Jason Lee was offered the part of Sam but turned it down to provide the voice of Syndrome in The Incredibles (2004). The role was subsequently offered to Kevin Smith.
They use two models of green Subaru Legacy Outback as a single car. The first showing is a 1998 or 1999 with the hood scoop, but near the end, she is driving the same one throughout the show, along the PCH. But when she arrives at the house on the beach it is a 2000 or newer model, which is a different body style, and clearly no hood scoop.