Z28x

with the new muscle truck SRT-10 and '05 Lightning going to 500HP and likely $40K-$45K, that leaves the $30,000 350HP range wide open.

Should Chevy build the Regular Cab 2WD Silverado SS to complete with the expensive 500HP muscle trucks?
or
Build a more affordable 350HP sub $30K truck that more people can afford and that still offers good performance?

jg95z28

Keep it under $30K and people will come.

RiceEating5.0

Either would be a better value than the current SS.

I wouldn't mind either. Both in their own way could be considered "values".

I personally voted for the 500hp SS. A sub-350hp truck will be so average come 2004-2005. Who knows, the regular Silverado's might have a 330-340hp 6.0 when the new model debuts in 2005. The regular 1500 Rams can now be had with a 340-350hp 5.7. For that reason, give us something that's really different from the regular lineup.. If i wanted a regular cab truck with a 300+hp 6.0, i'd opt for a 2500 Silverado. Come on. Give me something radically different.

bigsteve7

A 400hp Truck for the same price as the new GTO could easily be done and would sell quite well.

Z28Wilson

"Muscle trucks" are going in the wrong direction. The appeal of the Lightning is its performance in relation to its price. I think Ford/Colletti are getting overzealous in their determination to keep up with the SRT-10. Let Dodge do their $50,000 truck. I understand it's a pride thing but the world doesn't need two of these trucks at that price.

If Chevy can produce a simple, regular cab SS with a unique, upgraded V8 (meaning not one you can get in any 2500 model) and keep it at a tempting price I think it'd be great.

RiceEating5.0

They're certainly moving away from being affordable, but i wouldn't say they're going in the wrong direction. The current L costs around 33k and is limited production. It wasn't a truck for the average joe to begin with.

Where muscle trucks ever relatively cheap? The 4.3 turbo cy/ty, 454 SS's, and L's have always demanded a premium price.

I think they're in a position to be overzelous, especially with todays Hp/performance war. These two specific offerings are limited production, premium, high performance trucks from two respective performance/speciality groups (SVT/PVO). These 2 only make a microscopic fraction of the regular full-sized trucks these 2 companies sell. The goal here isn't to sell as many L's or SRT-10's as possible. I don't think this was ever the case to start off with. L production has been limited from day one.

The original 1st gen L had 245hp, the 2nd gen 360/380 underrated horses, and the upcoming 3rd gen a reported 500. The current leap isn't any bigger than the hp jump from 1st to 2nd gen. I'm also sure there was a good price hike from 1st to 2nd gen as well.

I also think the projected price for the 05 Lightning is somewhere in the lower 40's. If that's true, it'll still be a decent bang for the buck.

Dodge seems to have gotten it right. Why not offer both? The 5.7 345hp Hemi offers performance at a good value, and the SRT-10 offers even more muscle and performance for those that could afford it.

Z28Wilson

Using that logic Chevy should just throw all the horsepower they can at the C6 Corvette and charge $80,000 for it just like the Viper.

There's still a lot to be said for value, no matter how "limited" production is. At $50,000 for the SRT-10, I'm very curious to see if they can sell all of them even if they only build a few thousand a year. Personally for that money I'd much rather have my 500 HP in a sportscar (C6 Z06?) than in an oaf of a truck.

RiceEating5.0

You make a good point, but here’s my take …

Serious performance (500hp vehicles) doesn't come cheap *shrug*, they never did. Serious tuner/speciality cars were never cheap either...just look around. It isn't only Hp that was thrown in, have you looked at the hardware/modificatons? I'm sure the Vipers $15,000 engine, and expensive 6spd/brakes, as well as the extensive suspension, exterior, chassis, etc... modifications all added up to the trucks hefty price. These trucks are worlds different than the regular trucks, which they themselves can price into the 40k's. They didn't just bump the Hp if that's what you were implying.

So in order for the c6 to be 80k, the performance and other changes have to be that BIG when compared to the c5. 80k would also mean a price jump of 30k over the c5 z06 which is unexcusable. The SRT-10 never had a previous gen to compare to, and the L's price increase will probably be like $10k over the current 33k. Not as big a difference.

I don't think "value" was the ultimate goal with these trucks. The goal was to be the biggest and baddest. I look at the L concept and the SRT-10 concept, and I could tell that these guys went all-out.

If you're looking for a sports-car, you wouldn't be looking at a truck to begin with. These trucks give you the performance of a sports car and the towing/carrying capability and utility of a truck. For those that want the best of both worlds, these trucks are an attractive option. These are the types of people that go for these vehicles. I also doubt a 500hp c6 z06 will be priced anywhere near 50k which is what the current c5 z06 goes for. 60k's would probably be more like it with the regular c6's coming into the 50k's. Would a 40 some thousand dollar 500hp Lightning be a bad buy then?

Yes, i agree that 50k is too much. But the price isn't fixed yet is it? Atleast not on the L’s. There's a very good chance that the Lightning could come in at the lower 40k's. From the stuff i've read, it should be cheaper than the SRT-10's. Now assuming this holds true, would a 500hp truck priced a few grand more than todays SS msrp price be a bad value/buy?

guess who

With many things pointing that SVT will offer 2 levels of performance for each vehicle,I would say Chevy at the least needs a 500hp monster to even think it has a chance in the muscle truck market.

Z28x

I think the 500HP truck market is going to be saturated. There is a niche for the $40K+ 500HP 2WD Reg cab pickup but I don’t know if it is big enough for 3 trucks. If Chevy was to offer a 500HP truck for around $50K I think putting the 500HP engine in the current Ext cab AWD Silverado SS would be a better move, or maybe a 500HP SSR.

Since the 350-400HP Muscle truck market will soon be empty, this would make a good spot for the Reg. Cab 2WD SS in the $28K-$30K range. It would be a better business move since they could sell more trucks. It would also be better for the Chevy enthusiast since it would be more affordable and still offer (2003) Lightning like performance.

Jackass

Chevy doesn't need a 50K truck. I think that they should just put the base c6 engine in it and charge 40k for it.

Ken S

If they do build one, I'd rather see a healthy, comfortable, quiet $25k to $30.0k truck thats setup for high power mods.. meaning a strong adaptable tranny, great suspension design front and back, and massive brakes... Might not be the HP leader, but if done right, it could be lightyears ahead in comfort, handling, and braking performance, design, and value... An awesome platform to modify.. not re-engineer..


IMO, after taking a long hard look of what I really want in a truck, I think I'd rather get a 2500 4x4 crew cab with the 6.0L for about $30k MSRP though..

Magnum Force

I know there are people out there that like sport trucks, but it never really made sense to me..What good is the title of World's Fastest Truck if it has too much power to hook, and even then, is only as fast as a lightly-modded LS1???
And it just must be me, but when I see the next lightning's aluminium 5.4 with a supercooler, all I can think about is what a waste of a fine engine that would be much happier in a car...

Z28x

Some people like driving a truck better, that is why 50% of new cars sold in the US are trucks

If you like trucks and having a fast ride, why not drive a fast truck.

JEDCamino

As much as I like the sound of 500 hp, I voted for the cheaper model because I'm a cheapskate. Make it simple and light, and it will be plenty quick I think. Maybe even offer some serious performance options on top of the regular model.