My Drive by Heather Buchan

Grand Am the perfect companion to comedian

Heather Buchan, for Metro Canada — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:58:23 -0400

Meet the driver

Who is he? Toronto-based comedian Christian Smith is one-fifth of the award-winning comedy troupe The Riot.
What he drives: A “stunning” silver 2004 Pontiac Grand Am with a charcoal interior.

Why the Grand Am: My dad bought it for himself and I just ended up driving it all the time and then I started paying insurance for it and paying more money for it and then one day I paid for half the car and then on my following birthday he gave it to me.

What do you love most about it? Apart from the awesome wing on the back, I love every bit of it equally. I’m not biased towards any part of her.

Have you taken any road trips in her? The Riot travels as a troupe to different venues around Ontario. We’ve also driven (the Grand Am) to Halifax and Montreal to do some stuff. She’s kind of like our tour bus. And we load the car up with props when we have shows around Toronto.

Actor Karen Parker knows: the best cars in life are free

Heather Buchan, for Metro Canada — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:28:05 -0400

Meet the driver

WHO?IS SHE Karen Parker is a Toronto-based, Canadian Comedy Award-winning actress and a member of the three-woman comedy troupe Punch in the Box, which will be performing at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival next month.

WHAT SHE?DRIVES A two-tone beige Toyota Corolla that my parents gave to me and I have no idea what year it is (laughs). I’ve been driving it for about half-a-year. Prior to that, I was driving a Toyota Tercel. They give me their really old cars that they can’t drive anymore because I can’t afford a car.

What do you love most about the Corolla?
It was free! It’s a pretty no-frills kind of car. Actually it has a huge dent in it from a football fan who literally ran out into the road and into my car after a Toronto FC match and then ran off like a drunk sasquatch. He ran off, but my car had a dent in it. I thought, he’s gonna feel that tomorrow.

Do you do a lot of driving?
I’m a big driver, absolutely. I grew up in the country, so I very much feel more comfortable in a car than on the TTC and the TTC just makes me angry whenever I ride it. It just takes me so long to get anywhere, whereas I can hop in the car and get to where I need to go so much faster. I sometimes have two to three auditions in a day and have to get to all of them all over the city.

What kind of driver are you?
I’m aggressive and belligerent. I’m just a really angry driver. You put me behind the wheel of a car and I turn into Rambo. I feel very comfortable blowing my horn, doing a lot of physical gestures, ones you probably can’t print (laughs).

What would we find in your trunk?
You would find a crocheted half-blanket that my mother made to keep the seat warm and a litre of oil. I really don’t go in my trunk much.

What car would you love to drive if money was no object?
A VW van with a mini-bar at the back.

Celebrity chef goes for wine-country red

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:00:00 -0400

Celebrity chef Anna Olson, host of Food Network Canada's Fresh with Anna Olson, is an authority on cooking and baking using locally grown ingredients. Olson, who’s famous for her pastries, will be speaking and demonstrating cooking techniques at the International Home Show this Friday. She’s also currently working on a new cookbook.

What she drives
A brand new red 2010 Chrysler Sebring hardtop convertible. I call it wine-country red because I live in the Niagara region. And it has a cream-coloured interior.

Is your car always filled with the sweet smell of baking?
Yes, my car smells like the seasons. Right now, it’s pumpkin pies and butters tarts that I’m transporting to my demonstrations and TV appearances. I also have my KitchenAid stand mixer colour co-ordinated with my car in that glossy, cherry red. The car came first and then I got the mixer to match.

Why the Sebring?
I like that it’s got good mileage. It’s comfortable. It’s got great trunk space because when the top is down, it goes into the trunk. So when the top is up, the trunk is huge and offers great storage.

What are some of your favourite features?
Satellite GPS. I don’t know how we lived without it. And I have to admit I love the satellite radio because I can sort of cater to my moods. I try to stay off the phone as much as possible on the road, but I do love the Bluetooth. The only time I really use it is to call my sweetie and tell him I’m on my way home. I love driving in the fall with the top down and getting that lovely, fresh breeze.

What is your dream car?
I think an Audi Quattro would be fun. But then I’d have to drive more aggressively I supposed because those cars aren’t worth much when you’re driving 60 km/h (laughs).

Chad Bisch gets the most from his 'freedom top'

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:00:00 -0400

Chad Bisch is the energetic co-host of the new W Network TV show Burn My Mortgage (premiering Oct. 5) in which he helps homeowners shave years off their mortgages.

What he drives
A black 2007 Jeep Wrangler. It’s my third Jeep. I’m so passionate about Jeeps. I was always driving the two-door Jeeps because that’s all they had. Then in 2007, they came out with the four-door. With my lifestyle, I can now put four guys in here and four sets of golf clubs.

Do you do much off-road driving?
The funny thing about us Jeep drivers is we buy Jeeps because you have the capacity to go off-roading, but you never do. You usually do it once and then you go ‘I’ll never do that again’ (laughs).

What do you love about the Wrangler?
I love that it’s great in the winter because it’s 4x4 and it’s also a convertible. I have a freedom top, not a soft top. So I have you can pop out the two front panels, but you still have the security of having the hard top around the back. So you get a winter and a summer vehicle.

I hear you’ve somewhat customized it for the show ...
This transformed into my trailer when we were filming the show. I put a shower curtain rod across the back so the wardrobe people could come and hang up all my clothes. And I had a custom piece of foam put in the back because the seats turned down so the back turned into a bed, and I’d get in there with my laptop and rest while waiting for my scenes. It was totally customized without spending very much money (laughs).

What would we find in your glove compartment?
Basically, it’s like my filing cabinet and a business card graveyard. I basically use it as a storage compartment and I can no longer jam anything else in there.

Designer Trish Ewanika stays loyal to her Volvos

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:00:00 -0400

Trish Ewanika is a Canadian womenswear designer whose legion of loyal customers love Ewanika — her contemporary line of polished, unfussy and chic day-to-night clothing.

What she drives
A grey 1992 960 Volvo Sedan

Why the 960 Volvo?
I bought my first car ever in 2005. Before that, I’d cycled and used the TTC. I saw this car parked in a driveway near where I lived and I used to say ‘One day when I have a car, it’s going to be a Volvo just like that one.’ And my neighbour said, ‘Well, it’s for sale.’

It was a 1983 camel-coloured Volvo station wagon. So I bought it and I loved it. But it expired last year. And the 960 sedan came along and it appealed to me. I like the look of old cars. Well, Volvos last a long time. I have this philosophy. I like things that are of quality and I would rather maintain something’s that’s old, even if it’s worn, and use it to the end of its life or purpose rather than something new all the time.

Do you have a favourite feature?
I feel a bit pimped out in it because it has electronic windows (laughs). My 1983 Volvo didn’t and I had to crank them down (laughs). And I love the sunroof. It has a leather interior, dark charcoal grey on grey, and is in perfect condition. And it has great space for transporting stock and materials for my business.

Does your car have a name?
We call her Little Edie (after Jacqueline Kennedy’s infamously eccentric cousin who was recently portrayed by Drew Barrymore in the HBO film Grey Gardens) because she’s grey and isn’t really that small.

What type of driver are you?
Fairly cautious, although some people may disagree. I get impatient with people who aren’t polite on the road. I lived in Italy for a while, so I have a habit in the car of speaking Italian and swearing in Italian, so if I say something nasty to another driver in Italian, it feels like it’s not really me (laughs).

Dancer Moore’s own ‘showmobile’

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:11:30 -0400

Why the Protege?
Because the mileage was pretty good when I bought it second-hand and I feel really safe in it. It’s a good size, not too huge. Being an independent artist, I need to be able to get around the city. I may have to be in six different locations in one day, so I don’t want anything huge.

What would we find in your trunk?
I call it my small show-mobile. Right now, you’ll find circus props because of my current show about the world-famous hi-wire walkers of the Victorian era, so sticks, hats, ropes, Victorian era clothing. I also have a computer in there, a music library of tried and true CDs. Then I also have water, vitamins and theatrical objects. It’s all in the trunk. I keep the interior of my car really clean.

What type of driver are you?
I’ve never had an accident. I have a fantasy of being a race car driver though (laughs). I do respect the rules of the road. But if I was to let loose on the autobahn, that’s a different story (laughs).

What’s your ultimate dream car?
I would love to a get a Toyota Yaris. I drove a red one in Halifax this year. It’s fun and smooth and turns on a dime. But, my real dream car … hmm … it would be a silver Porsche.

You have a car motto. What is it?
Be good to your car and it will be good to you.

Tribute has made a fan out of Altman

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:00:00 -0400

Veteran Montreal-born actor Allen Altman will be walking the red carpet twice at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival, which opens tomorrow and runs until Sept. 19. Altman stars in two films — the feature Incendies and the short Above the Knee — premiering at TIFF, and he can also been seen this fall in a recurring role on HBO’s Living in Your Car.

What he drives
A black 2007 Mazda Tribute Sport that I bought last year. The interior is a tan-coloured leather. I really am enjoying my car so much right now. I’m thrilled with it. Prior, I was a Volvo guy. I drove Volvos for about 15 years.

Why the Tribute?
It’s really practical as far as being able to carry lots of things in it because it has lots of space and it’s got gorgeous leather seats. It’s really sexy (laughs).

What’s your favourite feature?
I love all the features. I love the sunroof, the fact that everything’s electric and automatic. Even all the seats flip into each other. So you can have a ton of storage in the back just by flipping all the seats down. It’s really practical for me because I have an interior design firm (Allen Altman Design) as well and I need to transport furniture and fabrics around when I’m not doing a film.

How is it on gas?
It has incredible gas mileage for an SUV. I do mostly city driving, but I do road trips to Montreal to see my mom, go up to farm country and Muskoka, too. I’m just conscious of getting a vehicle that’s not too bad on the environment.

What type of driver are you?
I’m a multi-tasking driver. I’m somewhere between aggressive and cautious.

If money was no object, what car would you love to have?
It’s never really been about the image of the car for me. It’s always been about the practicality and functionality for me. But I think I might have the brand new Lexus.

Musician finds his Escape on the road

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:00:00 -0400

Meet the driver

Eric Stein is a Toronto-based musician who founded the world fusion music group Beyond the Pale, and is the artistic director of the Ashkenas Festival of Jewish music and culture running at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre from August 31 to September 6.
What he drives: A 2006 silver Ford Escape

Why the Escape?
I found it almost a year-and-a-half ago. I’d previously driven a Ford Escape, but this one only had 15,000 kilometres on it. It was owned by a very old couple and I bought out their lease. It’s served me very well.

What’s your favourite feature?
Its utility. I’m a fairly practical person. It drives like a car so you don’t feel like you’re in a tank. Yet there is still lots of room to transport all my instruments.

What type of driver are you?
I’ve always been a big driver. I’ve done a lot of touring with my band, a ton of road trips through California, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona. I kind of wear both hats (aggressive and laid back) when I’m driving.

Do you have a dream car?
When I was a kid, my dad was in the car business and used to collect old cars, so I developed an appreciation for vintage cars. So, I’d probably pick something from the ’50s or ’60s — a Mustang or Corvette. Actually, my fondest memories, and one I hold close to my heart, is of my very first car, a 1981 Mustang. I just loved it. It had a red vinyl interior and all four of my siblings drove it before I did.

The ultimate secondary office

Heather Buchan, for Metro Canada — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:00:00 -0400

Meet the driver
Scott McGillivray is the handsome host of HGTV’s home renovation show, Income Property, in which he helps homeowners transform part of their property into a rental unit. He was previously the project manager on From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis.

What he drives
A 2008 grey 335i BMW

Why the Bimmer?
This is my second one. I really like the car. It’s not too sporty or small, so I can get a couple of tool bags into the trunk. It’s a mid-sized car, so it allows me to fill it with stuff when I need to, but it’s not huge like my pickup truck, so I can get around downtown Toronto easily. I do a lot of commuting around southern Ontario. I scout properties, meet with clients a lot, do estimates, and for those meetings I don’t need my pickup. The Bimmer is like my secondary office.

What features do you love most?
The heated seats are nice in the winter. It’s got all the latest technology, which is helpful. I love the GPS and the Bluetooth phone.

What type of driver are you?
I drive fast, but I don’t like to race. I just hate being in traffic. I’m a big believer in the 407. It should go everywhere. I’d pay five bucks to stay out of traffic jams.

What would we find in your glove compartment today?
I keep my insurance and registration, I have a Ziplock bag with sour candies for my late-night drives home after work. So if I’m really tired, it keeps me awake with a little sugar rush. I have toothpicks because I can’t stand food in my teeth. I have a picture of my wife and I. And I have a protein bar. It’s very clean. I’m pretty meticulous about my vehicle.

Do you have a dream car?
I do like the Audi R8. If money was no object, I’d probably have a lot of cars (laughs). But a really slick R8 in black would be my fun, pricey car.

The lean, green Jennifer Podemski machine

Heather Buchan, for Metro Canada — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:38:01 -0400

Meet the driver
Canadian actress and producer Jennifer Podemski who has starred in dozens of TV shows and movies, just finished filming Sarah Polley’s latest film Take This Waltz in which she appears alongside Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen. Aside from her acting roles, Podemski also produces the annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards and just signed a book deal on the experience of Native Canadian actors in the film and TV industry.

What she drives
A 2010 Kia Soul in denim. It’s a shade of blue-green and we love it.

Why the Kia Soul?
We were looking for a car that was affordable, economical and leaning toward a more environmentally friendly automobile that was also a family car (Podemski and her partner have a six-month-old baby) without being too huge. It’s very versatile. It’s small but it has a lot of room.

Do you have a favourite feature?
There’s some cool superficial things that I like. It has this red LED system that lights up with the beat of the music. I love the Bluetooth, love the satellite radio, my partner is 6’ 5”, so it provides him a lot of space. And I love the way it looks. I love the shape of it. I think it’s an eye-catcher.

What type of driver are you?
I think I’m a little bit of both (cautious and aggressive). I have a little bit of that Toronto aggression. But I’m conscientious and I think considerate. I think Toronto needs a lot of help in the driving world. It seems like it’s a very inconsiderate roadway here. We all have to work a little bit harder to be a little more considerate of one another.

What do you keep in your glove compartment?
A lot of napkins, gum, Sharpie pens, a nail file, a GPS, odds and ends of makeup, anything you might need in a superficial emergency.

Do you have a dream car?
If it came in a hybrid option or some sort of environmentally conscientious make, I’d love to drive a Land Rover. There’s something about them, I just think they really look nice. I’ve never driven one, so I don’t actually know if I’d really want one, but as far as dreaming goes ...

'Her Majesty' goes into service for actress

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Who she is
Ma-Anne Dionisio is a Manila-born, Canadian singer and actress currently starring in Miss Saigon as Kim, a role she first played in the original Toronto production back in 1993. Since 1993, she has toured with Miss Saigon all over the world and is once again on the Toronto stage until Aug. 1 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

What she drives:
A 2007 golden-coloured Honda Odyssey “we call Her Majesty because she’s a queen (laughs).”

Why did you choose the Odyssey?
I have three children (11, five and four years old) and I test drove a few minivans before choosing this one. Honda’s a very reliable car; she’s just beautiful. I use her a lot to ferry the kids around and to drive between cities when I’m performing. She has a lot of room but drives just like a car. She has an amazing sound system. I warm up in the van all the time. Actually, as funny as it sounds, I’m more comfortable singing on my own in the car or when I’m drying my hair than in front of an audience. I get stage fright (laughs).

What type of driver are you?
My son calls me the best driver in the world, second to my father, who taught me how to drive. I’m not aggressive, definitely defensive. I’m always very safe. We’ve taken lots of road trips with the kids across North America so they’ve seen almost everything on this continent.

What is your dream car?
An Audi! An Audi A4 convertible, please! I haven’t thought of a colour yet, though. Something on the lighter side. Or, if I went dark with the exterior, I’d go light with the interior.

What would we find in your glove compartment?
You’d find an extra pair of glasses for my daughter in case her pair breaks, because with kids accidents happen. You’d find an instruction manual for the car, insurance papers, the registration, a couple of napkins in case of a spill, a couple of little toys and gadgets for the kids and at least one pen. All very practical (laughs).

Heather Buchan is a Toronto-based journalist who has worked at Homemakers, Canadian Living, Canadian House & Home and, most recently, Hello! Canada, where she cut her teeth in the world of celebrities.

Degrassi grad gets around in her Mazda

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Who she is:
Paula Brancati, the Canadian actress whose most notable role is in Degrassi: The Next Generation. Brancati is currently starring in Nora Ephron’s play Love, Loss, and What I Wore, along with Andrea Martin, Mary Walsh, Louis Pitre and Sharron Matthews.

What she drives
A dark blue 2008 Mazda 3.

What drew you to this car?
I wasn’t really picky. I don’t know much about cars, but I needed a car. I commute and do a lot of driving so I wanted something small that would be easy to park anywhere in the city, and my only criteria was that it needed a dark interior and a sunroof (laughs). But I’d heard good things about the Mazda 3 for a long time from lots of people.

Are you happy you got the Mazda 3?
Yeah, I love it. It’s great on the highway, it’s a really fun drive for me and I love the sunroof. It’s great to have open when you’re driving and listening to tunes.

What’s your favourite feature?
The sound system is fantastic. I listen to music really loudly and sing along so I needed to make sure the car had a good sound system.

What kind of driver are you?
(Laughs) I don’t know. I’m just thinking of what my friends would say if they read this. It varies. When I first started driving, I was definitely more cautious. I guess it depends on the weather. If it’s really good weather and I’m on the highway, it’s tempting just speed along. I’d say I’m a pretty cautious driver.

Do you have a dream car if money was no object?
I was really obsessed with the movie Salina based on the artist and she talks about if she ever became able to, she would buy a red Porsche. And that became my dream car ,and I think that still stands. I actually got to drive one in Degrassi Takes Manhattan (the CTV original movie). My character steals a red Porsche and I got to just speed down this street that they closed down for shooting. It was pretty amazing.

Freedom on two wheels

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Ben Heppner

What’s he famous for: A renowned Canadian operatic and classical tenor who is starring in Stratford Summer Music’s 10th Anniversary season from July 19 to 22. Heppner will be doing a master class, a concert repertoire and starring in three one-hour shows as part of the festival program.

What he drives: A 2005 silver Honda VTX 1300. It’s a cruiser-style, two cylinder motorcycle. People always ask, “How fast is it?” and I say, “It’s more like a really cool tractor.” (laughs) It’s very well balanced.

What drew you to bikes? How do you say this in English? A mid-life crisis (laughs). I had never ridden a motorcycle before 2002. I’d always wanted one but for various reasons, not the least of which, I was a bit afraid of them. You know, it takes a bit of courage to get on those things. So in 2002, I did my tests, but didn’t buy my motorcycle right away. I waited until 2006 to buy my bike.

What do you love most about being on your bike? I love the freedom of it. I love the journey and I love the destination. I’m not really interested in fast. I tell people, I’m not really interested in speed, I’m interested in ostentation. I don’t feel a need to get something bigger, stronger, faster. You know, you can’t concentrate on your troubles when you’re on a motorbike.

Do you have your eyes set on another bike, a dream motorcycle? I like the Honda ST 1300. I’m not really sure that I would want a Goldwing. But I like some of the big cruisers. My style is touring. What I love is touring, although I don’t get too many days where I can get away for a week on my bike. I’m away so much of the year for work, so I can’t exactly come home and say “Hi sweetheart, I’m now leaving for a week on my motorcycle.” I do have a slight fascination with the new three-wheeled Pan Am Spider.

Baritone singer casts his vote for Volvo

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Jason Howard

Who he is: Welsh-born, Toronto-based baritone opera singer who is starring in the classic musical South Pacific at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts from Aug. 12 to Sept. 5

What he drives: A plum-coloured 1995 940 Turbo Volvo in Toronto. This car is incredible.It’s never, ever broken down. No matter how cold it is, it starts every morning.

Why the Volvos? I chose Volvo originally because of their reputation for being safe cars. My wife’s uncle had a write-off once in a Volvo wagon and the police officer said "If this hadn’t been a Volvo, you’d be dead now." So I’ve always remembered that. We have a couple kids, so we wanted something strong.

What type of driver are you?
I can drive very aggressively if I need to. When I was in Wales, I was an amateur rally driver. Apart from singing, I would say one of my highest skill sets is driving. I always took to driving naturally. I learned when I was sixteen -- illegally. I bought a car when my parents were on holiday. They weren’t too pleased when they came back. I was desperate to drive.

What was rally driving really like? You know that saying about driving by the seat of your pants? Well, I could tell by a sensation in my hips when the car was going to start to slide. I’d rally in a Ford Escort, which is a real rear-wheel car, and it’s just a different technique than driving a front-wheel car. So, I really know how to control a fishtail.

Do you have a dream car? I’d love to get a V70R Volvo. It’s 300 break horsepower and it’s beautifully finished. But the main reason I’d like to get it is that it has a tremendously strong all-wheel drive on it.

Driving therapy for Jersey Boys actress

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Cleopatra Williams

Who she is: A singer, dancer and actress who is currently starring in the hit Toronto musical, Jersey Boys. Williams has also starred in We Will Rock You and toured with the Raptors Dance Troupe. Her ultimate goal is to star in all the big shows that come to Toronto.

Her drive: A silver 2000 Dodge Caravan.

Why the Caravan? Everyone asks me “Why do you drive a minivan?” A long story short, I took over the lease from my parents and it’s now paid off. I think I’ll probably drive it into the ground. It’s not my dream vehicle, but it gets me around and it’s still working pretty good.

Dream car: A Mercedes Benz SLK 350 Roadster. That would be my ultimate car. But I’d be happy with a Toyota Rav4 or a Mazda.

Best feature in the Caravan: It is actually really nice to be really high off the ground in the van, which is why I’d like a Roadster or a Rav4 in the future.

What would we find in your van? There’s so much fun stuff, you’d probably laugh. I have so many gigs and cabaret shows, so it’s filled with costumes and props and all these weird things from shows — top hats, ears, canes, random stuff.

Are you a big road tripper? I’ve taken the Caravan to Buffalo to go shopping, up north to cottages, nothing too exciting. But I have to be careful. I can’t overdo it. I don’t like to drive the Caravan too far. But I do like to drive. I find it really relaxing and therapeutic, actually. It’s me time, alone time.

What kind of driver are you? I’m a very aggressive driver, a very confident driver. When I was younger, I seriously thought about being a racecar driver. I’m not afraid of going fast. A lot of people don’t like driving downtown, but I love it.

Heather Buchan is a Toronto-based journalist who has worked at Homemakers, Canadian Living, Canadian House & Home and, most recently, Hello! Canada, where she cut her teeth in the world of celebrities.

Ralston prefers living in his Rondo

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: John Ralston

Who he is: Canadian actor, currently starring in HBO Canada’s critically acclaimed series Living in Your Car, about fallen corporate exec Steve Unger who ends up living in his luxury car. Ralston has also starred in Flash Gordon and Life with Derek, among other TV shows.

What he drives: A charcoal 2008 Kia Rondo EX-V6.

Why the Kia? My wife and I had driven a Nissan Altima for 10 years and we started a family and needed to accommodate two kids. I personally think it’s the most underrated family car around. It’s like a cross between a shrunken minivan and a hatchback. It regularly seats five, but it’s got a third row that can be flipped up so it can potentially seat seven. It’s drives like a compact but has an amazing amount of room and headspace. There’s also a whole slew of standard safety feature that, as parents, we wanted — mobility control, traction control, side curtain airbags all the way down.

Your favourite feature: I guess the fact that it’s a unique drive. It’s obviously not as low as a regular sedan and it’s not as high as an SUV, which we had no use for, but it fits somewhere in between and makes it fun to drive. It also comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, so it’s really stable.

What type of driver are you? I’m a pretty conservative, cautious driver. I think my wife enjoys driving much more than I do. To be honest, we’re not too far from the subway and most of my appointments are on the subway line, so I take it a lot. You need a certain amount of patience driving in Toronto.

What’s your dream car? I don’t consider myself much of a car guy. But I had a ride in a friend’s Audi S5 the other day and it’s quite an amazing vehicle. So, you know, maybe an Audi. I got home that night and started thinking about it.

What would we find in your glove compartment? My wheel lock, a tire gauge, I keep track of all my mileage for work, receipts for car stuff, children’s Gravol for those road trips we take, wipes, hand sanitizer and CDs. I always play a CD before an audition. The type of music depends on the type of audition I’m going to. The most recent one I’ve been listening to is an Ella Fitzgerald one called Pure from the early ’50s.

Treat her right, and she'll treat you right

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Sass Jordan

Who she is: Canadian Juno Award-winning rock singer and songwriter and former Canadian Idol judge. Jordan will be performing at Yonge-Dundas Square on Friday as part of a free concert called Canadian Divas to kick of this year’s Luminato festival. She’s also planning her next record and her next tour.

Her drive: A silver 2009 BMW 528 xDrive sedan. It’s James Bond colour!

Why the BMW: I love this car because she’s so much fun to drive. I’ve had a bunch of different Bimmers, and I just love the way they drive. They just drive incredibly well. They’re kind of temperamental, I would say. As long as you keep them in perfect condition and you take them for their checkups every couple of months, she’s OK. But when these guys go down, they are dead down. Like you have to get on a flatbed truck and take her in to see the doc. But if you keep them in top shape, they perform really, really well.

What’s your favourite feature? Her personality (laughs). She giggles, she worries about you if you’re depressed (laughs harder). She always says “Welcome home” when she meets you at the airport. It’s just the feeling of this car around me. You feel like you’re in a really solid structure as opposed to some other cars that I’ve been in. Like, I love the Toyota Prius, but it feels like you’re riding in a tin can.

Driving style: Fairly quick. But I’m not into speeding. I’m not into being stopped because it puts a dent in my day and my insurance. So, I pretty much drive the speed limit or 10 above.

What did you name your car? Hermione. She just looked like one. There’s a song from David Bowie in the 1960s that’s called Letter to Hermione. The name just kind of stuck with me. Then I found out the Harry Potter series has a character with the same name.

What would we find in the glove compartment? You would find some envelopes for putting cheques in the bank and the owner’s manual. That’s it. And there’s nothing in my trunk. Right now there’s a guitar in the back seat, but that’s it.

Carlawood star goes for a retro ride

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Carla Collins

Famous for: Canadian-born comedian, former host of CTVs ENow, actress and writer who currently stars in the second season of TVTropolis’s Carlawood, a humorous reality series about her quest for fame in Los Angeles.

Her drive: A maroon-burgundy 1995 Jaguar XJ6. I bought it in 2008. It’s retro! I love Jaguars. For me they’ve always been the car of choice. Jags and Saabs.

Why this car? I drove a Jag in the past. I have to tell you, I kind of dig it’s Britishness. The grandmother of someone in my yoga class in L.A. owned it, so it had hardly been driven. I mean it’s in mint condition. It’s got the wood, the things that go down the back for tea service. I like that it’s classic. It’s very warm, the leather and wood interior. I’ve always loved the shape of it. To me, Jags are sexy.

Any other cars: I also have a 2002 Sebring It’s what I drove my dog Buster down to L.A. in when I moved here in 2007. I’ll probably always have it just to cart the dogs around in.

What type of driver are you? I must admit I’m a bit bipolar. I can be pretty aggressive, but when the dogs are in the car, I become grandma Milly. Driving here, you’re in traffic a lot, so it’s not like you’re on the Autobahn. And you have to be really cautious. I’ve never been pulled over. I wanted no trouble with green card.

What would we find in you trunk today? Four dead bodies. No no (laughs). A lot of yoga mats, a lot of dog paraphernalia, I think my dry cleaning might still be in there from yesterday, and then a bunch of copies of my latest book, Angel, Vampires & Douche Bags.

Vanity plates? God no, it’s not my thing. There have been maybe two in my life that have actually made me chuckle because they’re clever. Most are just cryptic.

Dream car: My ultimate dream car is a Jag convertible. That’s what I’m working towards.

Shine a light on the Sentra

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 26 May 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Jason Spanu, a.k.a. DJ Shine.

Who he is: A progressive house DJ and music producer who is also a programmer with Canadian singer Nelly Furtado’s band, he is touring with breakout sensation, Drake, this summer. Spanu recently released his second album, Attention Deficit Disco.

What he drives: A black, four-door 2004 Nissan Sentra.

Why this car? It’s a hand-me-down from my mom. I got it in 2009. I went through a long period where I didn’t want to buy a car until it was an electric car, because there’s really no point in screwing up the planet anymore. Anyways, in the meantime, until I get an electric car, the Sentra is a pretty economical car to fill up and does the trick. I really don’t drive it unless I have to.

What type of driver are you? I teeter between cautious and aggressive. I’m more cautious now because I’ve got a daughter in the car now. But I’m aggressive inside my mind when I get cut off. But I’m a pretty laidback kind of guy.

Do you like road tripping? Yes, one of my family’s favourite pastimes is to drive to Waterloo to one of the farmer’s markets in Mennonite country. And my wife loves going to Montreal for the fashion, so we drive out there quite a bit.

What do you love most about the car? Its cargo capacity. It holds a surprising amount of equipment. I can shove in enough gear to keep a party rocking for a good while if I’m doing a smaller gig on my own. And still fit in a baby car seat. And, of course, its fuel economy.

What would we find in your trunk? A stroller, probably some water in case we have any issues, and bags for groceries — pretty boring stuff (laughs).

Dream car: Actually, I saw the craziest car in Tokyo when I was there recently. It wasn’t very practical, but very cool. It had four wheels on long prongs and had like a pod in the centre. It was a model. It wasn’t on the road. It was really cool. It looked like it had the capacity to jump. It was like a car that could stand upright and then compact itself to fit in a parking spot.

Chuck Hughes fires up his drive with a GTI

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 19 May 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Chuck Hughes

Why’s he famous: The magnetic celebrity chef who is partner and executive chef at Montreal’s Garde Manger as well as the star of the Food Network’s Chuck’s Day Off — a behind-the-scenes look at his restaurant business. Hughes is currently partnering with Hellman’s for their Real Food Movement campaign to connect Canadian families with fresh, healthy food. His recipes are at realfoodmovement.ca.

What he drives: A black four-door 2008 Volkswagen GTI.

Why the GTI: There’s something about it, it’s like a mini Porsche. Just the feel and the drive, it’s really a car for people who love to drive. It’s got pep and spunk and it’s really an experience to be in. I don’t take driving for granted anymore. It’s way more than just getting from point A to point B.

The car’s best feature: Its horsepower, although I’m not sure I should be talking about that (laughs). I’ve got a little bit more horsepower and I’m not sure how legal that is. I also love the integrated Bluetooth. It’s a fun, sporty car, but still offers a lot of space. I can put in my skis, my hockey equipment and other stuff, no problem.

What kind of driver are you? I’ve got the highway driving, which is like “how fast can I go without getting caught?” It’s like a video game, pretty much, for me. I’m really concentrated because I want to get there first. I’m still cautious, though. But when I’m driving downtown, I’m more laidback. Most of the summer, downtown, I drive my Honda Ruckus scooter around, though. So those are the two facets to my driving.

Dream car: If money was no object, I would probably get an all-black El Camino with, like, 22-inch old-school Daytona rims that was worth more than a house, just to drive around for fun. You know, the thing is, when you’re thinking about your life and thinking about it in terms of the rat race, I would want a Porsche — a Carrera or 911. It’s still my ultimate dream. One day. You never know.

Velis and friends get rolling in an Alero

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Juan Carlos Velis

Why’s he famous: Canadian actor who’s appeared in numerous TV shows including The Border, Relic Hunter and Blue Murder, as well as movies and more than 30 commercials. He’s currently starring in Death and the Maiden at The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, which opens today.

His drive: A green, four-door 2004 Oldsmobile Alero.

Why the Alero? I bought it in 2006 in Vancouver, where I was living at the time. In Vancouver, everybody wants to drive Japanese cars and the Alero was a lot cheaper and that’s the one I liked.

What’s the car’s best feature? I really like its traction in the winter. I don’t know what it’s called, but the car lowers and it really helps with driving in snow. We have a joke with our friends that our favourite feature is the manual windows. Everything in the car is automatic except for the windows, which you still have to roll down yourself. People are always looking for the button and we joke that we paid extra for the manual roll down because it’s environmentally friendly (laughs).

What kind of driver are you? I’m actually a very good driver. I consider myself a very safe driver. I love going on road trips. I drove the car across Canada to Toronto when we moved from Vancouver.

What would we find in your glove compartment right now? My GPS, there’s a Stewart McClean CD. For the last three years, we listen to it Christmas morning when we’re coming home from my parents -- they live in London and we drive to my wife’s parents’ place in Bolton. So that CD just stays there all year round.

In your trunk? Right now, it’s full of baby things. My wife is expecting in June. But there are also my headshots and resumés, books, plays are in there as well. Then there’s also some safety stuff in case of a road emergency.

Peck loves the rock 'n roll Vibe

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Erica Peck

Who she is: A 23-year-old singer and actress currently starring in The Wedding Singer at Stage West. Peck previously starred as Scaramouche in the hit musical We Will Rock You, as well as in The Boys in the Photograph.

What she drives: A 2005, bright red Pontiac Vibe.

Why the Vibe? It’s got good pickup. It gets me places fast and I can zip in and out. I’m a responsible driver, but I also have a habit of leaving late, so it has an attentive gas pedal, which I need (laughs). To be honest, I like a car that turns on and gets me there. I’m not too caught up in the technicalities.

What’s your car’s best feature? I have to say I love the stereo. It’s great and that’s super important for someone like me. I spend half my time listening to really loud rock ’n roll and the other half of my time singing really loud rock ’n roll.

What would we find in your trunk right now? A whole bunch of vintage clothing — shoes and purses and all things old and wonderful. I have a vintage clothing business that I run on the side. And there’s a can of spray paint rolling around back there, but I’m not sure what that’s about.

Have you taken any road trips? I love road tripping. I’m definitely somebody who asks friends to go shopping in Buffalo, then just hit the highway and just drive there. I love driving, I love listening to music in the car. It’s my warmup before a show, I do all my vocal warmups in the car before a show. Usually my road trips involve either shopping or camping and beaching.

If money was no object, what car would you buy? I’d buy two cars because my boyfriend doesn’t have one and he needs a car. I think for myself, I would buy a PT Cruiser convertible.
My parents used to have one and I drove it all the time and I loved it. I just think they’re so cool and have tons of personality. So I’d buy two matching PT Cruisers in black and electric purple.

Heather Buchan is a Toronto-based journalist who has worked at Homemakers, Canadian Living, Canadian House & Home and, most recently, Hello! Canada, where she cut her teeth in the world of celebrities.

'Evil Michelle' comes out in convertibles

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Michelle Mawby

Why’s she famous: Toronto-based interior designer who stars on the Discovery Channel’s hit design series Junk Raiders. She also provides her design expertise as a regular guest on CBC’s Steven & Chris.

Her drive: A 2009 silver Mercedes CLK convertible.

Why the Mercedes CLK? It’s my second one and I just love the car and I have to have a convertible (laughs). I love having a convertible. It’s a very useful car because if I need to carry anything — rugs and chairs — I can just put down the roof and fit all sorts of things in the car. Every time you drive this car, it’s like a little holiday.

What type of driver are you? I’m a bit of a split-personality driver. I’m from Vancouver, so I actually let people in, stop for pedestrians and stop for yellow lights, although I’m getting worse now that I’ve been in Toronto for nearly 10 years. However, if I’m late or really busy, I turn into an aggressive, scary, get-out-of-my-way driver. So I usually try to be the nice driver, but sometimes evil Michelle comes out (laughs).

What’s your favourite feature of the car? GPS. It makes my life very easy, especially with my job.

Any vanity plates? No, I think the car’s enough of a vanity. I saw a vanity plate the other day and I thought “Oh, I could never do that.”

What would we find in you trunk right now? Oh my god. I have a pink hard hat. Very cute. It’s for when I go on build sites. I’ve got a pair of steel-toed boots. I have tile samples. I think I have two cushions and a pair of drapes in there right now. So lots of samples. It becomes like a little office. It’s a mess. I need to get it cleaned.

Do you have an absolute dream car? I would like to have a chauffeur. To be driven around everywhere would be my dream. Not having to drive myself would be my favourite thing.

Gavin Crawford and his great Escape

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Name: Gavin Crawford

Why’s he famous: A Gemini Award-winning Canadian comedian and actor, best known as one of the stars of CBC’s hit show This Hour Has 22 Minutes — a role he’s held for the past seven years. Crawford is currently starring on-stage in the Theatre Calgary’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

What he drives: A 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid.

Why the Escape? I tend to be an early adopter of technology (laughs). Well, the hybrid thing seemed pretty neat to me and we were doing a lot of work on our house at the time so we needed something that was big so that we could haul stuff. But I didn’t want to get a giant gas-guzzler. Being a hybrid, it allowed us the room without being monstrously fuel-inefficient.

The Escape’s best feature: One of the cool things is the little computer thing that shows you how much gas mileage you’re getting, so you can turn it on and become a really annoying gas-conscious driver (laughs). No gunning away from stoplights, just going around at a reasonable pace to maximize your gas mileage. It sort of becomes a fun game to play — maybe not for the people behind you though.

Are you a car guy? I do like cars. I haven’t bought a lot of cars. But when I buy a car, I tend to research it a lot and figure out what I’m going to want for the next little while. I had a Volkswagen Jetta for a while which I really liked, and I had a Golf. Both standards. I like standard. The only problem with the Ford Escape is it’s an automatic. My next car, I’ll probably go back to standard. It’s just more fun.

Dream car: I’d probably get one of those Audi TTs just to have a racing car.

What kind of driver are you? I’m a defensive driver. I do love driving though. I’ve driven across Canada and America. Everywhere you can drive on this continent, I’ve pretty much driven. When I was working in L.A., we drove from Toronto to L.A. and back about six times. That was when I had the Golf. It had a lot of miles on it.

Actress hits the road in her Explorer

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0400

Who: Sharron Matthews

Why she’s famous: A Toronto-based singer, actress and comedian who has appeared in local productions of Les Misérables and Beauty and the Beast. Matthews kicks off her World Domination Tour cabaret show — which takes her to New York and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer — on April 16 and 17 at Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times theatre.

Her drive: A 2003 champagne Ford Explorer.

Why the Explorer: It’s the only thing that can carry both my dogs, one is 120 lbs, me and all my stuff, and my husband. We had thought about getting a smaller car, but we realized we couldn’t do it.

What do you love most about your car? I love the temperature gauge, the cruise control and the roof rack. We don’t have many bells and whistles. But it’s a great car.

If we looked right now in the glove compartment, what would we find? About four pairs of sunglasses. There’s a big red pair in there that should only be worn by Carole Channing and Elton John. There are CDs of demos of stuff that we’ve done. There are budget receipts from moves. And a screwdriver and flashlight just in case.

Any other things we would be surprised to find in your car? Two huge dog beds and in the side pocket at the back, we have two bathing suits, just in case, because you never know when you might want to go for a swim.

Future road trips: This summer, we’re taking a road trip out to Fredericton because my husband’s doing a play out there. We’re big fans of road trips. We’ll take the St. Lawrence sea route.

What type of driver are you? Safe. I’m a good Hamilton girl. I’m mostly a cautious driver. If it rains, I always drive 10 kilometres under the speed limit. Mostly anger is in my mind. But I sometimes drive with the teeniest bit of aggression.

BMW suits Kay’s style

Heather Buchan — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:34:50 -0400

Who: Robin Kay

Famous for: President of the Fashion Design Council of Canada who oversees Toronto Fashion Week, the 22nd season of which is currently taking place at Exhibition Place’s Allstream Centre. Kay has been instrumental in raising the status of Toronto Fashion Week around the world.

Her drive: A graphite black 2008 BMW sedan with a black leather interior.

Why the BMW? It’s got the best road hugging and excellent power. Doing 120 km/hour is a breeze.

Which of your car’s feature do you love most? My blue tooth phone, which I’ve been using for two years.

What type of driver are you? Restless, which is why I love highway driving. It makes me calm.

What would we find in your trunk right now? This is not a usual time for me as I am between residences and have been almost living in my car. In any case, you’d find a backseat grey flannel crib for my dogs, a plunger, a Marc Jacobs vintage bag, all of my gym stuff, a puppy bed and a medium-size teddy bear. My Toronto Perly’s, which I need to use when my GPSs get stolen. And, finally, my LG Fashion Week emergency rescue kit.

Designer gets aggressive in her 'army tank'

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Name: Marika Brose

Who she is: Toronto-based fashion designer who launched her eponymous women’s label, Brose, last spring after returning home from 10 years in Europe, where she worked in Paris and Milan for such top designers as Chloe and Prada.

Her car: A 1998 silver limited edition Jeep Cherokee with a V8 engine.

Why the Cherokee: I’ve had that car for 12 years. It’s almost like an army tank because of its engine. And it’s super practical because I’m constantly lugging around fabric rolls and patterns and samples to all my contractors and freelance people. So it’s super practical. And it’s also so safe in our winter weather on the highways.

Any road trips? I go to Montreal frequently for business and I’ve taken it once to New York. I also go to my cottage frequently in the summer, so it’s been all over the place.

What kind of driver are you? Aggressive. I used to drive in Europe and over there, they’re a little more aggressive. I think you have to be aggressive over there, especially if you drive in the cities because their roads are all twisty and turny and you have to be on the ball. I get very impatient here. I don’t have road rage, but I definitely don’t like to sit in the car. Because I do spend a lot of time travelling in my car, I like to make it as fast as possible.

When in Europe ... I drove a minivan. Not cool. I know (laughs). But we had a Vespa too, so I guess that balanced the minivan. Over there, we were also running a little antique silver business on the side, so we needed to transport a lot of stuff.

If money was no object, what car would you be driving? You know, I’m not really a car person, but I guess it would be an AMG. I’ve always wanted one. Or a vintage Mercedes. I like Mercedes.

– Heather Buchan is a Toronto-based journalist who has worked at Homemakers, Canadian Living, Canadian House & Home and, most recently, Hello! Canada, where she cut her teeth in the world of celebrities.

Hollyman's fine Accent

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Name: Ryan Hollyman

What’s he famous for: Acting. Currently starring in Theatrefront’s production of The Mill Part Three: The Woods, as the French settler Charles, which opens on Saturday. He’s also appeared on Flashpoint and The Border, and is the voice of “Snap” on the Rice Krispies commercials.

What he drives: A 2004 black Hyundai Accent

Why the Accent? About a year-and-a-half ago, a friend of mine was moving to Hong Kong. He knew my wife and I were looking for an economy car and he asked if we were interested in buying his Hyundai Accent. It had about 40,000 kilometres on it and it was in perfect condition and he’s a really good friend of mine, so I knew I could trust him. And he gave me a really great price, so I pretty much bought it outright from him that day. It’s been great ever since. We’ve also been looking into buying a Toyota Prius as our next car, but with the news right now … yeah, I think we’ll delay that for a while.

Have you taken any road trips? We’ve taken it to Sault St. Marie a few times and we’ve taken it to Montreal a couple times. It’s great. I got some new winter tires this year. It made a huge difference. The car’s pretty good anyways. It handles really well for an economy car, but the tires really help.

What type of driver are you? Considering I was just in the traffic place today (laughs) … No, I like to think I’m a good, conscious driver. Unfortunatel,y I got caught for a rolling stop sign. I don’t know if I should be talking about this, but I’m disputing it and the policeman said I should dispute it as well. It was a really icy day and I slid through the stop sign. The police officer was there and said it was still an infraction, but I should fight it.

Dream car: A ’63 Corvette Coupe is my all-time favourite-looking car.

– Heather Buchan is a Toronto-based journalist who has worked at Homemakers, Canadian Living, Canadian House & Home and, most recently, Hello! Canada, where she cut her teeth in the world of celebrities.

TV host's graduation gift still gets him around

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Name: Wilder Weir

Who he is: Television host and the current co-host of Cosmopolitan TV’s Oh So Cosmo. He’s also the son of former NHL player Wally Weir.

What he drives: I drive a four-door 2006 Honda Civic. It’s a very unassuming car, but I love it. It’s great on gas. It was a graduation gift from my parents. It’s like a cliché, you know, you graduate university and there’s a car there with a bow on it. That’s what happened. It was a total surprise. I would have taken anything with four wheels.

Have you put many kilometres on your car?: I’m from Montreal, so you know, I drive back and forth when I can on the weekend. So, I actually have no idea how many kilometers I’ve put on it. But lots of road trips.

What kind of driver are you?: I try to keep my hands at 10 and two. I’m pretty good. I have a little bit of an aggressive side, but I think that’s my Montreal blood. You’ve gotta be super aggressive in that city sometimes just to get a parking space. But Toronto’s pretty good. But I’m not a big road rage guy.

What’s your ultimate dream car?: I’m a really lazy person, so I think my dream car would be a limo. So the guy would just drive me around everywhere. You know, he’d just pick you up. You don’t have to call cabs or anything. He’s just waiting out there. The sports cars are cool though.

I got to drive a Lamborghini with ET Canada for a promotion we were doing two years ago. It was super embarrassing because I didn’t know how to drive stick at the time. It was tiptronic. I had to drive around Yorkville and it was so nerve-wracking. So after that I thought, ‘This is ridiculous. I’m a man and I need to know how to drive stick.’ So I learned in the next two weeks.

What’s the most important feature in the car for you?: I have to be able to fit a hockey bag in it. I wouldn’t be able to drive one of those two-seater Porsches. It would have to be something that could fit a snowboard, a hockey bag.

– Heather Buchan is a Toronto-based journalist who has worked at Homemakers, Canadian Living, Canadian House & Home and, most recently, Hello! Canada, where she cut her teeth in the world of celebrities.

Little Mosque actor enjoys perks of the city car

Heather Buchan, Metro Canada — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Name: Brandon Firla

What’s he famous for: The Canadian actor and comedian has starred in the hit legal sitcom Billable Hours, and currently plays Reverend Thorne on Little Mosque on the Prairie. He’ll also be hosting the Best of the Fest Encore Show at Second City as part of the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival this Friday.

His car: A black two-door 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit.

Why the Rabbit? Well, first of all, my favourite animal is the rabbit. And, I like a good city car, which the Rabbit is. Unfortunately, it’s an automatic. Not my choice. My wife didn’t want a standard. So, you know, gotta let the lady…

Have you taken any road trips? We’ve actually driven it across the country three times, from Toronto to L.A. We’ve logged a lot of miles on it. Actually in Texas, we almost lost our passenger side door on one trip. We entered a sand/snowstorm and we stopped at this gas station to get water and opened the passenger door, and it opened the complete opposite way from the sheer force of the wind. So now it doesn’t quite close. It wasn’t pretty.

What kind of driver are you? I guess I go between relaxed and aggressive. Now, as an expectant father, I’ve scaled back. Now I drive pretty much like an 80-year-old man. I’m definitely a little more cautious now than I used to be.

Dream car: I want one of each car, like Jay Leno. No, I’ve always had a passion for Volvos. Those are the cars that I grew up with and learned how to drive. I would go classic, old school Volvo station wagon. A battle tank station wagon.