Cars

Speaker: Finn

Do you own a car, or would you like to own one in the future?

At the moment, I don’t—I live pretty close to campus and most places I need to go are easily accessible by public transit. That said, I’d definitely like to buy one in the future, especially once I start working full-time. Having your own car just gives you so much more freedom, particularly for weekend trips or getting to places that aren’t well connected by buses or trains.

How often do you travel by car?

Not very often, to be honest. Since I live close to my university, I usually just walk to classes, and I rely on public transport for most other things. I only really end up in a car when my friends give me a ride somewhere or when my parents pick me up for the holidays. So yeah, I ride in one from time to time, but it’s not part of my daily routine.

What types of cars do you like?

I’m quite into compact sports sedans because they strike a nice balance between performance and practicality. They look sporty and exciting, but they’re still practical enough for everyday use. I also really like electric vehicles because the technology behind them is fascinating.

Do you think car colors are important?

Yeah, to some extent. I think the color can say a lot about a person’s taste. Some people stick with neutral options like black, white, or silver because they look clean and hold their value better, while others go for bright colors to stand out. At the end of the day, though, color is secondary for me—I’m way more focused on things like safety, reliability, and fuel efficiency.

Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger?

I definitely prefer being a passenger, mainly because it’s way more relaxing. As a passenger, I can just kick back, listen to music, chat with friends, or check my phone without having to focus on the road. Driving is fun, but it comes with a lot more stress—especially in heavy city traffic. So if I have the choice, I’d rather let someone else take the wheel.

What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?

Since I don’t drive, I usually experience traffic jams as a passenger, so I just try to make the most of the delay. I’ll usually pop in my earbuds to listen to music or a podcast, scroll through social media, or catch up on messages. If I’m with friends or family, we’ll just chat to pass the time—it’s actually a nice way to kill time without feeling too stressed about the traffic.

Did you enjoy traveling by car when you were a kid?

Yeah, I really did. My family used to take road trips during the school holidays, and I always looked forward to them. I loved looking out the window, picking the music, and stopping at different spots along the way. When you’re a kid, even a short drive feels like a mini-adventure, so those trips are definitely some of my favorite childhood memories.

Have you ever taken a long road trip by car?

Yes, a few times! The longest one was a family trip that took about ten hours. Even though sitting in a car for that long was pretty exhausting, I still really enjoyed the whole experience because we passed through so many different towns and landscapes. We made plenty of stops for coffee and snacks along the way, which kept it fun. I think road trips are great because the journey itself feels like part of the vacation.

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Speaker: Blondie

Do you own a car, or would you like to own one in the future?

Yeah, I actually bought a hatchback a couple of years ago once I started working full-time. Having your own set of wheels just gives you so much freedom, especially for getting to work or heading out on spontaneous weekend drives.

How often do you travel by car?

Pretty much daily. I drive to work every morning to avoid packed trains, and I use it on weekends for errands or getting out of the city. I’d say I’m behind the wheel almost every single day.

What types of cars do you like?

I really appreciate snappy, well-handling cars—things like hot hatches or compact sedans. They’re fun to drive, easy to maneuver in city traffic, and still have enough zip when you get onto the highway.

Do you think car colors are important?

To a degree, yeah. Practicality-wise, lighter colors like silver or grey don’t show dirt as easily, which saves you a trip to the car wash. But aesthetically, a bold color like deep red or metallic blue can give a car a lot of character.

Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger?

Hands down, the driver. I actually find driving pretty therapeutic—it lets me focus on the road and take my mind off work stress. Plus, I get motion sick if I sit in the passenger seat for too long, so I always offer to take the wheel.

What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?

I try not to let it get to me. I’ll usually put on a good audio book or queue up a fresh episode of a podcast to keep my brain occupied while I stop and go.

Did you enjoy traveling by car when you were a kid?

Honestly, not at all. I suffered from terrible motion sickness, so any ride longer than fifteen minutes was a nightmare for me. My parents had to keep plastic bags in the glove box, and I spent most trips staring straight at the horizon trying not to feel nauseous. It’s funny because I love driving now, but back then, I absolutely hated it.

Have you ever taken a long road trip by car?

Plenty of times! Last year, a few friends and I did an eight-hour drive down to the coast. I ended up doing most of the driving because I enjoy it so much, and honestly, cruising down the highway with good music is half the fun of the vacation.