While I've got the C&D out...they also road tested the SSR.

HIGHS: Retro-radical styling, nifty retractable top,unmatched attention.

LOWS:Heavy on price and weight, light on performance and structure.

VERDICT: A bombshell for the boulevard, but not the back road.

 

I don't expect SSR to be around long.

A see a Thunderbird like run for it.

 

Me niether. See Darth...we agree on some stuff.

 

I agree w/ Darth too...unless something changes pretty quick...

 

Aw, we agree on a lot of stuff , my friend.

 

There is nothing wrong with having a niche vehicle around for a few years loke the SSR as long as its cost effective. Unfortunetly I doubt it will be and the rumor I heard from GM was they expect to see sales upwards of 25,000-45,000 units. I seriously doubt that! Not at $42K sticker prices, w/o markups and/or incentives!
While not as ugly as the Aztek the dissapointment will be just as hard.

 

I suspect the SSR was planned for a short run from the very begining. I think the chassis will be around awhile under various limited production "niche" vehicles. Bob Lutz went ahead with development of other vehicles on that chassis last year.

 

True there is nothing wrong with niche vehicles and them being around for a few years or so. Its meant to peak interest and desire. I read somewhere recently that every ssr they make will turn a profit and that came from someone at GM. So i wouldnt worry or assume its a money loss on every one! And no way are they planning on building up to 45,000 not even 25,000 of them. Its been stated everywhere at tops 15,000 and i dont think much more. Its being built at the craft centre, volume there cant be much but obviously before they used to build a few different vehicles there at once. So most likely the ssr will have others sharing the line with it.

 

The SSR does have a couple things going for it compared to T-bird. The retro looks are much more masculine on the SSR. I really think T-bird could have done better if it didn't look so "cute". There's plenty of "cute" vehicles you can buy for $20,000 (Beetle, Miata, etc.) so why would you spend twice that much...for the pedestrian 3.9 V8? Speaking of, I also don't see GM sitting at idle with the horsepower. I expect a decent jump after the first year of production to keep people interested.

 

The name "Craft Center" is a little bit misleading.

One would think with a name like that, it would be a small place where a few cars are made per day, but it's the Craft Center that handled Cadillac Eldorado production, so it isn't quite a "Craft Center" as one may think.

 

Yes the good old eldorado as well as some others that were built there including the cavalier and sunfire convertables i believe at one point.... Im sure it can handle volume, but maybe now it will be several niche cars volume instead for a little while. I say it will make money and be a hit and fun to drive. And agree horsepower will go up!...

 

I think that you're right.

The SSr may not be around for more than afew years....but I believe, it's platform will spawn other "cars".

 

I don't think we could build 25,000 of them a year if we wanted to.....there simply isn't the production capacity. It is an image vehicle.....low volume.

 

The price is ludicrous though...if it was 35k, then maybe...but 42 to start? You buy a Vette for that $$...not an SSR

 

I think I read that they were looking for 10,000-14,000 units a year for 5 years. I imagine they would make them a year or two longer as long as the demand is there.


Red Planet, Can you tell us if there is any chance of a fixed roof version coming out at a lower price?


I can't wait until Lingenfelter gets a hold of an SSR and drops a 427 LS1 in it