[HDMI]

Hi,

Does anyone here have experience with these cars? I've read most/all of the reviews. Pros: the American version of the E39 M5. Cons: bland styling and interior. Conclusion: it's a driver's sedan, with a manual transmission.

I'm looking at a 2016 manual of course, with about 140,000 miles. It will split commuting duty with my other vehicle. I just don't know if the 140K miles should be a concern. Seller said there's no problem. Regular maintenance. Photos look good. I haven't seen it in person.

Thanks,

[Efthreeoh]

I have some experience with the SS. One friend has a automatic. I've been in it. M5 is a good comparison. Great riding and handling. My other friend has a manual (really low miles too). I've not been in it to judge the manual. But same deal, great chassis.

Small block, you'll not have a worry with.

[BlkGS]

The biggest issue with them is they're really Australian imports. Stuff like body panels are tough to get. The motor and transmission are bulletproof. But good luck getting parts in the US.
Great cars. I kick myself for not buying a manual one for 30% under MSRP when they were new.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

... I kick myself for not buying a manual one for 30% under MSRP when they were new.

Same here. Chevy was giving them away.

[shawnhayes]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

The biggest issue with them is they're really Australian imports. Stuff like body panels are tough to get. The motor and transmission are bulletproof. But good luck getting parts in the US.
Great cars. I kick myself for not buying a manual one for 30% under MSRP when they were new.

Yeah, but when it's easier to get M5 pars than Chevy parts, maybe not.

It was a good buy, but if prices were the same, M5 > SS.

Shawn

[HDMI]

When I bought my 2016 Z06, there was an orange SS in the showroom. I almost wanted to switch the purchase. The Z was arguable more fun (I didn't intend to track it), but the SS would've gotten more use in my case. Easier commuter and more room for people. I ended up selling the Z after 3 years. Pretty sure I would've kept that SS until now if I had bought it at the time. Anyways, the one I'm looking at has high mileage, so I will not feel any guilt driving it all over, all the time. I know the LS3 is stout, but I don't know much about the clutch.

[Alfisti]

I am naturally quite familiar with it. Australians are odd cats when it comes to cars, ideally we like American style size and engine but handling wise we always preferred a less floaty approach that Americans seemed to have until 15 or so years ago. SO suspension should be quite compliant but still buttoned down. To give you an example, Honda were quite perplexed as to what to sell in Australia at one point so decided to import two Accords, regular Euro/Japanese Accord and American Accord. You paid more for the Accord Euro.

Never understood how these were viewed as bland here though, with proper heels etc they are a handsome car and legit hold 5 people.

The issue is under the skin it is an old platform, Holden never had much of a budget to work with and the SS is based on a 2006 re-work of the Zeta platform https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Commodore

Australian interiors were always a bit rough and ready too tbh but the market demanded reliability and a vehicle capable of cooling you on searing hot days.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

The biggest issue with them is they're really Australian imports. Stuff like body panels are tough to get. The motor and transmission are bulletproof. But good luck getting parts in the US.
Great cars. I kick myself for not buying a manual one for 30% under MSRP when they were new.

2nd to DocL. I was driving too much at the time to replace the E90 with one. That's when my friend got his manual at the end of 2018 (2017?) when Chevy was giving them away.

[ShocknAwe]

Saw a SS locally that had been dressed up as a Holden. It was tastefully modified with an excellent exhaust and damn it was cool.

Love them.

[M-technik-3]

Styling was not my cup of tea, I preferred the Pontiac G8 GT or GXP. Same basic car better than the old Chevy Caprice SS was.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by shawnhayes

Yeah, but when it's easier to get M5 pars than Chevy parts, maybe not.

It was a good buy, but if prices were the same, M5 > SS.

Shawn

The SS are faster and better than the E39 M5 in almost every way (except arguably materials and build quality). That said, it's way easier and cheaper to get parts for an E39 M5 than an SS.

The biggest difference is the E39 M5 is a maintenance whore. The SS is like... Oil changes only. No timing guide issues. No rod bearings concerns. No VANOS leaks.

[spazzyfry123]

LOVE the SS. I've never owned one, but I've always been gravitated to them. Would like to pick one up as a commuter. As BlkGS said, just give them gas and oil and ride.

[HDMI]

The one I came across is this one. What do you guys think?

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=similar

[Alfisti]

That's a TON of money for a 15 year old commodore.

I guess the question I ask is why not a CTS-V of the same age?

[HDMI]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

That's a TON of money for a 15 year old commodore.

I guess the question I ask is why not a CTS-V of the same age?

For me, it's because the same gen CTS-V only came with automatic transmission.

Just now, I found another one, lower price and less miles.

[Alfisti]

NA V8 and manual is hard to find yeah. On paper, I guess what's a F80 M3 costing ya from the same vintage with a stick?

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

NA V8 and manual is hard to find yeah. On paper, I guess what's a F80 M3 costing ya from the same vintage with a stick?

I'd rather have a blackwing than a F80. Unpopular opinion perhaps.

[Alfisti]

YEah but now massive dollars.

[Alfisti]

I reakon the closest comparable is actually a Jag XF-R. 500HP, supercharged V8 in a large sedan. SS has more interior room and the Jag is auto only.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I reakon the closest comparable is actually a Jag XF-R. 500HP, supercharged V8 in a large sedan. SS has more interior room and the Jag is auto only.

Charger is the direct competitor, but those were auto only.

$33k is way too much for that car with 140k miles. That's some crackhead pricing there. You could get into a CTSV2 for that money which is better in every way, if a little smaller and uglier.

There's also the manual swap a Caprice option,

And yeah, I'd have a CT5VBW over pretty much any sedan. Maybe I'd buy the F90 M5 over it, maybe. The allure of a manual is strong.

[HDMI]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

$33k is way too much for that car with 140k miles. That's some crackhead pricing there. You could get into a CTSV2 for that money which is better in every way, if a little smaller and uglier.

There's also the manual swap a Caprice option,

And yeah, I'd have a CT5VBW over pretty much any sedan. Maybe I'd buy the F90 M5 over it, maybe. The allure of a manual is strong.

Haha, for sure if the CT5-V Blackwing was in my budget, that would be a no brainer. The other SS that I found has a little over 100K miles and asking under $30K.

[BWBike]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

NA V8 and manual is hard to find yeah. . . .

That’s why I am holding on to my Challenger. Sometimes I just need to drive something with power, great sounding (stock) exhaust, and a manual transmission.