On 1st March 2008, I bought my first car - a 2005 Holden Commodore VZ Impulse SV6.
The choice was originally between a BA XR6, VZ SV6 and a 380 VRX. In my heart I wanted the SV6 but I knew the other two were a little cheaper. I test drove all three and realised the 380 was not in the same class as the Holden and Ford, it just wasn't as good at everything. The Ford and Holden had subtle differences but I would be happy with either. In the end a call to an insurance company settled it.
Insuring a BA XR6 in Whyalla, where I live which is cheaper than Adelaide thankfully, was $300 more than a VZ SV6 which was more powerful. In the end, my head and heart both agreed on the SV6.
A car I had been wanting for more than 18 months, which required me to save money, pass uni and secure a job even before I thought about buying a car.
I purchased the SV6 for just over $22k with 54000kms on the clock and no major scratches and no dents. I have just replaced the windscreen wiper blades, as the previous blades weren't up to scratch.
I love the whole package of the car and plan on keeping it pretty well standard. I wanted a car that I would be happy with as stock and the SV6 fits the bill. The great looks, especially those 17" mags as standard, the 190kW engine goes like hell and I am now the envy of my mates who also have 6 cylinder cars which don't go quite as fast as mine! The paddle shift isn't bad, but its no Ferrari with a bit of lag. The paddles are great when going through hills and twisty roads.
This car makes sense in Whyalla and on any highway as you can slot the car into cruise control and will happily sip 9L/100km. I hate driving in Adelaide as the city's stop start traffic and road works always send my fuel consumption sky rocketing.
All in all I am very happy with the car.
Possible mods I might make are upgrading the stereo and putting some 6x9's in the space left in the parcel shelf thats occupied on the Calais, and minor engine mods like a decent air filter, spark plugs, ignition leads and air induction system, which I have been told all make small gains for little price.
My First Car - 2005 VZ SV6
