DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Gretchen At The Palace of Fine Arts

Q: How long have you owned your vehicle?

A: Since it was brand new, since July 2009, so only two years.

Q: Which neighborhood do you live in and what's the zip code?

A: Cow Hollow, 94123.

Q: How old are you?

A: No. I'm 42.

Q: What's your car's main use?

A: Everything, but I have the best commute I've ever had, two miles! I spent most of my time this summer on my road trips.

Q: Could you describe one of your road trips?

A: I could tell you I went to the Sierra Nevada last weekend with my dad and I use to own a four-wheel drive. This is way better! We rode on all sort of crazy dirt roads in the middle of nowhere and it was comfy and reliable.

Q: What's your worst part of your commute?

A: I love my commute! It's only two miles.

Q: Where did you get your car?

A: Albany Subaru, just north of Berkeley.

Q: Was it a good experience?

A: Phenomenal experience! I like to do my research. I had gone to all the other dealerships in the Bay Area and there were only five of these cars left from 2009. The most interesting thing about this car is that I bought it on cash for clunkers. I had a Toyota 1990 Four Runner with 300,000 miles on it and it was 20 years old. I loved my Four Runner, but Obama started this cash for clunkers program and I couldn't resist. I ended up getting $4,500 for my old car and put it towards this vehicle. They had the best customer service and didn't make me feel like I was at a car dealership. They were very professional!

Q: What's your favorite day trip from home?

A: I go more often to Marin than any place. The trip is very scenic, and there are a lot of turns and this car handles really well.

Q: Where's the furthest place you've driven to with this car?

A: Good question. I would have to say UCLA, so Los Angeles pretty much. I took the trip by myself. I was actually heading down there to finish a book I've been working on. Also to analyze plant growth for my PHD project that I had planted about nine years ago.

Q: Where's the craziest place you've driven to with this car?

A: Probably most recently when I went down to Santa Paula to a ranch where my PHD project was located. It was in the country area and it was located in the middle of nowhere along a river system. In order to get back there I had to drive along a ton of curvy roads and eventually the roads became unpaved. I got so much dust in my vehicle from that trip. There are still traces of dust from that trip in my car.

Q: Do you have any rules in your car?

A: Rules?! In my car? That is interesting. I don't like rules, so I don't have any.

Q: What do you listen to in your car?

A: Music.

Q: Do you ever turn it up and rock out?

A: Heck yeah! I'm from Georgia, so definitely.

Q: What's your favorite type of music to listen to?

A: Rock and roll. Bluegrass.

Q: If your car had a theme song what would it be?

A: "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson.

Q: If your car had a human emotion, what would it be and why?

A: Something to describe like, ready to go anywhere. I've just done anything and everything with it in these two years and I take it anywhere. Adventurous!

Q: How many miles do you think are left in the life of your car?

A: A lot because it is so new. I've driven all my cars to over 220,000. So I would say around 250,000. It's also a PZEV.

Q: What's that?

A: Partial Zero Emission Vehicle. The emissions are the same as a Toyota Prius, and on my most recent trip I got 29 miles per gallon. That's good for an all wheel drive.

Q: Is there anything else we should know about your car?

A: It has the most amazing sunroof of any car I've ever been in. That's one of the reasons I bought it. Everyone loves this sunroof!