[quote EC626V1M0B42A441]Most of my car experience has been rental cars and guesses like many of us. The one that stood out was the gen one original Magna. It ticked all the boxes that many other family sedans did not have at that time. It was smooth, quiet and comfortable compared to most of the other cars on the market at the time. I finished up driving it from SW Victoria to Brisbane non stop and felt fine at the end. Yes it had a slipping transmission. The Magna may not be a wow car but think Falcons and Holdens never match it.  [/quote] Interesting you mention rental cars JB007. Before getting my start in motoring journalism, I would often rent the latest models for a few days to see what they were like. That's when I found another car (this time in 1988) that surprised me - but not in a good way. After a few days driving the all-new VN Commodore Executive, I was pleased to return it to the Budget depot. I just could not believe how coarse and unrefined the new 3.8-litre Buick V6 was. To me it felt like something built in the USSR! Fortunately, Holden did improve that engine over time and it became quite a good thing, but the first version was awful.