Shortcuts - Josh Elam

Car: 1993 Toyota 4-Runner V6 4WD

Previous cars: 1988 Mustang GT, 1992 Mustang LX, 1988 Mustang 5.0 Notchback, 1973 Ford F100, 1997 E39 BMW 540i.

How’s your commute? About 25 minutes from Rancho San Diego to Chula Vista.

Cheapest gas? I usually go to Costco for gas, it’s generally about 10-15% cheaper on average. I think it’s worth waiting in line for, most of the time it’s only 5-10 minutes and I save almost $3.00 per tank.

What’s wrong with your car? Same problems any car it’s age displays, it has 220K miles on it so just the little things you’d expect.

What cool cars have you driven? Honestly my ‘73 F100 was really fun. It was lifted all high and stuff so we’d tow off-road skateboarders around Pine Valley with it. My ‘88 Mustang had some pretty sweet modifications to it, Wilwood 6-piston front brakes and drums in the rear made it... exciting [dangerous].

What do you listen to while you drive? I’m mostly into metal, I was considering getting a ‘Slayer’ tattoo if that gives you any idea.

Do you use your cell phone and drive? No, it really annoys me to see other people talking on their cell phones and I’m no hypocrite. Maybe if I was expecting an important call for a second but, no.

Where do you experience the worst traffic in San Diego? I usually get to go the opposite way of traffic, I’m headed south in the morning and north in the evening, but there’s always accidents by the 94-125 exchange.

Tickets? I have 4 or 5 speeding tickets. All my cars have been sort-of loud or obtrusive and tend to attract a lot of attention from law enforcement. One time I got flagged down by an on foot police officer, he was not pleased.

Any good hitchhiking stories? No, I’ve never had any desire to hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker. I might be just sort of an asshole who doesn’t care enough to help other people.

Accidents? I got hit by a Camry one time in a parking lot. I had a solid stainless steel bumper and I was in the F100 so the front of the Camry got destroyed. Accidents are typically pretty avoidable so I haven’t been in anything serious.

What is your favorite drive? I really like the 52 west down into La Jolla all through the San Clemente valley, I think it’s one of the best freeways in San Diego.

Your best ShortCut? If you’re on 125 north near that sharp right near the 94 you can bypass almost all the traffic by instead taking the 94 east, getting off at the first exit and making a u-turn to get back on the 125 north well ahead of most of the traffic.

What is your dream car? 2003 E39 BMW M5 with a bunch of modifications, brakes, suspension, some engine. White with a black interior would be perfect.

What bothers you most about other peoples’ driving? Probably the biggest thing is when people drive slow in the passing lane. If there’s somebody behind you, you should move over!

Do you use any shortcuts in real life? I work on my own car so I don’t have to pay for mechanics. If you have even basic mechanical knowhow you can get a manual that explains almost any project on your car and most mechanics charge $100+ per hour.