Why the hate for commodores? Sure the old ones were buckets but anything VT on isnt that bad
Service it well, dont buy a clapped out one and you shouldnt have problems. Mine (VT2) is about to clock over 223,000k's and in ALL that time its only had the radiator get a slight crack ($300 fix, new alloy rad), aircon regassed once ($100) and then just filters, oils and coolant. Hell i drove it for a week or so with half coolant (didnt realise) and its fine.
Of course they arent fun to drive vs an import, but how many people here have one as a daily? Youd be surprised