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The Reason The Chevy SSR Convertible Truck Was a Failure
By JAMES DOLAN
Unlike a typical pickup truck, the Chevy SSR (Super Sport Roadster) was also a convertible with a retractable hardtop and sported a 5.3 L V8 engine that accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds. So, why did the Chevy SSR become a failed experiment instead of a success story for the automaker?
For starters, it weighed 4,760 lbs, but couldn’t tow more than 2,500 lbs, way less than the average pickup towing capacity. It also wasn’t great at handling, and drivers experienced annoying vibrations at full speed, which were more frequent with the top down. Essentially, it wasn’t really convincing as a great pickup or a great convertible.
On top of all that, the Chevy SSR was expensive — the starting price was around $42,000 but with higher trims went up to as much as $50,000. Most consumers were not willing to take the risk on an experimental car when they could get better-performing cars with proven track records from competitors at the same price or less.
However, despite its failure to capture the market, some people still love the Chevy SSR. If truck enthusiasts wanted to buy a used Chevy SSR right now, it would typically cost them between $29,000 to $45,000, depending on the mileage and model year.