Me and my car: Victoria Crone

Victoria Crone has a plea for more tolerance on the road. Picture / Ted Baghurst

Xero managing director Victoria Crone adores her Mini convertible -- truly a car for all seasons

What do you drive?

A grey 2008 Mini Cooper S -- Sidewalk Convertible. I was looking for a car that I, with my girls, aged 14 and 9, could zip around in. I soon had my eyes set on a Mini convertible. (Think Auckland summers, cruising, exploring, adventures, and you can park it anywhere!) I wanted something enjoyable to drive but also a car you have to drive to get the most from it. And it needed to be a bit different. The Sidewalk is a 6-speed convertible, it has a few extra specs, great power and pick up, incredible cornering, but also is safe for my family. It was funny driving "Minnie" (my girls named her) to Xero on my first day in the job, and seeing her looking totally at home parked next to the Xero Mini cars.

First car?

A yellow Austin 1300, my grandad's. It was great, economical on petrol but, compared to cars now, heavy and clunky!

Dream car?

A hybrid sports car. Something that has grunt, is fun to drive, but is nice on the environment.

Favourite car colour?

Black.

Who taught you to drive?

From a young age, my grandad used to let me change gears as we drove around. I'd pretend his car was a Dukes of Hazzard car, I was Daisy, and I'd do the run up and leap through the open window into the passenger seat! My dad introduced me to driving followed by formal driving lessons. They were great teachers. I also took defensive driving courses to get my full licence as soon as I could -- I still use those instincts on the road. It should be mandatory. I'm looking forward to teaching my girls to drive, and think it's important they learn to drive a manual, to learn how to handle and drive a car.

Most memorable road trip?

Driving from New Plymouth through Taupo to Wellington on Christmas Day, through the back roads, such beautiful country. Last year we spent seven days driving from Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Queenstown, Wanaka, Haast Pass, Franz Joseph, Hokitika and back to Christchurch. The West Coast is stunning to drive down.

What do you listen to?

On road trips, it's loud music, anything from pop to rock to classical. I love music and I love driving.

Great day trip out of Auckland?

To the Coromandel, to Wenderholm Park, Mangawhai Heads, Ruakaka, further up to Kai Iwi lakes, Raglan is a great spot ... I think Maraetai is beautiful, too.

What irritates you most about other drivers?

How impatient people are. If people were more tolerant, driving would be much more enjoyable. So go on, let that person in, don't honk if someone takes one second to start after the lights changed. It doesn't take much time out of your day. The other big one that frustrates me is people who drive slow in the right lane on motorways and people who sit around 80-90km on the open road then speed up in the passing lanes.

Would you rather drive in Auckland or take public transport?

On a typical day I drop my kids at school, drive to the Xero Parnell office, then I am out and about during the week at various meetings across Auckland. I'd love it if public transport was more accommodating of what I need to do.

Who else is allowed to drive your car?

I'm pretty flexible on who can drive it. My daughter will be learning to drive in it soon.

As told to Donna McIntyre