I've ALWAYS loved the SS, such an underrated car and all because GM didn't advertise it right, most people think is just a basic FWD Impala or Malibu, but it's MUCH more than that, everytime i see one on the road it puts a big smile on my face! 👀
They didn't advertise it because they didn't want it to sell in volume. Not one single advertisement in 4-years of production. GM wanted tax money in Australia, not sales in US.
Big facts brother , I loved the Pontiac GTO and G8 but when I heated about the Chevy SS . I needed it and been wanting to get my hands on one since it released . Especially because unlike the G8 GXP there were more chevy SS that came in manual
As an Australian and a Ford guy The reason The FG/FGX Falcon and VE/VF Commodores didn't sell well in the US is because they only sent over the base model SS, Holden made some epic versions of the VF like the Clubsport, R8, Senator, W1, Wagons and even a ute And they didn't even send the Falcon to the US and now Ford America is thinking about making a 4 door mustang? WE HAD 4 DOOR V8S IN AUSTRALIA AND WE DIDNT SELL THEM OVERSEAS
Guys the lack of marketing for the Chevy SS was literally BY DESIGN. The SS was NOT a flop… in GMs eyes. GM was under contract with Holden to sell a certain amount of Holdens in the US. They only needed to sell 2,000-3,000 Holdens over a 4 year span in the US. So because they barely had to sell any of these cars here in the states there was no point in spending tons of money on marketing or different trim options. GM had to do the bare minimum which was this: bring a fully loaded Commodore to the states, sit them in the dealership, and just play the numbers game. AND GM had plans to cut Holden off anyway so there really was no point in marketing. It was all by design
Exactly. People need to understand that. Also I don’t know how much more of a market share this car would of sold in the US. Sure it seams like the car was under produced now. The limited availability turned the SS into a legendary car in enthusiast eyes and that’s the catch 22. It’s so desirable because it was produced in small numbers.
Just sucks for the American consumers. The holden/gm partnership produced 3 of the best gm cars of the time span. I imagine they could have done a lot more good things together.
You are close. GM wasn't under contract with Holden, Gm owns/owned Holden. Holden was given a large tax break by the Australian government in the mid 2000's to export so many vehicles from Oz. This included the Holden Monaro/Pontiac GTO from 2004-2006, the Holden Commodore VE/Pontiac G8 from 2008-2009, the Holden Caprice LS/Chevy Caprice PPV from 2009-2017, and finally the Holden Commodore VF/VFII as the Chevrolet SS ('14-'15 VF, '16-'17 VFII). General Motors then pounded the death nail in Australian automotive manufacturing, shutting down Holden in the fall of 2017, after Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi had all done the same months or years earlier.
I remember I went to the Chevy dealer to look at Camaros. The SS 1le was 39000, the Chevy SS was 55000. So dumb, the C7 base was 57000. They over priced themselves out of the market...
This exactly. For the price of the SS you were a couple grand away from IS-F or 550i territory. If for some weird reason you're dying to own a Chevy, the CTS-V was in the same price range, too. As priced, I couldn't fathom anyone choosing the SS over the competition.
@@tghidsgn 2014 was the release of the SS Sedan and was the last year for the 2nd Gen CTSV sedan. At the time the CTSV were 64k with no options, but most were optioned to at least 70k, which was quite a bit far from the SS sedan’s pricing. 2016 began the 3rd Gen CTSV which was like 85k with no options.
Most annoying misconception about the car out there... everyone calls it a failure but GM had no planned successor in mind and they were under a contractual agreement with Holden to move so many units in the U.S. They did the bare minimum required and then sunset the Elizabethtown plant and later, the entire company. If they would have put even an ounce of effort into promoting the car, it would have sold in higher volumes, but that wasn't part of their plan.
Yeah man. A lot of people don’t know what’s up. I’ve owned 2 G8’s and I’m now on my second caprice PPV. I tell people why it didn’t “fail” when people say it did.
As an owner of a 2015 in a very active SS community.... these are not failed vehicles. They only imported a very small amount of them and sold every one of them. The small numbers has to do with the agreement between chevy and Holden. Not sales driven.
This car inspired me to become a car enthusiast. It passed me going maybe 100 MPH at high revs and something sparked inside of me. My life was forever changed by that blue SS. Since then I’ve learned everything about cars/performance cars and owned 3 different performance cars. It makes me feel good knowing that my car is much faster than the car that inspired me - but I still would love to have one. Nice review!
That’s the Holden SS-V, much loved here in Australia. GM sold us out and killed our Holden brand of over 100 years. There is now much hatred for GM and I don’t think Aussies will ever forgive. The price of these things here has now tripled but the most sought of versions are the HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) and the prices have pretty much stopped the average Aussie from getting one. The last and greatest was the GTSR-W1 which sells for around the $million dollar mark they came in the sedan and 2 door Maloo Ute. Rip Holden , shame GM and Aust Govt
Same I had a an appointment to test drive one on a Friday coming out of the shop I worked when they notify me that same Friday in lunch that it got sold the day before SMFH
@@insanerator651 The resell is there because the interior doesnt fall apart in a few months, and the V8 is a monster engine that can do 100k miles well maintained and possibly do 200k, even when driven hard. Any of these under 5k miles, with a good service history, is basically a new car.
Hey david. I've owned a heap of ls Holden's here in Australia and you might wanna let the owner know he's getting a little detonation midrange on full throttle and let off by the sound of it. That loud slap and pop sound is actually a small detonation usually caused by something off In the tune the car dips fwd a little too you can see it when that happens. It sounds very different to the rest of the exhaust sound im very familiar with it. It often happens with big cams the timing is a little off in the midrange possibly. Can cause uneven wear on the lifters and other components. Not a big deal but worth tuning it out for longevity
I work for a powder coating and wheel repair company. We just had an SS in the shop a few days ago. I had not seen one in awhile so I guess those are somewhat rare cars since they are discontinued. The customer wanted his factory SS wheels powder coated gloss black, so that's what he got and off he went.
I got mine back in 2016. I always wanted a g8 but when I stumbled upon the SS and the history of Holden, I got hooked. I threw a LSA supercharger and absolutely love it. Puts a smile on my face everytime.
@@masonblack2599 yes, these 6l80s can hold some power as long as they are tuned properly. I also have a trans cooler and temps never go above 160F, so that also helps.
I just bought a 2016 6 spd manual in Slip Stream Blue. I have had it two weeks and I love it!! I have to tell you that I also own a 2013 Sterling Grey Mustang GT 6 spd. The difference in the clutches is night and day! Granted, my Stang has a McLeod RST twin disc. I never thought I would enjoy driving a car as much as the Mustang but the SS is an AMAZING car ! The rarity of the manual is a huge plus too!
I remember reading a ton of comments on Jalopnik articles back in the day when these were still being sold new. Most folks who reported their dealership experience of trying to buy an SS was that dealers would never stock manuals and would actively try and dissuade customers from ordering them from the factory in any configuration. GM failed to advertise it and dealers refused to support them. Such a mess.
Especially when it was sold around the same price as the more expensive cars. No real gain in trying to sell someone the Camaro over it. Only thing I can think of is the Camaro being more fluid because young and old would buy it while the ss was for the few buyers who actually knew what they were buying.
They will last too. True story.On my way to work today within 1km I passed a Holden HR station wagon,made around 1967 and in immaculate condition....then came alongside a Holden HR 4 door sedan,in pretty good condition,made around 1969.Got stopped at the lights alongside the HT,so chatted to the driver and he said he loved it as much today as he did the day he bought it. I was driving my 2016 VF Series II Redline Commodore,black on black,and my daily.....just washed and polished too. Initially I was stoked,seeing some classic Holdens while driving a classic in waiting......but then I felt a bit sad. Because these cars are dinosaurs.....and pretty soon we'll be lucky to see them at all.... RIP Holden 🇦🇺 RIP Commodore 🇦🇺
@@SomeOne_86 on average c7 stingrays aren’t going for less than 45k used hovering around 50,000 miles on the clock. I’m not saying it’s a good price for the SS but it’s not bad either, you get a four door sedan that can boogie 🚚💨💨💨. Only other options out there are a scat pack. or a Beamer or Audi if your really trying to dish out some cash.
What sucks about the Chevy SS is that even though it was considered a flop, they have become desireable, and a lot of them that are being sold are actually getting close to or more than what the original msrp was new.
agreed a Chevy dealership in PA has approximately 3 right now and last video they updated in their channel said that had two more waiting to be delivered, i do believe the comment said they had two manuals
It’s funny how I can spot these EASILY on the road. BUT, you can always see how they could be overlooked. Was lucky enough to work for an import/export company and had the chance to drive some very interesting cars coming and going to Australia. Local guy bought a few Holden Utes to swap over to LHD. As many as those I’ve unloaded from containers, these are easy to spot but you usually hear them too.
It was never meant to succeed. RCR explained why, it was basically a car made to satisfy a trade deal. GM didn’t want this car to sell. They specifically bricked it.
To say the marketing for this car was bad is an understatement. The chevy dealers in my area didn't even tell you they were there and when you saw them they were marked up. It was almost like they didn't want to sell any
I really think it’s massively under appreciated. It’s a car that gives EVERYTHING anyone can want from a daily driving sedan that’s also a lot of great fun to drive.
I bought a new manual Perfect Blue SS in 2015. Over 6 years and 67k miles later, it still puts a smile on my face. The $46k price tag was shocking back then but considering an Impala LTZ could be optioned to over $40k, paying $46k for this great car doesn't sound quite as ridiculous.
The reason the G8 interior seemed so outdated when it was introduced in the US is because it was dated. The VE commodore used the same dash / interior parts as when it was initially released late 05 up until being superceded by the VF
The "Caprice PPV" law enforcement got in the states, is the long wheelbase version of the VE Commodore 2006-2012 which is also the Pontiac G8. I personally disliked the look of the VE Commodore. But the long wheelbase are known as "Statesman" and "Caprice" which usually here in Aus the Caprice is fitted with a V8 and better trim and interior. Mainly limousine and government and sometimes Taxi's used these.
I wanted an SS before I wanted the Camaro, but the pricing on these things used, even a few years ago, was insane. Now? Forgetaboutit. I get justify spending the $50 grand average people are asking for over 25k in miles for an almost 5-year-old Chevy sedan.
@@FilthyGopher It was and man am I still pissed TO THIS DAY that I wasn't in the same financial situation I'm in now as I was then. I woulda jumped on that immediately.
TheNilesD....,. You need to research them a bit deeper. 25,000miles is chicken feed to these things.You'll get 250,000 & at least 10 yrs out of them,treated properly. A huge number of Oz cars,not just Holdens,will do this.Think of the yeeers of fun you'd have,especially with a manual. Homework,my friend,homework.
A co-worker at the power plant I work at dailys one and it sounds amazing on a cold start. I don't know if it's the manual or auto but I hope it's the manual, thing's clean and so so rare.
I pulled up next to one at a gas station the other day and thought it was a Cruze or something of that nature. Even though my uncle owned one for the better part of 5 years, I didn’t recognize it. When it started I got scared because it was cammed and had an aftermarket exhaust. They truly are amazing sleepers.
Every single person who says "I'm I'm car guy, but didn't know these existed" is seriously making me question those "car guys". This car was the Chevrolet NASCAR contender for 5 years. Where were yall??
I use an SS for mobile detailing. That's how big it is inside. After owning 4, it's definitely one of the best cars ever made for daily driving.... and then you can take it to the occasional car show and turn heads
I went looking for the Chevy SS to replace my fiesta ST in 2015. I wanted a 4 door V8, I ended back in a wrx. Closest was 500 miles away, orange, and marked up 15k. Few years later, I have a scat charger, wish I could’ve found one.
Nice review. Here in Australia people replace the Holden badges for Chevrolet 🤣. Definitely a real sleeper. I just bought a SS black edition wagon with the Ls3. Total sleeper real dad’s car.
Man, another high profile TH-camr who didn't bother to research before posting. The Chevy SS didn't fail, they sold EXACTLY as many as they intended to sell. They brought the SS over in order to qualify for a tax subsidy in Australia for exporting a certain number of cars. That's the ONLY reason we got it. And GM being GM, they shut down Holden Australia the moment they qualified for that tax break. So did it fail? Not even close.
Yes, there are many reason why they shut down production. Credit to the bigwig that fought to keep production lines running for as long as possible. His efforts meant that we got 2x the number of SS' in 2017 than 2016, at just over 4000 units.
I don't know if you planned it or not, but you release a video on the SS which is just a left hand drive Commodore rebadged as a Chev, on Australia day, Happy Straya Day to my fellow Aussies, have a great day, stay safe!
I've watched a fair bit about the Shevy SS situation and the actual story is way more tragic than this. In short GM had a deal with Holden that they would sell the Commodore SS in the US, from reports you could go into any Chevy dealership across the US and they would have an SS there ready to go, but they never marketed the damn thing. At this point GM was already in hot financial water and when the SS didnt sell well they truned back to holden and hit them with the old 'See, told ya, we tried, didnt sell'. Not long later they announced that Holden would stop making cars. Only in retrospect did people discover them and find out how good they actually were, they were a car designed for the Australian conditions which in term made them practical and comfortable. I'm not a V8 guy, or a Holden man, but I really can't help but think that the fact Holden doesn't make cars anymore is a shame. To me it alwyas felt like this is what we could do, this was what we came up with, and amongst all the varients it was unique. I still remember being in Ginza in Japan where every other car was a supercar and here comes this guy in a Maloo out of nowhere and it stopped people in their tracks like no other car did.
"I'm not a V8 guy,..." haha... "by my deeds i honor him...V8..." th-cam.com/video/8YrWse-qOsA/w-d-xo.html Its hard to go back once youve had a decent naturally aspirated V8. Even just the extra pain in the arse of forced induction vs extra displacement is in play in my honest opinion. Everyone loves the word turbo, but only experienced people understand.
@@lieshtmeiser5542 so true, most of the legendary cars were v8 , konninsegg ccx, most ferraris, first gen audi r8 fordgt40 its all about marketing imo most people cant get away
I own a Son of Gun Grey VF2 SSV Redline in Australia. Built in May 2017 and it is by far the best car I've ever owned or driven. I love it so much. It's so hard to keep the kms off it cos the drive is such an addictive experience. The longer I own it the more I fall in love with it.
I fell in love with these cars five years ago at LS Fest. I got mine right before Christmas of last year. I ended up getting a 2017 it is an automatic but the prior owner put $42,000 in after-market parts and laborin it but that's how much I paid for the car it's got a Magnuson supercharger and at 720 horsepower at the rear wheels but he has never been down the Dragstrip. Great video!
I used to want a G8 so bad as a sleeper. About three years ago I saw a SS and was like I NEED this car. Great for a family cruiser and gets up to speed when you want it
Also GM purposely didn't advertise the Chevy SS well because Holden Australia was set to shut down from 2015 and if the SS actually marketed well it would mean GM would have had to reopen manufacturing plants as apposed to slapping Holden badges on the opel/Vauxhall insignia and just calling it a day That and the Australian government has made it Way to difficult and expensive for car manufacturers to produce vehicles here, aswell as our safety regulations mean manufacturers have to tailor vehicles alot more just for the Australian market hence why there isn't that many options when it comes to new cars
I’ve loved these for a long time but in terms of cost these haven’t gone down at all. Most of these even in auto are still more expensive used then a sc 2nd gen cts v
Oh man. Been waiting for this review for a while now. And my 2016 came out with the best modern anti-theft device I could ask for. A manual transmission!
Absolutely love these cars! Just wish the prices would finally go down. I have my first child coming in a month and this would be the perfect dad car to replace my Forester XT! Great review man!
It's the writers and commentators that have no clue about how GM didn't even attempt to promote the SS that call its sales numbers a failure. We got the SS in the US because Bob Lutz loved it and GM's agreement with Holden/Australian government to export an agreed number of Holdens to other countries. The SS was an obligation, but owners of the SS are the ones that have benefitted. Ordered mine with the Tremec manual transmission. It's a fun car.
In Australia these were really popular, You could get V6 ones for cheap or you could buy HSV's and have the fastest Australian built car. Sedan, Ute and Wagon form.
I really wish chevy actually made it known that there was a LS under the hood of this thing. My friend saw one at a dealer and was like “why are you charging $45k for this?” Until the salesman popped the hood.
This car sounds Aaaamazing!!! I’d take this over a Camaro without as much as a thought. A mildly built SS and a C6 Z06 would be the perfect garage duo in my opinion.👌🏽🔥🔥🔥
I love my ss, All stock rn but I do have a full exhaust on the way. I like to autocross mine and take it to the occasional track day at UMC. I don’t drag it. I like turning, and for its weight it does that very well
The Pontiac G8 and the Chevy SS were essentially the same car. Both were derived from the Holden Commodore (Australia). The only reason we got the Chevy SS was because the Feds had forced GM to axe Pontiac.
@@mudshotit what? no. the G8 and the SS are the same car down under. the difference is that the G8 is the VE Commodore, the SS is the VF Commodore. It's a generational thing like the e39 bmws and the e60 bmw's. the Caprice is the long wheel base version of the VE Commodore. parts can and are shared between all of them.
Both are VE and VF are Holden commodore the biggest difference is the VF is alot more modern and refined where as the VE still feels like it's holding in to the mid 2000s for dear Life. Drive train and driveability they are both similar but the VF is more comfortable stock (better suspension and chassis). The caprice is a similar but different beast and is based off the 2006-2007 VM chassis which is essential the long wheel Base VIP Holden Commodore available on several trim packages from statesman (think mid/high end town car interior) The Caprice which is more luxurious and leans towards the likes of the Japanese VIP sedans interior wise and lastly you have The HSV Grange which essentially is every upper middle class bogan Dad's wet dream it's got all the Luxury of the Caprice but it was molested by the lab geeks at HSV and had a Similar power Figure to the VE HSV R8 Commodore. It also features possibly my favorite factory body kit Holden has made since the 70s
I remember sitting in a Chevy SS at a car show and I was so excited to see what Chevy was doing in a big B8 manual sedan. I sat inside and thought “meh looks boring from the outside, the inside is just straight black leather, nothing that excites me or makes me WANT to buy this car” Of course the engine wasn’t running so I didn’t hear wonderful V8 noises but my excitement for the car died that day. It didn’t thrill me enough to WANT it. It just felt meh and when thinking about how much money I’d have to spend to get one, I thought nah I’d rather have something else.
Same. The Chevy version looked so pedestrian to me on the outside, all I could think was "You ruined the Commodore". I would take the G8 all day long though.
I feel like a big reason why you see a lot of people say they’d love these cars and need more of them is because the people saying that can’t really buy them yet most of us are too young to be able to afford a 30-50k car but once we start making enough money we’ll get them.
Hey, whats up. Just a suggestion. On your pulls, you should have a separate cam 📷 pointing 👉🏼 to the dash so we can see the excelleration rpm and mph. Get a better sence of how quick the car is moving! Thanks love the you tube clips! Keep doing what you do!
The reason these were priced out of the market was they were built in Australia and shipped across. The reason these were not marketed well or priced well is also because they were built in Australia and shipped to the US. The American unions were not happy with this, the economy of scale didnt work out and America does not have the love affair with 4 door muscle that Australians have grown up with.
I have a 15 in the same color it Is a automatic. The paddle shits give you almost the feeling of a manual. That being said it has been a dream car of mine since they came stateside. I love the car beyond words. It's the first one I had ever seen in person I bought it in 4/24 with 8800 miles. Them aussie boys sure can build a badass sedan
This is the video of been waiting to see you driving a Chevy SS with that very rare manual transmission I have a buddy who bought one the second year they came out and he still has it to this day but he gets mad because he did not wait for the year of the manual transmission I'm that old
I found out about these cars a couple of years ago... after production ended. I wanted but didn't because they were still expensive. Fast forward a couple years and they are even more expensive! Well I happened across what I wanted online and pulled the trigger without haggling. I paid (am paying) a lot of money for my mid-life crisis car. Slicktop, black, manual, spare, crossed 10,000 miles in my hands. Only mods on the car were black Chevy badges... that's it. Love it. I can't stop driving it.
I recently bought a 2017 VF series 2 Ls3 SS, Sep 2017 Build. Hats off to Holden... A wickedly awesome car as a daily drive or a track racer.. Have had commodores from every version of the car except for the VK and VL... So I thought I would treat myself to one of the last V8,s.....
I was coming out of a g8 gxp and was looking for a Chevy SS. Availability was very low and pricing was much higher then the Pontiac. I ended up with a charger just because I could not find the SS.
OMG that sound. It reminds me oddly of the opening of the *Cars* Disney film. That thing sings. Although I think the owner sounds like there is a exhaust heat shielding loose. There is a metallic chattering at 3200 RPM.
TO name a few good sleepers that I know of : Ford Fusion Sport, Accord Sport 2.0, the last Lincoln MKZ 3.0 twin snail. I always wanted a Jaguar XF V8 11 or 12. My 07 Si always felt like a sleeper to everyone on the road who didnt know better except for WRX drivers who think I'm slumming it with an Si. My 2018 Elantra Sport DCT has sleeper cred with it's 1.6t and anonymity, now freer breathing it's quite a hoot. I also have a modded show stopping, Procharged, 2010 Challenger RT6spd with the RT hash mark fender decals, NOW talk about a car everybody thinks they can challenge and beat! I never tire of embarrassing all walks of auto kind. SO much fun!
I remember when I was 18 I was driving an f150 with a tube and I thought I was fast, WELLLL, late at night I got to a red light and thought I was lined up with a fucking Chevy Cruz. Dude said let’s race and I got taken to gapplebees. Ever since then I’ve wanted the SS 😂
I've always loved the SS, they are becoming hard to find and definitely overpriced. I decided to get a 2014 caprice instead. Paid $14k with 40k on the clock. Since purchased I've changed the center console and to the SS style auto shifter assembly and then wired it up to use the sport shift. SS gauge cluster, Door panels full BMR rear suspension for the SS which fits the Caprice perfect minus the subframe braces being 2" short. But drill new hole, good to go. Currently street tuned on HP tuners / bolt on
I didn't even know these existed until a little over a year ago when I saw one. Initially thought it was a new Malibu but when I saw the SS badge on the trunk, I got curious and fell into the rabbit hole. This car is amazing, and is something I hope to get sometime in the near future. Being a father, I really need 4 doors, especially with the kid getting older and needing him and his friends driven around. And I want something with some power. I have my 86 Buick Grand National but that's not very family friendly lol. The SS checks all the marks. Price is a bit steep, but an LS3 in a sedan with all the amenities... C'mon how do you say no to that? I would prefer an automatic, but it's refreshing to see manual is an option. Getting older, I don't really feel like constantly shifting gears in Houston traffic. But automatics have come a long way so really no loss. Plus I work in the transmission business so not like I can't upgrade lol. And I guarantee I would do a handful of modifications over time.
I heard that the Chevy SS based on the Holden Commodore if I’m not mistaken was just to fulfill a deal made with Holden and they weren’t meant to stick around.
I rarely get to 4,5,or 6th. 2nd and 3rd feel and sound so good. If you stretch its legs and get to 4th on up your most likely in triple digit speeds...
Always wanted one, still do. So does my dad, and other auto enthusiasts in my life. Problem is, can only find them in the US, and would have to import to Canada. A great video as always David, and I love the fact that you spoke the truth about these cars...they tick ALL of the boxes, are what tons of people want, and yet GM made ZERO effort to market them. The car is essentially a 5-seater Camaro, and also has C6/C7 Corvette DNA under its body too.
I swear one of the reasons why the prices are going up for the SS and the Pontiac G8 is because of most of the dude’s that own em swing tf outta them in takeovers😭🤦🏻♂️
I wish you could see the HSV VF GTS it's based on the Chevy SS but upgraded by Holden themselves as HSV, it has a LSA engine amongst lots of other upgrades.
What’s your favorite production car sleeper?
Any fast Volvo 5cyl!
Debadged focus RS with SE bumpers and spoiler
Taurus sho 365 hp and fusion sport 400 hp awd
I love this car
Dodge ram 150 red wagon
I've ALWAYS loved the SS, such an underrated car and all because GM didn't advertise it right, most people think is just a basic FWD Impala or Malibu, but it's MUCH more than that, everytime i see one on the road it puts a big smile on my face! 👀
They didn't advertise it because they didn't want it to sell in volume. Not one single advertisement in 4-years of production. GM wanted tax money in Australia, not sales in US.
@@spikejnz This.
Marketing does little for a car like this. Everyone who wanted one knew all about them. The G8 also hurt it.
I have the Ute Version in Australia 2015 its amazing .🎉🎉🎉love the smooth ride
Big facts brother , I loved the Pontiac GTO and G8 but when I heated about the Chevy SS . I needed it and been wanting to get my hands on one since it released . Especially because unlike the G8 GXP there were more chevy SS that came in manual
As an Australian and a Ford guy
The reason The FG/FGX Falcon and VE/VF Commodores didn't sell well in the US is because they only sent over the base model SS, Holden made some epic versions of the VF like the Clubsport, R8, Senator, W1, Wagons and even a ute
And they didn't even send the Falcon to the US and now Ford America is thinking about making a 4 door mustang? WE HAD 4 DOOR V8S IN AUSTRALIA AND WE DIDNT SELL THEM OVERSEAS
You forgot to mention the XR6T/FPV F6. 2JZ who?
Base? We basically got the VF II Redline with magride. That's not base. Yeah, we didn't get a GTS or a W1, but it certainly ain't base.
@@spikejnz The Aussies get the real high quality Chevys with tons of options, & body styles, we get the basic one.
They sold FG Falcons in the US? Never heard of any Falcons sold there at all.
@@TR.Pixels Yeah, Aussie Falcons were never sold in the US.
Guys the lack of marketing for the Chevy SS was literally BY DESIGN. The SS was NOT a flop… in GMs eyes. GM was under contract with Holden to sell a certain amount of Holdens in the US. They only needed to sell 2,000-3,000 Holdens over a 4 year span in the US. So because they barely had to sell any of these cars here in the states there was no point in spending tons of money on marketing or different trim options. GM had to do the bare minimum which was this: bring a fully loaded Commodore to the states, sit them in the dealership, and just play the numbers game. AND GM had plans to cut Holden off anyway so there really was no point in marketing. It was all by design
Exactly. People need to understand that. Also I don’t know how much more of a market share this car would of sold in the US. Sure it seams like the car was under produced now. The limited availability turned the SS into a legendary car in enthusiast eyes and that’s the catch 22. It’s so desirable because it was produced in small numbers.
Just sucks for the American consumers. The holden/gm partnership produced 3 of the best gm cars of the time span. I imagine they could have done a lot more good things together.
Also NASCAR, which requires a set number of productions to enter a car into the series
You are close. GM wasn't under contract with Holden, Gm owns/owned Holden. Holden was given a large tax break by the Australian government in the mid 2000's to export so many vehicles from Oz. This included the Holden Monaro/Pontiac GTO from 2004-2006, the Holden Commodore VE/Pontiac G8 from 2008-2009, the Holden Caprice LS/Chevy Caprice PPV from 2009-2017, and finally the Holden Commodore VF/VFII as the Chevrolet SS ('14-'15 VF, '16-'17 VFII). General Motors then pounded the death nail in Australian automotive manufacturing, shutting down Holden in the fall of 2017, after Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi had all done the same months or years earlier.
Yup just more brilliant business decisions by GM
I remember I went to the Chevy dealer to look at Camaros. The SS 1le was 39000, the Chevy SS was 55000. So dumb, the C7 base was 57000. They over priced themselves out of the market...
Beat me to my point... Points for you
I literally just said this
This exactly. For the price of the SS you were a couple grand away from IS-F or 550i territory. If for some weird reason you're dying to own a Chevy, the CTS-V was in the same price range, too. As priced, I couldn't fathom anyone choosing the SS over the competition.
@@tghidsgn 2014 was the release of the SS Sedan and was the last year for the 2nd Gen CTSV sedan. At the time the CTSV were 64k with no options, but most were optioned to at least 70k, which was quite a bit far from the SS sedan’s pricing. 2016 began the 3rd Gen CTSV which was like 85k with no options.
If it wasn't 38K brand new in nov 2017, I wouldn't own one. Practically gave it away
Failed? It wasn't meant to succeed. It was made to use up all the Holden parts before the plant closed.
Good someone knows 🙌🏽
Most annoying misconception about the car out there... everyone calls it a failure but GM had no planned successor in mind and they were under a contractual agreement with Holden to move so many units in the U.S. They did the bare minimum required and then sunset the Elizabethtown plant and later, the entire company. If they would have put even an ounce of effort into promoting the car, it would have sold in higher volumes, but that wasn't part of their plan.
@@s2kfury ding ding ding!
Yeah man. A lot of people don’t know what’s up. I’ve owned 2 G8’s and I’m now on my second caprice PPV. I tell people why it didn’t “fail” when people say it did.
Wow, now it all makes sense.
As an owner of a 2015 in a very active SS community.... these are not failed vehicles. They only imported a very small amount of them and sold every one of them. The small numbers has to do with the agreement between chevy and Holden. Not sales driven.
Can you tell me why these cars are about the same price as they were new? I didn’t see any under 35k when looking recently.
This car inspired me to become a car enthusiast. It passed me going maybe 100 MPH at high revs and something sparked inside of me. My life was forever changed by that blue SS. Since then I’ve learned everything about cars/performance cars and owned 3 different performance cars. It makes me feel good knowing that my car is much faster than the car that inspired me - but I still would love to have one. Nice review!
That’s the Holden SS-V, much loved here in Australia. GM sold us out and killed our Holden brand of over 100 years. There is now much hatred for GM and I don’t think Aussies will ever forgive. The price of these things here has now tripled but the most sought of versions are the HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) and the prices have pretty much stopped the average Aussie from getting one. The last and greatest was the GTSR-W1 which sells for around the $million dollar mark they came in the sedan and 2 door Maloo Ute. Rip Holden , shame GM and Aust Govt
72 Holden manaro, fav holden of all time to me looked far better than the camaro, love the torana too. Queensland or Sydney are a must to visit.
I'll never ever forgive what gm did iam a Holden boy and forever love my Holdens
I want one! I just wish they weren’t so expensive
Exactly, I've always wanted this or a g8 gt gxp.
Really came down to look what else you can get for the price.
Yep, nearly bought one until I got to think what other cars I could buy in this price range.
and i wish theres a single one in my location.
That’s the HSV moto… HSV, I just want one!
I nearly bought a black Manual one but I didn’t think the price tag was reasonable.
Definitely fantastic cars, I’d love one.
Same I had a an appointment to test drive one on a Friday coming out of the shop I worked when they notify me that same Friday in lunch that it got sold the day before SMFH
Well thats the issue is that the price is crazy but the resell value is there because so few were made
Didn't they run a 20% off deal to get rid of them?
@@insanerator651 The resell is there because the interior doesnt fall apart in a few months, and the V8 is a monster engine that can do 100k miles well maintained and possibly do 200k, even when driven hard.
Any of these under 5k miles, with a good service history, is basically a new car.
Would you say 30k miles Manual for $50k is reasonable in 2024?
The sound of that LS3 is absolutely sublime. Music to to my soul!
Hey david.
I've owned a heap of ls Holden's here in Australia and you might wanna let the owner know he's getting a little detonation midrange on full throttle and let off by the sound of it. That loud slap and pop sound is actually a small detonation usually caused by something off In the tune the car dips fwd a little too you can see it when that happens. It sounds very different to the rest of the exhaust sound im very familiar with it. It often happens with big cams the timing is a little off in the midrange possibly. Can cause uneven wear on the lifters and other components. Not a big deal but worth tuning it out for longevity
I work for a powder coating and wheel repair company. We just had an SS in the shop a few days ago. I had not seen one in awhile so I guess those are somewhat rare cars since they are discontinued. The customer wanted his factory SS wheels powder coated gloss black, so that's what he got and off he went.
I got mine back in 2016. I always wanted a g8 but when I stumbled upon the SS and the history of Holden, I got hooked. I threw a LSA supercharger and absolutely love it. Puts a smile on my face everytime.
Can the stock automatic take the supercharger ?
@@masonblack2599 yes, these 6l80s can hold some power as long as they are tuned properly. I also have a trans cooler and temps never go above 160F, so that also helps.
I just bought a 2016 6 spd manual in Slip Stream Blue. I have had it two weeks and I love it!! I have to tell you that I also own a 2013 Sterling Grey Mustang GT 6 spd. The difference in the clutches is night and day! Granted, my Stang has a McLeod RST twin disc. I never thought I would enjoy driving a car as much as the Mustang but the SS is an AMAZING car ! The rarity of the manual is a huge plus too!
I remember reading a ton of comments on Jalopnik articles back in the day when these were still being sold new. Most folks who reported their dealership experience of trying to buy an SS was that dealers would never stock manuals and would actively try and dissuade customers from ordering them from the factory in any configuration. GM failed to advertise it and dealers refused to support them. Such a mess.
That’s so stupid. You’d think they would advertise hell out of 400 hp 6 speed sedan
Especially when it was sold around the same price as the more expensive cars. No real gain in trying to sell someone the Camaro over it. Only thing I can think of is the Camaro being more fluid because young and old would buy it while the ss was for the few buyers who actually knew what they were buying.
Ah Dealers. Awful people.
They will last too.
True story.On my way to work today within 1km I passed a Holden HR station wagon,made around 1967 and in immaculate condition....then came alongside a Holden HR 4 door sedan,in pretty good condition,made around 1969.Got stopped at the lights alongside the HT,so chatted to the driver and he said he loved it as much today as he did the day he bought it.
I was driving my 2016 VF Series II Redline Commodore,black on black,and my daily.....just washed and polished too.
Initially I was stoked,seeing some classic Holdens while driving a classic in waiting......but then I felt a bit sad.
Because these cars are dinosaurs.....and pretty soon we'll be lucky to see them at all....
RIP Holden 🇦🇺
RIP Commodore 🇦🇺
Love the SS and the G8. Especially the GXP, and ESPECIALLY with a manual trans!
I always really wanted one because it was so understated. Too bad it died before I could get one because now they're going for CTS V prices.
Not really, down south they’re going for 38k-58k with good to decent mileage
@@rollthedice.5973 I'm north. So they don't go for those prices here
@@rollthedice.5973 that's way too much for that car. That's more than a C7.
@@rollthedice.5973 that's not a good price. That's what they cost new
@@SomeOne_86 on average c7 stingrays aren’t going for less than 45k used hovering around 50,000 miles on the clock. I’m not saying it’s a good price for the SS but it’s not bad either, you get a four door sedan that can boogie 🚚💨💨💨. Only other options out there are a scat pack. or a Beamer or Audi if your really trying to dish out some cash.
Ok I'm officially convinced that I need this car in my life.
What sucks about the Chevy SS is that even though it was considered a flop, they have become desireable, and a lot of them that are being sold are actually getting close to or more than what the original msrp was new.
Yeah, I bought these for like 38k when they were in production, and now with covid they are selling for 49k on average.
agreed a Chevy dealership in PA has approximately 3 right now and last video they updated in their channel said that had two more waiting to be delivered, i do believe the comment said they had two manuals
It’s funny how I can spot these EASILY on the road. BUT, you can always see how they could be overlooked. Was lucky enough to work for an import/export company and had the chance to drive some very interesting cars coming and going to Australia. Local guy bought a few Holden Utes to swap over to LHD. As many as those I’ve unloaded from containers, these are easy to spot but you usually hear them too.
A nice set of Aftermarket wheels on these things makes a night and day difference
It was never meant to succeed. RCR explained why, it was basically a car made to satisfy a trade deal. GM didn’t want this car to sell. They specifically bricked it.
To say the marketing for this car was bad is an understatement. The chevy dealers in my area didn't even tell you they were there and when you saw them they were marked up. It was almost like they didn't want to sell any
I really think it’s massively under appreciated. It’s a car that gives EVERYTHING anyone can want from a daily driving sedan that’s also a lot of great fun to drive.
Yep, and the LS3 is one of the most reliable V8s out there with an insane performance aftermarket.
I bought a new manual Perfect Blue SS in 2015. Over 6 years and 67k miles later, it still puts a smile on my face. The $46k price tag was shocking back then but considering an Impala LTZ could be optioned to over $40k, paying $46k for this great car doesn't sound quite as ridiculous.
The reason the G8 interior seemed so outdated when it was introduced in the US is because it was dated. The VE commodore used the same dash / interior parts as when it was initially released late 05 up until being superceded by the VF
It's funny that you mention the G8. The Caprice PPV sat on the same platform as the G8. Definitely dated interior, but it has a hell of a motor.
Exactly. A lot of people have no idea but I blame GM for cheapening out and not updating the interior.
Btw I love the looks of the G8 over the SS
The "Caprice PPV" law enforcement got in the states, is the long wheelbase version of the VE Commodore 2006-2012 which is also the Pontiac G8. I personally disliked the look of the VE Commodore. But the long wheelbase are known as "Statesman" and "Caprice" which usually here in Aus the Caprice is fitted with a V8 and better trim and interior. Mainly limousine and government and sometimes Taxi's used these.
I wanted an SS before I wanted the Camaro, but the pricing on these things used, even a few years ago, was insane. Now? Forgetaboutit. I get justify spending the $50 grand average people are asking for over 25k in miles for an almost 5-year-old Chevy sedan.
yeah man, here in australia these things are like taxis!! they're literally everywhere and people ask 10-20k over what they paid new.
@@FilthyGopher It was and man am I still pissed TO THIS DAY that I wasn't in the same financial situation I'm in now as I was then. I woulda jumped on that immediately.
TheNilesD....,. You need to research them a bit deeper. 25,000miles is chicken feed to these things.You'll get 250,000 & at least 10 yrs out of them,treated properly. A huge number of Oz cars,not just Holdens,will do this.Think of the yeeers of fun you'd have,especially with a manual. Homework,my friend,homework.
Always cool to watch the SS come up every now and then, daily my 700whp ss and noone suspects lol
Hilarious that you guys put Holden badges back on them over there. Some in Australia completely replace all Holden badging with Chevy badging.
A co-worker at the power plant I work at dailys one and it sounds amazing on a cold start. I don't know if it's the manual or auto but I hope it's the manual, thing's clean and so so rare.
I pulled up next to one at a gas station the other day and thought it was a Cruze or something of that nature. Even though my uncle owned one for the better part of 5 years, I didn’t recognize it. When it started I got scared because it was cammed and had an aftermarket exhaust. They truly are amazing sleepers.
I love the Chevy SS. However, when they cost $50k still, I could never justify it
Every single person who says "I'm I'm car guy, but didn't know these existed" is seriously making me question those "car guys". This car was the Chevrolet NASCAR contender for 5 years. Where were yall??
mattdrake.....when did they race the Australian made HSV SS in NASCAR ? I stand to be corrected but I think you are a little confused.
I use an SS for mobile detailing. That's how big it is inside. After owning 4, it's definitely one of the best cars ever made for daily driving.... and then you can take it to the occasional car show and turn heads
I went looking for the Chevy SS to replace my fiesta ST in 2015. I wanted a 4 door V8, I ended back in a wrx. Closest was 500 miles away, orange, and marked up 15k. Few years later, I have a scat charger, wish I could’ve found one.
I want one, but prices have gone crazy.
Nice review. Here in Australia people replace the Holden badges for Chevrolet 🤣. Definitely a real sleeper. I just bought a SS black edition wagon with the Ls3. Total sleeper real dad’s car.
Man, another high profile TH-camr who didn't bother to research before posting.
The Chevy SS didn't fail, they sold EXACTLY as many as they intended to sell. They brought the SS over in order to qualify for a tax subsidy in Australia for exporting a certain number of cars. That's the ONLY reason we got it. And GM being GM, they shut down Holden Australia the moment they qualified for that tax break.
So did it fail? Not even close.
Yes, there are many reason why they shut down production. Credit to the bigwig that fought to keep production lines running for as long as possible. His efforts meant that we got 2x the number of SS' in 2017 than 2016, at just over 4000 units.
title was clickbait to get comments like this and boost engagement
@@xxx_raywell,go elsewhere with our blessing. You probably drive a 3 ton shitbox with yer hat the wrong way round Bye.
I don't know if you planned it or not, but you release a video on the SS which is just a left hand drive Commodore rebadged as a Chev, on Australia day, Happy Straya Day to my fellow Aussies, have a great day, stay safe!
I've watched a fair bit about the Shevy SS situation and the actual story is way more tragic than this.
In short GM had a deal with Holden that they would sell the Commodore SS in the US, from reports you could go into any Chevy dealership across the US and they would have an SS there ready to go, but they never marketed the damn thing. At this point GM was already in hot financial water and when the SS didnt sell well they truned back to holden and hit them with the old 'See, told ya, we tried, didnt sell'. Not long later they announced that Holden would stop making cars. Only in retrospect did people discover them and find out how good they actually were, they were a car designed for the Australian conditions which in term made them practical and comfortable.
I'm not a V8 guy, or a Holden man, but I really can't help but think that the fact Holden doesn't make cars anymore is a shame. To me it alwyas felt like this is what we could do, this was what we came up with, and amongst all the varients it was unique. I still remember being in Ginza in Japan where every other car was a supercar and here comes this guy in a Maloo out of nowhere and it stopped people in their tracks like no other car did.
"I'm not a V8 guy,..."
haha...
"by my deeds i honor him...V8..."
th-cam.com/video/8YrWse-qOsA/w-d-xo.html
Its hard to go back once youve had a decent naturally aspirated V8. Even just the extra pain in the arse of forced induction vs extra displacement is in play in my honest opinion.
Everyone loves the word turbo, but only experienced people understand.
@@lieshtmeiser5542 so true, most of the legendary cars were v8 , konninsegg ccx, most ferraris, first gen audi r8 fordgt40 its all about marketing imo most people cant get away
I've had my fk8 for 9 months. And I still get amazed by how good these cars handle.
I own a Son of Gun Grey VF2 SSV Redline in Australia. Built in May 2017 and it is by far the best car I've ever owned or driven. I love it so much. It's so hard to keep the kms off it cos the drive is such an addictive experience. The longer I own it the more I fall in love with it.
Loved that you did an SS, I love mine..
this is honestly my dream car, ive spent hours looking for local sales haha
My buddies dad has one he bought new in manual. It’s fun as hell even passenger.
I fell in love with these cars five years ago at LS Fest. I got mine right before Christmas of last year. I ended up getting a 2017 it is an automatic but the prior owner put $42,000 in after-market parts and laborin it but that's how much I paid for the car it's got a Magnuson supercharger and at 720 horsepower at the rear wheels but he has never been down the Dragstrip. Great video!
I used to want a G8 so bad as a sleeper. About three years ago I saw a SS and was like I NEED this car. Great for a family cruiser and gets up to speed when you want it
Absolutely LOVE the SS! This video has swayed me from looking at a C6 Z06 to now wanting to go this route.
Also GM purposely didn't advertise the Chevy SS well because Holden Australia was set to shut down from 2015 and if the SS actually marketed well it would mean GM would have had to reopen manufacturing plants as apposed to slapping Holden badges on the opel/Vauxhall insignia and just calling it a day
That and the Australian government has made it Way to difficult and expensive for car manufacturers to produce vehicles here, aswell as our safety regulations mean manufacturers have to tailor vehicles alot more just for the Australian market hence why there isn't that many options when it comes to new cars
I’ve loved these for a long time but in terms of cost these haven’t gone down at all. Most of these even in auto are still more expensive used then a sc 2nd gen cts v
Oh man. Been waiting for this review for a while now. And my 2016 came out with the best modern anti-theft device I could ask for. A manual transmission!
Absolutely love these cars! Just wish the prices would finally go down. I have my first child coming in a month and this would be the perfect dad car to replace my Forester XT! Great review man!
Congrats on the kid bro
@@primuspilusfellatus6501 thanks man, really appreciate it!!
Only failed in America
Aussies loved it 👍😊👍
It's the writers and commentators that have no clue about how GM didn't even attempt to promote the SS that call its sales numbers a failure. We got the SS in the US because Bob Lutz loved it and GM's agreement with Holden/Australian government to export an agreed number of Holdens to other countries. The SS was an obligation, but owners of the SS are the ones that have benefitted. Ordered mine with the Tremec manual transmission. It's a fun car.
Yet when the LFA first came out it failed too. Yet after years later it got the recognition and appreciation it deserved. This car isn't a failure.
In Australia these were really popular, You could get V6 ones for cheap or you could buy HSV's and have the fastest Australian built car. Sedan, Ute and Wagon form.
I really wish chevy actually made it known that there was a LS under the hood of this thing. My friend saw one at a dealer and was like “why are you charging $45k for this?” Until the salesman popped the hood.
Agreed the looks always put me to sleep (legit used to mistaken for Malibu lol), but that Exhaust & MT alone could dag near sell me on this car!
This car sounds Aaaamazing!!! I’d take this over a Camaro without as much as a thought. A mildly built SS and a C6 Z06 would be the perfect garage duo in my opinion.👌🏽🔥🔥🔥
I love my ss, All stock rn but I do have a full exhaust on the way. I like to autocross mine and take it to the occasional track day at UMC. I don’t drag it. I like turning, and for its weight it does that very well
I absolutely love my 17 SS. 6 speed is too much fun
The Pontiac G8 and the Chevy SS were essentially the same car. Both were derived from the Holden Commodore (Australia). The only reason we got the Chevy SS was because the Feds had forced GM to axe Pontiac.
i mean yes and no. id say the g8 and the caprice are more closesly the same car. only g8 that comes close is the gxp.
@@mudshotit what? no. the G8 and the SS are the same car down under. the difference is that the G8 is the VE Commodore, the SS is the VF Commodore. It's a generational thing like the e39 bmws and the e60 bmw's. the Caprice is the long wheel base version of the VE Commodore. parts can and are shared between all of them.
Nope, we got the SS because GM got a tax break in Australia for exporting a certain number of cars.
Both are VE and VF are Holden commodore the biggest difference is the VF is alot more modern and refined where as the VE still feels like it's holding in to the mid 2000s for dear Life.
Drive train and driveability they are both similar but the VF is more comfortable stock (better suspension and chassis).
The caprice is a similar but different beast and is based off the 2006-2007 VM chassis which is essential the long wheel Base VIP Holden Commodore available on several trim packages from statesman (think mid/high end town car interior) The Caprice which is more luxurious and leans towards the likes of the Japanese VIP sedans interior wise and lastly you have The HSV Grange which essentially is every upper middle class bogan Dad's wet dream it's got all the Luxury of the Caprice but it was molested by the lab geeks at HSV and had a Similar power Figure to the VE HSV R8 Commodore.
It also features possibly my favorite factory body kit Holden has made since the 70s
@@Mistarnova i understand that. hence why i said the gxp would be the closest
It’s so funny in Australia people put Chevy badges on there holdens in the us you put Holden badges on a Chevy
Should try and find someone that imported an XR8/XR6 Turbo
I remember sitting in a Chevy SS at a car show and I was so excited to see what Chevy was doing in a big B8 manual sedan.
I sat inside and thought “meh looks boring from the outside, the inside is just straight black leather, nothing that excites me or makes me WANT to buy this car”
Of course the engine wasn’t running so I didn’t hear wonderful V8 noises but my excitement for the car died that day. It didn’t thrill me enough to WANT it. It just felt meh and when thinking about how much money I’d have to spend to get one, I thought nah I’d rather have something else.
Same. The Chevy version looked so pedestrian to me on the outside, all I could think was "You ruined the Commodore". I would take the G8 all day long though.
I feel like a big reason why you see a lot of people say they’d love these cars and need more of them is because the people saying that can’t really buy them yet most of us are too young to be able to afford a 30-50k car but once we start making enough money we’ll get them.
They weren't imported to sell. They were just imported to complete a deal.
American?
lmao.
This is like the most Aussie car of the last 10 years
Yes but in America it's a sleeper because most aren't educated on Holden etc. So it's an American sleeper..
Well a lot of SS owner’s do holden part conversions lmao
And Aussies used to put Chevy badges on them lol
Now anyone that owns one has put the Holden badge back on 😊
@@jesselucas7503 It's a sleeper everywhere. Doesn't matter where you go.
It doesn't change into a Ferrari look a like when you go to France lmao
@Daily_HoonVidz Yeah mate, I realise that, but you don't see any with Chevy badges anymore because the Commodore become iconic 👍
knowing mitchell is in the passenger seat makes me laugh
Hey, whats up. Just a suggestion. On your pulls, you should have a separate cam 📷 pointing 👉🏼 to the dash so we can see the excelleration rpm and mph. Get a better sence of how quick the car is moving! Thanks love the you tube clips! Keep doing what you do!
The reason these were priced out of the market was they were built in Australia and shipped across.
The reason these were not marketed well or priced well is also because they were built in Australia and shipped to the US. The American unions were not happy with this, the economy of scale didnt work out and America does not have the love affair with 4 door muscle that Australians have grown up with.
I have a 15 in the same color it Is a automatic. The paddle shits give you almost the feeling of a manual. That being said it has been a dream car of mine since they came stateside. I love the car beyond words. It's the first one I had ever seen in person I bought it in 4/24 with 8800 miles. Them aussie boys sure can build a badass sedan
This is the video of been waiting to see you driving a Chevy SS with that very rare manual transmission
I have a buddy who bought one the second year they came out and he still has it to this day but he gets mad because he did not wait for the year of the manual transmission I'm that old
I never new they made the SS in manual. I now want an SS again.
Good luck getting one in this market..2 years ago it was great not anymore
Love these cars! Too bad GM didn’t really want to sell them. They didn’t care because they were already planning to shut down Holden.
Great video.
The only thing I can pick on the car , is the ss badges on the bottom back doors are missing.
Just like the Holden ssv redline.
I found out about these cars a couple of years ago... after production ended. I wanted but didn't because they were still expensive. Fast forward a couple years and they are even more expensive! Well I happened across what I wanted online and pulled the trigger without haggling. I paid (am paying) a lot of money for my mid-life crisis car. Slicktop, black, manual, spare, crossed 10,000 miles in my hands. Only mods on the car were black Chevy badges... that's it. Love it. I can't stop driving it.
I recently bought a 2017 VF series 2 Ls3 SS, Sep 2017 Build. Hats off to Holden... A wickedly awesome car as a daily drive or a track racer.. Have had commodores from every version of the car except for the VK and VL... So I thought I would treat myself to one of the last V8,s.....
I was coming out of a g8 gxp and was looking for a Chevy SS. Availability was very low and pricing was much higher then the Pontiac. I ended up with a charger just because I could not find the SS.
Im not sure exactly why they didnt build an SS factory in the states when Trump was in charge.
8th grade science teacher had one of these, even let me rev it once. Loved this car ever since
Such a subtle dream car 😩
I love my 2015 SS, it's gained appreciation since I bought it too.
OMG that sound. It reminds me oddly of the opening of the *Cars* Disney film. That thing sings. Although I think the owner sounds like there is a exhaust heat shielding loose. There is a metallic chattering at 3200 RPM.
Beautiful car! You should of reviewed my brothers LSA powered Jungle Green SS!
Overpriced v8 Malibu
TO name a few good sleepers that I know of : Ford Fusion Sport, Accord Sport 2.0, the last Lincoln MKZ 3.0 twin snail. I always wanted a Jaguar XF V8 11 or 12.
My 07 Si always felt like a sleeper to everyone on the road who didnt know better except for WRX drivers who think I'm slumming it with an Si. My 2018 Elantra Sport DCT has sleeper cred with it's 1.6t and anonymity, now freer breathing it's quite a hoot. I also have a modded show stopping, Procharged, 2010 Challenger RT6spd with the RT hash mark fender decals, NOW talk about a car everybody thinks they can challenge and beat! I never tire of embarrassing all walks of auto kind. SO much fun!
I remember when I was 18 I was driving an f150 with a tube and I thought I was fast, WELLLL, late at night I got to a red light and thought I was lined up with a fucking Chevy Cruz. Dude said let’s race and I got taken to gapplebees. Ever since then I’ve wanted the SS 😂
I've always loved the SS, they are becoming hard to find and definitely overpriced. I decided to get a 2014 caprice instead. Paid $14k with 40k on the clock. Since purchased I've changed the center console and to the SS style auto shifter assembly and then wired it up to use the sport shift. SS gauge cluster, Door panels full BMR rear suspension for the SS which fits the Caprice perfect minus the subframe braces being 2" short. But drill new hole, good to go. Currently street tuned on HP tuners / bolt on
Honestly it’s like the perfect car not my dream car but it really does check all the boxes holy crap the sound it makes 🙏❤️ I need one
This thing sounds absolutely awesome!
I didn't even know these existed until a little over a year ago when I saw one. Initially thought it was a new Malibu but when I saw the SS badge on the trunk, I got curious and fell into the rabbit hole. This car is amazing, and is something I hope to get sometime in the near future. Being a father, I really need 4 doors, especially with the kid getting older and needing him and his friends driven around. And I want something with some power. I have my 86 Buick Grand National but that's not very family friendly lol. The SS checks all the marks. Price is a bit steep, but an LS3 in a sedan with all the amenities... C'mon how do you say no to that? I would prefer an automatic, but it's refreshing to see manual is an option. Getting older, I don't really feel like constantly shifting gears in Houston traffic. But automatics have come a long way so really no loss. Plus I work in the transmission business so not like I can't upgrade lol. And I guarantee I would do a handful of modifications over time.
I heard that the Chevy SS based on the Holden Commodore if I’m not mistaken was just to fulfill a deal made with Holden and they weren’t meant to stick around.
I just found a 2017 manual in red with all the options (all 3 of them).
I really need to go look at it.
I had a 2015 automatic, sold it last summer. I miss that thing, If prices don't skyrocket I'd love to get a manual version
I rarely get to 4,5,or 6th. 2nd and 3rd feel and sound so good. If you stretch its legs and get to 4th on up your most likely in triple digit speeds...
Always wanted one, still do. So does my dad, and other auto enthusiasts in my life. Problem is, can only find them in the US, and would have to import to Canada. A great video as always David, and I love the fact that you spoke the truth about these cars...they tick ALL of the boxes, are what tons of people want, and yet GM made ZERO effort to market them. The car is essentially a 5-seater Camaro, and also has C6/C7 Corvette DNA under its body too.
I swear one of the reasons why the prices are going up for the SS and the Pontiac G8 is because of most of the dude’s that own em swing tf outta them in takeovers😭🤦🏻♂️
I wish they would leave that fukkery to Mopar platforms...
nah man. they get passed around in the scene for the low 😂
@@jaydubb71 Fr leave it to the scat packs and G35’s🤣
@@mudshotit 😭😭
@@haydendenzell680 #FACTS LOL
I wish you could see the HSV VF GTS it's based on the Chevy SS but upgraded by Holden themselves as HSV, it has a LSA engine amongst lots of other upgrades.
Holdens in Australia also has SS on the dash and seats.