The Audi RS4 wagon has a sparkling V8 engine but I found too many compromised aspects to the package. The throttle is too touchy in first so going over a sharp bump at slow speed can cause some kangarooing if you aren’t ready for it. The brakes have too much pedal before they bite, and then they bite very sharply. The ride is just a little too harsh for a car this expensive and can make a drive a bit tedious.

I also had a Lamborghini Gallardo for a few days from Sydney to Brisbane and the seating position was nothing short of agony. The right front wheel well intrudes deep into the footwell leaving the driver no choice than to sit with his legs cocked off to the left while the seat holds the upper body straight ahead. I also found the suspension a bit too hard for most Aussie roads and highways unless you were travelling at over 130kmh (surprise, surprise) when the aero package puts extra load on the suspension and no cruise control to allow some relief from the hideous driving position on longer drives. Otherwise it is everything you would expect a 500K Supercar to be.

The Maserati Quattroporte was an awesome machine but the rear had an unnerving yank to the left going over harsh bridge joints.

My favourite ride though was the Bently Continental GT. An engine with acceleration like a force of nature, comfortable ride and seating and very good handling. After driving straight through the night from Brisbane to Sydney I was refreshed enough to return immediately in the Maserati.

So I agree, there are a lot of very expensive cars that don’t seem to justify the expense, but I could write of the many complaints I have of my BA XR8 auto Ute I have for towing that demonstrates our local models are far from complete.