Reader of the Week: Kristy Totten

This Vegas girl gets paid to try out fast cars

By Lindsey Underwood
Published: July 13th, 2009 | 12:00am

Who says women don't know anything about cars? Reader of the Week Kristy Totten, 24, is the automotive editor for a newspaper where on any given day she could drive anything from a Smart Car to a Rolls-Royce. Listen up, as this down to earth Vegas gal tells us about life off the strip, fast cars, and a weakness for Coolio.

Where do you live? What do you like most about living there?

I live in Las Vegas. I like that it's an uber-convenient, true 24-hour city — a huge sociological study lined with grit and glamour. You can eat a world-class meal here at any hour, pay your $1,000 bill, and then find yourself down the street in a crumbling dive bar, rubbing elbows with a one-eyed patron who claims to have toured with The Beatles. It's a storied place and there's a lot to discover beyond what tourists see.

What is your favorite thing to do in Vegas that has nothing to do with gambling, lights, the strip, or strippers? (We understand if you can't tell us, considering 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas')?

Most of what I do in Vegas aren't typical "Vegas" things because it can be transient and superficial; the city seriously lacks culture, but I spend a lot of my free time trying to see the local art and music we do have. First Fridays downtown are fun. And surprisingly, there's a lot of scenic nature surrounding Vegas — Red Rock, Mount Charleston, and a couple of lakes. I'm all about being outdoors. Have you ever hit the jackpot? No, I don't gamble. It's a soul-sucking waste of time.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Southern California — Riverside — skate boarding and running wild. Riverside gets a bad wrap, but it's a romantic city that is, compared to surrounding cities, quite historical and largely unclogged by corporately owned businesses. Although it's a bit inland, I spent a lot of time with my family at the beach.

What do you do for a living?

I'm the automotive editor at the major paper out here, the Las Vegas Review-Journal. I write, edit, do layout, and drive fast cars.

What is the coolest car you've been in?

I've driven everything from Lamborghinis to Rolls-Royces to smart cars, but I my favorite was probably the new Nissan Z370. I got to take it for a day after it was unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show, before it went on sale to the public, and it was a blast to whip around the turns at the Red Rock scenic loop. It felt like sitting in an engine. It's fast and fun, but not so nice that you're afraid to sit in it, like some super cars I've driven. The coolest car I've been in, but didn't get to drive was an Alpha Romeo BAT, a concept car from the 1950s that resembles a stingray.

What is your dream car?

For the longest time I wanted an El Camino, which is funny to think back to. If money weren't an object, I'd go for an Aston Martin — any of them — because they're fast and the exterior design is unparalleled in beauty. But more realistically, I'd say Infiniti G37 or BMW M3. The G is powerful, but elegant, and the M3 is a race car in disguise. Vintage cars look amazing, but aren't very fun to drive ... or maintain. I can't wait to see some of the electric cars that are coming out.

What is your dream job?

I want to end up a freelance writer and novelist, writing long-form features about whatever I want from wherever I want. I also hope to become a gourmet cook, florist, and food performance artist. I'm obsessed with avant-garde dinner parties.

The great Madonna once said, "Hey Mr. DJ, put a record on, I want to dance with my baby." What song do you and your baby (or friends) like to dance to?

Hmmm, this is a hard one. "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio is my favorite karaoke song, if that helps.

Anything last thoughts for our readers?

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