Couple questions for all the pros out here with the SSRs
Firstly, I am in the process of purchasing a SSR.
Now the questions:
1. Which year would be better investment, 04 or 05?
2. Automatic or standard?
3. Any particular color better than others?
4. Any particular things to watch out for in either of the above years?
I plan on purchasing one for an investment, but also plan to drive it about two thousand miles a year, just for kicks and the shear fun of driving an icon. One other point, I do not have unlimited funds for this project, so I have left out the 06 option. (Well so my financial advisor (i.e. wife) tells me.)
Please advise, and thanks in advance for the input.
Charles
Couple questions for all the pros out here with the SSRs
Firstly, I am in the process of purchasing a SSR.
Now the questions:
1. Which year would be better investment, 04 or 05?
2. Automatic or standard?
3. Any particular color better than others?
4. Any particular things to watch out for in either of the above years?
I plan on purchasing one for an investment, but also plan to drive it about two thousand miles a year, just for kicks and the shear fun of driving an icon. One other point, I do not have unlimited funds for this project, so I have left out the 06 option. (Well so my financial advisor (i.e. wife) tells me.)
Please advise, and thanks in advance for the input.
Charles
It's all about preferences... get what you want to drive. IMHO, cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed and the SSR delivers BIG time in the enjoyment department. Take care of it and it will be collectable in the long run. Think about it... if you see a cherry 59 Vette, do you really care about the miles? What matters is it's cherry.
Personally... I think the 05's and 06's will have more value in the long run. Bigger engine will be an advantage... but that is only my opinion.
My SSR: '03 #01155 Painted stripes, Flomaster, K&N air system, Port/polished Throttle Body, Custom Tuned
Charles,
I'm perfectly happy driving my 2003 automatic. It has the 300 hp engine and is plenty powerful for most anything I want to do. And it will run fine on regular gas if you want to save a little at the pumps.
However, I don't think you could go wrong with any year or color on one of the fun, wonderful, hot rod roadster trucks! Just find the best taken care of one for the price you are willing to spend.
PS: I wouldn't buy it for an investment...buy it for the fun you will have with it!!!
__________________ Laid Back... Since Way Back.
Last edited by Flying Dog; 08-06-2010 at 10:28 AM.
My SSR: Slingshot Yellow VIN 20778 Born 05 May 2005 (05/05/05)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles
Couple questions for all the pros out here with the SSRs
Firstly, I am in the process of purchasing a SSR.
Now the questions:
1. Which year would be better investment, 04 or 05?
2. Automatic or standard?
3. Any particular color better than others?
4. Any particular things to watch out for in either of the above years?
I plan on purchasing one for an investment, but also plan to drive it about two thousand miles a year, just for kicks and the shear fun of driving an icon. One other point, I do not have unlimited funds for this project, so I have left out the 06 option. (Well so my financial advisor (i.e. wife) tells me.)
Please advise, and thanks in advance for the input.
Charles
WELCOME, Charles . . . from Southern Arizona.
Personally, I would never consider an SSR, or any modern day vehicle, "an investment" unless you are thinking many decades. If you are seeking the least depreciation from the lowest financial investment then go for either an '05 or an '06 with the most unique color (possibly an '06 with a unique two-tone color combination) but there are no guarantees.
I agree with BluDragon . . . perfect, possibly original, condition will be more important than mileage or color in the long haul.
Most of our SSR's have lost a third to half of their value, so investment wise were not off to a great start. Prowler is about 5 years ahead of the SSR so it might help us see what our nvestments might be doing the next half decade. Prowlers are more rare since they built twice as many SSRs but the sticker prices were both around $40 plus. Today you can find low mile Prowlers in the $35k range. So since it's not a investment buy it based on what you like and how much you want to spend, I personaly would have a hard time paying the extra money to get the bigger engine(said the guy with the SS Camaro).
At 20,000 produced, a lot will have to be destroyed one way or another for the remainder to be supervaluable. It a matter of rarity that sets prices for otherwise desirable cars. Maybe in 40-50 years those SSRs that find their way to the market will bring big bucks - but maybe not.
Look at the Avanti - a beautiful, rare car. If you put one away 20 years ago, you'd be upside down after factoring inflation.
__________________
Don't think, Meat - throw the ball!
I bought mine because I wanted one badly.. not because I expect it to be my retirement fund in 20 years. By then gasoline might be so expensive as to make it all but unavailable... who knows. I like having the power, but what I really was waiting for was the manual tranny. Had it still been equipped with the 5.3, I wouldn't have cared. With just over 1900 out of 24000 SSRs built with a stick, I would say those will be the ones with the highest collector value in 20-30 years. But not today or even for say the next 5 to 10 years.
If the SSR was 40 years or older, then I might see some form of investment in owning a SSR.
But right now, I'm having a ball driving my 2004 SSR just about everyday and meeting up with other SSRFanatic members for SSR Rallies.
Now back to your question .. "Investment" ... what is that?
My SSR: '06 Screamin' Redline Red Vin # 23025 3SS Born Dec, 4, 2005 , Chrome package, gauges
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catbert
At 20,000 produced, a lot will have to be destroyed one way or another for the remainder to be supervaluable. It a matter of rarity that sets prices for otherwise desirable cars. Maybe in 40-50 years those SSRs that find their way to the market will bring big bucks - but maybe not.
Look at the Avanti - a beautiful, rare car. If you put one away 20 years ago, you'd be upside down after factoring inflation.
Excellent point . . . I completely agree.
On an investment site, someone was pointing out the investment strategy of buying new automobiles and WAITING for them to be rare. He used the '53 Corvette as an example of a great investment, since one just recently sold for $135,000.
Another investor pointed out that had he taken the $3,500 that the Corvette cost in '53 and put it in just a simple spyder (S&P 500) account, letting the earnings and increase in equity roll over year after year, he'd have considerably more than $135,000 in 57 years. This, of course, without the cost of upkeep, storage, insurance, and on and on.
If our trucks are going to be worth anything years down the road (pun intended) it'll be for PARTS in my opinion. There is evidence, almost daily, on this site that GMC doesn't really care that much about providing the necessary parts for crucial systems and in many cases (e.g., the tops) didn't even build the systems in the first place.
Just enjoy them for what they are . . . a kick in the a$$ load of fun. Jeff has the right idea, meeting such a great group of people with these trucks is the whole game, IMHO.
Last edited by WearyEagle; 08-06-2010 at 03:32 PM.
Don't buy an SSR for an investment. Buy it because you want one; for the PERMGRIN; and for the commraderie that this group has.
Bought my '06 TuTone 6 sp in Jan this year and drive it every day. Didn't realize that were only 1900 produced.
Get a 6 sp if you can. Not much fun just putting the shifter in "D" and mashing the gas. You can do more things with the engine, such as getting to that sweet RPM spot, with a stick. It also feels like you are actually controlling the vehicle more. Can't wait to get a Formato tune and a 4.10 rear end.
Don't buy an SSR for an investment. Buy it because you want one; for the PERMGRIN; and for the commraderie that this group has.
Bought my '06 TuTone 6 sp in Jan this year and drive it every day. Didn't realize that were only 1900 produced.
Get a 6 sp if you can. Not much fun just putting the shifter in "D" and mashing the gas. You can do more things with the engine, such as getting to that sweet RPM spot, with a stick. It also feels like you are actually controlling the vehicle more. Can't wait to get a Formato tune and a 4.10 rear end.
Jim
I agree. I started out with an auto and ended up trading for a 6 speed.
Thank you all for the thought provoking replys.
For me the term "investment" is owning a vehicle over years, being able to enjoy it over that time, and sell it for more than you paid.
To me that is about a 10% return on my money, and in today market, not a bad return. I don't expect to make a bunch of money, just get back more than I paid many years later after enjoying my, as you guys put it my 'perma grin'.
I had a vette (1972 with 454) years ago, enjoyed it and still recovered more than my original investment. And had a ton of fun with it!
Looked at two of SSRs today, 04 and 05. The 04 was lower milage, mint condition and way more appealing to me. The 05 was mid miles (30K), but well used. Maybe even abused. Smoked in. That is a real turn off for me, and my financial advisor.
The way I see it,
I need a truck.
I want a corvette,
I would like a rod.
Looks like my dream machine is the SSR.
But I just realized that after looking at many rods, currently own a pickup that is NOT fun to drive, that it is time to move on. Sell the pickup and never look back. It took me a long time to find the right one just over a year ago. A ford ranger super cab sport, with all the options. It had 760 miles on it when I purchased it, two years old. It now has 6900 miles on it and still smells and looks like new. It looks like it just came out of the showroom. I have decided to get rid of it, and move to the fun times again. Any takers?
Thanks again for the kind remarks.
And thank you Jim for the chance to view what you have put to paper on the SSR. I will find time to peruse that and no doubt order the full version and again, never look back.
Me thinks I missed a opportunity in purchasing the baby bear, but unfortunately I was a little slow on that one. Snooze you loose, correct?
My SSR: Black 03, Vin#0168, License Plate-"DRMRIDE". Woodward Dream Cruise Veteran 04-05-06-07-08-09&10
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckDuck
Most of our SSR's have lost a third to half of their value, so investment wise were not off to a great start. Prowler is about 5 years ahead of the SSR so it might help us see what our nvestments might be doing the next half decade. Prowlers are more rare since they built twice as many SSRs but the sticker prices were both around $40 plus. Today you can find low mile Prowlers in the $35k range. So since it's not a investment buy it based on what you like and how much you want to spend, I personaly would have a hard time paying the extra money to get the bigger engine(said the guy with the SS Camaro).
Talk about losing value $$. There is a 06 Cadillac XLR, with 3,500 miles for sale in our Sundays paper, list $77,000 new, now $39,888!
You may have to keep it a long while to make money owning an SSR. Buy it for the fun of it and if some day your kids get to sell it and make money... so be it.
I don't know who originally said it. But, it's the truth. "There is no substitute for cubic inches". I have the 2005 with the 6.0L LS2 and the DiabloSport Predator tune on it. It's fast and fun but I could use more power.
My SSR: 2003 "Ilsa" True Duals w/Jones Glasspacks, Eibach Springs, Addco Sway Bars, 4.56 Gears
Yep, that was my story too.
I will always drive a truck - but my first three were tiny things with 4 cyl engines and would only shove me back into the seat if I were going up a steep hill.
I wanted a truck - with serious muscle - that I could also use for minor racing. I got all of those; plus a convertible, and a very sexy style that also reflected back to the classic '50's Chevy truck.
This truck is me.
What really hooked me was the hauler commercial. I still get goosebumps when the rest of the vehicles are on the hauler and the kids turn to look at what's coming up the road.
The way I see it,
I need a truck.
I want a corvette,
I would like a rod.
Looks like my dream machine is the SSR.
My SSR: '03 #01155 Painted stripes, Flomaster, K&N air system, Port/polished Throttle Body, Custom Tuned
If we didn't own the SSR, we'd probably be bored.
As many here have stated, "It's an investment in FUN!"
We have had the pleasure of meeting so many new friends all across the country because of our little SSR. It's a great hobby for us and we plan to keep on enjoying our new friends and meeting more as we attend more SSR functions!
My SSR: 2006 Racy Aqua Blur 6spd Front end all Chrome/SS Tuned/ported
Some more comments
I like the value my 2006 Aqua Blur continues to have. Aside from special models or pace cars and tutones...the Aqua Blur Paint has that chameleon effect in the sun.The Gold metalflake is beautiful, only 185 Aqua Blur's for 2006. And just a few with the 6speed. I picked this for the FUN value. I also realize a better return when I $ell. Now that its been Tuned by Jeremy of Fasterproms, and so much faster...I am perfectly happy with keeping longer than I planned. You must have that done so the 05/06 SSR launches like it should.
I have a C5 Corvette that Jeremy tuned last week. Monster it is now...All I can handle.
SSR on the left past Jeremy's head is a 06 getting a Magnacharger. That will rock! Not a Fanatic but has the permagrin.
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SSR as an Investment
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VIVA DE FUNK
This, of course, without the cost of upkeep, storage, insurance, and on and on.
Go for the power!
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