[maxaccel]

If You Can Find a Better Sedan, Buy It.
MotorTrend
January 2, 2016
By: Jonny Lieberman

Pop quiz, hot shot: What’s the most underrated car on the market? You’re never going to guess, so I’m just going to tell you: the Chevrolet SS with a manual transmission. The only other equally forgotten about new ride is the Ford Fiesta ST, but that’s a whole other story. (I own one. It’s awesome.) Now, I’m not saying there aren’t lots of other fantastic cars out there currently for sale. I am saying when’s the last time you saw a Chevy SS, let alone thought about one? Thing is, you should be thinking about the big four-door, five-passenger Chevy. Because it rocks.

Let’s go over the basics. Holden began building the fourth-generation, Zeta-platform Commodore in 2006. Quickly after that, the glorious Pontiac G8 (specifically the rip-snortin’ GXP variant complete with a manual transmission) came to America in 2008. But bankruptcy forced GM to kill Pontiac in 2010. Worse, bankruptcy meant there was no G8 ST, a Pontiac version of the Maloo, aka Ute, aka El Camino. All hope was not lost, however, as a shortened two-door version of the Commodore came from the land Down Under with a Chevy badge on its snout in 2010. You and I and that dude with the AC/DC patch on his denim vest knew it as the fifth-generation Camaro. And while the new 2016 Camaro has replaced the previous one, Zeta ain’t dead yet. In 2014 Chevrolet began selling the SS here in America. Its half-life is short, however, as it’s going away in 2017 when GM shutters the Holden factory.

Full article available at link.

Ill buy it when they MAKE IT AVAILABLE in Canada,,
Could you pass the message to GM plz..
Thnx

 

[maxaccel]

I think that this car is the proof case that the day of the large, V8 RWD performance sedan has pretty much passed in North America.
It's a very, very good car by all accounts. Could it use more expressive styling? Maybe. But, the Dodge Charger has that and an affordable entry level V6, available AWD and still sells in essentially ponycar numbers. There just doesn't appear to be a huge market for this kind of car anymore. Too bad. But, even as someone who likes cars, I have to admit that -- while I admire the SS -- it doesn't grab me. It's sort of like the raw vegetables of automotive enthusiasm: you know you should like it because it's good for you, but when nobody is looking, you'll pick something else!

I dont believe it for a second,,
like I said its not available in Canada,,and there are no advertisments anywhere so many people never even heard of this car,so,how are they supposed to sell it?
I like the way it looks also,simple and doesnt atract atention perfect sleeper for racing..

 

[MechEng]

THey're having issues with them in the Corvette are they not?

Your confusing the LT4 for the LT1.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

The 2016 Camaro bloated? Are you wearing those drunk glasses? You may like it or not, and it is a lot of things but bloated is not one of them.

If anything the 5th gen now looks fat and bloated next to the 6th gen.

But I dont want fully fn loaded..I want stripper for racing..
:

My first new car was 75 Trans am ,,big huge motor Hurst four on the floor positrac..nothing else not even radio,,paid 6 gs cash,,ah the good old days..

You and maybe 5 other people.

 

[JBsZ06]

Nice car that I believe has a lot of money on the hood...still I have no need for a 4 door RWD sedan.

Next family vehicle will be a sport cuv similar to the jaguar f pace or Porsche Macan....hopefully general will make one of these.

Still if you don't figure there will be trouble getting parts for the Chevy ss down the road...then go for it.

I've had my share of trouble many years ago with a rare car in the United States....and it's not something I'd do again.

When the car breaks and you can't get the parts to fix it....that sucks..

If that's not going to be a real issue ...then the Chevy ss with money on the hood is cool...

If I were to buy one? I'd buy a low cost gmepp warranty for as long as possible. I'd assume. 8 years is the maximum and I'd go with the largest deductible as possible. This way gm would give you a loaner car for as long as the car is out of service waiting for parts.

Probably won't be an issue because it's offered as a police car and is still for sale in austrailia.

Good luck...

 

[NoStopN]

VFII helps with the sleeper vibe. Still think it's going to go down in history as the best car no one ever heard of. Along with the Caprice...

At least the GTO & G8 had some advertisements. The SS has had 0.

That reminds me, I should start hanging around police auctions more often.

Typical GMI. "I want a car that will cook me dinner, get 200 MPG, have a 700 HP engine, but I only want to pay 5 bucks. Make it happen GM or you suck."

Hey, hey, hey. I'm willing to pay 10 bucks for an SS. :

Too bad those cop car steelies won't clear my Brembos. Would have made badass winter wheels.

Eh, just get a set of Camaro SS wheels that someone wants to get rid of.

 

[Envoy4Life]

Seriously. I mean the car slots above Impala which can already top out over $40k.

Typical GMI. "I want a car that will cook me dinner, get 200 MPG, have a 700 HP engine, but I only want to pay 5 bucks. Make it happen GM or you suck."

Also a diesel version and wagon body style. And I can't believe I almost forgot, a Ute...

The Pontiac G8 styling was so dead spot on awesome, and the SS styling is so outdated/bland. That is what kills the deal for me. I would absolutely go find a G8 GXP 6 speed used.

NOW, the cop version is dead on the money! I would love to have one of those.....

See, when people say the SS is dull and the G8 was some incredible design, it makes me scratch my head.

I mean, look at them. They're basically identical past the front and rear clips, and even share some parts:

If the G8 were still on sale today, would you say that it was a outdated/bland design as well?

At least with the SS, you get a great interior...

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Bro those sooper aggressive hood scoops on the G8 add like 15 horsepower. Each. That's why G8 > SS.

:lmao:

 

[CamaroCrazy]

Caprice still has the 6.0L.

Also, the 9C3 detective car was canned for 2013 I think. You can only get the 9C1 now.

Dang, you're right. I went and looked at the '16 fleet guide. I know I read somewhere that the 6.0 was being dropped in favor of the L99 6.2 because it really stood out to me when I read it.

Oh well. Maybe a 6.0 manual conversion then?

 

[JimmyDiablo]

Dang, you're right. I went and looked at the '16 fleet guide. I know I read somewhere that the 6.0 was being dropped in favor of the L99 6.2 because it really stood out to me when I read it.

Oh well. Maybe a 6.0 manual conversion then?

Any LSx becomes any other LSx pretty easily. It's the most popular engine series with the most aftermarket support available. You're only limited by your imagination and wallet when modding one.

 

[NeverEnough]

Also a diesel version and wagon body style. And I can't believe I almost forgot, a Ute...



See, when people say the SS is dull and the G8 was some incredible design, it makes me scratch my head.

I mean, look at them. They're basically identical past the front and rear clips, and even share some parts:

If the G8 were still on sale today, would you say that it was a outdated/bland design as well?

At least with the SS, you get a great interior...

While I own a G8 I do like the SS a little more, styling wise. The pics you chose are much more flattering of the SS, so that's not a very good comparison. G8 had a much sexier butt too...

The subtle front end changes with the GXP, which the SS competes with help the G8 as well, but you have a v6 pictured.

 

[NeverEnough]

THey're having issues with them in the Corvette are they not?

No, they're not. They had a small batch where contaminants were getting into the oil due to manufacturing, but it was the first year of the engine in 2014

 

[Envoy4Life]

While I own a G8 I do like the SS a little more, styling wise. The pics you chose are much more flattering of the SS, so that's not a very good comparison. G8 had a much sexier butt too...

The subtle front end changes with the GXP, which the SS competes with help the G8 as well, but you have a v6 pictured.

Much more flattering... how? They're both stock photos of the two cars. That's the fairest way to compare two cars IMHO. Lighting is equal and photo angles are equal, and those are the two biggest factors that can make or a break a car in pictures.

I never cared for the G8's "design", or lack thereof, personally. The SS is dull to me, but so is the G8. My issue with this here is that people are calling the SS dull, yet the G8 looks nearly identical to it...

 

[knightfan26917]

Basically. :lmao:

Yes please.

Yes, indeed. I'd love to get 1 of these. I know a few people who have these now as newly-retired cop cars & they love 'em. Maybe someday...........


Cort > www.oldcarsstronghearts.com
pigValve.paceMaker.cowValve | 1979 Caprice Classic (needs new owner)
"Time is a friend" __ Reba McEntire __ 'Is There Life Out There?'

 

[VS Ute 5Litre]

No, they're not. They had a small batch where contaminants were getting into the oil due to manufacturing, but it was the first year of the engine in 2014

sooooo that makes it okay?

I get it


No more crappy cars after the first 2 years of production

 

[Z284ever]

Eh, just get a set of Camaro SS wheels that someone wants to get rid of.

Thanks, but I'm already squared away with my winter wheels and tires.

BTW, the Pirelli Sotozeros rock in the winter.

 

[SierraGS]

Seriously. I mean the car slots above Impala which can already top out over $40k.

Typical GMI. "I want a car that will cook me dinner, get 200 MPG, have a 700 HP engine, but I only want to pay 5 bucks. Make it happen GM or you suck."

That is because GM continues to give Chevy vehicles it should not have.

The SS should have been a Buick where it would have sold more at higher ATP's.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

That is because GM continues to give Chevy vehicles it should not have.

The SS should have been a Buick where it would have sold more at higher ATP's.

You know what, let's just shut everything down but Buick. Buick Silverados. Buick Corvettes. Would that make you freaking happy?

Good lord. Sometimes I'm thankful enthusiasts don't run General Motors.

 

[jnak00]

It's too bad they don't sell this in Canada. I did it backwards - I had a G8 GT, a fantastic car, and traded it in for an ATS sedan, then had a kid. The G8 would have been perfect for a family; the ATS is not a particularly good family vehicle. Just one more year on the lease and then the ATS is gone.

 

[Z284ever]

That is because GM continues to give Chevy vehicles it should not have.

The SS should have been a Buick where it would have sold more at higher ATP's.

I'm not so sure about that. The car is maybe a bit too rowdy to be a Buick, what with it's exhaust burbling and popping. Also, I can't imagine Buick selling it as a stick, which in my case would straight away get it crossed off my list of contenders.