posted 12-29-2005 08:31 PM         

There are MUCH better deals than what you are finding - Read all the posts..... They are cool vehicles. And it's the reasonable pricing that has me wanting one.....

Hey - BTW, Where's the Avatar with Jack in it ?

Have to tell you - This is the best site. Don't know about the SSR site - does not seem to be too much activity on it really. Prowler site is the best of it's kind for two reasons...

1) the people
2) well organized and administered.

Regards,

John

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posted 12-30-2005 06:43 PM         

From SSR website:

How many U.S. SSR's

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posted 12-31-2005 08:50 AM         

Yes - they made more than the Prowler about 22,000 so far, but I understand that close to half of those are still at the Dealers. That is why the prices are plunging. With regards to the two tone, I have seen only the Black and Silver and I think the Black Tie Prowler looks sooooo much better. Not sure I care for the two tone SSR's.

Regards,

John

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posted 12-31-2005 09:28 AM         

Yes..there is a ton of them for sale at Autotrader.com. I love the black trucks and the yellow trucks..but I agree with you that the Pacific Blue is awsome..that's the color truck I test drove Thursday.

The salesman (kid) at Burt Chevrolet was egging me on the "see what the truck will do man!". To his delight I did. At the next stop light..I floated the rev limiter and on this 6.0 beast and dropped the clutch!! The behemouth stampeded straight ahead in a mighty burnout leaving at least ten feet of rubber...When I got to 50 I nailed second and did it again!!

Geezz..that power is addictive!

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FYI:
A big power boost and first-time availability of a manual transmission highlight 2005 changes for this limited-edition convertible pickup. SSR retains a retro-styled body-on-frame design with seating for two and a power-retractable metal top. But the '05 exchanges a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8 for a 390-hp 6.0 V8. The '05 also gets a 6-speed manual transmission as an option to a 4-speed automatic. SSR continues with standard antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, 19-inch front wheels, and 20-inch rears. Also included is a rigid tonneau covering a cargo bed of about 5x3 ft. Among new options are a cockpit wind blocker and auxiliary-gauge package. The base CD stereo can now play MP3s. Torso side airbags are standard, head-protecting curtain side airbags are unavailable.


Road Test Ratings Base, auto. Base, man.
Acceleration 8 8
A real muscle truck. Chevrolet pegs 0-60 mph at 5.3 sec with the manual, 5.5 with automatic. Automatic-transmission models smooth from a stop, upshift sharply under aggressive throttle. Manual transmission has precise, hefty feel and provides quicker launches. Towing capacity is 2500 lb.
Fuel Economy 3 3
Test SSR averaged 15.0 mpg in mixed driving. Chevrolet recommends premium-grade fuel.
Ride Quality 4 4
Soaks up minor pavement flaws with little harshness. Larger bumps, ridges register abruptly, making ride choppy. Body quivers over surface imperfections with top down; slightly less with top up.
Steering/Handling/Braking 6 6
Steering is firm, but somewhat numb. Wide tires provide good grip in turns, and body lean is well-checked. But bumpy surfaces, especially corners, upset stability.
Quietness 3 3
Throaty, prominent V8 exhaust note fits SSR's street-cruiser image. Test vehicles have suffered squeaks and rattles, mostly from the top when it's up, plus wind noise from rear pillars.
Instruments/Controls/Interior Materials 4 4
Retro-style dashboard has clear gauges, keeps controls to useful minimum, but radio requires a stretch. Leather upholstery impresses, but mix of faux-metal plastic, many unpadded surfaces imparts low-budget feel. Optional accessory gauges provide additional information but are buried at leading edge of console, difficult to see from driver seat.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 5 5
Long doors complicate entry/exit in tight parking spaces. Limited hip and shoulder room due to narrow cabin. Short windows give closed-in top-up feel. Tall drivers get adequate seat travel, good top-up head clearance. Seat controls on outboard sides of cushions nearly impossible to access with doors closed, though driver-seat memory system available. Visibility hindered to front by thick roof pillars; to rear by roof, large headrests, and high tail.
Room/Comfort (rear) 0 0
(No rear seating.)
Cargo Room 1 1
Cabin storage limited to skimpy glovebox; small, difficult-to-open center-console bin. Cargo bed has 23.7 cu ft under rigid tonneau that lifts from rear, though angle of opening limits access, load-carrying ability. Tonneau is removable, though, and SSR has standard-type tailgate.
Value within Class 3 3
SSR is far from refined and has indifferent handling, though its covered bed offers a measure of utility not found in other 2-seat convertibles. It's really all about style, and SSR's brawny new V8 gives it the horsepower to match its street-rod image.

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category.

Copyright © 2005 Consumer Guide and Publications International, Ltd.

posted 12-31-2005 09:56 AM         

I love the Pacific Blue, But I am really crazy about the Aqua Blur - it is like a blue Green Metal Flake - Just a beautiful color. Have you seen one of these ?

John

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2001 Orange, Mopar Exhaust, MTD Intake, Front and Rear Mud Flaps, Chrome Shimmers, Orange Prowler Logo Valve Caps, Ceramic Brake Pads, Prowleronline.com License Bracket, Eric Wolf Chrome Trans Cover, Mopar Hitch and Trailer.

posted 12-31-2005 10:06 AM         

Buy it now price of $31,900. And he has an Auqu Blue one as well....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-SSR-BUY-IT-NOW-31-900-00-SAVE_W0QQitemZ4601239611QQcategoryZ90971QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

John

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I dare say that our Prowlers, that we love so dearly, would have had an even lower score....

posted 12-31-2005 11:25 AM         

I agree - no need to jump on one now. I understand that the GM Money MAY go to $7500 on remaining 05's. I'll trade in my Aurora if I can get one close to 30K.

John

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posted 12-31-2005 04:24 PM         

I guess I have not seen the Aqua Blur in person..??

Also..I just got back from Ft. Lupton Colorado (Purifoy Chevrolet)and Test drove an '06 (13 miles) Two-tone black with sliver on top, and an automatic. The six-speed rocks but I LIKED this automatic equiped SSR even better. Even the salesman told me he thought he would like the six speed. But in no time at all going to an auto show he got VERY tired of rowing through the gears in traffic.

This truck had the 3SS package with the additional $1,000 "Chrome Package". I can't say enough about how good that Chrome Package Looks!! Trust me..you don't want to ever see how cool this option looks..'cause it will be a MUST HAVE!!

posted 12-31-2005 04:59 PM         

GM has dropped the prices by about $3500 on the 06's so they are cheaper to begin with. Fully loaded about $47,500 -vs- $51,000. And 06's have 400 HP -vs- 390 for 05's.

They will soon drop the prices even more on the 05's. Was at a dealer this evening and they dropped the price of an Aqua Blur to 35K - it was the owners demo with about 2000 miles on it. The Aqua Blur is Beautiful. Kinda Green, kinda Blue and kinda Aqua..... even looks slightly purple in the right light. Very cool Color. I saw for the first time a Ricochet Silver one. I LOVED it ! Like the silver Prowlers, put some cool Bluish/purple ghost flames on the silver SSR and I bet it would be too cool. I love my Orange Prowler, but the Silver with the blue/Purple Ghost Flames are beautiful.... I think Wild Bills Prowler has something like.

With the ones on eBay going for 29-33K, I think we are going to be able to get them cheaper in Jan/Feb. And I think I am going to try and buy one...... Hope to see the chrome package. Someone else said it was really cool....... either Charlie or A/C.

Regards,

John

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posted 12-31-2005 06:45 PM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by halicat:
other that the 8 for take off, a rather unflattering review...
this must be why the underpowered ones are still on the dealers lots....

I dare say that our Prowlers, that we love so dearly, would have had an even lower score....

Never under estimate the smile factor....

---

Hali...it's observant on your part to make the analogy between the SSR and Prowler and the likely performance scores...

I went on the net and your guess was pretty close. You're a hoot buddy...looking forward to meeting you and Bami some day....
---------------------------------------------

Value for the Money
Simply put, Prowler is a sunny-day lifestyle statement, not a mere means of transportation. Once well-heeled buyers paying over list were sated, prices stabilized closer to sticker. Lack of cargo room excepted, Prowler is as practical as most any 2-seat roadster in its price class--which is to say, not very. Still, few cars generate more smiles per mile, and you don't even have to drive it to enjoy it.


Consumer Guide® Road-Test Ratings
2002 Plymouth Prowler Rating

Performance 7
Fuel Economy 6
Ride Quality 2
Steering/Handling/Braking 7
Quietness 2
Controls/Materials 3
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 4
Room/Comfort (rear) 0
Cargo Room 1
Value within Class 2

Total 34

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for a representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

I think you should come up here for a shark fishing trip... we can let Jack and Bamy finish them off once we bring them in the boat...

posted 01-01-2006 10:20 AM         

The wife liked the Prowler orange when we saw two of them last October. She thinks the Prowler would look good painted like Snoman's only with a darker candy orange on top. I would add candy orange ghost flames to the silver. I would have both the SSR and Prowler painted the same.

posted 01-01-2006 01:17 PM         

John

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posted 01-01-2006 04:23 PM         

I also like the blue on the new "Z". It is a little brighter than the SSR blue. Looks like I have a little paint show work to do before the decision is made.

posted 01-01-2006 07:07 PM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by pumpkin:
Is the SSR insured as a truck?

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Norm - believe so,,,since it's on a Blazer[?] frame and is called a truck sportster/roadster.

I pay $500 yr on my Prowler, and insurance on a new '05 SSR is/was going to cost me $1015 per yr additional

posted 01-02-2006 03:58 PM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by ALLEY CAT:
Norm - believe so,,,since it's on a Blazer[?] frame and is called a truck sportster/roadster.

I pay $500 yr on my Prowler, and insurance on a new '05 SSR is/was going to cost me $1015 per yr additional

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posted 01-02-2006 09:17 PM         

SO I am pretty (My opinion only), and I am paying like 850 for the Prowler and 950 for the Viper. They are insured for 40K (Viper and 50K (Prowler) Is that out of line in Ohio ?

John

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