Sorry to pick at your post.

Another thing to improve the image of SS is to keep it off full-sized Suv's that have next to no potential of being sporty. The smaller TrailBlazer would be somewhat allright, ONLY if it's truely sporty enough to have the SS badge(which i doubt without big $$). Also limit it to certain vehicles. Don't go around slapping it on every vehicle you make (Cobalt??, camaro, monte, Silverado, impala, SSr, Trailblazer??, Tahoe??, etc...). If you make them too common, then the SS designation gets watered down (like it already hasn't) and its performance image is downgraded.

Keep the SS rarer, and limit it to a certain few vehicles. Make the performance #'s serious as well. Don't give us a half-assed performance car/truck, but a car/truck really worthy of being called "SUPER-SPORT"

 

Sorry but I totally disagree with your assessment.

If Chevrolet offered a Tahoe SS, I would march down and buy one today! I currently have a 2WD Tahoe LS. Its the base model with the 4.8L V8, and this thing is no slouch! On the interstate a blow by most other vehicles... even when I'm hauling a load.

I'd love for my Tahoe to have a little more aggressive handling, a little lower stance, and a teense more power. Sure I can add on all that myself, however, if Chevrolet offered an SS model (2WD of course) then I could have it with a factory warranty.

The SS designation is already watered down. It is nowhere near where it was in the late 60's - early 70's. Offering performance models across the board for every potential buyer will only make the mark stronger. I'd love to see Cobalt SS, Malibu SS, Tahoe SS, and Trailblazer SS added to the line-up. (Forget Suburban SS... its a hog anyway. )

Just because you don't think it would sell, doesn't mean people won't buy. I for one know I'd buy a Tahoe SS in a heartbeat... plus my wife would probably let me.

 

That's fine.

What does it run? 17 seconds? Slouch? . I’m just giving you sh*t dude. I’m sure it has decent pickup.

For what though? It’s a full-sized Suv. How sporty can it be? You try taking a hard turn with those things, and you risk over-turning. 10-30 more hp and it’s still slow. Seriously, I see your point, but that still doesn't change my stance on a Tahoe SS. I feel it's unneeded. Come on… A Tahoe Super-Sport?? Only if it came with a 450-500hp blown v8 and a really neat suspension setup would I accept it. And by then, the price would astronomical.

That'd also mean a heft premium. If the Impala and Monte SS's have MSRP's of 31k, and Silverado SS's at 40-41k, what would an already expensive loaded Tahoe SS come out to be? 50k? and would you REALLY consider it at that price. A regular loaded Tahoe is around 45,000. SS could easily bring that upto 50k. You’re better off going aftermarket since SS’s don’t come cheap nor do they mean value.

Yes, it's already watered down. However, that doesn't mean it should be watered down further. A cobalt SS as well as a Malibu SS would be fine as long as the performance is there. The Trailblazer might have some potential, even though I think the regular 4.2L I6 and upcoming 5.3 v8 are plenty sporty and I could do without a more expensive SS version.

It’s not that I don’t think it’ll sell, I just don't think it's good for the overall performance image of SS. I personally never got the whole “z28 should be the top performance model” argument, but I’m beginning to understand it now. SS is becoming way too generic, and the camaro is deserving of much more than that.

Personally, i'd like to see SS positioned and run like SVT. From the look of it, that's nothing more than wishful thinking.

 

I think alot of the SS issue will be delt with soon. Colbalt, Monte Carlo, and Impala will all have superchargers, so performance will be there. With Trailblazer having the 6.0 V8, I think the SS there might be fitting as well (once you get used to the idea).

But the 2 issues that I feel really raise a rukus is the price premium on these models, and the Silverado SS itself.

If someone want's a quick Silverado, one could go to the Chevy dealer & order a jet black, shortbed, 2wd, standard cab, 5 speed manual, 6.0 V8 2500 with buckets and guages, with whatever options you want & a set of aftermarket rims & tires, and you'd have the Silverado SS everyone here seems to want.

Chevy's looking at the SS badge as a means to cash in across the board, so it might be a little cheaper to go with a Ion Redline over a Colbalt SS, or a GTP over the Impala SS, or perhaps the forementioned strategically optioned Silverado over the Silverado SS, or you might want to spring the extra grand or two and get the GTO over the Monte Carlo SS (unless you really luuuuv FWD.

Enough people do this, then I'm sure Chevy will rethink their SS pricing policy.

 

I'd like to see the Performace Cobalt be called Z24 or maybe Z25

 

At 17 seconds it would smoke the Chevy SSR!

BTW I have taken hard turns in it and it handles pretty well, thank you. I've never come close to rolling over. A slightly more agressive stance, a set of Silverado SS 20-inchers, and the 6.0L and I'd be smoking Beemers, Exploders and an occasional Rustang or two.

Maybe you're just not a very good driver, or you've never even driven a 2001 and up 2WD Tahoe.

PS. Just "giving you sh*t" back.

 

I would pick up either of the two choices today if it were possible. Unfortunately, it isn't which it is why I am considering getting a Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 2wd with a Hemi. If they produced either SUV, I would add an intercooled Radix ASAFP!

 

They are putting the Hemi in the new darango, That might be as close to a Trailblazer SS as you can get.

 

Really?! I may have to go Durango!