Brenton, at 21:05 on Sat, Mar 11 1995, you wrote to Bill Grimsley ...

BG> Only ever drove a VN, which wasn't what I'd call confidence-inspiring, but 
BG> I believe they improved out of sight after that monstrosity.

BV> I haven't driven a VN. 

It was the Windows 3.0 of Holden motor cars, I'm afraid.

BV> The VR is good and in fact now that I'm getting used to it, it ain't all 
BV> that bad. The VL was better though.

A detective friend of mine dropped by on his way home the other day, and as
he was in the company car (unmarked VR Commodore naturally), I was very
tempted to take it for a spin, but thought better of it.  He tells me that
it's a marked improvement over previous models, although I think he was
specifically referring to the VN.

BG> I actually had my eye on the ~$30k Acclaim, which I think is 
BG> excellent value,

BV> Yes, the Acclaim is good value, but it starts life as a "strip"
BV> Executive. I'd rather start with a Berlina, add the ABS and skip 
BV> the SRS if money was a problem. Once you've taken a close look at 
BV> the Berlina, you can see where the extra costs are and IMNSHO it 
BV> is worth it if you can afford it.

True, but it's the affordability which becomes a problem once you start
optioning up the base models, even on the Berlina or Calais (do they still
make the Calais BTW?).  GMH certainly know how to charge for their factory
options, that's for sure.

BG> but I don't want to lose sight of my main objective, a nice new
BG> Mercedes 300E.  Why not, I'm about the only bastard in my family
BG> who _doesn't_ bloody have one!

BV> Hmmm...Are you in favour ( estate wise  ) with any of them ?

Yeah, but if that's what it takes to get a Merc, I'll keep my VL.

BG> My 253 HQ Premier had power steering, but I never knew if it
BG> worked or not, as it was harder to steer than Lyn's Diesel 
BG> Gemini.

BV> ROFL...It must have been the 253. 

Yeah, I'm certain of it.  The sixes steered just fine.

BV> When my HQ was ripped off I needed a car to get around in, so I bought a 
BV> 253 VB Commodore SL/E for $10k The HQ was easier to steer than the VB. It 
BV> was a joke right.

Except that nobody was laughing at the time.

BG> If you thought the VL felt good, you ain't felt nothing until 
BG> you've had a hoon in a 300E.  But I digress...

BV> True. Besides, I'm very happy with the VR, not that it matters 
BV> much as Patricia will be driving it more than me anyway :(

Ah, so that's why you gave it a male name then!

Regards, Bill
@EOT:

--- Msgedsq/2 2.3 alpha