Does anyone know much about these?  I thought they were supposed to have Corvette engines in them.

 

I have been going back and forth on getting a (new?  used?) vehicle as a replacement for my truck (which turned over 265K miles yesterday).

 

Today, it finally hit me!  I want a Corvette, I want a convertible, and I kind of want a small truck/SUV.  Isn't that the SSR?  The down side is, they don't make them anymore, so I can't get a new one (so I can't trade my truck in for Cash for Clunkers).  Seems like they don’t make any of the cars I’m interested in anymore – my other choice was a Dodge Magnum SRT8 (425 hp).  However, there are a number of SSR’s available (I found one here in town from a Chevy Dealer, certified pre-owned, so it has some warranty) for around $25k.

 

So what can anyone tell me about these?  Performance?  Reliability?  Collector status (not really that important - if I get one, it will be a daily driver).  Your personal opinion?  Are they fast?  Do you know if they can tow?  I've been thinking lately that if I were to go to the 2010 gathering and it's in the Northwest, I don't think I'd want to drive the car all that way, but maybe I could trailer it.  A convertible truck for the trip out might be a nice alternative!

 

So lay it on me - what do you know about these?

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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

I had the opportunity to drive a new one while at the 2004 C3X.  It is a heavy vehicle and the ride was ok.  With the automatic tranny is seemed to be a bit of a slug off the line though.  In a few of the reviews I've read on it the 2006 version seems to be the one to get.  The original 300HP V8 was replaced with a 400HP LS2 and a 6-spd manual tranny was available.  If you want to use it for a daily driver be prepared to ramp up your fuel budget as it is only rated in the mid-teens for mileage and uses premium.  And it only has a 2,500 LB towing capacity so towing your car for any distance would not be a good idea.

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Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Thanks Jim.  I was actually hoping for some "cons" since I really didn't know anything about the vehicle other than the looks and the hype.  Scary that the report lists "build quality" as con, but doesn't go into any detail.

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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

I've worked on a few of them, and the owners had nothing but praise for the vehicle. I don't much care for them, meself, but I do think they look pretty kewl. The ones I've driven have been automatics, and for me, they were just dang hard to get comfortable when driving top-down...just too weird for me to be driving a "pick-up" with no top! I suppose ya could get used to it, tho.
The interiors are a bit "clunky", imo. I think the overall idea is good, but the execution just didn't make the grade...


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Well, I test drove one last weekend.  I really liked it, although I did find a few things out.

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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!