In my opinion, the primary factor keeping this truck from being a big seller was price, but then, I don't think GM ever intended on selling 1 million of these anyway, they were more of an iconic, branding tool, weren't they?
Same thing happened with the retro Ford t-bird, just way too expensive for what you were getting, a convertible coupe and not much else.
The Plymouth Prowler was too expensive for an underpowered street rod. The Dodge Viper was much better received, because it has the horsepower you'd expect, even though it's a very uncomfortable ride, hot and noisy. Put the Viper engine in the Prowler, and then you'd have some interest.
On the other hand, Chrysler came out with the somewhat odd-looking 300 sedan (odd-looking compared to other full size sedans at the time when it was first introduced), jammed a Hemi under the hood, sold it at a low price, almost half of what the SSR was listed at, and did quite well with that model.
I just don't think it was the truck, it was the marketing. heck, people still ask me what this thing is, so that tells me it wasn't marketed very well, and priced out of reach of many folks who otherwise like the truck. Heck, that's why I bought a used one, couldn't afford a new one.
For a truck being called a "flop" in the media, I know I sure get a lot of compliments on mine.
It was a beautiful day in Chicago today so of course I was in my FLOP. When I was at the Office Depot this morning getting ready to pull away a man in about his 50's stopped me and asked me what the SSR was and who made it. He said he had never seen one before and he said he tries to always keep up with new cars that have come out. Of course I had to tell him all about it plus the fact that they stopped making them three years ago. He just could not believe it was not a custom car. He said evidently they never showed it on TV. I told him it was on TV a few times and that was it. Then he said the problem must have been POOR marketing. I told him he hit the nail right on the head.
This truck was imbedded in my mind since the first one I saw at Texas Motor Speedway. I just had to have one, and when I found out they weren't going to make anymore after 2006, I bought a final production run truck. The styling and power it has just blows me away every time I get in it. You always get a smile or thumbs up when sitting at a light or driving down the road. No problems so far and the way I see it it's lived up to my expectations and that what matters because I spent the money for it.
My SSR: 04 Smoken Asphalt, HP tuned, FlowMasters, TransGo Shift kit, 411 Gears, Mikes Aux Fan
When the GM boys announced the plans to make the SS/R LOOOOOOOOOOONG before it came to be, I was hooked. The day it came out I was ready to move, but the price drove me away. The dealers and people who where lucky enough to have one, where asking 10 to 15K over sticker. I said screw it and moved on.
I did keep an eye on them and my salesman at the local Chevy dealer knew I wanted one real bad. I have purchased two Tahoes from him and the last one was a 2003.
I would always stop by the dealership when I saw one on the lot and dream.
One day I took one for a test drive and fell in Love with the R.
The salesman took my 03 Tahoe with 50K miles on it, talked to the owner and came back with a deal that was to good to pass up. They traded me even up. My 03 Tahoe for an 04 SS/R. Talk about being gone in 60 seconds.
I have not been happy with any ride, and when I read crap like this report, I am sure this person has never rode or driven a SS/R.
His loss my grin.
Notice how these "SSR is a flop" articles keep resurfacing, again and again and again? There is no 'new' news about these trucks. Heck, they don't even make them anymore.
No, I suspect that when some foolish auto writer, or perhaps even an internet news organization, needs to boost views and thus boost ratings, then they pick on us.
Face it folks, we are a dedicated group of fanatics. Collectively, we hit this site and view the threads thousands of times a day. And when we post a notice about yet another article dissing our roadsters, we chatter on about it, and some of us check that website as well, and still others actually post comments on that website about how great we know our roadsters to be.
But the writers and site operators have gotten what they wanted... people clicking on their site, increasing views and ratings.
Hey, it's a possibility!
__________________ Vicki B.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." M.L.K., Jr.
In my opinion, the primary factor keeping this truck from being a big seller was price, but then, I don't think GM ever intended on selling 1 million of these anyway, they were more of an iconic, branding tool, weren't they?
I have a book titled, "SSR An American Original," that was printed in 2003.
In this book, the SSR is labeled a "halo vehicle" - an auto industry term for a limited production vehicle whose rareness creates that "Ohhhh, what is that?" attention for the brand. Halo vehicles typically have total productions of less than 15,000 units. I do not recall the exact figure, but I believe the orginal plan was for some 12,000 to 14,000 roadsters to be made. Apparently the SSR was more popular than planned.
There is another fact mentioned more than once in the book...GM licensed toy manufacturers to make SSR models. By the time the book was prepared for printing in 2003, over 200,000 SSR models had been sold.
Somebody sure liked this "flop."
__________________ Vicki B.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." M.L.K., Jr.
I am a member of a large number of forums. This is by far the most active group of forum members I have been associated with. Rarely do I come on line and hit new posts when there are less than 3 pages of new posts. I hate it when I miss a day and have to go through 7, 8 or more pages, so let them have their fun and post stories that bring attention to the vehicle. It brings it in front of new people all the time. Some of them like all of you have their own version of what is nice and what is not.
I would like to think it is doing the opposite of what they think. It is adding value to the vehicle because of the added exposure. Lots of people (as you all keep stating) have never seen one before.
It is a unique vehicle and lots of people love it. I for one wish the economy was doing better so I could afford one! I'd love to own one for myself. Boy would I make more mods then!
Three cheers for the SSR and the ?Fanatics that own them!
My SSR: 05 Blur-Mike in AZ fan,Mirrors,Trans Cooler,Trans Pan, Vette Servo-Eibach Springs, Joes Tune
16 going on 78
The SSRs are for every age. We get the thumbs up from the kids to seniors.
My wife and I wanted a classic convertible before it was time to check out of this world, problem was with old bad backs it was tough getting in and out of them. Another consideration was we wanted to drive it, not store it in the garage so all the state of the art safety features the new cars/trucks have started to register, our old bodies would need all the help they could get in the event of an accident plus easy to slide in and out like our SUV also was a huge factor. Being from the Pacific Northwest we go to Mesa Az, the land of sunshine in the winter and wanted our convertible there, and we needed to haul my wifes mobility scooter with us, so the SSR was the Ideal vehicle for our wants, we had a custom frame mounted receiver hitch installed for the scooter carrier and air bags in the rear and have plenty of room for the luggage. The best part of the package is the 400 HP to get us up to speed and make the passes on the two laners and it is so comfortable and handles so good in the twistys , GM did a good job in the handleing department. We have a lot of seniors giving us the thumbs up and asking all about it, you can tell guys want one and the girls are impressed. Adding all the goodies and bling thats available to personalize it has been a kick, way to many items to list.
And best of all, using Mr Hondas line, You Meet The nicest people in an SSR.
Last edited by seattle terry; 05-22-2009 at 11:07 AM.
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SSR DOX DACHSHUND OWNER or is it the other way around??????
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