I just picked up my 2004 Redline Red SSR today. It is a really fun car to look at and drive. It has the 300 HP V8 which for me, at 74, is plenty and keeps me out of trouble. But it has a nice rumble to it and it is FUN to drive. The bed is all carpeted with strips that look like wood, and pristine bed. I'm jacked. Been thinking I would get a Explorer or Enclave, safe and durable. Just happened on this on Saturday and 4 days later it is in my garage. FUN. Now I'll look forward just to drive it.
I've owned my 2003 SSR since 2006. And I never get tired of driving it! And I always run into people that have never seen one other than photos! They're a blast to drive.
Have owned an SSR for 3 years now . Love it very much. Wanted one ever since I saw it at Disney World at the GM pavilion . Its fun to own and fun to drive . There is a whole fan club built around the vehicle that is full of great people . Get one and you will see what we mean by Permagrin !!!! Layne12gun Lil Red
The SSR people are really fantastic for sure. Thank you for watching and telling me about your SSR. We just put a new episode up: th-cam.com/video/gKfo5GYYBAY/w-d-xo.html Enjoy! - CJP
Mine is an 05 Aqua Blur 6 speed but much closer to stock. I LOVE IT! Fun to drive modern day Hot Rod that you can drive anywhere. The 395bhp is enough for me to get in trouble with. Some mods are planned but no hurry to complete them.
Just bought a 2004 SSR with the 5.3L V8 with 300 HP. It still has some Get up and Go , even with the 5.3L, but the Goal is to Drop a LS9 in it... Watch this Space...
I bought my 2005 Black SSR new and love it. It is a modern day Split Window as only 24,000 were made and thousands have already been wrecked or worn out. Only downside is parts are a challenge to find, if you need them, I have spares of critical parts as I find them.
I was very intriqued when I saw my first one about 10 years ago in a parking lot. I thought it was very cool, especially when I saw how the convertible top worked. However I got a very unexpected response when I showed a picture to my family, who thought it was ugly!! LOL. I guess you either love it or hate it.
I've had a 2004 with 300 hp for 15 years. Enjoy it every day. I wished for a while that I could have the Corvette engine in it but they really stiffened the suspension for that, I understand ,and I'm tired of high performers that jar your teeth out as a driver. And mine is a daily driver. I have loved it. I would like to add the supercharger just for the punch. This came out about the same era as several other really good vintage-influenced designs that LOOKED as if they would launch like a rocket. The trouble with all of these is that they were underpowered vs their hot styling and disappointed car guys. Something that looks like this should have chewed chunks out of pavement! It's designed as a hotrod! The Thunderbird should have had more thunder and the Prowler should have howled and challenged ANYTHING off the line. Instead they all got the "all show, no go" reputation until the upgrades. Dodge got it right from the beginning with VIPER. I consider mine a CRUISER. Long wheelbase and super ride. Amazing performance handling on par with Corvette. Corners flat at speed-all the engineering is in it. My wife and I recently took it to the back roads in the Appalachians during fall color with the top down. It was like driving through a tunnel of color. People's reaction has been all been positive-often both surprise and delight.
I have a 2006 SSR with a 6 speed manual transmission that I added a magnusson magna charger to and it turned at about 480 at the rear wheel on the dyno
@@CombustionChamber yes the 2004 i bought new 5.3 litre 300 HP the 2006 6.0 litre 400 HP then added blower probably 550 HP dyno'd 480 HP at the rear wheel
The old man did an awesome job in customized his ssr the color of the truck alone is that one of a kind color the ssr is my dream truck that and the 1954 Chevrolet 3100 that Jonathan icon builds when I say the old man enjoys his hot ride as long as it brings a big smile that's what counts. Thanks
I've had two of these. Bought a new-old-stock 04 in the summer of 05, but it was a lemon (roof broke irreparably) within the first 90 days and GM bought it back. I tried again in about 2016 with another 04, but that one was just a rattletrap. And still I think about getting yet another even now! Probably an 06 though with all the revisions built in.
Good luck to you, yes thinking about getting my hubby one. He is crazy about it and to he honest it's growing on me too. So can't wait to get his in a couple of months.
Other than the car thinking the roof is ajar the next time I drive after putting the top up and ding, ding, dinging, the roof has worked with no problems. The dinging only happens about 60% of the time and only for a short on the first trip following the roof up. The price is usually pretty reasonable and generally in low/mid $20k from what I can see, like in Car Gurus, which usually has a number of them advertised. That's where I found mine and it was a fluke that I found it and just when they had lowered the price at a very small dealer just 5 miles from my home, not private party. All's well.
Purchased my 04 SSR and I get a lot of attention as well as a few wants to try me. The SSR when already rolling front ends lifts up and it puts more tracking to rear wheels.
Literally..... The only people saying negative things about this vehicle are ... childish haters!! Because you can't compare it to a truck.. and you can't compare it to a car!! The El Camino is the closest thing chevy ever made to this!... But this is a Roadster!! DIFFERENT then the El Camino I can tell you, as a neutral car lover.. Its everything you "should have" expected.... It does everything you expect it to, well.. So if you were expecting a truck??? Y O U. were wrong to confuse this with one!! If you were expecting a corvette??? Again... you would be wrong!! YOU.... NOT THE VEHICLE...
I'd never owned a pickup, but did drive an El Camino for 2-3 years. The Camino was nothing special and it was a work vehicle, open bed. But now I have a pickup, a roadster, and a hard-top convertible retro looking all-in-one. I like it, others like it often enough to comment on it, and I really enjoy having it. It is my car and though she is welcome to ride in it with me, we usually take her SUV when we go together, so I only drive less than 5K miles per year (now 42,000 mi). It has good get up and go, ave 17.2 mph and I can ride in my convertible whenever the weather cooperates without the downsides that come with a rag top both in summer and winter. Kinda like a corvette pickup. Smiles continue.
Excellent video!! Modified perfectly, imo. Ghost flames aren't my style, but I'm glad he loves it! That saddle interior IS ✨MINT✨. The mechanical mods are stellar. Been hunting for one of these for a while, gotta keep these mods in mind for my own!
I bought an '05, last November. The roof doesn't work, and it's gonna cost a pretty penny to repair, but, the 6.0 is running just fine. and I get plenty of looks, and the odd compliment, here and there.
For those that follow, the SSR in the video is painted a factory color. It's called Aqua Blur (Bermuda Blue on the Corvette). Paint code 26U WA-214M. The owner added ghost flames and painted other various exterior parts that were chrome or satin with Aqua Blur. It is an extraordinary color to see in person, especially in bright sunlight as it changes hues depending on the angle of view.
Honestly, I loved driving this SSR and they are worth getting a fixing up. I like the Prowler as well but it needs a lot more power for me. Thank you for watching! - CJP
Just found this video, black 06 v8 auto. I'm keeping mine no sale no trade I'm good. The spring, the summer, the fall yes. The winter no I'm in NYC I put in my garage take public transit I don't mind.
O won't say a negative comments about the gentleman making his ho t ride to his liking but if I'm blessed to get one I'm leaving my original that 6.0 is enough power for me.
😎🇺🇸🙌 Great POSITIVE SSR video I’m looking into getting one I know they have some issues with the roof adjustments ,overheating but they are all fixable and once done you have a unique vehicle and not another Camaro ,nothing wrong with them I just want something different 🙌🇺🇸🙏Sept 2022
A shorty, 2 seater, full framed , LS powered , manual trans Chevy truck sounds incredible and I honestly Really really wanna love it. It’s everything in one package. I just hate the nose
I think it cost so much to produce and that jacked up the price so it turned off a lot of people. Great ride though. We are back and just put up a new episode if you're interested. th-cam.com/video/gKfo5GYYBAY/w-d-xo.html - CJP
Best I can tell is, it was discontinued for a couple reasons. Initially it was a concept car at the 2000 Auto show and most concept cars never go into production. The first two years had the LS1 engine, only automatic transmissions available. The quality of the interior appointments evidently were less than expected for cars costing $41,000 in 2003. So, though the styling was unique and it had a "hot-rod" type of phsych to it, it underwhelmed those looking for the "luxurious hot rod". Though they souped up the engine with a LS2 for 2005 & 06, even offering a choice of manual 6-speed, it evidently wasn't enough to drive sales to a level acceptable enough to maintain production. A total around 25,000 units were sold in that period. Compare that to 2,717,121 Silverado Pickups sold during that same period and you begin to understand, especially when those sold for average $22-24K. I hardly ever saw one, maybe only once or twice, before I bought mine in 2020 and it had less miles and cost less than used SUV's I was looking at, at the time I bought mine. I love it.
PT Cruisers looked interesting to me when they came out, thought looked cute. But then I rode in one and what a disappointment. No guts, no style, no room. Very underwhelming. My SSR, on the other hand, gives me satisfaction, gratification, a smile, some guts and others express their appreciation too, though I really don't need that to be happy with it. A unique retro look that you don't see many of. There is no one car that appeals to everyone, and obviously you must think the SSR is 144, but I find I never hear that comment from anyone I come across.
You can tell the owner loves his cars. The smile is priceless.
I just picked up my 2004 Redline Red SSR today. It is a really fun car to look at and drive. It has the 300 HP V8 which for me, at 74, is plenty and keeps me out of trouble. But it has a nice rumble to it and it is FUN to drive. The bed is all carpeted with strips that look like wood, and pristine bed. I'm jacked. Been thinking I would get a Explorer or Enclave, safe and durable. Just happened on this on Saturday and 4 days later it is in my garage. FUN. Now I'll look forward just to drive it.
That's very awesome! Life is to short to drive boring rides. Glad you like your SSR and thank you for watching! - CJP
Drove my Step Grandpa's a bunch when I was on leave from deployment. Man what an excellent ride. Rest in Peace William Morris.
I've owned my 2003 SSR since 2006. And I never get tired of driving it! And I always run into people that have never seen one other than photos! They're a blast to drive.
I have had my 2005 Supercharged Asphalt Black fro 18 months. Only 51,000 miles and I love it.
I love my 2003 ssr! Got the pretty blue one and had it flamed. Drives like a dream.
Have owned an SSR for 3 years now . Love it very much. Wanted one ever since I saw it at Disney World at the GM pavilion . Its fun to own and fun to drive . There is a whole fan club built around the vehicle that is full of great people . Get one and you will see what we mean by Permagrin !!!! Layne12gun Lil Red
The SSR people are really fantastic for sure. Thank you for watching and telling me about your SSR. We just put a new episode up: th-cam.com/video/gKfo5GYYBAY/w-d-xo.html Enjoy! - CJP
I'm not a big 'car' person, like my husband, but I am in LOVE with this car!!!
Recently we got a 2004 Chevrolet SSR in ultra violet with only 36,5 kmi and it's great. Greetings from Germany
Casey you did a really nice job of showcasing this amazing vehicle.
Cleve, beautiful SSR and excellent job of representing owners everywhere!!
Thank you very much! It really is a pleasure to represent SSR owners out there. - CJP
Mine is an 05 Aqua Blur 6 speed but much closer to stock. I LOVE IT! Fun to drive modern day Hot Rod that you can drive anywhere. The 395bhp is enough for me to get in trouble with. Some mods are planned but no hurry to complete them.
Love it. I'm buying a 2005 in a couple of weeks. Can't wait !
Just bought a 2004 SSR with the 5.3L V8 with 300 HP. It still has some Get up and Go , even with the 5.3L, but the Goal is to Drop a LS9 in it... Watch this Space...
Good stuff! Keep us to speed on the build? - CJP
I never understood how gm could ever stuff that 327 in any of their rwd cars like the cts and camaro, they are good engines
I have a supercharged 2005 with the 6 speed. Lots of fun and gets lots of attention
I bought my 2005 Black SSR new and love it. It is a modern day Split Window as only 24,000 were made and thousands have already been wrecked or worn out.
Only downside is parts are a challenge to find, if you need them, I have spares of critical parts as I find them.
I was very intriqued when I saw my first one about 10 years ago in a parking lot. I thought it was very cool, especially when I saw how the convertible top worked. However I got a very unexpected response when I showed a picture to my family, who thought it was ugly!! LOL. I guess you either love it or hate it.
I think it looks cool myself. There is a ratrod-ish version in a movie called The Island that looks cool. Thanks for watching! - CJP
Who cares what they think, if you love it then get it and it makes you feel do it. I say yes!!
I've had a 2004 with 300 hp for 15 years. Enjoy it every day. I wished for a while that I could have the Corvette engine in it but they really stiffened the suspension for that, I understand ,and I'm tired of high performers that jar your teeth out as a driver. And mine is a daily driver. I have loved it. I would like to add the supercharger just for the punch. This came out about the same era as several other really good vintage-influenced designs that LOOKED as if they would launch like a rocket. The trouble with all of these is that they were underpowered vs their hot styling and disappointed car guys. Something that looks like this should have chewed chunks out of pavement! It's designed as a hotrod! The Thunderbird should have had more thunder and the Prowler should have howled and challenged ANYTHING off the line. Instead they all got the "all show, no go" reputation until the upgrades. Dodge got it right from the beginning with VIPER. I consider mine a CRUISER. Long wheelbase and super ride. Amazing performance handling on par with Corvette. Corners flat at speed-all the engineering is in it. My wife and I recently took it to the back roads in the Appalachians during fall color with the top down. It was like driving through a tunnel of color. People's reaction has been all been positive-often both surprise and delight.
I've had Corvettes for the past 30 yrs. Bought my first SSR in 2021. Never had so much fun driving a vehicle as I have with this SSR.
I have a 2006 SSR with a 6 speed manual transmission that I added a magnusson magna charger to and it turned at about 480 at the rear wheel on the dyno
That's awesome! The 5.3l one you had, that was the truck motor, the Vortec, correct? Thank you for watching! - CJP
@@CombustionChamber yes the 2004 i bought new 5.3 litre 300 HP the 2006 6.0 litre 400 HP then added blower probably 550 HP dyno'd 480 HP at the rear wheel
The old man did an awesome job in customized his ssr the color of the truck alone is that one of a kind color the ssr is my dream truck that and the 1954 Chevrolet 3100 that Jonathan icon builds when I say the old man enjoys his hot ride as long as it brings a big smile that's what counts. Thanks
Thanks for watching! - CJP
Old Man
I have a 2004 pristine condition 19500 miles, red. Will let it go for $20,000 no joke in Bakersfield,Ca
I’m an owner and love it!
I've had two of these. Bought a new-old-stock 04 in the summer of 05, but it was a lemon (roof broke irreparably) within the first 90 days and GM bought it back. I tried again in about 2016 with another 04, but that one was just a rattletrap. And still I think about getting yet another even now! Probably an 06 though with all the revisions built in.
Good call on getting a later model year. Thanks for watching! - CJP
Good luck to you, yes thinking about getting my hubby one. He is crazy about it and to he honest it's growing on me too. So can't wait to get his in a couple of months.
Other than the car thinking the roof is ajar the next time I drive after putting the top up and ding, ding, dinging, the roof has worked with no problems. The dinging only happens about 60% of the time and only for a short on the first trip following the roof up. The price is usually pretty reasonable and generally in low/mid $20k from what I can see, like in Car Gurus, which usually has a number of them advertised. That's where I found mine and it was a fluke that I found it and just when they had lowered the price at a very small dealer just 5 miles from my home, not private party. All's well.
Purchased my 04 SSR and I get a lot of attention as well as a few wants to try me. The SSR when already rolling front ends lifts up and it puts more tracking to rear wheels.
It really is fun to drive. Thanks for watching! - CJP
Literally.....
The only people saying negative things about this vehicle are ... childish haters!!
Because you can't compare it to a truck.. and you can't compare it to a car!! The El Camino is the closest thing chevy ever made to this!...
But this is a Roadster!! DIFFERENT then the El Camino
I can tell you, as a neutral car lover..
Its everything you "should have" expected.... It does everything you expect it to, well..
So if you were expecting a truck???
Y O U. were wrong to confuse this with one!!
If you were expecting a corvette??? Again... you would be wrong!!
YOU.... NOT THE VEHICLE...
I'd never owned a pickup, but did drive an El Camino for 2-3 years. The Camino was nothing special and it was a work vehicle, open bed. But now I have a pickup, a roadster, and a hard-top convertible retro looking all-in-one. I like it, others like it often enough to comment on it, and I really enjoy having it. It is my car and though she is welcome to ride in it with me, we usually take her SUV when we go together, so I only drive less than 5K miles per year (now 42,000 mi). It has good get up and go, ave 17.2 mph and I can ride in my convertible whenever the weather cooperates without the downsides that come with a rag top both in summer and winter. Kinda like a corvette pickup. Smiles continue.
I so badly want one of these trucks!
You know, they really are nice. There is still plenty of aftermarket parts for it as well. - CJP
I have a 04 and my wife and I love it it’s fun
This one was a blast to drive. Thanks for watching! We just put a new episode up: th-cam.com/video/gKfo5GYYBAY/w-d-xo.html Enjoy! - CJP
Excellent video!! Modified perfectly, imo. Ghost flames aren't my style, but I'm glad he loves it!
That saddle interior IS ✨MINT✨.
The mechanical mods are stellar. Been hunting for one of these for a while, gotta keep these mods in mind for my own!
Great review! One of the jazziest SSR's I have seen. Terrific presentation
That looks amazing and looks like a modern version of the Australian classic 1953 FJ Holden.
Very Kool I just bought 05 SSR Black
I bought an '05, last November. The roof doesn't work, and it's gonna cost a pretty penny to repair, but, the 6.0 is running just fine. and I get plenty of looks, and the odd compliment, here and there.
simple engineering can fix RDM for $500 which is the usual problem
Saw one at a carshow today and it was slick af LS2 can't complain either lol
Looks way better with the Pearlescent paint than factory colors, great job
For those that follow, the SSR in the video is painted a factory color. It's called Aqua Blur (Bermuda Blue on the Corvette). Paint code 26U WA-214M. The owner added ghost flames and painted other various exterior parts that were chrome or satin with Aqua Blur. It is an extraordinary color to see in person, especially in bright sunlight as it changes hues depending on the angle of view.
Oh my stars! My brother's best bud just bought an SSR❗
Nice! Thank you for watching! - CJP
I really like the supercharged ssr I would consider getting one you should do the plymoth prowler they're unique like the ssr
Honestly, I loved driving this SSR and they are worth getting a fixing up. I like the Prowler as well but it needs a lot more power for me. Thank you for watching! - CJP
Great job on the episode.. Happy Thanksgiving!
REPO DAN Same to you my man! - CJP
Just found this video, black 06 v8 auto. I'm keeping mine no sale no trade I'm good. The spring, the summer, the fall yes. The winter no I'm in NYC I put in my garage take public transit I don't mind.
O won't say a negative comments about the gentleman making his ho t ride to his liking but if I'm blessed to get one I'm leaving my original that 6.0 is enough power for me.
I get that. But I have to say this SSR is really amazing to drive. - CJP
Very Cool Car, and another Great Video!!!
Thanks my man! - CJP
I'm not a Chevy guy, but if I was going to buy a Chevy, ssr would probably be the 1 I'd buy.
😎🇺🇸🙌 Great POSITIVE SSR video I’m looking into getting one I know they have some issues with the roof adjustments ,overheating but they are all fixable and once done you have a unique vehicle and not another Camaro ,nothing wrong with them I just want something different 🙌🇺🇸🙏Sept 2022
Can we hear how it sound rather than the crazy music
How can I get in touch with Cleve Childers? I have an '05 and would like to know about his blower install and rear end swap.
i had a 2004 SSR with the 5.3 L automatic transmission before the 2006
I take it you like the LS2 better? - CJP
@@CombustionChamber yes sir
Classic ghost flames
Indeed! We just put a new episode up: th-cam.com/video/gKfo5GYYBAY/w-d-xo.html Enjoy! - CJP
Great job man
Thank you! - CJP
I have a 2005 only 2300 miles.aqua ❤️ it
Where would you even go to find chrome parts like that.
Honestly, I'm not sure. But wow, it looks great. Thanks for watching the show. - CJP
A shorty, 2 seater, full framed , LS powered , manual trans Chevy truck sounds incredible and I honestly Really really wanna love it. It’s everything in one package. I just hate the nose
I actually really loved it. I think when it's all painted to match it's great. Thanks for watching! - CJP
Mine is red and still turns heads!
Where did u get ur supercharger from
some say the chevy ssr looks bad, but the even not modified ssr's look just retro, and those people are wrong.
I so love this truck. I don't know why it's called the ugliest.
great review
Thank you very much! - CJP
Nice ride but I would lower the rear it sits up too high in the back. Would be nice with wide body kit n deep dish wheels.
Cool! Thanks for watching and commenting! - CJP
Not sure why they discontinued this bad boy
I think it cost so much to produce and that jacked up the price so it turned off a lot of people. Great ride though. We are back and just put up a new episode if you're interested. th-cam.com/video/gKfo5GYYBAY/w-d-xo.html - CJP
@@CombustionChamber Awesome Subbed!!
Best I can tell is, it was discontinued for a couple reasons. Initially it was a concept car at the 2000 Auto show and most concept cars never go into production. The first two years had the LS1 engine, only automatic transmissions available. The quality of the interior appointments evidently were less than expected for cars costing $41,000 in 2003. So, though the styling was unique and it had a "hot-rod" type of phsych to it, it underwhelmed those looking for the "luxurious hot rod". Though they souped up the engine with a LS2 for 2005 & 06, even offering a choice of manual 6-speed, it evidently wasn't enough to drive sales to a level acceptable enough to maintain production. A total around 25,000 units were sold in that period. Compare that to 2,717,121 Silverado Pickups sold during that same period and you begin to understand, especially when those sold for average $22-24K. I hardly ever saw one, maybe only once or twice, before I bought mine in 2020 and it had less miles and cost less than used SUV's I was looking at, at the time I bought mine. I love it.
Brian Nesbitt
I have one. All stock. Comments l get is, what the hell is that?
I liked it but it was to expensive back in the day
“better than your remember”
Thanks for watching! - CJP
Tôi rất thích nó..nhưng ở việt nam hoàn toàn không có
I have an 05 LS2 6SP with 4k on the odometer.....FOR SALE. REPLY
Like to own 1
Can't believe these flopped so hard
Let's. Go. Brandon
All that chrome is so tacky. What a shame.
GM’s best vehicles? Those things are hideous.
I really like them to be honest. GM tried something different and while it didn't work out, still a nice ride. Thanks for watching. - CJP
You probably need to use a steely dan.
Looks like a PT cruiser. Gross 🤮
PT Cruisers looked interesting to me when they came out, thought looked cute. But then I rode in one and what a disappointment. No guts, no style, no room. Very underwhelming. My SSR, on the other hand, gives me satisfaction, gratification, a smile, some guts and others express their appreciation too, though I really don't need that to be happy with it. A unique retro look that you don't see many of. There is no one car that appeals to everyone, and obviously you must think the SSR is 144, but I find I never hear that comment from anyone I come across.