Ryan Tubridy, Presenter of The Full Irish on 2FM.
What was your first car and why did you pick it? It was an Opel Kadett, chosen out of desperation and impecuniosity.
How old were you when you got it? A fresh-faced arts graduate of 22.
Who sold it to you? I bought it from a very nice man in a garage. It was white which is clearly a no-no when you're a young man trying to meet your future wife.
How much did it cost? About £2,000 which was a lot of money.
Did you know much about cars at the time? Didn't then, don't now. Key questions ranged from "Is it clean?" to "Does it smell like a new car?"
What difference did it make to your life - and your pocket? It changed my life in that the car rarely worked properly. It was swiftly christened "The Bastard" and became known for its unreliability and user-unfriendliness. I was dating my girlfriend at the time and it broke down on a busy road near RTÉ. My brother, Garrett, and Ann-Marie had to get out and push - she's now my fiancée (I don't understand either). Money-wise, having a car started me on the rocky road to incessant debt.
Any run-ins with the law? I was working on a Pat Kenny radio show in Waterford. Leaving for Dublin, "the Bastard" wouldn't start and I was pushed out of the city. I was done for speeding - 40 mph in a 30 mph zone - near Thomastown. Then, on the Naas dual carriageway, the car came to an abrupt halt. I called the roadside gardaí who decently brought me to a petrol station. We filled the tank, but that wasn't the problem. Eventually the two gardaí pushed me off the road and "The Bastard" started again - just.
What was the longest trip you ever took in your first car? Waterford to Dublin. Length of journey - a lifetime.
How long did you keep the car? Several months, then I replaced it with a Carlow-reg VW Golf.
What do you drive now and how does it compare? A 1994 BMW 318. It's delicious, automatic and black. It hasn't broken down once since I bought it last August. The CD player is a delightful bonus. Hallelujah!