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SSR viable Vette alternative??

3664 Views 40 Replies 21 Participants Last post by  HePaid4mySSR
Hi all, new here.

I just bought a 2004 (C5) Corvette Coupe. Haven't even made 1 payment yet, but my lien is about $10k less than the current value anyhow.

Basically I think I have to get rid of the Vette due to comfort issues - first with my fiancee (bad knee killing her while getting in and out, seating position hurting her lower back and leg) - and now with ME as well! My right leg lately gets awfully sore trying to find a comfortable position, and I use Cruise as often as possible so I can move the leg to comfort. I believe my girl now, I didn't initially.

So I set off looking at other vehicles of all shapes and sizes - Caddy CTS, Infiniti FX, C6 Corvette, lots of different things.

Anyways, having a 2 seater with a nice-sized storage area behind me, and a removable top, is really kind of perfect for me as I rarely carted rear-seat passengers anyhow... So that's why I was inclined to look at maybe the new C6 vette, as I've heard the interior redesign is great, especially the seat quality.

Fast-forward to today. Went to the local dealer to check out a C6. They'll let me sit in it, but NOT test drive. Boo, hiss. But I want to see one in the color I want anyways - Sunset Orange. Guy says, we have one in the upper lot, let's have a look. Walking around we pass a couple of SSRs, and I say "hey, I wouldn't mind checking these out either". So when we got back from looking at the Vette the guy runs and grabs the key for one of the SSRs, an Aqua Blur '05. $10k less than a Vette right off the bat, I'm listening...

I didn't have time in my lunch hour left by that point to test drive it, so I'm going to on Saturday I think. Really was nice to sit in though, more space than I thought there would be, head/hip/shoulder wise. Seats were instantly more comfortable than my C5. Only thing I saw glaringly wrong was the lack of a proper cupholder area, but I have a hunch I could easily fabricate one to fit behind the shifter, in the space where the add-on gauges go. Sound from the new engine was mean and snarly, and the power top, while noisy, was smooth to operate - I only wish the button didn't have to be held down the whole time. The car should know I don't want the top halfway between up and down, eh?

Now, I don't care so much about dragrace-winning performance, I know the Vette can't be beat domestically anyways, I just want it solid and able to get out of its own way, and handle itself where and when it counts. Does the SSR live up pretty well? Does it have any luxury to the ride, for relaxed cruising? I understand it's somewhat softer-suspended than the Vette, which is why I ask.

Also, what should one be paying for this beast? 1SB and such, I like heated seats for the cold months. (The guy told me my GMID # would get me a price of 47 grand on this one, but I can buy one with a thousand miles on it up the street for 35.)

Sorry for the novel - this is the 4th forum I've joined in as many days, to try and get the inside scoop on several different cars.

Thanks
Dave
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G
My 2 cents

Although mine isn't a daily driver, I'd love it to be. But the parking lot at work is a hazard pit for dings and dents, and I already have to risk the rock chips... I trade the ol' Durango every Friday afternoon and spend the entire weekend in the SSR. It is so comfortable to sit in, I don't notice the miles clicking away.

One of my buddies is 65, and shaped like Santa Claus, and he loves going for rides. He says it's the most comfortable vehicle seat he's been in and he could sit for hours in it. I think he's hinting to go on more rides with me.

I like unique vehicles, and that was one of the main reasons I wanted this truck - there aren't a million of them out there and they are not run of the mill. Vettes are nice and fast, and I love speed too, but they're not unique anymore. Plus, they're not comfortable to get in and out of, even at my young 46 yrs! Virtually impossible, albeit entertaining, in a tight skirt and heels... :)

The SSR definitely gets attention - takes me an extra 10 minutes to get gas because people come up and want to look and talk. Get used to answering questions. And, you get the benefit of storage in the bed, conversion to a convertible at the touch of a button, like having 2 different cars for the price of one!

And the price has become very reasonable, as long as you shop around. I didn't look at these when they first came out because they were asking so much for them, but now, they are definitely very reasonably priced for such a special vehicle. Knowing it's rare, compared to the production masses out there, and having such a neat design - I jumped in on buying mine without a second thought and almost on gut impulse! And you know what? Absolutely, NO REGRETS! :seeya
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HTSSROD said:
I think he's hinting to go on more rides with me.
That couldn't have anything to do with the tight skirt and heels now, could it? =0)

I like unique vehicles, and that was one of the main reasons I wanted this truck - there aren't a million of them out there and they are not run of the mill. ....The SSR definitely gets attention - takes me an extra 10 minutes to get gas because people come up and want to look and talk. Get used to answering questions.
Oh I know ALL about that firsthand. I bought one of the first batch of Pontiac Azteks in 2001. LOTS of Q&A time on that. And yes, I knew it was ugly as homemade sin. (I said "man, that's ugly, I must have it!" - the SSR is a different story of course)

I just got back from my maiden test-voyage and so far so good. Tomorrow I'm bringin' the little lady to see how comfy she is in it.
G
jammadave said:
That couldn't have anything to do with the tight skirt and heels now, could it? =0)
Naw, of course not -- he likes the SSR! ;)
jammadave said:
Oh, and my girl's father is a Chevy salesman, so I'm hoping he can match or surpass any offers I can drum up, and that he's able to take GMID.

The slightly-used 04 for $35k is tempting, though I doubt the engine snarls like the 6 liter =0)
Though I agree with the snarl of the 05, I liked the 04 and think you might be further ahead shopping around looking for a new 04.
My 2 cents.
- Dave
:flag
thefalguy said:
Though I agree with the snarl of the 05, I liked the 04 and think you might be further ahead shopping around looking for a new 04.
My 2 cents.
- Dave
:flag
Actually, I did just that. My girl's dad gave me the inside scoop on discounts for still-new 04s and I ran with that, as the only ones he had were in colors I didn't like, and he couldn't get anybody to DX him for one of theirs.

If all goes well, and I like the drive of the 04 as much as the 05, I'll be coming home soon in a new 04 Ric Silver for under $36k. (from MSRP being over 48k)

W000t!
06 will be coming...

hpdjv said:
... GM still over built and many hidden incentives with rumors of not making and 06' SSR due to slow sales!
False rummors ... definately the 06 SSRs will be built!
'05 SSR vs. Vette

Dave,
I have an '05 Slingshot 1SB with Boards & Gauges. I bought it for $217 above dealer invoice....$42983 (about $4100 off MSRP)...which I ordered on July 24, 2004 and took delivery on November 19, 2004. That is a fair price for an '05. Don't pay list!! The '05 is a different vehicle from the '04...I drove an '04 demo. for 300 miles and the '05 out performs, is easier to steer, is tighter, and has more driver leg room width-wise to accomodate a clutch pedal for the 6 speed manual vehicles. The hood has gas shocks to hold it open vs. a prop rod. I only have 310 miles on mine (only drive it in good weather) and haven't really gotten down on it, but it WILL BOOGY!! The '04 and '05 look the same but drive differently. The leg room was configured for 6'7" Wayne Cherry (GM VP) to sit comfortably and the ease of entry and exit is like sitting in your Barcolounger vs. falling into a weakly strapped 6" tall beach chair. GO FOR THE '05!!! Cleavermodels :)
G
and don't forget the door panels are different to get to the chair controls. every thing said above is tru. I drove a 03 SSr 14000 mi. I think the 05 is worth the extra money as long as you have it to spend. I ordered mine in dec 04 got it Jan. 21 2005. got it below dealer invoice. got 35g out of the 03 that I bought at sticker. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. :thumbs :ssr :flag :seeya
cleavermodels said:
Dave,
I have an '05 Slingshot 1SB with Boards & Gauges. I bought it for $217 above dealer invoice....$42983 (about $4100 off MSRP)...which I ordered on July 24, 2004 and took delivery on November 19, 2004. That is a fair price for an '05. Don't pay list!! The '05 is a different vehicle from the '04...I drove an '04 demo. for 300 miles and the '05 out performs, is easier to steer, is tighter, and has more driver leg room width-wise to accomodate a clutch pedal for the 6 speed manual vehicles. The hood has gas shocks to hold it open vs. a prop rod. I only have 310 miles on mine (only drive it in good weather) and haven't really gotten down on it, but it WILL BOOGY!! The '04 and '05 look the same but drive differently. The leg room was configured for 6'7" Wayne Cherry (GM VP) to sit comfortably and the ease of entry and exit is like sitting in your Barcolounger vs. falling into a weakly strapped 6" tall beach chair. GO FOR THE '05!!! Cleavermodels :)
I hope others chime in here on this statement.

Does the 05 really have more leg room than the 04?

does he mean just width wise because of the different door configurations on the interior?

I could use the leg room to be comfy. I drove an 05 last Saturday and it was very nice. I've only sat in one 04 on the showroom floor a few days ago. Is there a big difference in the interior room? i know the other things like engine, etc, etc... but never read this about the room inside the cabin.

thanks
04 vs. 05

Z16Z06 said:
I hope others chime in here on this statement.

Does the 05 really have more leg room than the 04?

does he mean just width wise because of the different door configurations on the interior? thanks
Sorry to say I have driven both model years and I am 6'2" and I didn't notice any difference in leg room between the 04s and 05s. I have driven both an auto and a 6 speed 05s.

I actually had to raise the steering wheel one notch higher on the 6 speed to accommodate for my knee. This allowed for more room in reguards to the up and down movement of my leg as I depressed the clutch in and out.


PS. Yes, there is more room in the 05 between the seat and the door pannel to allow for an easier reach to the seat controls.

PPs. 05s that are made after Labor Day 04 that is...
OK - well, got the little lady all grinning, she was even saying we shuldn't put the top down because it's nasty outside right now, but once in the truck she was the first to reach for the drop-top button - she loved the ride and we're definitely getting an SSR!

Here's the painful dilemma. 2005 for $44,900, rebate included (this one is packaged out to a $50k+ MSRP) Or identical 2004, also brand new, for $35,800.

Now, either way i go the monthly payment is going to kill me because they wont give me the good bucks for the Vette, but I doubt they will wait while I try to sell it myself and pack up a bigger down payment, heh. Hmmm. I guess, is the 2005 better *enough* to warrant paying 9K more for? I do have to drive the 2004 first to find out for myself - the smaller engine doesn't bug me, especially if the exhaust note is different, I don't love the 6.0 between 1500 and 2000 RPM - and the door panels can be changed out. That's all *I* can see different, but I know there's a steering change as well (retrofittable on 04?).

The sales weenie I met with tonight tried to tell me the 04s were tanks by comparison. I hope he's right, if he expects me to buy an 05 without even having tried the 04. My original sales guy is fine, but he wasn't in tonight.

*sigh*

Dave
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jammadave said:
Actually, I did just that. My girl's dad gave me the inside scoop on discounts for still-new 04s and I ran with that, as the only ones he had were in colors I didn't like, and he couldn't get anybody to DX him for one of theirs.

If all goes well, and I like the drive of the 04 as much as the 05, I'll be coming home soon in a new 04 Ric Silver for under $36k. (from MSRP being over 48k)

W000t!
No offense Dave - but 36 is kind of a stiff price for an 04 (today).
04 vs. 05

Dave,
There are some other differences between the 04' and 05' one of them being the hood "prop rod" vs. the hood "gas struts" on the 05'. Not a big difference untill the hood crashes down on your head the first time.

I can't be positive but I feel the 05' has been refined to eliminate some of the issues noted on the 03's and 04's. Just my opinion, no proof.

Either way it is a GREAT vehicle. I personally prefer the 390hp but I am a sucker for horsepower. I am sure the extra 90 hp difference and a few subtle changes between the 04' and 05' to some consumers is not worth $9,000.00, but I feel it is, again just my opinion.

Keep in mind $9,000.00 can buy an awful lot of mods to an 04' if you go that route!!!!

I agree with thefalguy, price of an 04' should be closer to low $30's
jammadave said:
OK - well, got the little lady all grinning, she was even saying we shuldn't put the top down because it's nasty outside right now, but once in the truck she was the first to reach for the drop-top button - she loved the ride and we're definitely getting an SSR!

Here's the painful dilemma. 2005 for $44,900, rebate included (this one is packaged out to a $50k+ MSRP) Or identical 2004, also brand new, for $35,800.

Now, either way i go the monthly payment is going to kill me because they wont give me the good bucks for the Vette, but I doubt they will wait while I try to sell it myself and pack up a bigger down payment, heh. Hmmm. I guess, is the 2005 better *enough* to warrant paying 9K more for? I do have to drive the 2004 first to find out for myself - the smaller engine doesn't bug me, especially if the exhaust note is different, I don't love the 6.0 between 1500 and 2000 RPM - and the door panels can be changed out. That's all *I* can see different, but I know there's a steering change as well (retrofittable on 04?).

The sales weenie I met with tonight tried to tell me the 04s were tanks by comparison. I hope he's right, if he expects me to buy an 05 without even having tried the 04. My original sales guy is fine, but he wasn't in tonight.

*sigh*

Dave
He's got more play room on that 05 in pricing.. i found yesterday a brand new 05 with a sticker also of 50 plus grand selling for 42 grand im considering it if i can get this guy to call me back. But if you dont mind a barely used one with 300 miles on it there is one in the for sale section at a good price. in fact two used 05's with low mileage in the for sale section here. Plenty of dealerships in other states from me selling new 04's for 30grand too. So dont settle for that guys pricing. I'm yet to drive an 04 too.. that 05 felt SO good last week. good luck
:ssr I thank the 05 is worth the extra money myself. :ssr :flag
Welp - I did it. Surprisingly, to me, I chose Smokin' Asphalt, out of the colors available. Almost went with UV, but I doubt I'd enjoy that color every single day. Besides, I'ma paint the bottom half silver anyhow =0)

Ended up with an 04, for a couple reasons - basically the price was better by default than the 05s, I found out I can change the door panels to 05s if I really feel the need, and the engine felt fine to me, albeit a little anemic in at-speed passing power. I can also likely do something about the prop rod.

What really clinched it for me though, was the dealer with the 04 offered me 8 THOUSAND more for my Vette than the other guy. So the $9,000 difference became a $17,000 difference - at that point I felt it'd be stupid to try and get back into "deal" terms with the dealer that had the 05s. (The dealer I went with didn't have any 05s in colors I wanted, else I may have checked out that route.)

So in the end, I came out with no cash out of pocket, and STILL lower payments than the Vette (which I had a well-valued trade AND $4k cash toward). I'm pretty happy, and the hour's drive home was only marred by nasty rain denying topless driving.

Woooohoooo!

I'm going to get the VIN and see if all the 2004 TSBs/known bugs have been done - there are a couple weatherstripping leaks and other minor things the dealer has noted and will fix next week.

I'm going to definitely ask a few questions over the coming days, mostly regarding how to upgrade this, remove that, change out this other thing... Heh, I also have a design in the works that should make you ALL happy, if it goes the way I am hoping. (Just a little life-easier add-on I drew up; I somehow feel compelled to modify this truck as it's a hotrod to me)

Cheers!
Dave
2004 Smokin' Asphalt, TRIKKY (for now) in VA.
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Sounds like you made out great and have the best ride of your life for it. Can't wait to see your little surprise for us!!! :thumbs
G
jammadave,

Congrats on your purchase. You won't be disappointed. These things are pretty easy and fun to mod. I just swapped out the exhaust on mine - sounds like a race car now - Ground Force lowering kit, 4.56 gears and programmer, etc. By the time I'm done I should be able to get 05 performance to go with improved ride and handling at a substantial savings over the newer model. Enjoy :)

- psy
jammadave said:
Welp - I did it.
Ended up with an 04, for a couple reasons - basically the price was better by default than the 05s, I found out I can change the door panels to 05s if I really feel the need, and the engine felt fine to me, albeit a little anemic in at-speed passing power. I can also likely do something about the prop rod.

I'm pretty happy, and the hour's drive home was only marred by nasty rain denying topless driving.

Woooohoooo!



Cheers!
Dave
2004 Smokin' Asphalt, TRIKKY (for now) in VA.
You are going to LOVE IT!! No question!! Welcome.

Don
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