Thinking of getting a SSR

[nbaum]

I'am thinking of getting an SSR because I really like the look of them. I own two Cadillac Allantes and two 1962 Thunderbirds but I'am thinning the herd to make some room. What do I need to know about the SSR's? I like the look of the black/ silver color combo and a manual transmission might be nice. The quickest car I ever drove was a GTO back in 1968. I have the feeling that the right SSR might just run the wheels off that car.

[RUN ROD RUN]

Welcome from SoCalif.
To get you started in the right direction, may I suggest you get yourself the e-book "The SSR Experience".
For SSR buyers: Jim G's e-book "The SSR Experience"


If you can't wait much longer for an SSR, here an outstanding, well maintain silver over black 6 speed that 4 sale.
4/S 06 Silver/Black 6 Speed

[REBEL]

Stick with the 05 / 06 for power and two tone paint. They ride heavy like I think a cruser should. They are great for interstate in my opinion. Leg room is tight if driving 4-6 hours. I have seen the one posted below and it's in fine shape with some pinstripe work.

[LTs SSR]

What you need to know... ummm THEY ARE FUN!! Go out, find one & take a test drive... and then there will be no need for further explaination!!

[Rte66SSR]

Just do it

[BlueStreak]

Welcome from another of the SoCal Nuts. I agree with all of the above. I have 138,888 on my and it is still a ball to drive. Let us know a bit more about you and where you are located. Someone might be near you and give you a ride.

[drivin topless]

Get one, get one, get one … Or better yet get two .

[Johnny B]

Jim G's book is a must read for,it will tell you the good & bad.
The "R" is a lot of fun & it always makes me smile when I go through my garage.

[nbaum]

I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. My first collector car was a Model A Ford and what I noticed about the SSR is that it is a "roadster pickup" like the Ford model A made. The retractable hardtop really hooked me in. I have owned probably 8 Cadillac Allantes and I see some similarities to that car as well. Namely it's a limited production GM product. They made 22,000 Allanters start to finish. What I can tell you from that experience is that after 10 years GM won't have any more of the unique parts. For example on the Allante its Taillights and headlights. a good used taillight is $750 right now. The problem is that with the limited production no one wants to tool up for after market sources. If your into the SSR and expect to stay with it buy some of the NOS unique items now. I actually make some of the Allante parts in a machine shop and sell them to club members. The retractable hardtop parts worry me. Is that mechanism unique to the SSR? If so that's another area to stock up on parts. I don't mean this to be a put down on the SSR. Its just a fact of life for limited run vehicles. The oldest SSR is 6 years old and the dealers still welcome you. If we take an Allante to a Cadillac dealer they have no one who knows how to fix it properly and the cost is through the roof. The clubs become more and more important to support the owners. When I tried to get some part support from GM they finally told me "our business is building new cars". With all that said I still own Allante's and I suspect in the near future I will own an SSR. I wanted to know from the pro's what to stay away from and what to look for.
Thanks

[ttarob]

as was said before .... DO IT DO IT get one get one !!! You will LOVE it !!!

[mike in orlando]

If you can afford one and have the space for one by all means buy a SSR - you will love it.

I have purchased two so far, but I live in Florida with a little more topdown weather to enjoy.

[DOOPHUS]

WELCOME and GO FOR IT, NBaum . . . from Southern Arizona.

Your "Parts Availability Points" are absolutely correct and definitely a concern, however, the positives of Owning/Driving an SSR far outweigh the negatives.

I've always been a fan of the Cadillac Allante . . . how about some pictures?

! ! ! ! ! !

[quick silver]

Originally Posted by DOOPHUS

WELCOME and GO FOR IT, NBaum . . . from Southern Arizona.

Your "Parts Availability Points" are absolutely correct and definitely a concern, however, the positives of Owning/Driving an SSR far outweigh the negatives.

I've always been a fan of the Cadillac Allante . . . how about some pictures?

! ! ! ! ! !

YEA WHAT THE HAM SAID!!!

[tennesseecozydo]

Sold two 55 Chevy's in 2009 to buy my Oh Five SSR and have never looked back. So my advice to you is "go for the gusto" and look around as there are more than 700 out there for sale on the internet with most of them on Autotrader.com. Also North Hyundai in Houston has a nice selection. Call Tony Zwigert a super nice guy. We love our little red truck. Tennesseecozydog.

[Flying Dog]

As Doophus stated above: The positives of Owning/Driving an SSR far outweigh the negatives.

Welcome from central Illinois!

[Redracr]

Go for the Gusto and buy the R. You will meet all kinds of nice people and enjoy the ride.

Redracr

[mikebike]

Hello,
I was like you last year.
I joined the forum and bought Jim's book.

I ended up buying mine off Freeway Hyundai one of the sponsors here.

You will not regret it.

[LITEMUP]

I wouldn't buy one unless less you like having vehicles that are different and like having fun.



Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

[Cash]

Originally Posted by nbaum

Edited copy of earlier post- If your into the SSR and expect to stay with it buy some of the NOS unique items now. The retractable hardtop parts worry me. Is that mechanism unique to the SSR? If so that's another area to stock up on parts. I don't mean this to be a put down on the SSR. Its just a fact of life for limited run vehicles. The oldest SSR is 6 years old and the dealers still welcome you. If we take an Allante to a Cadillac dealer they have no one who knows how to fix it properly and the cost is through the roof. The clubs become more and more important to support the owners. When I tried to get some part support from GM they finally told me "our business is building new cars". With all that said I still own Allante's and I suspect in the near future I will own an SSR. I wanted to know from the pro's what to stay away from and what to look for.
Thanks

Welcome to SSR lovers (fanatics)
Minor error - the SSR is almost 10 years old depending on where you take the first build but IMO the first regular production was built 6.12.2003, so 9.5 years ago.
As far as Chevy dealerships welcoming the SSR to the service bay, this may be true but as we keep reading from personal testimonies the dealerships knowledgeable about the SSR are diminishing. Ask if they have an SSR expert.
However, on the bright side of this and with all due respect to the Allante (which I have always loved as well) the SSR Fanatic community has incredible knowledge and resources. We have an ever increasing availablity of improved parts all the time.
Honestly, I do not feel a problem will arise or a part come up that cannot be replaced.
I agree, my first fear was the roof and it remains. I can't help myself - out of concern I try to reduce my roof movements. I believe it was developed in Europe in conjunction with Saab, or possibly completely by Saab, then built by ASC for LCC. The roof is always a concern, but I do not believe we have had any failures that could not be resolved.
There is a bit of concern owning an SSR, but I always fly by the seat of my pants and if you own Allante's you do the same - buy an SSR - too much fun!

[ssr71]

Hey... welcome! Don't hesitate! Get one now!

And if you wanted a black/silver and 6-speed package.... then Frank's is the one to get.

Originally Posted by Cash

I agree, my first fear was the roof and it remains. I can't help myself - out of concern I try to reduce my roof movements. I believe it was developed in Europe in conjunction with Saab, or possibly completely by Saab, then built by ASC for LCC. The roof is always a concern, but I do not believe we have had any failures that could not be resolved.

It was developed by Karmann, which had done the retractable top for the SLK.

And the roof is one of those worry items for me too. There are some things that can be fabricated by other shops such as the hydraulic hoses, but it's the electronic components that would be the toughest to re-source.

[DOOPHUS]

Originally Posted by Cash

Minor error - the SSR is almost 9 years old depending on where you take the first build but IMO the first regular production was built 6.12.2003, so 8.5 years ago.

Am I missing something here, Cash?

If the first "regular production" SSR was built 12 June 2003, wouldn't that translate to 9.5 Years ago or a full 10 Years in another six months?

I am planning to celebrate The Doophus's 8th on the 5th of May.

[Cash]

Originally Posted by DOOPHUS

Am I missing something here, Cash?

If the first "regular production" SSR was built 12 June 2003, wouldn't that translate to 9.5 Years ago or a full 10 Years in another six months?

I am planning to celebrate The Doophus's 8th on the 5th of May.

You know I'm no good with numbers!
BTW, just curious if nbaum is related to f baum.

[nbaum]

No relation to F Baum.
The SSR has some benefits that the Allante does not. The Allante body was built in Italy and is largely a product from European suppliers. Much of the tooling for unique parts has been lost. I mentioned the taillights for example. The Allante taillight is 20 times more complicated than the SSR's. Don't sell the Allante clubs and support groups short. They are active. They made 22,000 Allante's start to finish. That compares closely to SSR production. Remember the Allante sold for $66,000 in 1993. Quite expensive. I believe the GM support and parts situation will closely follow the Allante's. I can see no reason for it to be any different. The Cadillac XLR will go the same route. I will say that there may be a difference between a Cadillac vehicle and a Chevy as far a parts and support. I would sooner buy a corvette for example than the same year XLR, but production quantities come into play here. I just feel you will always be able to get a corvette part. After 10 years GM jumps ship. You need to depend on other suppliers and with low quantities you won't see a lot of builders jumping in. Also the SSR is a still a new truck. The oldest is not 10 years yet. The Allante oldest is going on 26 years. The heat of the new hot product wears off with time. Like I said earlier I love the look of the SSR and will in all likely hood own one soon. I know what to expect as time passes based on my Allante experience.

[jackatg450]

If it came to the point that no SSRs were being totaled and parted out, and my truck had a problem with the top, there are two options left. First, I seldom put the top up now. Two, the top can be put up manually.

I would have a roadster form March to November, and a very sharp looking pickup truck from November to March.

There is always a solution.

Jack

[nbaum]

Well I bought an asphalt 2005 20,000 mile SSR from Tony at North Freeway Hyundai. He took my 62 Thunderbird Landau in trade. I got delivery and it is one sweet ride.
For those that requested here are the pictures of my other rides. 1993 Allante and 1962 Thunderbird original Sport roadster.

[Warrior=='06]

I love the T-bird .....truthfully, not a fan of the Allante, though.


I bought my R from Mark at NFH last October & absolutely LOVE it.

Enjoy yours & get with others who dig the power of the "R"!!! You won't regret it!
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David