Review: 2005 Chevrolet SSR

[Ming]

2005 Chevrolet SSR
By Ron Amadon, MarketWatch
April 16, 2005

HARPER'S FERRY, W. Va. (MarketWatch) -- A lot of things had to come together to make us fall madly, passionately in love with this American Hot Rod.

We loved the SSR from the first moment we saw it, from its retro front end to its burbling, roaring V8 and its rather simple interior that struck us as always just right. But the last time we had one it was early spring, and thus too cold for the SSR's crowning touch -- the unfurling of the roof.

We had the SSR for a week this time, but for six of the seven days it was cold and it rained -- rained enough for the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning. (Noah! How long can you tread water? E-mail me if you remember the punch line and where that came from!)

At any rate, a major-league thunderstorm ushered in the first real warm weather of the spring. So we eagerly powered down the windows, put our foot on the brake (you have to with the SSR), and lowered the top. Hey, how many trucks let ya do that? (See slide show.)

We fell $47,515 worth of in love by simply lowering the SSR's top. It transformed the truck into a full-blown, all-American Hot Rod. Oh, and Chevy did a couple of things to make this love affair percolate.

Under the hood, they exchanged the old 5.0-liter, 300-horsepower V8 for a 6.0-liter, 390-horsepower version that was matched for the first time in an SSR to a wonderful six-speed manual.

"Does it go as good as it looks?" asked the man at the car wash. We smiled and said, "Oh, yes!"

And it makes all those wonderfully throaty, rip your t-shirt and your shorts kind of sounds that only American-made V8s are capable of. The exhaust emits a nice burbling sound when you downshift just right and really completes the package -- so additional congrats to Chevy for this perfect symphony of power.

Wind flow around the cabin with the top down was a bit much with the windows also down, but just about right with them up. Forget the audio system with the top up or down. Noise levels in the ****************pit tend to be a bit high, and the AM band didn't really work on our test truck anyway.

That V8 -- it's a big one -- gave us 15.1 miles per gallon in highway and city driving during our test period. In a rather brilliant shade of "slingshot yellow," the SSR attracted the attention of tourists in this wonderfully restored Civil War town, not to mention the police during our early morning commute into Washington. (I've been good, I've been good!!!!)

The SSR interrupted a playground softball game in a small Maryland town, where a young boy yelled his admiration as the truck passed; we blipped the throttle for him. With the top down, people in other vehicles gave us the OK sign, and many a rather 60s-ish peace sign. ("That guy did give us two fingers up, right?")

On the down side, Chevy could still use a bit more care in building the SSR. The body structure was still too flexible for this price range, an auxiliary gauge was broken and interior storage left much to be desired.

But hey, if you accept the SSR as a true Hot Rod (and we do), you'll fall madly in love with it. Life is more than white sheets, vanilla ice cream and trips to Disneyland.

Review Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...7D&siteid=mktw

[Swahili]

The SSR seems to do well with the press if I'm not mistaken. I hate being picky but can't journalists get facts right?

Under the hood, they exchanged the old 5.0-liter, 300-horsepower V8 for a 6.0-liter, 390-horsepower version

5.3L, man, not 5. I hope the SSR stays in the lineup, however I think a couple chages could make it a bigger hit. Lower the price, update the looks a little bit with a little edgier design. I think headlights that weren't perfectly round would look better, keep the curves in the sheetmetal.

I'd love to drive one of these one day and see what it's like. Maybe not own one, but take one out and see how much of a thrill it is to drive.

[thehustler]

I never really liked these until I sat in one at the auto show here in Vancouver. Once I did it was like "whoa, awesome". Comfortable, great site lines, well appointed. Could have used a bit of an upgrade on the controls rather than just a redo of the existing GM setup in there vehicles.

If I had the cash and could do with a lack of seats I would buy one.

[tama z71]

they should make a breadwagon out of it. keep the huge retro flairs, but get rid of the hardtop retractable. thats probably why its over 40 grand.

[Phillip]

Still, the SSR is one of GM's more inspired efforts. My father fancies it, and I appreciate it, too. It's a bit expensive, but at least it now has go to match its show...