2008 Holden 60th Anniversary Commodore SS-V

Growing up and learning to drive I’d always had to drive old ‘budget’ cars. These weren’t bad cars by any means (two Toyota Corolla’s and a Toyota Camry) but they weren’t cars I wanted to continue driving after I starting to earn my own income.
So after a few years in a full time job I made my own ‘real’ first time car purchase in early 2015. I bought a 2008 60th Anniversary Holden Commodore SS-V.

I’ve always been a fan of Aussie V8’s and I always remember the quote from Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear which described the cars as “meat pie engineering”. I love my meat pies. I’ve heard people say that the Holden V8’s just aren’t refined enough as a car but for me, it’s the brutish nature that is appealing. If this isn’t your thing then that’s cool, there’s a market of BMW’s, Merc’s and Audi’s for you.

In terms of Holden versus Ford (it’s an Australian thing) I usually sit on the fence. I know the Ford’s are generally quicker and I really like the Ford XR6 Turbo’s but I’ve always preferred the look of the Holden’s. As a daily drive, I’ll always rate aesthetics over performance so Holden it was.

Buying second hand I went with a 2008 60th Anniversary SS-V with no modifications. For only about 5% extra the 60th Anniversary model got me leather seats, sunroof, 20 inch rims, etc which I like having. There’s so many Commodores on the roads these days that these features help you stick out from the pack just that little bit. I also bought a manual transmission model. Every car I’ve owned has been a manual and I don’t see this changing anytime soon. For me, the additional driver input adds to the driving experience.

Overall, the car is a pleasure to drive. The L98 V8 engine has plenty of grunt for when you want it although, it will cost you at the petrol station. I don’t really see this as an issue though. At the end of the day if you’re going to buy a V8 Commodore you have to be willing to feed the thirst of the engine.

The drive is smooth and with the standard exhaust installed (aftermarket exhausts being popular with the Holden SS) it isn’t noisy in the cabin, especially when cruising. That being said, it you plant the right foot the engine will belt out a satisfying roar. The power delivery is smooth and the engine responsive. You won’t find you have to rev the engine towards the red line to get the thing moving, it just lumbers along.

Coming out of 1990’s Toyota Corolla hatchbacks the interior feels like a mansion. The front and back seats have plenty of room and are comfortable to sit in over long road trips. The boot also provides plenty of space although I would like if the seats folded down. My parents own a 2003 Mazda 6 which has back seats that lay down completely flat. I’ve been able to fit double fridges into that back of that thing!

The gadgets and gizmo’s are pretty standard and do the job. The entertainment system is simple to navigate and the steering wheel controls are easy to use when driving. The stability control system is a nice addition when you have it on. I’m not too embarrassed to admit it’s saved me a few times when I’ve got a little over ambitious with the accelerator… My only pet hate is the speakers. They do the job but aren’t the best quality going around. Again, this likely comes from my parents Mazda 6 which is fitted with a Bose speaker system which is amazing.

All in all, I love this car and would highly recommend it to anyone as long as you don’t mind putting up with the age old “it’s just a Commodore” comment you’ll hear. To be honest, in pursuing my dream to take up a track car as a hobby I’m likely to end up selling the car and buying a sleek 4 cylinder BMW and Audi to save on running costs.

But for now, it’s all about the V8 and stops at the petrol station!