Q:My 2005 Chevy SSR convertible pickup depreciated in value a lot at first but now seems to be holding its value. What's your outlook going forward?
—Rick Smith, Fontana, Wis.
A: The SSR caused a sensation at auto shows but fizzled in showrooms because it was costly and impractical. The vehicle has a lot of eye appeal today, three years after Chevrolet stopped building them. There are fewer than 25,000 SSRs in circulation, making them fairly rare. Still, you’ll probably have to wait a long time before your vehicle appreciates in value. It is worth keeping if you enjoy it, but it will never rank well as an investment.
Q:My 2005 Chevy SSR convertible pickup depreciated in value a lot at first but now seems to be holding its value. What's your outlook going forward?
—Rick Smith, Fontana, Wis.
A: The SSR caused a sensation at auto shows but fizzled in showrooms because it was costly and impractical. The vehicle has a lot of eye appeal today, three years after Chevrolet stopped building them. There are fewer than 25,000 SSRs in circulation, making them fairly rare. Still, you’ll probably have to wait a long time before your vehicle appreciates in value. It is worth keeping if you enjoy it, but it will never rank well as an investment.
None of this surprises me.
We purchased "SIK EM" because we liked the style and shape. We drive and enjoy it very much.
Lost money ?
Yup
Expensive ride?
Yup
Is the article on target?
Yup
But... we're having a TON of fun. And that's what it's about, not the investment.
Some things cannot be measured in dollar value only, the SSR fits into this category. If we purchased it as an investment, we had better be fairly young. At my age, I could care less about the resale value, the look on peoples' faces when they see the top retract for the first time is only part of the thrill of owning this rare vehicle. Every time I buckle in, I get the feeling I'm strapping into a jet fighter. Love it at any price!
Q:My 2005 Chevy SSR convertible pickup depreciated in value a lot at first but now seems to be holding its value. What's your outlook going forward?
—Rick Smith, Fontana, Wis.
A: The SSR caused a sensation at auto shows but fizzled in showrooms because it was costly and impractical. The vehicle has a lot of eye appeal today, three years after Chevrolet stopped building them. There are fewer than 25,000 SSRs in circulation, making them fairly rare. Still, you’ll probably have to wait a long time before your vehicle appreciates in value. It is worth keeping if you enjoy it, but it will never rank well as an investment.
My SSR: 2005 Smokin' Asphalt, Born 12/17/04 & Adopted 2/27/07
Great Buy
Certainly buying my 2005 SSR has been the best auto purchase I made over the years. Why? Because it's different, causes everyone to ask what is it, the ride is fun, etc. It brings back memories when in H.S. and had little money to customize my rides. But saving money for college has paid off in a great way. Now I have a ride that few special people have throughout Amerca. Fun includes participating in Northern CA runs. I am sure every SSR owner gets glances, questions, etc. when driving. Keep on trucking!
So far the Kelly Blue Book Suggested Retail is still only $900 less than we paid for our SSR three years ago.
But, it was purchased for various reasons other than an investment. It makes my wife and I feel like we are back in high school again for one thing. The "PermaGrin" hasn't faded any and I keep thinking it was money well spent. It's unique as unique can get and we don't see ourselves coming around every corner the way it is with some vehicles.
I'll never sell it. It's here to enjoy and enjoy it we will.
My SSR: 05 Blur-Mike in AZ fan,Mirrors,Trans Cooler,Trans Pan, Vette Servo-Eibach Springs, Joes Tune
No Other Vehicle Fit Our Wants And Needs
My wife and I wanted a convertible.Because of our advanced age (77) we needed something easy to get in and out of, we needed reliability and all the latest safety equipment was damn important at our age. We needed a lot of luggage room as we travel to Arizona in the winter,being able to go topless in arizona and washington year around with one vehicle is a plus. We can transport my wifes electric mobility scooter on our hitch carrier, Scrapped the stock Gm for a custom built 3000 lb capacity 2 inch receiver as we were considering a 16 ft airstream trailer, last but not least we wanted to live young again as long as we can. The SSR is just perfect for us. We have more seniors tell us how much they like the R as well as thumbs up by the teenagers.
77 going on 16 again. Holding its value was never a consideration, if thats what your after buy a 57 Chev and drive it a 1000 miles a year and garage it.
My SSR: "Babe" '06 Pacific Blue/Chrome/6pd #22407, born 10/14/'05, and #21393, died 2/16/'07.
More interested in WHO wrote the WSJ answer. Seems rather generic.
If you realize that 25,000 is not a flop for an expensive and impractical vehicle, the answer isn't accurate. And as with almost any depreciation-first investments, you need to wait a long time for appreciation.
Me, I'm driving mine into the dirt, and will sell when I want to.
Investment was never a consideration when I bought my "R". I have always owned an old car like Vettes, Chevelles and 442s and had work on them to enjoy an afternnon with the top down. Now there is only pleasure without the work of fixing some minor thing to go out on a cruise. I do not care if my "R" is only worth a nickel and some small change down the road, I enjoy it almost daily and love it so much I may see if they will bury me in it with my "PermaGrin" shining!
Articles like these are funny. Automobile collecting and enjoying has been a habit for me for over 40 years - and I have never heard a real car person talk about a car as an investment.
I own a 1970 Shelby convertible. The reason there were 1970 Shelbys is that they sold so poorly in 1969, that they had enough already built and unsold when the model year changed over so they added 2 black stripes and a Mach 1 chin spoiler and called them 1970's. Today, the 1970 Shelby is one of the most collectible of the Mustang era.
I would suggest that for any of you with Rs, you have a very cool vehicle that will be collectible some day. Sure, not next year but the patterns are all the same with the 1970 Shelby, especially if your R is two-tone.
As for me, I am keeping mine for the simple uniqueness - there is nothing like it in the market, regardless of price or brand.
As an everyday driver I needed the large enclosed trunk (the space isn't much as a pickup bed but is huge as a trunk) and it's a hardtop convertible (parking a ragtop in the city these days isn't feasible). That was the practical. As for the rest, it has a unique (and to me very appealing) esthetic, is an excellent cruiser, and is the only vehicle I've ever driven that regularly makes onlookers smile and stare (not even the Vette). Nothing rolling on this planet has the SSR attribute set, IMO nothing in it's price range even comes close.
Even for a vehicle that was not developed to make coin 25k total units produced was and is considered a major flop by GM, and rightly so. But for the relatively few who own them it is rare to find one who would rather have the cash than the smile an SSR consistently provides.
Wouldn't worry about the investment/garage queen crowd Scott. Most bought at 40k or more and if they sold now would be down something like half. Probably get the investment back if they hold for more years but like you I don't much see the point if you don't get to drive'em.
My SSR: 2006 Racy Aqua Blur 6spd Front end all Chrome/SS Tuned/ported
secret society
We are a cult of sorts and several different cliques, canooks, yankees, southerners, Mid- USA including the California zones. Other areas of the world have some special Fanatics and always fun reading to catch up with them. the truck is just a Joy to have and care for. Always a headturner. At a Corvette show yesterday, I got a lot of inquires when I parked near the exhibit area...lol
Very interesting. I think it will eventually become a very good investment. As I look back at the people who have stopped and asked me what it was, they were: 65% older women and 20% older men. The rest is mixed. No young chicks.
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Great Buy
We certainly like ours!
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