AutoWeek reviews the 2014 Chevy SS

[Bob]

Yeah, I just realized that it was just an MSN repost of the M/T article.

[kevm14]

I would definitely not forget the police cruiser comment.

And the takeaway is not that the 300 SRT is a bad car. The SS is just that good...

[kevm14]

SS exhaust and engine noise video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab7dZeUYTMw

The main review and comparison to the Charger SRT-8 is in two segments.

The Charger SRT-8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggGJSNUGd30

The Chevrolet SS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-v6ufoTevU

This is a pretty fair review with two guys, having different perspectives, weighing in on each car's characteristics, from performance, to looks, to general attitude. What's interesting is I think their two perspectives are representative of the two ways people can feel about these two cars.

Paul approached these as "which one is more badass, since a big engine and attitude is the whole point of this segment, and I don't expect either to be very good driver's cars." He's a German car guy, I think, so he looks at these as burnout machines. I think that's bullshit. Now between the two, of course, the Charger SRT-8 is the better middle finger to society, so that's true. But I think his attitude toward the SS is something like "if I wanted a competent, refined car, I'd just buy something from my favorite German brand." Which is also BS, because the SS is $46k - a true bargain. I'm also annoyed that somehow the SS is doing it wrong because it's not in your face all the time. As I mentioned in a previous post, GM has ALWAYS had more conservatively styled cars, which I think is derived from them being #1 for however many decades that was. So it is consistent there, which I think is something.

Todd approached these more objectively, rather than writing them off as giant American sedans that are probably mainly good for going fast in a straight line. And objectively evaluated, the SS is clearly the far superior driver's car of the two, which he notes.

So the choices are, big Texas-style middle finger or the better car.

I personally think the beauty of the SS is that it pulls off everything the Germans were pretty much known for, but with domestic power, and a very reasonable price tag. Which is why I thought Paul would like it. But, see, that's the thing. Many European car enthusiasts are attracted to the brand/badge/image. For many, I think it was never about the performance, feel, etc. So for Paul, he's just not going to be caught dead in either car, but between the two, at least the SRT-8 offers something totally different than his usual brand preferences.

From a youtube comment:

The Malibu used an early VF concept for its styling, so in fact the Malibu is styled AFTER and FROM the SS.

Well timing is everything, isn't it?

[kevm14]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1091 ... ide-report

This is kinda crazy but the rumors are mounting that the 2015 SS will offer a manual and the MR shocks. That will really take the car to the next level, though I honestly don't think it even needs the MR shocks.

[kevm14]

And the rumors are true.

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/20 ... dailydrive

Plus they're adding rear Brembos to match the front. The best part is, it already stopped well, similarly to the MR shock addition (it already rode/handled well). It's probably a real good thing to get the fundamentals right.

[Bob]

I have realized that one distinct disadvantage of the SS is trying to search for one on Ebay. Even when you select Chevrolet SS from the vehicle drop downs, the results are cluttered with Camaro SSs. So far, there aren't any notable deals to report.

[kevm14]

Subaruwrxfan reviews the SS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLeN3ISqYAQ

He gets it. That tune seemed to really wake it up, too.

[kevm14]

Hah. Youtube.

Yep, I knew the "modded vs. stock" argument was coming. That's how I spot the idiots. Like I said, I owned an STi, and it was modded. And you know how much it cost? Fucking damn near $40k, and I didn't even get it with all the options that were available. Only some of them. The SS at $45k is fully loaded, and much faster than the STi, completely bone stock. My STi had about 350 HP, and I still don't think it was as fast as a stock SS.

And there's more - the SS's magneride suspension is better, it rides much better than the STi, the noise it makes is better, it has more room inside, it's better designed with higher quality materials, the STi still uses super cheap econobox plastics for everything.

I liked my STi, but the SS is a great car. You would know that if you had driven one but you obviously haven't. It handles WAY better than you think it does - trust me, I know what STi fanboys are like - you would drive an SS, then go back to your STi and wonder where the hell all the power is.

Unfortunately for you, GM is actually making some really great cars now. If you were more open minded about it, you would be justifiably excited about this car. It's not much more than a loaded STi, and it offers a hell of a lot of bang for the buck.

And the engine is a proven LS3, you can take that shit to the track every single day and drive it home. You know you can't abuse the EJ257 or it will eat a ring land. And seriously, the sound of that LS3 V8.

[Adam]

That comment was on YouTube? But there wasn't any racism or homophobia in it.

[kevm14]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br77z-TCLjc

Hooniverse review. There's a pretty choice quote in there about someone who's grown up in the time between the 1996 Impala SS and this SS.

This car is so underrated it's ridiculous. They need to sell more so there's a healthy selection in some number of years.