Will GM Send The Chevy SS Out With a Bang(in' LSA V8)?

"PatBateman" (PatBateman) 07/06/2016 at 12:12 • Filed to: Chevy SS

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Photo Courtesy of TheGarage.jalopnik.com

Ever since the GM Overlords decided to bring the Holden Commodore over from Aussie-Land as the Chevy SS, car enthusiasts have more or less thumbed their nose at it, with “MEH” being their battle cry. That MIGHT change soon.

It’s only a rumor right now, but GM Authority is reporting that they’ve heard “ !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ” from Australians that are in the know that the 2017 Commodore, the final Commodore model of this platform that they’ll make (RIP), could come with a 580 Horsepower 6.2 Liter LSA V8. This engine was last in the 2nd Generation Cadillac CTS-V here in the States. As you may know, the current Commodore Series II/Chevy SS comes with a 6.2 Liter LS3 V8, pushing out “only” 415 Horsepower. With a stick shift and Magnetic Ride Control (SERIOUSLY?! This is a “MEH” car to some of you?!?!).

The sources also state, most importantly, that this engine would also show up in the US-Spec Chevy SS. Here in the United States. For us ‘Muricans to buy. And drive. With a 580 Horsepower engine. And maybe a stick.

Before some of you fine commenters scream “CLICKBAIT”, this information is being presented as a possibility. A strong rumor. But it wouldn’t be too far fetched for this to happen. After a price bump, Holden and Chevy could sell the hell out of this car. It might even change the opinions of some in the “Meh Militia”.

No matter what you think, this car, if made, would be worth the money.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:16

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I hate that GM made the car we were all clamoring for, and then people didn’t buy it purely because it looks like a Malibu (I think it looks great) and they put leather and a sunroof on it, making it a $43,000 sedan instead of the $30,000 bargain people hoped they would get.

PatBateman > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/06/2016 at 12:18

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The funny thing is that this car is about the same price WITHOUT INFLATION as the last G8 GXP, with more tech and goodies.

It's a damned bargain, to be quite frank.

Ash78, voting early and often > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/06/2016 at 12:21

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"If only they made a wagon or ute version, I would have put down a nonrefundable deposit of 10,000 doll hairs." —The Internet

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:21

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It is. But as we know, enthusiasts clamor for whatever XYZ kind of car they want, then write article after article about how only suckers buy new, and they only by used.

You can’t have it both ways.

Tatanko > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/06/2016 at 12:23

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The price is exactly what makes it unappealing to most people, I think. It seems like the kind of person who wants this car can’t afford to buy it new, but if nobody buys them new there won’t be any used ones to buy later.

If it had been closer to $30k, I might have actually considered a manual model as my purchase when I bought a new car a few months back.

JDIGGS > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:24

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LOLOLOLOLLOLOOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Let me spell it out for you boys;

2006 Pontiac GTo - 30,00$ MSRP, 400HP

2016 Chevy SS - 46,000 MSRP (over 50% price increase) 415hp.

Because the Chevy SS finally came and it’s fucking awful value. People remember when the lt1 and ls1 made their names making just as much power in cars that cost WAY WAY less.

415 horsepower becomes less impressive when you see the predecessor cost 16,000$ less and has only 15hp less, similar guts.

Don’t be a fanboi, the Chevy ss should have been 30k max and many people would own them, instead they are not good value and people don’t.

vondon302 > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:26

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I still don’t know why they didn’t call it a Chevelle.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JDIGGS 07/06/2016 at 12:27

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There’s also a bit of a quality difference, especially on the inside, between a GTO/G8 and an SS. Apparently not enough of a difference to get more people to buy them, but a difference nonetheless.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:28

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Someone correct if I’m wrong, but I believe the SS has never had ANY proper advertising to speak of. So your average person still has zero clue this is not a Malibu when they see it.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:32

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I really lust after this car, I don’t care about the meh factor people give it. It is a real value for what it is and how close it is to a e39 m5 (maybe it surpasses it, I have no idea on a head to head performance battle). I hope to own one someday.

PatBateman > JDIGGS 07/06/2016 at 12:34

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2009 G8 GXP: Starting price was $39,999.

http://jalopnik.com/5111624/2009-p…

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:36

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GXP sales didn’t make up that much of G8 sales. The GT with a V8 did sell well but would be about $36,000 in today’s dollars.

The other part of the equation is that lower priced models make the car accessible to more people, and spread the image. Finally, the V6 and GT G8 were priced very similarly, so it was easier to sell people on the $2,000 price increase for the V8.

OPPOsaurus WRX > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/06/2016 at 12:36

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its cuz we’re all broke trying to get Audi’s to stop eating turbos, subaru head gaskets to stop leaking and Merc’s to stop smoking, along with all the new tires and lightwieght wheels, coilovers and slotted rotors

Your boy, BJR > JDIGGS 07/06/2016 at 12:42

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You realize that a new Cruze with some nice options is $26k, right? But no, the SS should only cost $4k more than that. Ok.

PatBateman > vondon302 07/06/2016 at 12:43

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Probably a target market poll said that “SS” is a better name. :\

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 07/06/2016 at 12:44

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Motor Trend did a track test of both a few months ago, and you can find it on YouTube. I believe the SS won by a little bit, but the E39 had a suspension issue. Either way, it was really close. That said, I agree with everything else you said.

PatBateman > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ 07/06/2016 at 12:45

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Zero advertising. Maybe some NASCAR stuff, but commercials? NONE.

Shift24 > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:46

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The only thing I will say is you still could get a V8 G8 with 361hp for 31k and do 0-60 in 5 seconds.

I think thats were GM missed the band wagon. There has always been an affordable v6 or I-4 camaro, firebird, or Mustang. Which i might add sell just as good as the V8s, if not better. And thats what they needed for the SS an affordable version

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 12:49

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The only problem I’ve ever had with the SS was that it was called SS. It seemed like only a few years ago when Chevy was making a big thing about that being an important trim level on some cars, and then they went and just straight called a car that. Why couldn't it be a Caprice like the police version? Sell the 6 cylinder version as a Caprice, make the v8 the Caprice SS. But I'm nitpicking, it's a pretty cool car.

PatBateman > Shift24 07/06/2016 at 12:50

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I don't think they ere game to import more of these cars. Plus, they would eat into the Malibu/Impala sales.

mallthus > JDIGGS 07/06/2016 at 12:52

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At the very least, it ought to have been $35k. And that’s not taking into account:

It’s a sedan.

It’s a better platform.

It’s got Magnetic Ride Control.

Oh, and the driver’s view is hugely improved...

But, yeah, you’d have totally bought one for $30k. Not.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > Your boy, BJR 07/06/2016 at 12:55

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I took that $30k comment as one of those things we know is so silly it is worth no time addressing. Just think about how many 4cyl cars run 30k, and enjoy the laugh lol

GasolineLollipop191 > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 13:00

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Its just not a visually impressive car. Plus it has zero advertising and it falls flat on its face. I would love to have one since it is unassuming. I think it would look great with the right set of wheels and tires.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Your boy, BJR 07/06/2016 at 13:00

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Ben, you don’t understand. Everyone wants a car with crank windows, no AC, cloth seats, and no options at all. If they removed everything that makes it liveable, it could be around 30k and everyone would buy one. /s

Shift24 > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 13:03

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True but i dont think very much. I think it would have taken more from the charger and 300 than those 2 since its a RWD platform.

And to your point this is the Zeta frame’s last hurrah. So no need to import and old frame. Now if the frame was newer like back in 2008 the could have done more like they planned with the G8.

random001 > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 13:03

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I have wanted one for a while, but they are damned hard to find.

Danger Ranger XLT > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ 07/06/2016 at 13:03

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Heck, I’ve had Chevy salespeople get cagey when I tell them the SS is no longer an Impala trim level. Its like Chevy forgot to provide information about the car to dealerships, as well as the lack of ads for the general public. Then again, maybe I should stop frequenting dealerships that don’t know the range they’re selling...

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Your boy, BJR 07/06/2016 at 13:04

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Duh. A fully-loaded V8 RWD sedan should MSRP for the same as my mom’s mid-level Fusion with a 4-cylinder and cloth seats.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 13:04

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I recall seeing some commercials when it first debut.

CB > JDIGGS 07/06/2016 at 13:08

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... have you ever heard of inflation? Mallthus already covered that. As well, consider the fact that a V8 Charger (probably the only car I’d compare it to, since I’m lazy) starts at about $34k base. So saying it should be under $30k says that you’re a little bit out of touch. Also, if you want to compare apples to apples, compare it to a G8, not a GTO.

Who is this clown, and who let him in here?

LongbowMkII > Danger Ranger XLT 07/06/2016 at 13:11

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I've had that experience. Funnily, his co-worker drove one.

Dru > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 13:11

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I genuinely want one of these, I simply just cant afford it. I mean, I COULD afford it, as in my credit is probably good enough, but after playing with the configurator I couldn't get the lease/finance payment away from spitting distance of my mortgage. It's too bad really, I think it's a great car and it comes in not one but TWO fantastic green colors.

Expo2k > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 13:13

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I’ve wanted one ever since I heard about the stick in the ‘15 model, and now the ‘16s have active exhaust! *drool*

We picked up a ‘15 Mustang GT a year ago, though, and 60K of combined car debt is beyond my tolerance level. I’ll happily trade in my ‘09 WRX hatch on a used 6-speed in a few years, though.

AfromanGTO > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ 07/06/2016 at 13:29

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There was no advertising at all. They hardly bring them to auto shows. The SS at the Daytona 500 is a 2014 with the 2016 hood and bumper cover. They painted the calipers red to make it look like a 16, but left the 14 shark fin antennae on the roof.

AfromanGTO > vondon302 07/06/2016 at 13:29

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Impala SS would have been better, because people still remember the 94-96 Impala SS.

AfromanGTO > Dru 07/06/2016 at 13:30

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They had a 20 and 30% sale at the dealers this weekend. Brand new 16 with the manual tranny going for 36k.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 07/06/2016 at 13:30

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Thanks I’m watching it now.

Dru > AfromanGTO 07/06/2016 at 13:35

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What is this and WHERE WAS I?!

vondon302 > AfromanGTO 07/06/2016 at 13:39

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I think people still remember chevelle but Impala SS would have worked great too.

iSureWilll > Your boy, BJR 07/06/2016 at 13:54

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I remember when a new corvette cost $50k. A Cruze SHOULD start around $16k and go up to around $22k with options. Prices always be goin up.

AfromanGTO > Dru 07/06/2016 at 13:56

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This was at most dealers. Some 4th of July sale. I saw on Facebook a father and son both got manual SS. One was blue and one was the light green. My buddy went to look at a white manual in Washington for 36k.

PatBateman > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/06/2016 at 13:57

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All they’re doing is rebranding the Holden Commodore. The name... I’m okay with, I guess. If they had called it the Chevelle SS, would it smell as sweet?

AfromanGTO > vondon302 07/06/2016 at 13:57

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But not younger people. Ask a 25 year old chick from a large university if she knows a Chevelle is, but an Impala she will know.

Dru > AfromanGTO 07/06/2016 at 13:58

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Can you tell me which dealers in question?

PatBateman > GasolineLollipop191 07/06/2016 at 13:59

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I think that’s part of the point of the car: it’s unassuming. The same with the G8 GXP. The Pontiac didn’t have all the gaudy body panels that made the Grand Prix and Grand Am visibly nauseating.

And yes, swapping out the wheels would make it look a lot meaner.

PatBateman > random001 07/06/2016 at 14:01

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There was a dealership in Houston that was selling one for $36k not too long ago. The larger dealers will have a couple.

AfromanGTO > Dru 07/06/2016 at 14:02

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Stingray Chevrolet (White $34,979), Zeigler Chevrolet (Black $37,177), and Stonebriar Chevrolet (Black $37,484).

Those are the ones listed in my buddies screenshot to me.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 14:04

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This. Why in the world would you compare an SS and a GTO. When you look at the SS and G8 they are much closer in terms of value

vondon302 > AfromanGTO 07/06/2016 at 14:07

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I don’t think they are marketing these cars to 25 year old girls but your probably right.

shop-teacher > AfromanGTO 07/06/2016 at 14:08

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Ziegler Chevrolet!?! Damn! That’s local to me! If I didn’t have kids, I could afford that, it’d be worth every penny.

Dru > shop-teacher 07/06/2016 at 14:10

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It's the perfect family car though!

PatBateman > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 07/06/2016 at 14:11

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Agree. Homeboy is a bit off base.

AfromanGTO > shop-teacher 07/06/2016 at 14:15

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I don’t know where it is. He is stationed up near Seattle. They are a great family car, and they do seat 5 adults. V8 RWD Manual (Auto is great too) Aussie sedan.

shop-teacher > Dru 07/06/2016 at 14:15

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I know! These kids are expensive though!

Tekamul > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 14:18

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I’ve had the discussion with my wife about replacing our aging van with an SS. There are 2016s sitting out there on lots with $10k off the MSRP.

But she can’t get over the ‘Chevy’ part. Even though a V8 with a stick is high on her list.

EDIT : I just brought it up again. Her position is unwavering

Dru > shop-teacher 07/06/2016 at 14:18

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I know right? Every other day its food food food.

shop-teacher > AfromanGTO 07/06/2016 at 14:18

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Ziegler is in the Chicago suburbs. I checked their website, they have a few advertised in the $37-38k range. All autos, but I may actual prefer to go that route anyways. Sadly, even at that price, I can’t affords it.

LongbowMkII > JDIGGS 07/06/2016 at 14:20

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If only there were solutions to a PALTRY 415hp.

shop-teacher > Dru 07/06/2016 at 14:22

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Yep, and milk too, every freaking day!

Seriously, the daycare bill is a killer. It’s more than our mortgage!

GeneralSnus > JDIGGS 07/06/2016 at 14:24

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Okay first of all with inflation the MSRP of the GTO would be $37,500 so its definitely not a 50% price increase, and the SS interior is SO much better than the GTO. The GTO was also a 2 door, which is now filled by a camaro. So if you want to spend $37k and have 2 doors, buy a camaro. If you want extra doors, better interior, and....MAGNETIC RIDE then get the SS. If you think its a bad value youre objectively wrong because it outspecs cars which are more expensive...the definition of value

GeneralSnus > AfromanGTO 07/06/2016 at 14:29

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Wow...Thats the absolute bargain car right now if theyre giving discounts like that

GeneralSnus > vondon302 07/06/2016 at 14:30

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No? Impala SS would make people (at least younger people) think of the terrible early 2000s impala. Chevelle would have been good

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 14:33

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Would it be the Chevrolet SS SS?

GeneralSnus > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 14:33

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Yep they look great slightly modified. I am so mad that people who DO have the money to buy these brand new are bitching about the looks. Whatever theyll depreciate quick and ill grab one when i have the money.

random001 > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 14:54

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Houston is far...

red014 > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 15:03

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If they make it scream from the factory like the Bathurst VXR8, then I’m game (hypothetically of course, because I don’t have $45K to spend on a car).

Arrivederci > Tatanko 07/06/2016 at 15:25

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You can get a brand new one with three pedals for $36k .

Arrivederci > Dru 07/06/2016 at 15:27

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http://www.stingraychevrolet.com/VehicleDetails…

PatBateman > Tekamul 07/06/2016 at 15:28

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Have your wife go test drive one, and ask about extended warranties you can buy that will go to 100k miles.

You cannot let this go. Replacing a van with a four door V8 stick sex machine would be the most epic of wins.

PatBateman > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 07/06/2016 at 15:29

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The Chevy All-The-Ses.

PatBateman > GeneralSnus 07/06/2016 at 15:30

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I'm sure they'll initially devalue, but if the GXP is any indication...

PatBateman > random001 07/06/2016 at 15:31

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That just means you'll have more fun driving it home.

PatBateman > red014 07/06/2016 at 15:34

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A batshit crazy Australian car with an ULTRA batshit crazy button? YES PLEASE.

Tekamul > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 15:38

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I am going to continue to push the issue, but Chevy isn’t helping.

The nearest example for a test drive is 40 miles away, at a tiny dealership, and it’s a 2014 that still hasn’t sold. So I’m going to ignore that and look for a better example somewhere.

But it’s not about reliability, it’s just the moniker. No Chevys.

PatBateman > Tekamul 07/06/2016 at 15:52

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It’s not a Chevy; it’s a rebadged Holden.

:)

Tatanko > Arrivederci 07/06/2016 at 15:53

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The car on that page says $49,000 though?

Dru > Arrivederci 07/06/2016 at 16:09

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Nice. They don’t seem as keen to make a deal as they might have been according to AfromanGTO

Arrivederci > Dru 07/06/2016 at 16:20

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I swear it said $34,900 earlier! LOL.

Arrivederci > Tatanko 07/06/2016 at 16:21

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Oy - it said $34,900 earlier.

Dru > Arrivederci 07/06/2016 at 16:23

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Actually that's what it says on Cars.com. But it has 2,800 miles on it. That's used in my book. Still a pretty good price though.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Tekamul 07/06/2016 at 20:50

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You used to be able to order it with Holden badges instead of Chevy, but that option isn’t around for the 2016 MY. :(

What are the chances that there’ll be one on the lot with Holden badges lol?

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > PatBateman 07/06/2016 at 20:55

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I really want one but the MPG and removal of the Holden badge option diminishes my undying love for this automobile.

“what are you driving these days?”

“Holden SuperSport”

Sounds so good...

samssun > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 07/06/2016 at 21:23

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You know, I really wouldn’t have a problem if they called it the SSS. As long as they kept a straight face about it.

Tekamul > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 07/06/2016 at 22:07

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I don’t think the Holden badge will pull much weight, but it’s worth a try!

AfromanGTO > GeneralSnus 07/07/2016 at 11:41

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They did discounts in April to clear the remaining leftover 15s before the 16s arrived late.