Me and my car: Jared Turner

Jared Turner says his Honda Insight is fuel efficient, comfortable and has room for the family.Picture / Ted Baghurst

Jared Turner, who plays Ty in The Almighty Johnsons on TV3, tells Donna McIntyre about his hybrid Honda

What do you drive?

A Silver 2012 Honda Insight (IMA Hybrid), chosen for its fuel efficiency. I have a young family so saving money wherever possible is a priority. Aside from that it's surprisingly spacious and smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive.

What matters most when you buy a car?

Whether all my kids will fit it the back seat - including a baby car seat and a booster seat.

Manual or automatic?

I'm driving an automatic but I prefer a manual. However, the Insight offers a Sport mode with paddles on the steering wheel to change gear.

Favourite car colour?

Black. Despite the difficulty in keeping it clean, it can make the most timid car look cool.

Your first car?

A 1978 VW Passat. It was a dog of a car, held together by chewing gum and electrical tape. I swore I'd never buy another VW again. Especially a Passat. My second family vehicle is currently a 1997 VW Passat.

Dream car?

A 1968 390 V8 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, as seen in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt.

Who taught you to drive?

My old man, his mate, Juan, and the craggy old bastard that I paid to give me lessons. I was 16. My old man and his mate were surprisingly patient. However, the old bastard who I paid would constantly slam his foot on the Instructor's brake and tell me how shit my driving was.

Most memorable road trip?

I was in my early twenties, driving from Sydney to Melbourne to see my brother and I invited along a girl I was smitten with. We were just friends but I thought it'd be a great opportunity to tell her how I felt. The drive was a mix of total enjoyment and nervous terror. We listened to great music, talked endlessly, and stopped off at some cool and interesting places. I felt that wewere perfect for one another, yet, I didn't want to make the rest of the journey seem awkward if I said anything I shouldn't have. I dropped her home, drove 100m up the road, drove back and poured my heart out. As it turned out, she didn't feel the same way.

Music as you drive?

I treat my car like a giant karaoke machine on wheels. I plug my iPod in and play anything from Stevie Wonder to Foo Fighters or Bob Marley to the Black Keys. On road trips across NZ, you can guarantee there'll be Crowded House singalongs.

What's a great day trip out of Auckland?

I live out west so I like discovering areas of Waitakere. It also means spending less time in the car travelling and more time exploring.

Does what people drive influence how you see them?

I do my best not to. However, sometimes what people drive and, in particular, how they drive them will give me a very strong opinion of that person.

Would you rather drive in Auckland or take public transport?

I like the idea of using public transport but it tends to be a little unreliable and, in some places, inaccessible. Trying to get to a destination with a big family (with small children) can be a challenge, so we usually go by car.

Who else is allowed to drive your car?

No one.

How often do you clean your car?

I'll usually clean it every few weeks.

Pet hate on the road?

Tailgating. Auckland drivers seem notorious for this. It's dangerous and infuriating.