DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Ashley At Larchmont Village

Q: Hi Ashley! Thank you for participating in Defend Your Ride Los Angeles. Let's dive right in with the most important question: Do you have a nickname for your car?

A: My car's called Diamond. I love diamonds. I think they're pretty and this is my best friend. It gets me around. I mainly use it to go back and forth to work. I work in Long Beach. I also use it to go to auditions and acting classes all over Hollywood and Burbank. And I like to go out, too.

Q: Sounds like fun. Where do you like to go when you go out?

A: When I first moved to California, I liked to hang out in Hollywood. But now I'm branching out a little bit--exploring some places in Burbank and Long Beach.

Q: How much time do you spend in Diamond in a week?

A: Wow, a lot of time. Let's see, with the California traffic, maybe like 12 hours, driving back and forth? But you know recently, I got a little smart because instead of taking the freeway, I take the streets everywhere. I've noticed that I don't have to sit in traffic as much. It took me all these years to figure that out.

Q: Any shortcuts you'd like to share?

A: Coming from Hawthorne, I used to take the freeways. Now I just take Hawthorne Blvd. when I want to go to Hollywood. So just take Hawthorne Blvd. to La Brea, and that'll get you to Hollywood.

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: I'm from Baltimore, Maryland.

Q: And how does the traffic here compare to Baltimore?

A: Not as much traffic in Baltimore as there is here. I had to get used to sitting in traffic when I moved here.

Q: Tell us about your Ford Mustang Coupe. How did you know you wanted it?

A: Actually, I looked this car up on a website and as soon as I got to the car dealership, I bought it. I didn't have to look at anything else. It was love at first sight!

Q: Do you have any rules in the car?

A: Put your seatbelt on. That's my main rule. I don't mind if people eat in the car and all that stuff. I'm not too crazy about that as long as you put your seatbelt on.

Q: What do you listen to in the car, while you drive?

A: I listen to all types of music. I like to listen to music that'll get me pumped up, which I probably shouldn't because of the traffic out here. You'd probably want to stay kind of mellow and calm. But I like the party music, just like dancing in my car.

Q: Have you ever been caught rockin' out in the car?

A: Oh definitely. I've caught a couple people staring at me sometimes, but you know, I just look forward like I don't see them and keep on rockin' out.

Q: What do you think your next car will realistically be?

A: My dream car is a Range Rover for now. A few years from now, who knows. They're just so powerful, and you command the street. It looks like they're pretty safe. I haven't had good reviews about the Range Rover, but I still want to give it a try.