2016-2017 VF COMMODORE

Save your best effort till last – is that the theory? We’d defy anyone who’s driven an SS-V Redline to walk away with any conclusion other than this: How come they’re stopping when the product has become so damned good? And no, that’s not jingoism talking – well, not completely. The fact is the Commodore developed into something that not only claimed to be a world-standard car, but could actually back up those claims in the real world. Plus, we’re not talking million dollar machinery. Why buy this car? Owner Ian Janetzki sums it up this way: “Because it was the last of them and has the 6.2 LS3 motor. “The HSV the year before was like that, and then Holden put it in the off-the-shelf $60k car. They did a few other things – the bimodal exhaust is great, it delivers genuine growl. “Without exception, it’s the best Holden I’ve owned, going back to the 68 HK Premier! “It’s that brute acceleration, but dressed in a European standard of driving feel. That tight BMW handling and steering, yet with 300-plus kW. If you think of what you’d buy in a European stable that comes close to it, it might be the C63 Benz, which is pushing $160,000.

“My first Holden was an HD and I’m in that situation where I have a soft spot for them.”