I am sure there are good stories out there... here is mine...
I've always love cars and airplanes, enjoy both. (live under the flight path of SMO) In 2003, I had been driving my '67 Mustang Coupe for while, it was stock & clean. Not my dream car (67 Fastback or a 64 Corvette, yum) but cool anyways. Then my brother, Michael, passed suddenly at the age of 45. Lesson... life is short & you never know. Makes you look at things. My passion, cars & airplanes... well I might as well indulge.. cuz you never know, right?! So, I started looking for that Fastback or Corvette. Nothing I looked at was "right". Then my other brother said, "What about a new vehicle, like that Chevy truck" ... (Sorry to all that followed the development of the SSR)... I said "what Chevy truck?" That night in the pouring rain (yes, it rains in Southern California) my Mum & I went to look... not drive, cuz they did not do that at that time... I was hooked with the first solid thud of the door close. Two days later via Cormier Chevrolet in Long Beach, California I was the proud owner of a SSR, Black, Vin # 1656 . This has been the best distraction I have ever bought myself... I love it!
I was at my local Chevy dealer having the oil changed on my 04 pickup. I never go into the showroom or look at anything on the lot. Well that said I had my three year old Grandson Zack with me on this day. He said Poppie lets go look at the new cars. I broke down and against my better judgment went into the showroom. Right inside the door was a brand new 05 slingshot SSR on a platform. Zach said I like that truck. Me too I said. Well I am a little on the implusive side. About two hours later me an Zack were driving the SSR home with the top down. The Wife was not to happy on the way back to the dealer. We had to pick up my other truck. We had it for six months and she would never drive it. I could't figure it out. I took her 01 PT Crusier to the Chrysler dealer and bought her a loaded 2006 GT Turbo HO PT Cruiser. She loved it. The next night we were going out to dinner. I said lets take the SSR. She said OK but I am driving. Now she loves the SSR, PT Cruiser and me. Go figure.
My SSR: '03 Redline Red #1377, cooled by Simple Engineering
Love at first sight
When I saw the concept truck (2000?) I told my wife, "If GM builds it, I'll buy one." I doubted it would ever happen. I had picked up memorabilia from eBay off and on, and was flat out shocked when Chevy announced they were actually going to build it! I was a member of the old SSRRS board, which was a lot of fun even though there was a lot of passionate discussion of how expensive the SSR should be.
I would troll the dealerships to see if they had any information about the upcoming SSR, but most sales staff knew nothing about it. I found one person, Mike Roland at Ed Bozarth Chevrolet, who not only knew about it, he had a batch of the first sales brochures for it, and gave me one. His card is still attached to that brochure - he even gave me his copy of GM Edge with the SSR on the cover. I told him to add me to the list if he had one - I apparently was the first one on it. He asked me what color I wanted, and I replied, "Red, of course." this was before we even knew what colors Chevy would paint the new SSRs.
2003 was supposed to be the year, but production slipped to late in 2003. I received a call from Mike the day before Thanksgiving telling me my red SSR had arrived. The dealership was asking over $50K for it, and I offered him MSRP. no deal, so it sat.
I visited the dealership the day after Christmas and the red SSR was still there. Again, I offered Mike MSRP for it, and he said that wasn't likely. I left a hefty deposit check with him, standing firm on my offer, and told him to let me know when he changed his mind.
I got a call the day before new years - apparently my deposit swayed his sales manager, and we hammered out a deal. I took delivery that evening, and although it was 35 degrees, I left the dealership with the top down, seat heat on and the tunes crankin'. Destiny had been fulfilled, and a three year old prophesy came true. GM built it, I bought one. Mike has tried to get me to trade up to an '05 or an '06, but it ain't gonna happen - #1377 is mine for good.
I too have loved the look of the SSR for a long time. I am not really a "car guy", not into horsepower and modifications, just love the lines and the color, I have never even driven a convertible before!
When I first sat in the truck at a dealer when buying a Tahoe, the seat must have been wayyy up or something, cause I got in and the edge of the widsheild was right in my face, I couldn't see out the front! So I said, nice but not for me...
I went to the Chevy Auto Show In Motion in Irvine CA, and drove the SSR for the first time, about 20 times around the test loop, I could see, fit inside, and loved it!Now I had to find one...
I was going to Las Vegas for a trade show, and was casually looking for an SSR as well at home, but the prices were just too high for me. In Las Vegas I found an exotic car rental place, so I rented the SSR for 2 days and had a blast, top up, top down, on the freeway, on the streets, got looks and thumbs up everywhere! While I was in LV, one of our suppliers in Vermont called the shop for me, the owner said I was in Vegas at a trade show, and also to rent the SSR, as I wanted to buy one someday. The supplier said he was friends with a Chevy dealer in Vermont, and they were trying to sell off their 2004 models.
A few calls and a deposit check later, my slingshot was on the way to California. Weird how things work out - I am VERY HAPPY to have the truck and enjoy it every time I drive!
I saw it on a podium at a Pontiac/Buick/GMC (?) dealer..I kept driving past it, first accidently then on purpose...the damn thing started calling to me.. cruisin' the TBird one fine day I stop for my first close look at an SSR..Lordy in RED the thing was hypnotic..couldn't sleep that night thinkin' about it..come sun-up I made the move and by noon I'd swapped my '03 Triple Black 'Bird and the 5Kmi Red Orphan was mine. A very nice SSR indeed but after spending 90 days with it I wanted more..The A/T was fine but I realized I need to shift the roadster myself..Enter my '06 6Speed.. I've had the new Rocket about 72 hrs now and almost 200 mi on it in town already..Having a BLAST in Vegas..
While I am not an SSR driver (I drive the retro T-bird), I still appreciate the car and aprpecaite even moe the passion that you folks have on this site. I noticed that some of you are from Los angeles.. I'm a burbank boy myself. perhaps we can have a group meet in LA for a retro car themed show.. I've seen several here.
Lost my brother to the big "C". He was 40 when he left this world. I was 32. Last year , March 13th , I turned 40, really took a good look at my life, realizing this was where my brother was at. I wanted a convertible. Went to the Ford dealership, looking at the 05 Mustang Conv. Triple Black, They didn't want to deal with me. Went across the street to there sister dealership ( Chevy ) ,saw the Manager , whom I have bought 2 cars previously before. Fell in love with the SSR that night. It came home with me the next day....Happy birthday to me.. This will always remind me of my brother, and to live life very passionatly, Then to find out my build date is May 04 , 2004............May 4th is my MOM's Birthday !
Yes this SSR was built for me to own !!!!
My SSR: 06 Black/Silver SSR born date 10/13/05 Expired on 4/4/2011 Vin #122490 Lowered and computer tune
Graduation Present
My wife agreed that when I graduated college that I had a choice of vehicles. So when I finished one of my degrees. She and I went looking for what ever I wanted and the SSR was first on my list. The dealer did find my color request in Arizona and was requesting it for me. The dealer and wife talked and agreed that the truck was to be delivered the day I thought was to sign papers to have the truck sent over but actually in suprise the truck was there for me to take home. Everyone can not believe I own a SSR at 26.
My wife agreed that when I graduated college that I had a choice of vehicles. So when I finished one of my degrees. She and I went looking for what ever I wanted and the SSR was first on my list. The dealer did find my color request in Arizona and was requesting it for me. The dealer and wife talked and agreed that the truck was to be delivered the day I thought was to sign papers to have the truck sent over but actually in suprise the truck was there for me to take home. Everyone can not believe I own a SSR at 26.
I have always been a car nut and realized that I get tired of them in about 6-9 months. I see myself coming and going and I lose interest. That costs to much $$$ to trade like that so I have finally realized (at age 57) that for me I require a car or truck that is genuinely unique that the general population probably would like but never buy...too impractical! Anyway, I bought a Prowler in 2000 and still have it. What a great ride and it is my toy car. My daily driver was a plain S-10 and I really didn't like it that well. On Christmas Eve in 2005 a van rear ended me and I started looking. My son needed to return some Christmas gifts at Best Buy, so off we went on New Years day. I suggested we stop at the Pontiac dealer and drive a new GTO. It was fast and ugly, went to drive a Ford Mustang GT, they didn't have any. When I went into the Chevy dealer, my silver SSR was starring me in the face at that perfect 3/4 forward stance and the rest is history. It is my daily driver and I hardly ever see another SSR here in the Cincinnati area, less so in the winter. I had a painted graphic done and I just enjoy looking at it. It is very comfortable to drive and the remote top is the Kat's meow.
My story seems to be a bit different. I didn't like the SSR. My friend had seen a pic of the concept and went nuts over it. A couple of others that I associate with had also seen the pics and liked them. Finally saw a pic and said "No, not for me." I still don't think that it is the grandest design that was ever produced. a 1957 Chevrolet convertible holds that spot. I had one a few years back (less than 10) and if I had it back there would be no SSR.
While on an errand to a nearby town, I encountered an '03 purple loaded. Didn't do a thing for me. Two or three months later while on an errand to a nearby town, I encountered an '03 black. In person it was a lot cooler than I thought it would be. I returned to the local rural Chevy dealeship (the owner lives next door) and went to the main man. Told him of my experience and asked him if he were to get one. He said all dealerships were to get at least one. Told him to get a black one and I might be his huckleberry. He had ordered a red, but would change it. Four months later (I had asked a couple times before if he had any news) I went in and told him that if he didn't get it soon I was going to go looking elsewhere. He called his supplier and asked why some large dealers had gotten 3or 4 and he had none. Two weeks later a red one showed up on his truck. I was there only a few minutes after they unloaded it. I really was hooked, but the money was just too much. After all that was why I sold the '57; just too much money to have invested in a car. Man, just think, that '57 would have doubled in value since then and the SSR has dropped 60% of its value! Two bad decisions!
A week later I bought the Redline Red; got as much attention as the '57 convertible two years ago. That statement would not be true today, however!
Drove the Redline 3 months and put 1990 miles on it. Lo and behold the Ricochet shows up on the same small dealer's lot. He doesn't know why he got it. Maybe because he sold the first one so quickly. It sat there for about a week. GM sent some money on my card so I went back in and said "want me to buy this one too?" He laughed; when I didn't, he got busy. He sold it to me for $3300 under sticker which was unheard of at the time. I walked out with a new one with no money out of my pocket! My son had seen the Silver and liked it better than the red and I knew that most were red and silver would be rarer.
Six months after I bought the silver one GM puts a $7000 rebate on the '04s and I have never been happy with the purchase since. Would I buy an SSR had I never bought one? NO! Simply NO! Of course unless I could buy an '06 for $30000! The truck is fun, but not $50000 worth of fun. The monetary beating that GM put on us took the fun out of the purchase.
My SSR: 2004 Redline Red SSR "HTRDGRL" Born On 8/19/2004 SSR Theme Song Chevrolet by Foghat
Love At First Site
Love at first site also
Seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show as a concept was all it took for me.
Upon seeing it I remember distinctly holding hubby’s hand and pulling him backwards and I said “Holy Sh** what is that and who makes it……..I want one”.
My mouth was dropped open just like in the chevy SSR commercial.
I could not stop talking about it and new that I would not have a chance at getting one of the early SSR’s. So I waited. My dealership didn’t even know what the SSR was when I called to find out about pricing.
In the summer of 2004 we sold 8 acres in Aramda MI for my husband to start his business dream. After selling the property. I asked my husband if I could then put a down payment on an SSR. In and around this time GM announced 0% financing. So from work I called was approved in 5 minutes and then I asked what colors do you have on the lot? That very same day I purchased a Redline Red and have loved it since. I’m still grinning from ear to ear and I’m always excited with every outing I take in it.
My SSR: 06 Aqua Blur 6 speed 3SS with chrome package 23688 Born on March 1st 2006
Loved it the moment I saw it!!
I had been a Corvette guy for years, 20 to be exact. Bought a 69 4 speed right out of high school for $3500 and was hooked for years. Had a couple of Vettes over the years but when I saw the concept truck that was it. Like someone else said earlier, if they build it I'll buy one. When they came out I went to my dealer friend and there was a smokin asphalt on the showroom floor cordoned off so that you couldn't get too close. I asked my price and he said he wouldn't sell it too me He had 3 people offering way over MSRP for it and that he wouldn't do that too me. So I waited . Drove my 81 and 01 Vette for another year and a half till the 05's the the LS2 came out. Off I went to the dealer again and started the hunt. At the time the 6 speeds were coming but none had surfaced yet. So I got an automatic, missed the shifting but I figured I'd wait and get and 07 or 08 with the 6 speed Little did I know they were axeing the model. After long conversations with my wife we decided to order one of the restarted 06's with a 6 speed and the waterfall badge. It's just what I wanted right from the start. Couldn't be any happier , except if I had two!!!
My SSR set in the local Chevy dealership window for a year and 4 months. I looked at it everytime I went to town, but we had just bought a Monte Carlo super sport and my wife wouldn't let me have both. At five thousand miles our Monte Carlo quit running. After the Chevy garage had it for 17 days and couldn't fix it, I had had enough I told them to make me a deal that I couldn't refuse. They said."On What?" Of course....the Black SSR and the rest is history. That was the best car trouble I ever had!
Jim
The SSR saga starts at the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona 2003. Me one of my buddies and Stitch head there in the Corvair park inside the oval and proceed to attempt to look at all the cars in one day - right... In the afternoon near the used car corral we spot an SSR. I give it the big look over and decide I don't like it. Too bulky too high and so on.
Fast forward to late 2004/early 2005. I've been putting my wife through school and we have relocated - again back to So Cal (original home). The relo was for a number of reasons including keeping her happy. One day she gets the bright idea that she wil buy my a new truck when she graduates and gets a job. Well that still a year away.
So we go looking a trucks anyway. Start at the Dodge Dakota since that was my current truck - V8 5 sp posi 4wd skid plates tow option - had everything. The new ones didn't cut it. Then my wife mentions something about the SSR that she likes it. Ok, lets go look.
Talked to dealers, test drove and auto and a stick. Did some research to see if I could still tow my other car to events and it barely worked out that I could tow it and put the slicks in the back. Decided I now liked them and went and bought an 05 6speed a year before I was supposed to.. We've had a blst ever since and have met some of the coolest nicest people because of it and this forum.
Fast forward to 2006. She graduated in February, started a job in March, and brought her first paycheck home yesterday - way to go girl!!! We got a year of fun we would not have had and still have the SSR.
My SSR: 2004 Redline-#11446-1 of 43 Calif. Speedway Parade Lap Trucks 9/05/04 (#48 Jimmie Johnson)
Quote:
Originally Posted by hdflstf
The SSR saga starts at the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona 2003. Me one of my buddies and Stitch head there in the Corvair park inside the oval and proceed to attempt to look at all the cars in one day - right... In the afternoon near the used car corral we spot an SSR. I give it the big look over and decide I don't like it. Too bulky too high and so on.
Fast forward to late 2004/early 2005. I've been putting my wife through school and we have relocated - again back to So Cal (original home). The relo was for a number of reasons including keeping her happy. One day she gets the bright idea that she wil buy my a new truck when she graduates and gets a job. Well that still a year away.
So we go looking a trucks anyway. Start at the Dodge Dakota since that was my current truck - V8 5 sp posi 4wd skid plates tow option - had everything. The new ones didn't cut it. Then my wife mentions something about the SSR that she likes it. Ok, lets go look.
Talked to dealers, test drove and auto and a stick. Did some research to see if I could still tow my other car to events and it barely worked out that I could tow it and put the slicks in the back. Decided I now liked them and went and bought an 05 6speed a year before I was supposed to.. We've had a blst ever since and have met some of the coolest nicest people because of it and this forum.
Fast forward to 2006. She graduated in February, started a job in March, and brought her first paycheck home yesterday - way to go girl!!! We got a year of fun we would not have had and still have the SSR.
CONGRATS LUCKYon that first paycheck now you can buy your own SSR.
only one problem with that is Stitch would have to decide who to ride with...
__________________
" Life is a highway... I wanta ride it allllll night long "...
" If your goin my way...I wanta drive it allll night long "...
My SSR: 2005 yellow 6 speed #17,492 456 gears, westers tune, magnaflow exhaust, airhog AF
When I first seen the SSR, I liked everything about it. The inside painted trim with water fall, the large storage area in back, retractable hard top and the looks and lines of the roadster with the top up or down. Not thinking GM would do it, I told my wife, if they make it with a 6 speed and put in the Corvette motor I would want to get it. and now we know the rest of the story.
I have always owned offbeat and unusual cars. My claim to fame was trying to buy a Tucker four different times. Just got too expensive. Anyway, after owning a Bricklin (original owner) for 25 years, obtaining a 1982 Delorean and a Candy Red Prowler with trailer, I thought I was done with cars.
Then I saw the SSR at the San Francisco International Auto Show last year. I liked the SSR but didn't like all the dealer BS overcharging and their lack of experience with the car. I always wanted a stick and was hoping Chevrolet would build it.
Then the car show came and I saw the Pacific Blue with the chrome package. I loved the color with the chrome and found out a 6 speed was available with the bigger engine producing 400 horses.
Well, one was located in a dinky town of Colfax near the Sierra Nevada and I got it!
Little did I know that I would even make the March 2nd Lansing Craft Centre and ASC tour to really see how the SSR's are built. It is a very functional car and is a great addition to my collection.
Like almost everyone else, saw it on TV, stopped me in my tracks, watched them put the top down and My Heart stopped!!!! bought my first magazine with the SSR in it and waited and watched until they started showing up on the dealers lot!
Got on the internet sent out the email for info and got a call the next day, test drove the already sold one on the lot and Lo and Behold the ond on order due in 6 week was Yellow and the rest is History!
I have made the best friends just from owning this truck and that has made it the best investment ever! !
My SSR: My SSR is a silver 2005, fully loaded and I love it!
Life is short.
I've been driving Toyota trucks for nearly 20 years. I have a 1995 Tacoma that looks like I just drove it out of the showroom. Since I can't justify replacing it I decided to go another route. I've liked the SSR ever since the first time I saw it spin around onto the car carrier on TV. Then I saw the top go down and thought, "Gee, that must make it cost prohibitive". I looked it up on line and sure enough, it was expensive.
I had just come into a pile of money from a failed relationship and had been saving for many years towards that relationship. I started by searching northern Ohio on line. I knew where every color was and what they had on them in my area. I thought I wanted a yellow one but the dealer near my house had a silver 2005. I figured I'd go drive that one and if I liked it, I'd make him go get me the yellow one. (It was just down the road.) I took one look at the silver one and forgot all about yellow. Sitting there all classy and all. He wanted to show me the sticker and I said, "I've seen it, on line". I asked him if I could drive it and he seemed a little apprehensive. After all, there I was with my long hair and my Grateful Dead tee shirt on. We drove it around and we made our deal. At the end I asked him if he thought he was going to sell me that car that night and he said... "No". We laughed and I told him I really appreciated his honesty. He told me he was getting too old to lie. I picked it up the next day, July 1, 2005.
I've never had a second thought. I love driving it. It always makes me smile. As my title says...
Life is short.
For sometime I had been looking for an older muscle car that my son could go for a ride in. My son has muscular dystrophy and has been confined to a wheelchair for nearly 20 years now. We were looking for a convertible, for that would be the only way I could get him into the car. We have to use a lift to get him in and out. Once he and I saw the first proto type we new that was it. We wanted an older look but I really didn't want to give up the modern conviences. Now we load up (when its warm out) and cruise. It sure does bring a smile to his face when people wave (mine too).
Justin & Doug E
__________________
SSR TO ME IS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL WOMEN. I JUST CAN'T KEEP MY HANDS OFF IT. THE CURVES, THOSE BIG HEADLIGHTS AND GREAT REAR END
My SSR: 2004 Redline Red SSR "HTRDGRL" Born On 8/19/2004 SSR Theme Song Chevrolet by Foghat
Warm,Wonderful & Unselfish..........
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaticalSSR
For sometime I had been looking for an older muscle car that my son could go for a ride in. My son has muscular dystrophy and has been confined to a wheelchair for nearly 20 years now. We were looking for a convertible, for that would be the only way I could get him into the car. We have to use a lift to get him in and out. Once he and I saw the first proto type we new that was it. We wanted an older look but I really didn't want to give up the modern conviences. Now we load up (when its warm out) and cruise. It sure does bring a smile to his face when people wave (mine too).
Justin & Doug E
What a very warm , wonderful and unselfish story...........I am so very happy for both of you that they did bring this very special roadster into prodcution. I can't think of a prouder way to cruise! Keep On Crusin
Location: Maggie Valley, NC (Smoky Mtns.)/On The Road For The Winter
Posts: 18,595
My SSR: 2006 Aqua Blur FPR Chrome Inside & Out , 2004 Redline Red,TAZMOBILE (deceased)
Long story short, My husband was wanting to get me a convertible Mercedes 500. We were looking at a slightly used one across the street from the Chevy dealer. I looked over there and saw the SSR sitting by the road with a 0 financing sign on it. We went over and looked at it and it was mine the very next day. Never was excited about that Mercedes but just felt it when I saw the SSR.
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Long story short
He had 3 people offering way over MSRP for it and that he wouldn't do that too me. So I waited
. Drove my 81 and 01 Vette for another year and a half till the 05's the the LS2 came out. Off I went to the dealer again and started the hunt. At the time the 6 speeds were coming but none had surfaced yet. So I got an automatic, missed the shifting but I figured I'd wait and get and 07 or 08 with the 6 speed
Little did I know they were axeing the model. After long conversations with my wife we decided to order one of the restarted 06's with a 6 speed and the waterfall badge. It's just what I wanted right from the start. Couldn't be any happier
, except if I had two!!!
I told them to make me a deal that I couldn't refuse. They said."On What?" Of course....the Black SSR and the rest is history. That was the best car trouble I ever had! 
!
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