DEFEND YOUR RIDE: David At The Original Pantry Cafe

Q: Hi David. Thank you for participating in Defend Your Ride Los Angeles. Can you tell us about a recent road trip you've taken in your car Ginger?

A: This past summer, my girlfriend Brooke and I went up to Paso Robles just north of San Luis Obispo and drove around touring and drinking wine. I believe the drive was around four hours each way.

Q: What was your favorite part about that drive?

A: Getting there. I believe it was during that trip that I ran out of gas for the first time--in a Prius! I've always kind of wondered how it works when you run out of gas, especially how it works when you run out of gas in a Prius. On the way, I thought we would make it. We definitely did not make it. All the lights went on and flashed. Pretty much the thing shut down. Luckily, we were on the freeway. There was an off-ramp right there. I coasted down the off-ramp, through a red light and into a gas station parking lot.

Q: That's a lucky break. When you're not testing your luck on long drives in the Prius, where are you going closer to home? How's your commute?

A: It's fairly good. I don't mind it. I like time in the car. It gives me time to catch up on podcasts, news and sports, and make calls in the evening.

Q: But you're a country guy at heart?

A: I'm a country guy. My girlfriend and I take the Prius and tailgate at country music concerts. We are very odd when we show up with the Prius parked between two massive trucks with huge grills. We unload, you know, a small portable Weber grill and probably some cheese and beer and other stereotypical Prius owner snacks.

Q: Very nice, like wasabi beans and stuff?

A: There's some in the car right now! There's one thing that stays in the car that I wear quite often. It's a camouflage Toyota trucks hat. I love the hat. It's one of the few hats I wear, but I like it more because it's Toyota trucks. People get excited about what kind of truck I drive. They notice my car and I have to sadly inform them that it's a Prius. But I'm proud!

Q: If your car had a favorite country singer, who would it be?

A: It would definitely be Jimmy Buffett. That's what she's been forced to listen to since her birth. She's pretty happy-go-lucky. She's red. She's got a great driver. She lives by the beach!

Q: That sounds like a great personality for a car! Finally, if your gentle Prius were no more, or if you could buy any car you'd like, what would it be?

A: A 1997 Land Rover Defender 90. It's been a favorite car of mine since I was little. They stopped bringing it into the U.S. in 1997, so it's the last year. They're not crazy expensive like a Ferrari, but they are a car that I've always wanted to obtain.