Being the owner of a 6.0l 2005 SSR I know it is neither car, nor truck, or el Camino. Being full framed & convertible makes it entirely different from the El Camino and far better. It is a vehicle in a class all of it's own and this took me more than a decade to understand. It is absolutely fun to drive as a turn key hot rod that is comfortable and easy to drive...did I mention it is a convertible with 390 hp stock? At $26,000 it was worth every penny.
@@autochatter Automatic. It has exactly the right name that describes exactly what it is = Super Sport Roadster. 2 seat convertible hot rod (with a huge trunk). Don't get stuck on the idea that it must be a truck or car. It isn't a truck because it doesn't drive, perform, or function like they do. It certainly isn't a car either. I used to make fun of the SSR because I did not understand they were a unique vehicle that is neither car nor truck.
@davidhoover4063 I had no issues what it was. The main thing that hurt it IMO was it was underpowered at launch and expensive. I remember a few 04 owners ticked when the 05 came out! Pontiac did the same with 04 GTO buyers.
I traded 2015 392 SRT Challenger for 2006 2 tone 16k mainly for the golf clubs that slide in out and having own a pt cruiser conv I m very happy with the SSR but truth be known the are alot of gremlins and many upgrades available so it makes even more fun to own....
I can't think of a better vehicle for two people and their golf bags! It's like that large trunk was made for it. The two tone paint ones look even better, so I bet she's a beauty!
In some ways, its like Chevys Blackwood. Like they looked at Lincolns dismal failure and said, hey can we expand on that? Poor towing? Check. Covered bed trunk thing? Check. Limited payload? Check. No four wheel drive? Check! Then lets amp it up and make it a two door with a power retractable hard top. Perhaps it was the inspiration for Carlos Ghosn's fever dreams for a drop top Murano. Personally, like you, i enjoy an oddball weird car. This thing was literally in a class by itself. Im glad it existed, but Chevy mustve known they were going to be marketing to a severely limited audience.
Good summary! I think with a 6 liter and manual at launch, and a optional cheaper non convertible version would have helped. I'd compare it more to the failure of the Prowler. Expensive and not the right powertrain.
SSR? Seems stupid really. If they'd aimed for short-strip racing it would have flown instead of sinking like a rock. Retro was a big thing but they went too far and there were no styling cues which people could point at and say "that looks like the front end off a 53 Chevy pickup". At best it was sort of rounded off similarly and that was it- nothing else directly linked to the past. Even the 'full fenders' looked like they came off a newer Chevy from the side. And the retractable roof, on a "pick-up'?. Hell, "real" trucks don't have those (and even sunroofs are controversial in them among purists). And anything with a hinged bed cover is just a car with an oversize trunk, not a truck. What GM hoped for is that loyal Chevy buyers would scoop up these 'collectibles' without understanding that this segment requires very limited production to promote the appeal. . It's too late for GM now, but if they'd have kept the Escalade EXT and made it more like the CT4 with high performance those would have sold like hotcakes. I've only seen a dew of these on the road, and the drivers didn't seem particularly elated about their vehicle. Seems they were more worried about getting it dirty than interested in driving it for it's own sake or to enjoy having an attention-getter. "New" can happen only once, and the PT Cruiser had already taken first place for a domestic retro, alongside the new Mini and new Beetle. The 11th Gen T-bird was, as intended, a limited edition thing and priced to match, but far more like it's predecessor and chock-full of styling points with very clear connections to the past. The Beetle and Mini were and are unique vehicles and vehicle concepts throughout their life, so it's tough to compare to them. The PT Cruiser wasn't a copy of anything but was selling well, and the T-bird showed how to succeed with a copy, so why GM chose a different route is beyond reason. There will be some SSR's around forever, nearly no miles, garage-kept, and getting decent prices for awhile, then they'll fade away there too.
Yeah I think the new T Bird was better executed. It's problem was everyone that wanted one bought them the first model year or two LOL. I really was torn about the SSR because I see enough vanilla ice cream on the road everyday.. But it was such a polarizing vehicle. I can see why GM went ahead with it as the Camaro was about to go away leaving no platform sporty wise besides the Corvette.....Except a RWD new one for use with the upcoming Trailblazer could have been pitched as a win. "Seems Stupid Really".....lol...Thats funny! I've chatted a little about the Escalade on my Suburban episode, but not specifically on it yet. The Blackwood is already on my radar. That was a flop! Speaking of flops, the next episode is on the Yugo!
No one understood the Super Sport Roadster because everyone was caught up in the idea that it had to be either truck or car??? It is neither. It is an entirely unique vehicle like no other ever made. It is a convertible, steel body hot rod with a full frame. It fits the definition of Roadster. The 6.0l 390hp makes it "super." The unique look makes it a "sport." Drive one and you will understand.
You do realize they are very collectible now so Chevy was right. They hold their value very well. Everything you said about it not being a true truck is what they were aiming for. Something very different and something new but also retro. Not a Corvette and not a Camaro and not an El Camino either. I've had a corvettes and Camaros...and so many other people have one. My SSR is so unique I have never seen another one the road with me at the same time. Of the 60+ I have owned it is one of my favorite.
Being the owner of a 6.0l 2005 SSR I know it is neither car, nor truck, or el Camino. Being full framed & convertible makes it entirely different from the El Camino and far better. It is a vehicle in a class all of it's own and this took me more than a decade to understand. It is absolutely fun to drive as a turn key hot rod that is comfortable and easy to drive...did I mention it is a convertible with 390 hp stock? At $26,000 it was worth every penny.
Yes...Its definitely somthing not easy to classify! I consider it a truck as it's bones are Trailblazer. Is yours a 6 speed?
@@autochatter Automatic. It has exactly the right name that describes exactly what it is = Super Sport Roadster. 2 seat convertible hot rod (with a huge trunk). Don't get stuck on the idea that it must be a truck or car. It isn't a truck because it doesn't drive, perform, or function like they do. It certainly isn't a car either. I used to make fun of the SSR because I did not understand they were a unique vehicle that is neither car nor truck.
@davidhoover4063 I had no issues what it was. The main thing that hurt it IMO was it was underpowered at launch and expensive. I remember a few 04 owners ticked when the 05 came out! Pontiac did the same with 04 GTO buyers.
I dig the vids, you just keep knocking them out of the park. Chatter on dude..
"Chatter on dude'"..I like that! Thank you!
Just picked up an 04 about 5 months ago. They have their issues but such a fun ride. I get the "what is that" all the time.
LOL.I got alot of that when I had my Dune Buggies.
I traded 2015 392 SRT Challenger for 2006 2 tone 16k mainly for the golf clubs that slide in out and having own a pt cruiser conv I m very happy with the SSR but truth be known the are alot of gremlins and many upgrades available so it makes even more fun to own....
I can't think of a better vehicle for two people and their golf bags! It's like that large trunk was made for it. The two tone paint ones look even better, so I bet she's a beauty!
In some ways, its like Chevys Blackwood. Like they looked at Lincolns dismal failure and said, hey can we expand on that? Poor towing? Check. Covered bed trunk thing? Check. Limited payload? Check. No four wheel drive? Check! Then lets amp it up and make it a two door with a power retractable hard top. Perhaps it was the inspiration for Carlos Ghosn's fever dreams for a drop top Murano. Personally, like you, i enjoy an oddball weird car. This thing was literally in a class by itself. Im glad it existed, but Chevy mustve known they were going to be marketing to a severely limited audience.
Good summary! I think with a 6 liter and manual at launch, and a optional cheaper non convertible version would have helped. I'd compare it more to the failure of the Prowler. Expensive and not the right powertrain.
SSR? Seems stupid really. If they'd aimed for short-strip racing it would have flown instead of sinking like a rock. Retro was a big thing but they went too far and there were no styling cues which people could point at and say "that looks like the front end off a 53 Chevy pickup". At best it was sort of rounded off similarly and that was it- nothing else directly linked to the past. Even the 'full fenders' looked like they came off a newer Chevy from the side. And the retractable roof, on a "pick-up'?. Hell, "real" trucks don't have those (and even sunroofs are controversial in them among purists). And anything with a hinged bed cover is just a car with an oversize trunk, not a truck.
What GM hoped for is that loyal Chevy buyers would scoop up these 'collectibles' without understanding that this segment requires very limited production to promote the appeal. . It's too late for GM now, but if they'd have kept the Escalade EXT and made it more like the CT4 with high performance those would have sold like hotcakes. I've only seen a dew of these on the road, and the drivers didn't seem particularly elated about their vehicle. Seems they were more worried about getting it dirty than interested in driving it for it's own sake or to enjoy having an attention-getter.
"New" can happen only once, and the PT Cruiser had already taken first place for a domestic retro, alongside the new Mini and new Beetle. The 11th Gen T-bird was, as intended, a limited edition thing and priced to match, but far more like it's predecessor and chock-full of styling points with very clear connections to the past. The Beetle and Mini were and are unique vehicles and vehicle concepts throughout their life, so it's tough to compare to them. The PT Cruiser wasn't a copy of anything but was selling well, and the T-bird showed how to succeed with a copy, so why GM chose a different route is beyond reason. There will be some SSR's around forever, nearly no miles, garage-kept, and getting decent prices for awhile, then they'll fade away there too.
Also a suggestion: an episode on the Cadillac Escapade EXT and the Lincoln Blackwood.
Yeah I think the new T Bird was better executed. It's problem was everyone that wanted one bought them the first model year or two LOL. I really was torn about the SSR because I see enough vanilla ice cream on the road everyday.. But it was such a polarizing vehicle. I can see why GM went ahead with it as the Camaro was about to go away leaving no platform sporty wise besides the Corvette.....Except a RWD new one for use with the upcoming Trailblazer could have been pitched as a win. "Seems Stupid Really".....lol...Thats funny! I've chatted a little about the Escalade on my Suburban episode, but not specifically on it yet. The Blackwood is already on my radar. That was a flop! Speaking of flops, the next episode is on the Yugo!
No one understood the Super Sport Roadster because everyone was caught up in the idea that it had to be either truck or car??? It is neither. It is an entirely unique vehicle like no other ever made. It is a convertible, steel body hot rod with a full frame. It fits the definition of Roadster. The 6.0l 390hp makes it "super." The unique look makes it a "sport." Drive one and you will understand.
You do realize they are very collectible now so Chevy was right. They hold their value very well. Everything you said about it not being a true truck is what they were aiming for. Something very different and something new but also retro. Not a Corvette and not a Camaro and not an El Camino either. I've had a corvettes and Camaros...and so many other people have one. My SSR is so unique I have never seen another one the road with me at the same time. Of the 60+ I have owned it is one of my favorite.
The truck that could've been fantastic, unfortunately the bean counters ruined it! 😐
At least they didn't "Aztek" it lol
A 2005 or 2006 is awesome to own. Exactly the same 6.0l power train as the Corvette.