Talk me out of a 6MT Chevy SS

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Holler

Senior member
May 23, 2000
222
0
0
Wow this thread has a lot of fail. lol

Love my 2015 SS with Holden badge conversion. the looks I get from it, you'd think it is an exotic. which in a way- it is, if you look at the low volume numbers. This car looks nothing like a Malibu in person. The V8 LS3 chevy small block along with the TR-6060 manual transmission is great and very reliable, while still being easy to work on by gearheads. (same tranny that's in the Viper, good for 600 ft lbs of torque stock so lots of room for mods)
People are so blinded by the chevy badge and US cars in general here its funny.

This car actually had a better lap time then the 707 HP Dodge Hellcat driven by Randy Pobst (pro driver) from Motortrend. The handling dynamics are amazing on this car for a 4 door sedan.

http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/willow-springs-streets-of-willow

23 Porsche 911 Carrera S (991) 1:25.60 400 / 1415
24 Chevrolet SS Randy Pobst 1:25.71 421 / 1800
25 Challenger R/T 6.4 Scat Pack Randy Pobst 1:25.76 492 / 1925
26 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (426 PS) Randy Pobst 1:25.77 426 / 1641
27 Ford Mustang Boss 302 LS 1:26.10 443 / 1652
28 Subaru WRX STI Randy Pobst 1:26.12 309 / 1545
29 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Randy Pobst 1:26.20 360 / 1395
30 BMW M235i Randy Pobst 1:26.37 326 / 1455
31 Jaguar XFR-S Randy Pobst 1:26.49 550 / 1987
32 Dodge Charger SRT HellCat Randy Pobst 1:26.87 717 / 2082

I get so many thumbs up, cell phone pictures, etc. Even the female persuasion notice this car which is saying a lot.

its a niche performance car (try to find a V8 manual tranny sedan to purchase these days..) not intended to sell large numbers.

If you have an opportunity to buy one, buy it now. You WILL regret it, if it passes you by.
 
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jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Wow this thread has a lot of fail. lol

Love my 2015 SS with Holden badge conversion. the looks I get from it, you'd think it is an exotic. which in a way- it is, if you look at the low volume numbers. This car looks nothing like a Malibu in person. The V8 LS3 chevy small block along with the TR-6060 manual transmission is great and very reliable, while still being easy to work on by gearheads. (same tranny that's in the Viper, good for 600 ft lbs of torque stock so lots of room for mods)
People are so blinded by the chevy badge and US cars in general here its funny.

i get so many Thumbs up, cell phone pictures, etc. Even the female persuasion notice this car which is saying a lot.

its a niche performance car (try to find a V8 manual tranny sedan to purchase these days..) not intended to sell large numbers.

If you have an opportunity to buy one, buy it now. You WILL regret it, if it passes you by.

I wouldn't quite say exotic (there were more 2014 SS's produced than there were any year CTS-V, and about the same as all Vipers from 2009-2015), but certainly uncommon. I'd love to drive one. :)
 

angminas

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2006
3,331
26
91
Is it seriously just called an SS? That's dumb. Next up, the Honda VTEC.
 

styrafoam

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2002
2,684
0
0
Is it seriously just called an SS? That's dumb. Next up, the Honda VTEC.

Even better, just call em by the verbal equivalent of their acronyms. The Chevy Super Sport, and the Honda Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control. Actually you might just want to keep they acronym on the Honda.
 

monkeydelmagico

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2011
3,961
145
106
Love my 2015 SS with Holden badge conversion. the looks I get from it, you'd think it is an exotic.

Nice car.....yes. Exotic....no. More sleeper which is preferable. The G8 and SS were/are modern day e39 M5. High praise.

Almost owned a G8. Buddy sold it and gave me first dibs. I do kinda regret letting it past me but the price just wasn't right. Owners (like you) seem to think these are rare/exotic and want top dollar. They usually get it too so I guess it's just me that's the fool.
 

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
Wow this thread has a lot of fail. lol

Love my 2015 SS with Holden badge conversion. the looks I get from it, you'd think it is an exotic. which in a way- it is, if you look at the low volume numbers. This car looks nothing like a Malibu in person. The V8 LS3 chevy small block along with the TR-6060 manual transmission is great and very reliable, while still being easy to work on by gearheads. (same tranny that's in the Viper, good for 600 ft lbs of torque stock so lots of room for mods)
People are so blinded by the chevy badge and US cars in general here its funny.

This car actually had a better lap time then the 707 HP Dodge Hellcat driven by Randy Pobst (pro driver) from Motortrend. The handling dynamics are amazing on this car for a 4 door sedan.

http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/willow-springs-streets-of-willow

23 Porsche 911 Carrera S (991) 1:25.60 400 / 1415
24 Chevrolet SS Randy Pobst 1:25.71 421 / 1800
25 Challenger R/T 6.4 Scat Pack Randy Pobst 1:25.76 492 / 1925
26 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (426 PS) Randy Pobst 1:25.77 426 / 1641
27 Ford Mustang Boss 302 LS 1:26.10 443 / 1652
28 Subaru WRX STI Randy Pobst 1:26.12 309 / 1545
29 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Randy Pobst 1:26.20 360 / 1395
30 BMW M235i Randy Pobst 1:26.37 326 / 1455
31 Jaguar XFR-S Randy Pobst 1:26.49 550 / 1987
32 Dodge Charger SRT HellCat Randy Pobst 1:26.87 717 / 2082

I get so many thumbs up, cell phone pictures, etc. Even the female persuasion notice this car which is saying a lot.

its a niche performance car (try to find a V8 manual tranny sedan to purchase these days..) not intended to sell large numbers.

If you have an opportunity to buy one, buy it now. You WILL regret it, if it passes you by.

Good post.

The SS is a GREAT vehicle. It is priced cheaper than a base 5-series and would be preferable until you probably spend closer to $60k on that BMW. Just one example.

This is a car for enthusiasts. You don't need to check options buckets, because it pretty much comes with everything. Great engine, MT option, MRC suspension (how many other cars even offer something similar for <$60k?). It is a sleeper-type vehicle that has great handling, RWD and plenty of power. What is not to like? The interior is OK, but just as an STi owner is more concerned about their engine and handling vs. soft-touch plastics, I would say the same applies here.
 

COPOHawk

Senior member
Mar 3, 2008
282
1
81
This thread is pretty funny to me. Here are my thoughts as the owner of a G8 GXP for almost 4 years.

1. Fits the bill...I can fit my wife and 3 kids comfortably in the car...along with enough gear for a weekend.

2. Performance...pretty clear.

3. Resale Value...is way ahead of my projected depreciation. Good luck finding that with SRT.

4. Initial cost. Admittedly higher than I would have liked...but what else am I going to find that meets family and performance criteria for this price?
 

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
This thread is pretty funny to me. Here are my thoughts as the owner of a G8 GXP for almost 4 years.

1. Fits the bill...I can fit my wife and 3 kids comfortably in the car...along with enough gear for a weekend.

2. Performance...pretty clear.

3. Resale Value...is way ahead of my projected depreciation. Good luck finding that with SRT.

4. Initial cost. Admittedly higher than I would have liked...but what else am I going to find that meets family and performance criteria for this price?

Good analysis.

I would also point out that the G8 is ~ same curb weight as the SS. The SRT is 500lb heavier at 4400+.
 

COPOHawk

Senior member
Mar 3, 2008
282
1
81
It should be the same curb weight...its the same car! :)

Add:

5. Track days - I have done a few Performance Driving Experience (PDX) days and one track day at Brainerd International Raceway. Good luck doing this (and all of the above) with a Prius, Minivan, SUV, etc.
 

AdamK47

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,805
3,611
136
The number I found for the 2014 SS was over 3500. :)

3,502 built for 2014:
1,778 Black
605 Red Hot
530 Heron White
445 Silver Ice Metallic
144 Mystic Green

3,144 built for 2015
1,160 Black
593 Heron White
313 Some Like it Hot
294 Silver Ice Metallic
273 Perfect Blue
262 Red Hot
93 Mystic Green
78 Regal Peacock Green
61 Alchemy Purple
41 Jungle Green Metallic

624 of the 3,144 were manual for 2015 and of course all 3,502 for 2014 were automatic.
 

AdamK47

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,805
3,611
136
Good analysis.

I would also point out that the G8 is ~ same curb weight as the SS. The SRT is 500lb heavier at 4400+.

They are close in weight. The SS is about 75 lbs lighter compared to a G8 GXP since the VF uses aluminum body parts vs. steel on the VE.
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
0
IMO, best sedan you can buy (all around).

It's a better,cheaper and more reliable version of E39 M5........the last great M5. :)
 

railer

Golden Member
Apr 15, 2000
1,552
69
91
Yes which is faster in a straight line and looks better and sounds meaner but the SS is much better in the twisties thanks to its lighter weight.

I do like look and power of the Charger, but it's a 4400 pound slushbox barge.

I still have not seen a real life Chevy SS in my neck of middle of nowhere. And that makes it even more desirable.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
I do like look and power of the Charger, but it's a 4400 pound slushbox barge.

I still have not seen a real life Chevy SS in my neck of middle of nowhere. And that makes it even more desirable.
I've seen two so far but that's because I live in the LA area. They definitely are a sleeper looks wise.
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
I do like look and power of the Charger, but it's a 4400 pound slushbox barge.

I still have not seen a real life Chevy SS in my neck of middle of nowhere. And that makes it even more desirable.

I have so far seen one, that I at least recognized and I admit I nearly confused it with a Malibu. I really want one though :\

Always wanted a g8 as I still think it's a rather good looking car. Only disappointment for me with the SS is the kind of soft/bland styling. Oh well
 

KeithP

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2000
5,664
202
106
I am really kicking myself for missing the 20% off factory incentive deal they had back in March. I drove an automatic version the other day and feel in love with this car. A local dealer has a 6MT in stock that was recently marked down a bit. I may have to get the wallet out for that.

-KeithP
 

blankslate

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2008
8,797
572
126
Get it...

then consider putting in a supercharger like this guy did.

Not many people will know what it is (considering that you'll probably not be seeing many of the SS in your area)... and you may be able to BS them into thinking it's a Malibu... ;)

that is until they hear the engine.


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