General Motors has a habit of building great cars, then killing them off just as the market starts to take notice. Prime examples include the Buick GNX, Pontiac G8 GXP, and the more recent Cadillac CT6-V. Another was the Chevrolet SS, a sedan packing a standard V8, rear-wheel drive, and the option of a manual transmission.
It’s the kind of combination that makes enthusiasts drool, today more than ever given the dearth of serious sports sedans. However, buyers didn’t line up to buy the Chevrolet SS when it was available, so anyone who skipped it is probably regretting it now, given the way values have crept up.
There Aren’t Many Around, But It’s Surprisingly Affordable
2014 Chevrolet SS Red Rear Angled ViewChevrolet
Initially, GM targeted 10,000 to 15,000 sales annually, but dropped that to around 2,000 to 3,000 as sales approached, essentially enough to shore up Holden’s production and appease the few enthusiasts who might actually buy the car. In the end, GM’s downgraded target proved accurate.
Sales averaged just 3,110 units over the four years the car was offered, with a spike to 4,055 in the final year as buyers rushed to snap one up ahead of the cancellation. The former Pontiac G8 fared much better, managing 15,002 sales in 2008 and 23,157 the following year. Unfortunately, the global financial crisis and GM’s decision to retire Pontiac as a result cut the G8’s run short.
2014 Chevrolet SS detail shot of the 6.2L NA LS3 V8 EngineChevrolet
Today, you can find well-worn examples of the SS starting at about $25,000, but at this price point most will be 2014 models with around 100,000 miles or more. Opting for a 2015 or newer example is worth the extra spend for the performance upgrades. For about $35,000, you can find examples with around 80,000 miles, while $40,000 gets you closer to 60,000 miles. Interestingly, plenty of examples have 30,000 miles or less, but you’ll need to pay over MSRP, at around $55,000. That could be worth it, though, considering how well these cars hold value. You can own a fun car and potentially sell it down the road for close to, or perhaps even more than, what you paid.
Thankfully, we have a few fineexamples of this caron the CarBuzz Marketplace. There’s a 2014 base model with a price that has already dropped by over $8,000, selling for only $24,499. But the one that caught our eye is a 2015 SS Base with only 18,000 miles on the clock selling for $210 shy of $50,000. That’s the average price of a new car these days, so this won’t be an only car, but rather an investment you can enjoy over weekends. Due to the scarcity and the fact that a car like this is no longer available on the new market, its value will likely remain static or increase over time.
Why The SS Failed, Despite Being Everything You Could Want
2014 Chevrolet SS Red Front Angled ViewChevrolet
The Chevrolet SS was introduced for the 2014 model year and lasted until 2017, after which it was dropped without a successor. It was the result of a recipe that automakers, especially those from Detroit, have relied on for decades, though one that is rare today. Take an ordinary family sedan, drop a powerful V8 under the hood, and out comes a fast ride that can thrill on weekends while doubling as a daily driver for the commute, shopping, and school runs.
But the SS wasn’t based on a sedan already sold in US showrooms, or even developed here. It was based on the VF-generation Commodore from GM’s former Australian subsidiary, Holden, whose predecessor, the VE Commodore, was briefly sold here as the Pontiac G8. With Commodore demand falling in Australia, GM created the SS to boost production at Holden while giving Chevy a stronger road-car link to its NASCAR program than the front-wheel-drive Impala the SS replaced in 2013, with the fifth-generation Camaro already too old at that point.
But when the SS launched, GM had already announced plans to shutter Holden’s plant, meaning the car was always on borrowed time. GM limited its availability and barely advertised it outside of NASCAR, leaving the general public and much of Chevy’s own sales staff unaware of its existence. And even if you managed to see one, unless you really knew what it was, you might have mistaken it for a Chevrolet Malibu, whose styling was similar at the time. In fact, one of the biggest complaints about the SS was its plain-Jane styling.
Then there was the price. The 2014 debut model carried an MSRP of $43,475 (rising to $46,625 in the final 2017 model year), but adding destination and a gas-guzzler tax took it to over $45,000. While today that’s a good chunk under the average new-vehicle transaction price of around $50,000, back then it was steep for a Chevy sedan, especially one with an interior you could tell came from a more basic commuter car. Chevy tried to offset this by offering the SS in a single trim loaded to the gills, but for many, a Dodge Charger R/T with a V8 and rear-wheel drive starting at just $30,695 was more tempting. You could even get the Charger SRT8 for similar money to the SS, which offered 470 horsepower versus the SS’s 415.
The SS Is An Old-School Dream Car
2014 Chevrolet SS Red Side ViewChevrolet
The Chevrolet SS was actually the third time GM attempted to sell a rebadged Holden in the US, the fourth if you consider the low run of Holden Caprice sedans that were sold around the same time as the SS as the Chevrolet Caprice PPV police car. Previous times included the aforementioned Pontiac G8 as well as the fifth-generation Pontiac GTO, which was a rebadged Holden Monaro coupe. The SS was based on Holden’s Zeta rear-wheel-drive architecture which debuted in 2006 in the VE Commodore (aka Pontiac G8) and in shortened form also underpinned the fifth-generation Chevy Camaro.
Key Specs At A Glance
Engine
6.2-liter V8
Transmission
6-speed manual | 6-speed automatic
Output
415 hp | 415 lb-ft
0-60 mph
4.5 seconds
Quarter-Mile
12.9 seconds @ 111 mph
Top Speed
160 mph (limited)
Original MSRP
$43,475 – $46,625
For the SS, the platform supported GM’s 6.2-liter LS3 V8 making 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, sending power to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission when the car debuted for 2014. The six-speed manual option was added for 2015, along with key performance upgrades including Magnetic Ride Control and Brembo brakes for the rear (the 2014 only had Brembos at the front). To make the car stand out a bit better, 2016 saw the addition of functional hood vents and a standard dual-mode exhaust.
Inside, the SS came loaded from the start, with leather upholstery combined with Alcantara accents, heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a head-up display, a nine-speaker Bose audio system (which wasn’t actually that good), and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen that ran Chevy’s MyLink system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto weren’t offered. The interior is arguably one of the car’s weakest points, as it shares many parts with lower-end Chevys and feels that way. However, there’s plenty of space for five adults, plus a cavernous trunk that can almost rival an SUV for storage.
2014 Chevrolet SS Black Interior Driver AreaChevrolet
You’ll forget any shortcomings of the interior once you hit the road. The SS delivers a brilliant ride, excellent body control, and an exhaust note that makes the most of its 6.2-liter V8. It’s worth searching for a 2015 or newer model for Magnetic Ride Control, which broadens the car’s range from comfortable cruiser to genuine sports sedan. The SS feels quick, but it doesn’t quite shrink around you like some European sports sedans. This is a big car, and it feels it, but its curb weight just shy of 4,000 pounds almost makes it light by modern electrified standards.
They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To
2014 Chevrolet SS Red Rear View DrivingChevrolet
The days of a V8-powered sedan with a manual transmission are almost over, making cars like the SS increasingly unusual, not to mention desirable. There is a glimmer of hope, though. GM is developing a next-generation Cadillac CT5 that could spawn another V8-powered, manual-equipped Blackwing, while the same architecture is expected to underpin a revived Camaro. Reports suggest the Camaro could actually return as a four-door to take on the planned Ford Mustang sedan, with both prime candidates to also offer manuals. Now, if Dodge would only do the same for its Charger…
But There Are Used Alternatives Available
2009-2014 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan Front 3/4Cadillac
As used prices for the Chevrolet SS soar into collectible territory, buyers seeking a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan with V8 power have compelling alternatives on the secondary market. The Dodge Charger Scat Pack represents the most direct American rival, swapping the Chevy’s subtle sleeper styling for raw muscle presence and a roaring 485-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8.
For drivers determined to keep a manual transmission, the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – the SS’s direct predecessor from GM’s Holden division – shares the iconic LS3 engine, though clean examples command similar collector prices.
Enthusiasts prioritizing luxury and sharp handling often look to the Cadillac CTS-V, particularly second- and third-generation models, which combine supercharged V8 grunt with Magnetic Ride Control. Finally, European options like the F10-generation BMW M5 or Lexus GS F deliver sophisticated naturally aspirated or twin-turbo V8 performance, appealing to drivers willing to trade classic American pushrod simplicity for refined luxury and track-tuned capability.
Base Trim Engine
6.2L V8 Gas
Base Trim Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
415 hp
Base Trim Torque
415 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm
Fuel Economy
14/22 MPG
Segment
Midsize Sedan
Sources: Chevrolet
