Just drove to Montery Ca. and back home had a great time, had to get out of the heat of the valley where I live. Montery was nice and cool mid 60’s in late afternoon.
While driving I commented that the R just doesn’t handle as well as I would like it to. I have an 05 which I lowered with eiback springs installed TB crossmember, I know not much done, but, cosidering how well the corvette handles for approximately the same price, I think GM should have done a better job with the suspension.
I would have liked to see a little more room in the cab, with better cup holders. I haven’t riden in a TB but I hope it has more room from side to side.
Just a couple of my dislikes, hope to make some fixes soon.
Personally I hate the leather seats. Like parking the truck for a few minutes with the top down, jump back in the truck and get second degree burns on your back and legs.
Nothing says sexy like getting out of the truck and having a giant sweat stain on the back of your nice shirt.
I am thinkin'... & thinkin'... But really.. I just love the truck! I didn't have cup holders in my 67 Mustang... So that I have any in the R is a Plus.. I guess its just all in how you look at it!
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet completely stock ... for now !!
Ok let's see what I hate about the R? Hmmmm oh I know, the battery dying when not being driven all the time. That's about it, compared to all our other cars ..... It's so comfortable on long trips.and tons of storage.
Rob and Tracie
As for handling.. we have a heavy ride compared to the corvette.. I owned a 2002 Z06 that handled awesome but.. weighed half as much as the does. that said I'm now used to the way mine handles and can just flow with it..Daily driver helps..I wondering what with all the plastic on the were does all that weight come from!! I love mine just the way it is!!!
My SSR: 04 Redline w/Lambo Doors ++, and 2005 Bk 6-Speed
Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyB
Personally I hate the leather seats. Like parking the truck for a few minutes with the top down, jump back in the truck and get second degree burns on your back and legs.
Nothing says sexy like getting out of the truck and having a giant sweat stain on the back of your nice shirt.
TommyB I solved that problem in my Rs: (Pics attached)
Improvements on the Corvette suspension have been ongoing for fifty plus years while the SSR didn’t even get a chance to reach it fifth year of production. IMHO, not fare to do a comparison between those two models.
As for cup holder, those $1.99 cup holders that you can buy anywhere do better then anything I’ve seen that cost twice as much.
As for dislikes, can’t think of anything … otherwise I wouldn’t have brought the SSR in the first place.
We must remember that the SSR is built on a truck chassis and we shouldn't expect it to handle like a Corvette.
I've also noticed that as my weight goes up the SSR seems to get smaller inside.
Cup holders could definitely be re-engineered.
If you're going to leave your top down while the SSR is sitting in the sun, consider seat covers or one of those "air cushion" seats that are designed for hot weather.
I never test drove an SSR before I bought mine so the biggest dislike for me is the lack of visibility.
I've driven big trucks before and it's easier for me to see and know where the corners of one of those trucks are than it is on the SSR and I still have difficulty backing the darned thing into a parking space straight.
My wife's car has a rear backup camera which is great.
I have one here...somewhere, so if I can find it I just may install it in the SSR.
Finding Tires...at this point, getting really good options for replacements (and the Good Years should be) is a never ending search for recently produced, great wearing and road hugging tires.
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet completely stock ... for now !!
Considering the weight of these trucks they handle VERY well. After all ... They are trucks !! Ok maybe a suv chassis, but as I own a jeep grand cherokee, the R out handles it big time, also at just under 5000 lbs (that was with 2 people and all our crap) we just did 1100 kms with two Vettes, a C6 and a C5, both drivers were amazed at the handling of the R, ok so I was a little underpowered in comparison, but we got WAY more looks and thumbs up.
Like was said earlier .... If I hated it that much, I wouldn't have bought it either, heck I only went 1 mile on my test drive, and I had to have the Chevy
My SSR: Slingshot Yellow VIN 20778 Born 05 May 2005 (05/05/05)
What I do not like about my SSR . . . I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH GARAGE SPACE FOR A SECOND OR THRID SSR.
Sure, the cab is tight but no tighter than a Corvette or a Porsche. If I had wanted a mega-spacious interior I would have opted for a H2 or an Escalade.
As for the handling . . . handling like a Corvette would have required either a hardtop or a ragtop rather than a retractable hardtop along with a "trunk" the size of a woman's purse plus an UGH "on the ground" seating position.
Bottom line . . . THE DOOPHUS IS AS CLOSE TO PERFECT AS . . .
I posed this question knowing full well that some would question my dislikes, but I see that some share some of the pet peeves with me. My dislike of the suspension was only a comparison to the corvette in price of the two, and the fact that GM engineers who could have, should have improved it. Lets face it I can spend a thousand dollars with after market parts to improve the suspension, GM should have done it, especially at the price they asked.
I have racked my brain trying to figure a way to incorporate cup holders into the interior, but will in the end have to buy the add ons. With more room for the console two cup holders could have been placed there.
The rattles in the doors are embarrassing, the SUV that my wife drives a 2006 Murano is solid and cost much less than the R.
The car is one of a kind and I love it, but I often wonder was this quality, the best that GM could have done?
Whar an expenxive piece of crap on ecpensive tires & wheels , Too cramped & piss poor gas mileage. At $48,500 you could drive a Pinto & go to Vegas for a month!!!!!!
My SSR: 2004 UV 14000 Mi. called Purple Haze. Bought 12/31/2010
Quote:
Originally Posted by DOOPHUS
What I do not like about my SSR . . . I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH GARAGE SPACE FOR A SECOND OR THRID SSR.
Sure, the cab is tight but no tighter than a Corvette or a Porsche. If I had wanted a mega-spacious interior I would have opted for a H2 or an Escalade.
As for the handling . . . handling like a Corvette would have required either a hardtop or a ragtop rather than a retractable hardtop along with a "trunk" the size of a woman's purse plus an UGH "on the ground" seating position.
Bottom line . . . THE DOOPHUS IS AS CLOSE TO PERFECT AS .
. .
I Agree. Plus, it's YELLOW!!!
__________________ WHEN I'M DRIVING MY SSR, I AM ......
KING OF THE ROAD!
My SSR: "Kate" a Haughty Redhead, '06 Redline FPR 6 spd. #23333 Build Date 2/16/06
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeauxbleauxsr
Whar an expenxive piece of crap on ecpensive tires & wheels , Too cramped & piss poor gas mileage. At $48,500 you could drive a Pinto & go to Vegas for a month!!!!!!
You don't exactly go gracefully do you. Love it when people continue to be SSRFanatics even after they have sold.
Not so sure about the fanatics though.
__________________
"Such are the Vagaries of Life"
Ah, I'm Just Truckin' With Ya!
Frose your in Fresno ????Whoa I am in Madera and yes my R has its ups and downs but thats ok I love my ride NEVER regret it when I got it . Ford has its problems and toyota and so on
My SSR: Dennis 06 Silver FPR & Miss Jo 06 Smokin Asphalt Both tuned by Jeremy
Quote:
Originally Posted by frose
Just drove to Montery Ca. and back home had a great time, had to get out of the heat of the valley where I live. Montery was nice and cool mid 60’s in late afternoon.
While driving I commented that the R just doesn’t handle as well as I would like it to. I have an 05 which I lowered with eiback springs installed TB crossmember, I know not much done, but, cosidering how well the corvette handles for approximately the same price, I think GM should have done a better job with the suspension.
I would have liked to see a little more room in the cab, with better cup holders. I haven’t riden in a TB but I hope it has more room from side to side.
Just a couple of my dislikes, hope to make some fixes soon.
Hi,
My wife and I have two SSR's and I wrestled with some of the issues you mention.
To begin with, we went to Maggie Valley this year for the rally and took the road trip through the mountains, it was like a slalom course. As a friend mentioned to me SSR stands for Super Sport Roadster, it is not, nor is it intended to be a Corvette. On the plus side we drove down from Chicago and I can tell you this the drive back and forth was much easier, smoother and a lot more fun than a Corvette. We can easily put 500 miles on it in a day and not have to be helped out with a can opener.
As far as the rattles and squeaks. I suggest you take a look at the frame stiffner, and radiator support that Mike in AZ has. I had them put on both of ours and it changed the ride a lot. It just does not twist and torque like it did before they were installed, which I think in turn will save a lot of problems with the top down the road. As far as the slalom course in Maggie Valley, it held the road very well, but it is just heavier and higher than a sports car so you have to adjust. Fortunately we do not have to drive on those type roads regularly.
Tires are not as much of a problem as folks think. There is a super thread on tires on the forum. I replaced one with a set of Continentals from Discount Tire. Once again the ride improved immeasurably.
What I learned is the tread is good on our other SSR but the tread is starting to come apart, like the grooves are getting wider in some places on the Goodyear. When my wife and I drive the vehicle with new tires, then the one with Goodyears you can easily tell a big difference. Second vehicle will get new tires in the fall and they will not be Goodyears.
If you get the book and read the history of the SSR it is supposed to be a retro of the old time roadsters and they did a doggone good job of it. Both of our are 06's with the Corvette engines in them and they have been tuned by Jeremy in Lutz, FL. They run just fine, all we would ever want or need. Jeremy upped the horsepower, improved the gas mileage and changed the shift patterns. I had my wife drive hers over and back when we got it tuned and she readily recognized the positive difference.
Yeah, the cup holders seem like an afterthought, my wife continually puts paper napkins under the drinks that are not in styrofoam cups. Someone made a gadget in the aftermarket that fits over the emergency brake but now I can't seem to find them. I would suspect with a little creativity one coud fix up a great cupholder that fits over that.
Yes, we too would like a bigger garage and are toying with buying a third one. Driven a lot of vehicles in my 70+ years and Dicktator told me that the SSR will give me a permagrin. He is right.
I would suggest you enjoy your SSR for what it is, not what it is not. It is a unique vehicle, a collector vehicle that is no longer being made. And yes, even at 70+ years old I am surprised at the number of women who come up to me and ask about it. Never had the courage to ask my wife if it is a guy magnet when she drives hers.......
I posed this question knowing full well that some would question my dislikes, but I see that some share some of the pet peeves with me. My dislike of the suspension was only a comparison to the corvette in price of the two, and the fact that GM engineers who could have, should have improved it. Lets face it I can spend a thousand dollars with after market parts to improve the suspension, GM should have done it, especially at the price they asked.
I have racked my brain trying to figure a way to incorporate cup holders into the interior, but will in the end have to buy the add ons. With more room for the console two cup holders could have been placed there.
The rattles in the doors are embarrassing, the SUV that my wife drives a 2006 Murano is solid and cost much less than the R.
The car is one of a kind and I love it, but I often wonder was this quality, the best that GM could have done?
I think you should sell that embarrassing,ill handling,no cup holding truck to someone that hasn't owned a vette. I've driven full sized pickups most of my life. Compared to my duramax the is a vette.
Must not have enough miles on it,because I don't have the rattles yet. Just a squeaky console when I lean on it.
My SSR: '06 Redline 3SS, chrome Pkg. all options Final Production Run Badge #23366 Born 2/17/06
The cupholders (joke I agree), some top rattles, tight compartment, quirks for sure, not a vette, not a P/U , and not perfect. But damn I love it, and it sure gets the looks, smiles, and constant comments. My favorite..it's a panty dropper!!
__________________
DREAMSSR
Atttitudes are contagious...Is yours worth catching?
My SSR: Dennis 06 Silver FPR & Miss Jo 06 Smokin Asphalt Both tuned by Jeremy
Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow bear
What I Don't Like About the SSR is...... Driving It!!!!
Seems like EveryTime I get moving, I lose track of time, direction, purpose, and just grin and drive....
Now, the Part I Hate....
When you get where you were going..... ya have to shut the key OFF and Get OUT!!!!
Hi,
Boy you hit the nail on the head. I am like a 16 year old with a new drivers license. I can make up more darn excuses to go drive here, there, wherever just to drive the SSR, it is kind of a family joke.
My SSR: Slingshot Yellow VIN 20778 Born 05 May 2005 (05/05/05)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cash
You don't exactly go gracefully do you. Love it when people continue to be SSRFanatics even after they have sold.
Not so sure about the fanatics though.
I have a Vette and a 05 SSR, neither are daily drivers. I don't have any issues with the SSR, it handles fine IMHO I also do not have any rattles of any kind.
We like to go to Laguna Beach from Vegas and have taken each car , pure pleasure driving both of them. The 6.0 is no slouch and cruises the freeway at high rates of speed with ease.
well with mine i hear a little bit of wind noise inside when going 65+ little rattle squeek here and there raising the music level helps with wind n squeaks issue and last thing i hate is how the car takes road bumps .i think they could have done better suspension for the R.... apart from that AWSOME TRUCK
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