Incredible sun-drenched beaches; fantastic restaurants, cafes, and chic shopping precincts; and roads that can match any of the finest routes you’ll find overseas (in fun – not quality).
And for less than $5,000 you can buy a ten-year-old, rear wheel drive sedan with a big six-pack up the front. Seriously, what more could you want?
Well, if we’re talking about the Ford AU Falcon, then the answer is almost anything else.
But in the case of the VT Commodore, or for a few bucks more, the BA Falcon, you’ll be getting some pretty honest cars. In between them, you’ll find hundreds of model variants to suit almost any body. (Unless you need something small or fuel economical.)
Such choice. We are spoilt with our Australian model range. Wagons, utes, limousines, soft-roaders, performance cars, and even a coupe in the case of the Monaro. V6s, superchargers, turbochargers, LP gas options, or big muscular V8s. Diesels and hybrids are also rumoured to be on their way for the local manufacturers.
With this much choice, there is a strong culture of patriotism to our local car industry. Which is both good and bad.
We need this car industry, not only for our economy, but because it is one of the few truly unique products that we compete well at on the world stage. Our Commodore is rebadged as a Chevrolet Omega in the Middle East, as a Vauxhall VXR8 in the UK, and, until the collapse of the brand a few of weeks ago, as a Pontiac G8 in the US. And with each release in these parts of the world there came rave reviews.
But don’t try and tell me that a Statesman is equal to an S-Class, a Territory is as good as an XC90, or a GTS is on par with an M5. Australian cars have come a long way, massively so in the last fifteen years, but they’re still a long way off competing with the Europeans.
Which is why I can’t understand this reverse elitism that exists amongst Australian car owners. There is a strong sense of smugness that I’ve noticed in our local car community. And it’s an attitude being led by our local automotive media.
Sure, we should be proud of what we produce, but we don’t yet have the driving dynamics of the Germans’, the reliability of the Japanese, or the chic style of the French. Ok, so I was joking that last one. The French actually posses the same smugness we have here: Their cars are good, but they simply aren’t as good as they think they are.
When the VE Commodore was released in 2006 it was touted as Holden’s Billion Dollar Baby. Local motoring journalists spewed out claims that this was our local industry’s answer to German cars. They told us that the VE had the build quality of an Audi and held the road like a BMW.
Naturally, my anticipation grew with my rising expectations.
So when my turn finally came to drive the VE, I was genuinely impressed. And I was surprised I was impressed. I thought the 1997 VT was a massive leap over the VS, and that this VE made a similar jump from the outdated VZ.
That same day I drove the recently released BMW E60 530d; an absolutely brilliant, perfect car. Not only did it help to kick-start my love affair with modern diesels, it confirmed what I had previously suspected: the VE was not on the same level as the Germans. And at around one-third of the price, it shouldn’t be expected to be, either.
I think the VE is good value for money. If you’re not paying the bills, then the SS is a tremendously fun machine with an addictive, ballsy torque curve – which is less like a curve than a thick straight line. And in wagon trim, it’s even cooler.
But towards its limits, the Commodore still handles like it’s carrying cement both ahead of the steering wheels and behind the driving ones. The seats are more like Lay-Z-Boys, the plastics are hard and brittle, the buttons feel unrefined, and the equipment levels are the bare minimum of what is expected in a modern vehicle.
Remembering the VE cost Holden one billion dollars, the new FG Falcon cost around half a billion dollars to build. Does this mean that Ford skimped, or does it mean that Holden spent their money in a zealous manner? Well, the Ford certainly isn’t half the car of the Commodore, so it’s probably more of a latter.
Every time though, it comes back to price; and more importantly, value. If you’re looking for space, it’s hard to go past the VE Commodore or the FG Falcon. And sure, they make quick cars, imitation luxury cars, and a host of other variants, but don’t think that you’re buying anything more than what it is.
We’re lucky that we have an industry that builds uniquely Australian cars, and proudly exports them overseas. But as far as the fit, finish, and road holding of our cars are concerned, we still have a long way to go before we have a car that is truly and honestly of a world class.
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