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My Wheels Melissa Merchant

Olga de MoellerThe West Australian
Melissa Merchant with her Toyota Corolla hybrid.
Camera IconMelissa Merchant with her Toyota Corolla hybrid. Credit: Nic Ellis/The West Australian

Melissa Merchant is appearing in Picasso’s Women at Harbour Theatre, in Mosman Park, now and finds her 2021 Toyota Corolla hybrid has plenty of space when she needs it.

What are you driving and why did you buy it?

A 2021 Toyota Corolla hybrid. I bought the Corolla because I really wanted a hybrid, but I also prefer small cars. I test drove the Corolla and loved it; there’s plenty of room in the back for when I need to cart around costumes and props and it comes with safety features that were a big upgrade from my previous car.

What’s your dream car?

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I’ve always wanted a Mini. I loved them growing up, thanks to watching a lot of British TV as a teenager.

What was your first car?

The first car I ever drove was my dad’s Holden Kingswood. No power steering, no air-con, leaded petrol … the thing was a tank! The high beam button was on the floor and it had a column shift. The first time I drove from Rockingham (where we lived) to Fremantle, the car got a yellow sticker.

What annoys you most about other motorists?

A lack of courtesy. So many of the issues we see on WA roads come from motorists only thinking about themselves. Merging, tailgating, risky overtaking etc. all come from a lack of courtesy.

What’s your favourite driving music?

These days I am mostly listening to my lines! But, when I’m not, I listen to a variety of music. I love to sing, so I’ll play anything I can belt along with.

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