Decision, decisions...

[BENT_8]

So the eldest lad turned 18 recently, he's been working in his job since soon after turning 14 and is training to become management.
Last week he came to me and asked about getting a newer car under finance.
At first i baulked at the idea, then i remembered that i was a teenage boy once too and couldnt wait to get into a better car than i had.

My first car was a 77 TE Cortina 2.0l 4sp, that was in 93 making it a 16yr old car at the time.
In February the lad got his first car, a 97 VS Esteem in really good condition but still a 19yr old car.

After a little nagging i said i'd come and have a look with him, i fugured he'd probably just go and try without me so i might aswell try and steer him in the right direction.
We looked around for a few days and stumbled across an 04 BA XR6 with 112k's in mint condition for $8k.
He's been going on about getting an XR6 for ages and so, whilst at the upper extreme of what you'd ever want to pay for a BA these days this one ticked all the boxes for what he wanted, all the boxes until we enquired about financing a car of that age. As you can imagine it wasnt going to be easy so after a few knock backs we sat down and discussed the situation.
The wife and i offered to help him get it but he wanted to go in alone.

See the problem he faced was that anything with an XR badge commands a premium, so you either get a crappy one in his budget or a good one of earlier vintage that finance companies wouldnt look at for the term he needed.

Anywho, to cut a long story shorter, kind of, we put him onto the bloke who we use for finance. He works for an independant yard that specialises in late model cars at good prices compared to the dealers.
He offered to get him pre approval at a fair rate for a first timer, so he knew how much he could spend in his budget and not waste any more time running around chasing his tail.

Thats when he spotted a VE SII Commodore on the lot.
It surprised me at first as we'd been searching for BF/FG XR6's for the last week but i took a closer look.
The car was in really good condition, grey, good service history, he was really keen, then the salesman said someone had put a deposit on it pending finance.
He said he had another one in stock, white, same k's, good history, it was a nicer car to be honest.
Just then one of the salesmen rolled in with an FG2 at the same price so we had a look at that aswell, it was nice but didnt have the same presence as the Commodore.

So im standing there between the VE and FG and im thinking my god, what a compomise.
On one hand is the VE II, arguably the best looking Commodore to ever roll off the line, with a hideous V6.
On the other hand is the FG2, plain looking compared to the Commodore but sporting the bullet proof Barra.

It was so frustrating to love the look of the VE but know the FG contains the better driveline.

In the end he bought the VE, i let him make the choice as he has to live with it and pay for it. He loves it and its packed full of gizmo's and safety features which should keep him content and hopefully in one piece, but i cant help but feel he bought an inferior car in every way bar looks.

Now im not trying to start a **** fight or trolling, just being honest with the situation we found ourselves in.
Anyway it got me to thinking, of all the cars produced by Ford and Holden over the recent years, what would make the perfect car.

For mine it would be...

VE Bodyshape...just has a certain presence
FGX Sprint I6T motor...do i need to explain
ZF 6sp...i doubt anyone would argue this point
VF Chassis...get it all down without spitting out bushes
FGX interior...fit and quality

It would be a true frankencar, all the best bits brought together in one.