How satisfied are you with Chevys current SS lineup?

Just wondering how the SS line up is generally rated. I like it quite a bit. For several reasons.

1. Cost: not outrageously priced. Remember hp costs money. They bring genuine, affordable performance to the masses.

2. Optioned: They are not loaded up with every single feature. This just drives up the price.
If you want them great but don't make me pay for crap I don't want.

3. There is almost an SS for everyone. Save a RWD coupe and RWD 4 door. 2-3 years I bet we'll have both

4. All these cars are faster then the 80's (Monte Carlo SS)/90s's (454SS/ and NA Monte Carlos SS (2000-03?) That pretty much goes for the 60's too (some exceptions)

5. All of them have exceptional handling.

6. I don't want a super exspensive, ultra high hp. Then I can't buy it and you'd see very few on the road.

Fords got nothing to compete with the SS lineup. Chrysler has a few.

I voted somewhat disappointed, only because we still don't have any RWD CARS in the SS line-up. I know that will change within the next 2-4 years, but I am not into muscle trucks, and I wish they had cut out a couple of the SS models (Malibu and Maxx, sorry shouldn't be there, period!)

Somewhat satisfied. I've always seen "SS" as attainable and easy to live with performance....as opposed to "every SS was a '70 LS-6 Chevelle". So in that regard, I suppose Chevy is generally in the target zone with most of their SS's.

But.....

I wish Malibu/Impala/MC SS had nicer wheels. I wish Malibu SS got an M6. I wish Impala SS had a stiffer chassis. I wish the TB SS had a 6L80 six speed auto.

I am very impressed with the current models. Good power and performance at a good price.

They are going in the right direction and things are only getting better, even as soon as next year.

I wish they had cut out a couple of the SS models (Malibu and Maxx, sorry shouldn't be there, period!)

I saw my first Maxx SS in person last weekend. I actually think it's a pretty cool looking car. Definitely sportier looking than the standard Maxx. It's a little unconventional, but has performance almost equal to an automatic G6 GTP.

I think the lineup does a great job at taking a normal car, and making it slightly sporty. Something with flavor, but not too extreme. :D

Good power and good prices. The Impala and Cobalt are right on, the Malibu is a miss. It needs more HP then the competitions regular V6s, and why not offer the 6 speed manual? it is already used in that platform witht that engine.

Trailblazer SS is awesome

GMT900 Silverado SS should be good.

LS2 in the Colorado would be perfect.

Everything is SS'd!

Cobalt Sedan SS
Cobalt N/A SS
Malibu and Maxx SS
Whats next? Aveo SS with a chrome tip and 16 inch wheels?!?

jeez......

You joke but I wouldn't be surprised if you could sell a crap-load of Aveo SS's, and that is what is important.

I'm fairly satisfied with the current SS lineup.

Impala's suspension needs to be better and a manual transmission. Otherwise its dead on and a very nice ride.

Cobalt is right on too. Would prefer a turbo and from what I understand tuning after mods is a pain. Shouldnt be that way at all especially as its aimed at a market for mainly kids who are going to upgrade everything on the car.

Malibu is a miss yes. Needs more power and the G6's 6-speed. Somewhat half assed attempt from GM. Hopefully the next Malibu SS will be what we expect. More power, good handling, manual trans and a good sporty look. I think the current look is acceptable but the package is missing the rest.

Trailblazer SS = perfect. Definitely needs the 6-speed auto and 6-speed manual.

Colorado should have that turbo I-5 that mysteriously dissappeared or the LS2 and AWD. Extended cab would be quite nice.

Silverado SS should be good as far as expectation.

Camaro SS we shouldnt have to worry about either.

Somewhat disapointed, regardless of the past perceptions, I expected it be comparable to SRT* IMHO....
If it won't ever be, we need another "Performance oriented" designation, like a complete "Z" series maybe as before, Z24, Z26, Z28, Z06, Z71...to be somehow grouped/tied together.

Praising the SS lineup compared to Ford's recently neutered SVT lineup is not a good practice.
Take a look over at the SRT group and frankly comparitivly the SS lineup is weak.

SRT-4> SS/SC Cobalt/Redline
No arguments there period. Or at least there should not be one.

SRT-6-I guess you put against the Vette with the ridiculous cost so that's a win for GM(although honestly I'd put it against the SSr i.e. both over priced under peforming roadsters that only the very rich very old very odd would be interested in buying.

SRT-8s....take a pick
Charger
300
Magnum
Grand Cherokee
All with 425 horsepower and the most expensive one is 42k. The Impala SS is supposed to compete here?:confused: Or the Monte Carlo? I realize the SS versions of these vehicles are far cheaper but...they don't even SNIFF the SRTs in performance in a lot of cases and don't like or feel as nice in others.
The SRT-8 Charger just looks mean. It looks like it'd punch you in the face and run off with your woman while you were bleeding and laugh while doing it. The Impala...well...performance wise I'm not sure if it'd even would take the R/T Charger much less the SRT-8

SRT-10 regular and quadcab vs the Silverado SS.Not a competition and GM is STILL dragging their feet on a performance truck. Something they should have made in 2000. They rolled that luke warm POS Silverado SS out and it wouldn't out run the Lightning much less the SRT-10.
Let this sink in. Ford has built a performance truck. Let it die. Let it have TWO years off. And will be building ANOTHER one on another platform...all likely to hit before GM makes a sports truck worth a dang. SSr does not count.

SRT-10 Viper vs the Z06. Vette hands down but how many folks can afford a 70k Vette or an 80k Viper?

Now let's look at what is rumored(but very strong and very likely to happen rumors) to happen.
SRT-4 Caliber to replace the Neon.
SRT-8 Ram or Dakota...or BOTH(6.1 Hemi for the Ram dropping the price a lot and still offering great performance)
The Firepower with the 6.1 Hemi...base price around 50k with Vette performance and if it looks like the concept it will steal many a Vette buyer.
Possibly a small roadster to go after the Kappas.
The Challenger when it comes out
So on and so forth.

They have 10 models. And only one of them is rather weak and even THAT one is not really a slouch.
Ford has willingly killed their program to regroup and the stuff they ARE going to put out looks good and looks to continue to be stout.
Adrenalin and GT500.
The SS lineup....tepid is about as nice as I can be.
Not enough muscle. Not enough style. Not enough class. It does NOTHING particularly well in my book thus far.
I can think of some things that would make a lot of people look at that lineup much differently if they did it. But for some odd reason they won't.

Cobalt is right on too. Would prefer a turbo and from what I understand tuning after mods is a pain. Shouldnt be that way at all especially as its aimed at a market for mainly kids who are going to upgrade everything on the car.


Not to pick a fight or anything and the Cobalt has done some impressive stuff in it's own right but...

Go ask any of the "kids" who have snapped up the SRT-4 in droves for 3 years if they would trade their turbo for a supercharger. Ask the kids who bought the Cobalt or Redline if they would trade their supercharger for a turbo. It is not as big of a pain as one would think or else there would be a decided dirth of SRT-4s that were putting out serious numbers. One quick look on the SRT sites and it's painfully obvious those cars are not only relatively easy to mod they aren't as pricey as one would think either. That's why they are so popular.

Omegalock--I just mentioned SVT because it was pretty good once. Why let that slip away.....

Yeah those SRT-8 and 6.1 Hemis are great. If you can stomach the price, which you seem to have forgotten about. An Impala Ss is over 13K cheaper in Canada.

As for the Calibre--the better pump up the power. 3300lbs weight on the AWD.
And you'd better put a paper bag on your head.

SRT-10--sure its great. Way more money too. I have seen far more SS Silverados. When the new GM pickups come out......

They have some good stuff happening, but no FWD 6 cly car. And lets face it--most family sedans sold are of this configuration.

My fav's from the Current SS lineup are
Cobalt(NA and SC)
TrailBlazer
Monte Carlo
Impala

The Silverado and the Malibu I like just I got a few flaws with them..........

Malibu: The lack of a manual when its sibling offers it really sucks.......I really like the look of the new 06 refresh I just wish they would have made a 2 door version though I think 20 more hp would help the Malibu SS as well just its not perfect IMO when I can see more be done to it that would make me like it more.

Silverado: I really love the look of this truck, I hate the price of it, and it only available in one cab configuration. Also 345hp isn't really special now since the HEMI came out and now the 6.0 aint exclusive to the HD trucks now, Can you get a Vortec Max package on a single cab? I think when the GMT-900 silverado rolls around the issues will be addressed though along with the Malibu's next gen if everyones correct it should be a knockout.

Not to pick a fight or anything and the Cobalt has done some impressive stuff in it's own right but...

Go ask any of the "kids" who have snapped up the SRT-4 in droves for 3 years if they would trade their turbo for a supercharger. Ask the kids who bought the Cobalt or Redline if they would trade their supercharger for a turbo. It is not as big of a pain as one would think or else there would be a decided dirth of SRT-4s that were putting out serious numbers. One quick look on the SRT sites and it's painfully obvious those cars are not only relatively easy to mod they aren't as pricey as one would think either. That's why they are so popular.

Maybe I wasnt clear but that was my point. Cobalt should of come with a turbo is what I said and you're backing me up on that, which is good. Cobalts are hard to tune and minor changes screw up the calibration because GM decided to lock up the PCM or obstruct the aftermarket from getting in there as I mentioned but not into detail, not acceptable at all. The Cobalt SS is also on average .5-1.0 seconds slower through the 1/4 mile that the SRT-4. The SS is a great car and all around better than the SRT-4 hands down, but it just needs a turbo.

Not including the SSR, (is it even an SS?), which will be dead soon....


Cobalt is the only SS that you can buy with a manual trans. That really bugs me.

Omegalock--I just mentioned SVT because it was pretty good once. Why let that slip away.....
I'm not John Colletti or his replacement. But I can at least appreciate two very honest good efforts than a lot of half thought half assed attempts like some of the SS lineup is.
To their credit SVT has not created a dog SVT product in my book since the Contour. And the rumored stuff (SVT Fusion, and SVT Focus) seem pretty solid. Even though they are missing some good markets(like making an SVT Vic or Marauder with a supercharged 4.6 and the PI package all rolled into one). Everybody can name at least one or two SS product that are flat embarassments to the name plate.


Yeah those SRT-8 and 6.1 Hemis are great. If you can stomach the price, which you seem to have forgotten about. An Impala Ss is over 13K cheaper in Canada.
I didn't forget about them. I noted the price difference but for what you are getting I think it's justified. There is absolutely ZERO reason the "SS" Impala and Monte should be running roughly around what the R/T Dodges are running. If this is SS vs SRT that is just sad.


As for the Calibre--the better pump up the power. 3300lbs weight on the AWD.
Very likely will have more power. But one thing to think about. The EVO VIII weighs like 3200 lbs and it's got more than enough umph to it to slap down some serious speed. A similar weight AWD turbo World engine powered Calibur will likely be in VIII performance levels I'd wager.
And you'd better put a paper bag on your head.


SRT-10--sure its great. Way more money too. I have seen far more SS Silverados.
Must be a vastly different market up there in Canada then. I've seen maybe...4-5 SS Silverados in Dallas. And I make a habit to LOOK for them. And this is NOT an exageration. I see SRT-10s fairly regularly but that's neither here nor there honestly. The fact that the Silverado was a joke performance was is the story here. I mean the thing barely will put a standard Ram in its place. That is unforgivable.
I mean I can buy the price difference arguement WHEN the two competitors are remotely close in performance but the SS and SRT variants many times are not.


When the new GM pickups come out......
When...when...when...that's all we are hearing out of the GM camp. I'm tired of when.


They have some good stuff happening, but no FWD 6 cly car. And lets face it--most family sedans sold are of this configuration.
I didn't think this was the debate about who had the most marketable family cars. I thought the SS was supposed to stand for something MORE than that. Nix that...not I thought. I KNOW it should stand for something more than that.

Sucks A$$.

To their credit SVT has not created a dog SVT product in my book since the Contour. .

OH. MY. GOD.

You think the SVT Contour was a dog?

PLEASE....tell me why?

Granted this is coming from a place of bias and misinfo maybe but I rode in one once and it just didn't seem like it lived up to it's potential. Handled well enough but I wasn't overly impressed. Maybe I should have ridden with somebody a little more willing to push it to the edge.:confused:

I'm not John Colletti or his replacement.


And you'd better put a paper bag on your head.


Never said you were John Colleti. I admired SVT. The Contour and Focus got great reviews and were very fun to drive. This is much like the current SS lineup.


And I don't need a paper bag cause I'd never drive an ugly Cailbre. Those clutches won't last long when they drop them at 5K---the only advantage of perfromance AWD is on the launch--and you'll pay for it.



Look at the badge and stripe jobs that really didn't deserve the SS badge. 454SS truck, wasn't paticulary fast and couldn't handle. 83-88 Monte SS, same. The 01-04 NA 3800 Monte---its a crusier plain and simple.

The new SS cars are not stripe and badge jobs by any stretch. But unless they all pack 500hp, cost over $40K they are not good enough :rolleyes:
90% of the 60's SS were pretty slow.

I am for affordable perfromance. All the SS models deliver that.

Not to an extreme degree but they do none the less. If your rich I guess the super high dollar/ultra high hp stuff is for you. My 2.4L SS runs lows 15s and has the same suspension as the ION Redline does, so it can handle too.

Good day to you sir--you say tomatoe and I say Tomato--;)

Exactly my point. They don't all need LS7's, or twin turbo's, but give'em some comparable power to similar models in their class, and sport mechanicals. Standards, tight chassis', low pro wheel/tires, ground-fx etc, sport: gage pkgs, steering wheel, shifter, pedals, graphics etc...