Chevrolet SSR

[mhassett]

When I was about 13 my dad told me I could buy any car I wanted as long as I could pay the car and insurance . Iworked after school and every summer and when I was 16 I had a little over 6k so I go to the chevy dealer and get a price on a left over 69 427 vette. Next my dad sent me to check on insurance They told me to come back when I was 21 and that is what I did. Mark

[427L88]

[ QUOTE ]
My son is 16 and we are trying to decide on an appropriate vehicle for him. One thought was a 2005 or 2006 SSR truck. I've seen a few in the $30K-$35K range with 10,000 or fewer miles. Anyone have any experience with these and would it be a fun, reliable, and somewhat unique vehicle for a 16 year old? I don't know much about them other than the '05-'06 had the better engine.

[/ QUOTE ]
My friend had two of these '05 & '06 and he had problems with the retractible roof sticking either in the up position or when it was down... When the first one did it he took it into chevy and they fixed it and told him it was a harness problem, not two weeks later it happened again so he traded it in on the '06 model and it wasn't two months later it was gone because of the same problems that the first one had...

[hep1966]

Get the best vehicle that you can afford.

If he has an accident, you will be glad you bought a safe car instead of a beater.

[COPO427]

If I was shopping for a 1st car for a son, I'd look for a 64-69 Chevelle with a SB in it.

[P.J.]

My dad bought me nothing.He made me earn the money and then buy my own first car.A 1965 New Barracuda 6 banger automagick . I wanted a V8 they made me buy 6.He did cosign for the balance of the loan.
I worked my a-- off paying for the car. I looked after it
like a a show car always. I never abused it because it took a long time to earn the money at $ 1.15 cents an hour.
The only problem I had with the car was I could not keep up
with the others when we went drag racing every night. So I
Traded it in for a 1966 SS 4 speed.
Let them work for it, it will serve you and him well in the long run.
PJ

[Keith Tedford]

P.J. has the right idea. Let him earn it. Our kids did. Since when does a sixteen year old need a vehicle. Perhaps if he has a job to go to. You want to see school marks go into the toilet, give a kid a car. Buy an SSR and you had better be prepared to buy a coffin. Talk to some insurance people and see what they have to say on the subject. They have all the horror stories.

[SS427]

Charlie,
You came here for advice asking what people would think of you buying your son an SSR for him to tool around in and you may not like what you have heard so far. I have one question that might help your decision............how did you act behind the wheel of a car when you were 16? I know based on my answer my daughter drove something very mild for her first car. A 1999 Neon 4 door. She wasn't the most favorite teen around but she is still alive. I myself am not sure how I ever made it to 17 as I had a lot of high performance cars at my disposal and drove like I had no fear. When it is your own money, you seem to have a lot more responsibilty and take care of your own possesions better then when it is given to you but not unlike you, I wanted to give my daughter a reliable car for her to drive but something mild enough that she would likely not kill herself in.

One huge difference and also compared to other 16 year olds I grew up with, my dad gave me my first car but it was a 1967 SS 327 Impala with 120,000 miles and many rust holes. I spent the better part of a year fixing this car up to make it presentable and unlike my friends, I took very good care of my car and drove much more carefully as it was my money not someone elses and if it broke or got damaged I could not afford to fix it.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do, just don't give someone with no experience more car then they can handle.
Rick

[Belair62]

Tough crowd !! But COPO is the only one who knows how level headed his girl is. My daughters first was one of those crappy Toyota Novas or whatever they were. It took its share of rubs and "gee I don't know how that happened" parking lot scrapes but she did pretty good. My only unbreakable rule was that SHE drive and never get in anyone elses car. I trusted her. Not other peoples kids.My strongest advice was to always look each way at intersections and dont think those other cars are going to stop just because that light is red. She is an ER nurse now . She is pretty level headed. It didnt hurt to scare the crap out of her every now and then with a horror story or two either ! Maybe a used Cobalt or a few year old mint Cavalier.

[COPO]

Guys, I appreciate everyone's opinion. As background, I had a paper route, cut grass, and flipped burgers in order to buy a '70 Z-28 when I was 16. A car that I still own and still has its born with drivetrain.

Through hard work, good fortune, and some good decisions along the way, I am in a position to pretty much buy what I want within reason. When my daughter turned 16, we purchased her a year old Lexus SUV. It has 17 airbags and is big and heavy. She was and still is a straight "A" student, but very busy with two full time sports. She is now going away to college in two months with a full scholarship. She has taken good care of her car, and fortunately, no tickets or accidents. She is extremely responsible and in the little spare time available, manages to do some volunteer work.

My son, is also a strong student, and very responsible for a 16 year old boy. His school, about 5 miles away, has no transportation and with my daughter going to college, he will no longer have big sis to take him. He is a top Jr. tennis player, with a busy practice and tournament schedule, which really precludes a part time job. He too will probably get a full scholarship to college.

I thought the SSR would be reliable, fun, have modern airbags, and being a heavy vehicle would hold up well if an accident occurred. It is also a two seater which would preclude cruising with a bunch of buddies in the car. Now, it certainly has some power, but with my car interests, he has grown up with fast cars. Some of our other cars include a BMW M3 Conv. and a 911 Carrera 4 conv., which are no slouches, but probably not good cars for a 16 year old either.

My other thought was a year or two old full size truck with airbags, and while not as cool as the SSR, wouldn't be too bad with some new chrome rims. If he proves to be responsible, like I believe he will, then perhaps an upgrade would be in order at some point and I'll keep the pick-up for myself.

Thanks, again.

[x Baldwin Motion]

Charlie, I'd hold out for the 67BM Chevelle if it were in my dads garage.