have a big soft spot for the 1948 Ford Super DeLuxe Club convertible that Mr Miyagi gives to Daniel Larusso in the Karate Kid. I hardly ever clean my motor but I would wax on and wax off a car like that on a daily basis.

Q. What was your first car? How much did it cost and how long did you own it?

A. My dad had an Austin Maestro 1.3L which I inherited when I passed my test. It was only four speed and the back tyres used to wobble when it went above 75mph. As my first car though I cherished it and loved making tapes to play in it.