Holden SS Commodore 2004 Review

Even the police who administered my random breath test were impressed, and more than a little surprised, to see a glammed-up gal in the driver's seat.

It's like every red-blooded male's dream, a hotted-up V8 and a girl thrown in.

I must declare my interests here and now though. I'm a Ford girl through and through, but I was seduced. I fought it, tried to focus on his bad points but the treasure trove of positives won out.

What can I say? The mind is willing but the flesh is weak.

It's something primal about a V8, the caveman (or woman) attraction.

The grunt, the amazing power of this little baby – it's a six-speed, for goodness sake. Given you can get to 60km/h while still in first, it does make you wonder how fast sixth gear would take you.

But my friends in blue, you'll be happy to know I was a good girl – well, mostly. I may have had a little fun planting the foot from the traffic lights, doing my best jet-fighter impression. The acceleration is fun, but only if you're driving. If you're the passenger, it's a tad scary (unless you're a 17-year-old bloke).

He's not just a muscle man, my chrome-coloured hero – he is every bit the sensitive new-age bloke, attuned to your needs and desires. There are leather seats, chrome gearstick, vanity mirror, CD player with steering wheel controls so you can take charge and let him know exactly what you like. Then there's my favourite touch, the stereo that keeps playing music after you remove the key until you open the door, perfect for those of us who take five minutes to put everything into our handbag before exiting.

Let's face it, looks are maybe not everything, but they are a large part of the package. With a cute backside, a spoiler and funky little air vents along the side, car loads of men would actually pull up short at the lights to check us (well, him) out. However, sometimes perfection is a never-ending quest.

The number of different options for seat configurations actually got too confusing. I was obsessed by an endless search for the best position and just ended up at a ridiculous angle with a sore back. Well, I guess they do say love hurts.

I'm now back in my little white Hyundai Excel, and while I'm trying to exude sexiness, the only looks I get are from older ladies sporting a blue rinse, or from couriers.

And I was quite getting used to that sex-goddess title, too.

LOVE IT LEAVE IT

Holden SS Commodore
Price $50,990
Love it: The power, and not the Port Adelaide variety – grrrrrr.
Leave it: Its muscle-clad body make it a little bulky to handle and blind spots are a problem, but maybe I am just blinded by love.