SSR viable Vette alternative??

[jammadave]

Hi all, new here.

I just bought a 2004 (C5) Corvette Coupe. Haven't even made 1 payment yet, but my lien is about $10k less than the current value anyhow.

Basically I think I have to get rid of the Vette due to comfort issues - first with my fiancee (bad knee killing her while getting in and out, seating position hurting her lower back and leg) - and now with ME as well! My right leg lately gets awfully sore trying to find a comfortable position, and I use Cruise as often as possible so I can move the leg to comfort. I believe my girl now, I didn't initially.

So I set off looking at other vehicles of all shapes and sizes - Caddy CTS, Infiniti FX, C6 Corvette, lots of different things.

Anyways, having a 2 seater with a nice-sized storage area behind me, and a removable top, is really kind of perfect for me as I rarely carted rear-seat passengers anyhow... So that's why I was inclined to look at maybe the new C6 vette, as I've heard the interior redesign is great, especially the seat quality.

Fast-forward to today. Went to the local dealer to check out a C6. They'll let me sit in it, but NOT test drive. Boo, hiss. But I want to see one in the color I want anyways - Sunset Orange. Guy says, we have one in the upper lot, let's have a look. Walking around we pass a couple of SSRs, and I say "hey, I wouldn't mind checking these out either". So when we got back from looking at the Vette the guy runs and grabs the key for one of the SSRs, an Aqua Blur '05. $10k less than a Vette right off the bat, I'm listening...

I didn't have time in my lunch hour left by that point to test drive it, so I'm going to on Saturday I think. Really was nice to sit in though, more space than I thought there would be, head/hip/shoulder wise. Seats were instantly more comfortable than my C5. Only thing I saw glaringly wrong was the lack of a proper cupholder area, but I have a hunch I could easily fabricate one to fit behind the shifter, in the space where the add-on gauges go. Sound from the new engine was mean and snarly, and the power top, while noisy, was smooth to operate - I only wish the button didn't have to be held down the whole time. The car should know I don't want the top halfway between up and down, eh?

Now, I don't care so much about dragrace-winning performance, I know the Vette can't be beat domestically anyways, I just want it solid and able to get out of its own way, and handle itself where and when it counts. Does the SSR live up pretty well? Does it have any luxury to the ride, for relaxed cruising? I understand it's somewhat softer-suspended than the Vette, which is why I ask.

Also, what should one be paying for this beast? 1SB and such, I like heated seats for the cold months. (The guy told me my GMID # would get me a price of 47 grand on this one, but I can buy one with a thousand miles on it up the street for 35.)

Sorry for the novel - this is the 4th forum I've joined in as many days, to try and get the inside scoop on several different cars.

Thanks
Dave

[Calcustom]

Dave,
I have an 04' C5 vette, and an 05' SSR. The vette will outperform the SSR hands down, but keep in mind the SSR is a 4800 lb truck. It runs and rides excellent for what it is, again it is a 4800 lb truck. It does have cup holders, one that slides out from the dash and another one that can be attached to, and removed from the side of the center console as needed. I guess it depends on what area you live in and what options are on the vehicle but IMO $47,000.00 is high even if the SSR is fully loaded.
I, like almost everyone else on this site loves their SSR. Hard to compare it against ither vehicles because it is in a class by itself.
Depending on the options a used 05' with a 1,000 miles seems to be priced very fair. Are you sure it is an 05?

[jammadave]

Thanks Calcustom - yeah, I guess that's why I asked the more specific questions - I'm definitely not expecting a 2.5 ton truck to best a 1.5 ton car in performance.

As for the cupholders, GM can take their 1988 Saab cup holder back (the dash cupholder) - I guess what I'd like to see are a pair of actual tubular-recess holders, perhaps a rectangular slot between them for my cell =0) But the spartan dash and shift console really go with the 1948-cum-2000 exterior idea, so i'm not complaining too loudly.

Anybody out there with the SSR as a daily driver? In rush-hour areas?

[Joe Schuhriemen]

Dave, I just bought a 05 SSR in December of last year. I also test drove the new Vette. I had a new 74 Vette and kept it for 8 or 9 years. The new Vette is slick but still very low to the ground and tough to get in and out of. It also seemed very close inside. The SSR for me is a great alternative. Style, speed, comfort, handling and of course the pu bed. I think if you bought one, you'd love it. As for price, you can now get a new 05 for $8 g's under sticker. Look around. There is a salesmen from Island Dreams auto store that uses this site to get customers. Give him a try as a starting point and just shop around. Hope this helps.

I drive my 04 SSR daily, in traffic and around town...it rides very nice in all conditions as far as I'm concerned. The power is good for what it is, a cruiser not a racer. The biggest problem I see is watching out for all the people breaking they're necks watching it go by...

That 05 you were looking at, what options are on it. The dealer I bought mine from has a 05 6.0 6 speed aqua blur with a sticker of 48k...not sure what it will
sell for...but if you want power that would be the way to go.

[jammadave]

Originally Posted by Silver Bullit

That 05 you were looking at, what options are on it. The dealer I bought mine from has a 05 6.0 6 speed aqua blur with a sticker of 48k...not sure what it will
sell for...but if you want power that would be the way to go.

1SB package 6.0 eng with Automatic, sticker was something over 50K - Driving around here, I would hate having to actually use a manual transmission. (although having learned stick on a freaking 1986 Chevy Turbo Sprint, I *can* probably drive anything!)

Thanks for the votes of confidence, I excitedly told my fiancee about it and we're going to check SSRs out this weekend. Heh, wonder how many went to buy a Vette and got an SSR instead?

[jammadave]

Oh, and my girl's father is a Chevy salesman, so I'm hoping he can match or surpass any offers I can drum up, and that he's able to take GMID.

The slightly-used 04 for $35k is tempting, though I doubt the engine snarls like the 6 liter =0)

[Boosted]

Please please do one thing when you test drive it... Take the top down and feel the headshake.. The truck drives pretty good with the top up but the stock suspension is terrible on it.

I will be upgrading very soon... If you take the top down find a normal road with some bumps in it..You will see what I meen and it ain't good. Other than that and the problems I have had with the rear end I love it...

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by jammadave

Thanks Calcustom - yeah, I guess that's why I asked the more specific questions - I'm definitely not expecting a 2.5 ton truck to best a 1.5 ton car in performance.

As for the cupholders, GM can take their 1988 Saab cup holder back (the dash cupholder) - I guess what I'd like to see are a pair of actual tubular-recess holders, perhaps a rectangular slot between them for my cell =0) But the spartan dash and shift console really go with the 1948-cum-2000 exterior idea, so i'm not complaining too loudly.

Anybody out there with the SSR as a daily driver? In rush-hour areas?

I use my 'O5 as a daily driver in So. California traffic, and I love driving it. I've had 3 Vettes and multple highend German sports cars and I can honestly say I have more fun driving my SSR then any of these.
It is a heavy truck, but the 6.0 has plenty of go and the rides more like a sports car then a truck.
Good luck.

[hdflstf]

Originally Posted by TerryH

I use my 'O5 as a daily driver in So. California traffic, and I love driving it. I've had 3 Vettes and multple highend German sports cars and I can honestly say I have more fun driving my SSR then any of these.
It is a heavy truck, but the 6.0 has plenty of go and the rides more like a sports car then a truck.
Good luck.

Ditto the So Cal and the 05. Mines a daily driver in So Cal and I do have the 6 speed (wouldn't have it and other way).

[SSR M.E.]

I use my 04 as a daily driver, and am very impressed with the ride and handling. I am used to older vehicles, but am so surprised that the SSR handles better than my 93 camaro and rides nicer than anything I had ever driven. In traffic the mileage suffers a bit (down to around 15) but the comfort and coolness are worth it. It is super comfortable, and the option of switching between a quiet encolsed cab and an open roadster within 30 seconds can't be beat.

[RISSR]

I have had my SSR since March 2004. It is a daily driver that I have racked up 32,000 miles on. I have had no complaints thus far and that includes driving it through a New England winter that saw close to 100 inches of snow

I say go for it.

[Broomer]

Hey Jammadave,

You will find most of the SSr owners are between 50 and 60 yrs old. Many, many of them did or do own vettes. You don't say how old you are or what part of the country you live in. I am 59 yrs old and was fully planning on getting a C6 in the fall. But I have problems exiting my current vette (knee problems). Having test driven SSr's and met many fine folk from this site, my next purchase will be an '05 or '06 SSr. Of course it won't be orange as I had hoped but I am determined to make it as fast as a stock Ford Lightning. A supercharger and possibly gearing will accomplish this. But I guess my point is that many vette owners have come before you and I am sure many will follow in purchasing an SSr to replace their beloved vettes. Baby Boomers Unite!

If it matters, Vettes are as common as Harleys in the midwest, seems everyone owns one. I NEVER see any other SSR's on the road (in a fairly large metropolitan area), and mine is a daily driver work truck. People almost break their necks to look at it. But then that's just me, I've never liked the ordinary, and this vehicle is anything but IMO.

[mikepowell]

mine is my worktruck. it is perfect for tooling around all day from job to job. I never see any others & everybody looks. it's a great cruiser, does fine in the snow, not a wussy auto.
fun- top up or down, bad weather or good, night or day.

[Bad Asphalt LOL]

I just traded in my 03 VETT for my 05 SSR. Like to have killed me, but wife couldn't make the slide in on the Vett without hitting her head. She is 4"10". She turns around backwards and sets down and still hits her head. That was my 4th Vett. I had two 70's and one 78 for another wife. The 03, I didn't have to work on. Now I'am trying to trick out my SSR. My SSR is so Damm fine I can't stand it. I only have one problem with my SSR and that is confussion at stop signs. This is no joke either. The driver on the left is supposed to have the right of way, but it seems I'am allways being given the right of way first. They just like to see the SSR go by. Lifes tough when your having fun.

[jammadave]

Hey guys - especially Broomer - I'm sorry, I didn't mention that I'm a ripe old 27 (no, I'm not kidding - next month I'll be 28). Yes, my fiancee is way too young to be having the knee problem she is, but she's an elementary school teacher, dealing with 2-footers all day and having to get down on their level as she teaches Art.

Heh, the desire for a fast droptop is not a midlife crisis, but after 2 Cavaliers, 2 SUVs and a pickup truck (can you tell i distract easily? all those in 10 years!), I chose the Vette to have *pure fun* with, since the daily grind is as humdrum as ever. Now that the Vette isn't entirely as fun as I had hoped thanks to the original issues mentioned, I'm betting the SSR will be "just right".

I have more questions, too, which I'll start separate threads about...

Thanks!!
Dave

[jammadave]

Originally Posted by Bad Asphalt LOL

I just traded in my 03 VETT for my 05 SSR. Like to have killed me, but wife couldn't make the slide in on the Vett without hitting her head. She is 4"10". She turns around backwards and sets down and still hits her head.

This is one problem that happened a couple times, mine is 5'4" or so. Having the targa top out of the Vette both eliminates that and gives a place for her to hold herself up (corner of the windshield) but of course we can't have the top out all the time.

I only have one problem with my SSR and that is confussion at stop signs. This is no joke either. The driver on the left is supposed to have the right of way, but it seems I'am allways being given the right of way first. They just like to see the SSR go by. Lifes tough when your having fun.

Actually it's the driver to the right that has the privilege, at least here on the east coast =0) So they're just givin' ya your due!

[hpdjv]

I have a 2 month old 04 SSR that is mostly my daily driver (see my other cars listed). I had a 2000 C5 convertible with the Z51 susp package & 6 speed. I can honestly say there wasn't anything that really bothered me about the C5. (I sold that and my Acura 3.2TL Type S for my 03 BMW M5). I love the SSR and believe it or not it gets MORE looks and comments than my C5 vert did. Complaints? Terrilble cowl shake compared to other convertibles and you will find it VERY noticeable compared to the C5 which was a VERY solid car. If you have the luxury of driving on nice roads in warmer climates you will probably not mind nor would most who didn't ever own a convertible that was more solid than the SSR but you have the C5 to compare it to. I'd ask for a serious test drive and let YOU pick the roads. I got $18K off the almost $48K sticker of my 04. Very good deals out there on 05's as well. GM still over built and many hidden incentives with rumors of not making and 06' SSR due to slow sales! I think you will like it and I love mine. GM did a great job of the design and function of the top etc. Quality might be an issue but handling is far more sporty than truck like but they really are like comparing an apple to an orange. Get a decent test drive or go to a different dealer. You are spending your hard earned money, not theirs.

Good Luck.

[vettegirl]

We have a 98 Vette and an 04 SSR, both daily drivers. We thoroughly enjoy both of them, and they each have their own distinct personalities. If I had to get rid of one of them I think it would be a really hard decision.

You already decided the Vette doesn't work for you, so I would grab an SSR before I setlled on a "regular" car. It is as much fun as the Vette, and honestly gets a whole lot more attention! There are cupholders, which are a lot more adequate than the Vette, and I really like the Homelink system too. The power issue on the 2004 can be remedied with a few minor mods, like exhaust and the long-awaited Vararam system - we paid less than $1000. for a dual exhaust system that has really woken the engine up, and I can imagine the Vararam induction system, when it is released, will be the icing on the cake! The only issue I have is there's nowhere to put my giant purse when there are two of us in the car, whereas in the Vette you can put it on the deck behind the seat.

As for age, we're in between. I'm 42 and my husband is 36. We decided a long time ago that sports cars would be more fun than kids - so far it's working for us!

Although mine isn't a daily driver, I'd love it to be. But the parking lot at work is a hazard pit for dings and dents, and I already have to risk the rock chips... I trade the ol' Durango every Friday afternoon and spend the entire weekend in the SSR. It is so comfortable to sit in, I don't notice the miles clicking away.

One of my buddies is 65, and shaped like Santa Claus, and he loves going for rides. He says it's the most comfortable vehicle seat he's been in and he could sit for hours in it. I think he's hinting to go on more rides with me.

I like unique vehicles, and that was one of the main reasons I wanted this truck - there aren't a million of them out there and they are not run of the mill. Vettes are nice and fast, and I love speed too, but they're not unique anymore. Plus, they're not comfortable to get in and out of, even at my young 46 yrs! Virtually impossible, albeit entertaining, in a tight skirt and heels...

The SSR definitely gets attention - takes me an extra 10 minutes to get gas because people come up and want to look and talk. Get used to answering questions. And, you get the benefit of storage in the bed, conversion to a convertible at the touch of a button, like having 2 different cars for the price of one!

And the price has become very reasonable, as long as you shop around. I didn't look at these when they first came out because they were asking so much for them, but now, they are definitely very reasonably priced for such a special vehicle. Knowing it's rare, compared to the production masses out there, and having such a neat design - I jumped in on buying mine without a second thought and almost on gut impulse! And you know what? Absolutely, NO REGRETS!

[jammadave]

Originally Posted by HTSSROD

I think he's hinting to go on more rides with me.

That couldn't have anything to do with the tight skirt and heels now, could it? =0)

I like unique vehicles, and that was one of the main reasons I wanted this truck - there aren't a million of them out there and they are not run of the mill. ....The SSR definitely gets attention - takes me an extra 10 minutes to get gas because people come up and want to look and talk. Get used to answering questions.

Oh I know ALL about that firsthand. I bought one of the first batch of Pontiac Azteks in 2001. LOTS of Q&A time on that. And yes, I knew it was ugly as homemade sin. (I said "man, that's ugly, I must have it!" - the SSR is a different story of course)

I just got back from my maiden test-voyage and so far so good. Tomorrow I'm bringin' the little lady to see how comfy she is in it.