What are you driving?
It’s a Mercedes C250 in Palladium Silver. It’s automatic with paddle shift for when you are after a bit of manual-like feel. The car has a few nice added specs with the AMG Sports Package.
In the looks department, it has a more aggressive front bumper, grill and some nice AMG wheels. Inside, there’s red stitching throughout, alcantara/suede on the seats and door cards as well as the stand-out red seat belts, sports suspension and slightly bigger front brakes. The red seat belts took a bit of getting used to, but they are growing on me.
Why a Mercedes C250?
I got it straight from a Mercedes dealership about four months ago now. They give you the whole showroom experience of a new car, which is awesome.
As much as I love Mercedes, I’m more loyal towards a great car than a specific brand. I wanted something in the small sedan range, around five years old that was preferably sporty but mainly good on gas, comfortable and a nice daily.
I tried out a couple BMW 320ds, the new Toyota Corolla and I even let my Bcom Accounting side try steer me towards a Prius. The Mercedes-Benz ticked all the boxes and is a great all-round car.
Who else drives it?
Friends and family generally get a free pass. I like to let others enjoy it, despite it making my heart stop.
How does it suit your personality?
I appreciate things that are well built and thought through. It’s a great every day car that is durable, ready for any outing and still lets me get my fix for nice design and quality things.
How does it suit Uber?
Fuel economy is surprisingly good, it’s lovely to spend time in so I’m happy to drive more hours and the riders love it. The size is also great for around the city.
Customers’ reactions?
When people are dressed up for a night out or going to meet their friends they love that they are rocking up in style. Passengers often ask me to help spot out their mates and pull up right in front, so they can see them turn up.
How often do you drive for Uber?
Usually one evening/night on the weekend and an hour before or after work during the week.
How often do you clean your car?
It used to be once a week, but I just started a job at Mercedes-Benz Auckland in Newmarket grooming new vehicles. So, it's turned into a bit of a shoemaker’s shoes scenario, though I’m trying to stick to twice a month at the absolute worst.
Who taught you to drive?
I grew up north and we had a bit of land. I think my parents gave me a couple of pointers then I mostly taught myself. We had an old broken ute I got obsessed with fixing then used to drive/skid around the paddock until it gave up for good.
Advice to young drivers?
Learn how a car works. And get your hands on a car on a skid pad training day. Learning how to handle a sliding car gives you a healthy respect for speed, as well as how little room and time we have on the road for evasive manoeuvres and fixing errors.
Your first car?
A Nissan Pulsar M1, 1400cc manual. I was 16 and bought it off my friend. Loved it.
If you could go anywhere, in any car, with any celebrity?
Nico Rosberg, in a Ferrari F40. We would start in Germany, head to Belgium and France and end up cruising around Monaco before the F1 in his Mercedes Pagoda 280SL. It would be one uncomfortable trip, but I’d be in heaven.
Other drivers ... what irritates you most?
When someone overtakes you slowly.
And your take on Auckland’s traffic?
It’s a bit of a mess. I think more efficient public transport is the best solution.