As far as used old-school muscle goes, there are a huge number of tempting options available. From grunt-and-go 2005 Mustang GTs to classic El Camino’s that can also be used to move your life around, there is bound to be something that perfectly suits the circumstances of any aspiring muscle car owner.
This also goes for those who want to transport their family around, with vehicles like the Cadillac CTS-V or Euro bruisers like the Mercedes-Benz C63 on the menu. There is another used model, this one from Chevrolet, that is somewhat underrated though, and represents a great bargain. At least for now.
The Chevrolet SS Picked Up From Where The Pontiac G8 Left Off
Chevrolet SS driving shotChevrolet
As General Motors desperately tried to save its Pontiac brand, it elected to start shipping over Australian Holden Commodore sedans and badging them as Pontiacs. Called the G8, the range-topping GXP model came with a whopping 6.0-liter V8 utilized in the Aussie beast. The brand was too far gone by the time the G8 debuted in 2007 though, and it was dead just two years later.
Having been interested in still offering a Commodore-style muscle sedan for the US market, GM refused to give up. Five years after the G8 ended production, the American auto giant borrowed the Commodore from its Australian arm once more, though this time the VF variant was used, rather than the preceding VE version utilized as a base for the G8. Badged as the Chevrolet SS, it marked the first time the marque had offered a full rear-wheel-drive V8 muscle sedan since the Impala SS of the mid-1990s.
While the Camaro Coupe remained the brand’s halo muscle car at the time, the SS was ideal for those who wanted a more practical way to burn up their rear tires. With an MSRP of $45,000, it was also pretty affordable for gearheads interested in taking the plunge.
The SS Came Packing A Hard Punch
2014 Chevrolet SS V8 engine topChevrolet
2015 Chevrolet SS Specifications
Engine
6.2-liter V8
Power
415 hp
Torque
415 lb-ft
0-60 mph
4.5 seconds
Top Speed
160 mph
GM elected to keep things simple with the SS, with only a single engine available with the new model. The power plant in question was a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 utilized in the 2013 Commodore SSV, which sent a tsunami of 415 hp and 415 lb-ft to the beefy rear tires. The SS was initially only available with a six-speed automatic gearbox, though for the 2015 model year, a six-speed manual was added to the range.
Due to being based on the Holden, the SS was also graced with all the extensive development work Holden had carried out in improving its handling. The VF platform came with a stiffer, but still lighter, chassis than its predecessor, which helped to make it more agile and responsive through the bends. Aluminum was used throughout the SS’ construction to help make this a reality.
2016 Chevrolet SS front wheel from sideChevrolet
Aside from the stiffer chassis construction, the SS was also afforded the Commodore’s enhanced MacPherson front and multi-link independent rear suspension, which ensured body roll was kept to a minimum to allow the tires to work to their full potential. For 2015, Chevy also threw in its Magnetic Ride Control, an electrically-controlled damping setup that could prepare the SS for a white-knuckle performance ride, or a more comfortable cruise within moments. The 2015 cars also got a powerful Brembo disc braking system, allowing this family bus to give a bloody nose to the meatiest muscle cars on the market.
The SS Was Positioned Higher Up The Food Chain Than The G8
The SS’ higher base price compared to the G8, which started at $29,000, was primarily because it came with more kit as standard. An eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system sits in the dash, while SS-branded leather bucket seats bring comfort and support in equal measure. The front chairs also come with heating and cooling functionality, making them ideal all year round.
Dual-zone climate control was also included free of charge, as are heated mirrors, a lane departure warning system, and even a tire pressure monitoring setup. In fact, the only options available for the SS were an electrically-opening sunroof and a full-size spare wheel.
The SS Is A Steal…For Now
Blue 2016 Chevrolet SS rear endChevrolet
Chevrolet SS Used Values
KBB
$25,534—$34,198
Hagerty Valuation (Good)
$28,800—$33,600
Classic.com Average
$40,659
Thanks to depreciation, SS models can be had for around half of their original value these days. According to Kelley Blue Book, a good-condition 2014 car should set you back just shy of $27,000, which is a bit of a bargain given how versatile the vehicle is. The cost jumps down unusually, to around $25,500, for the lightly revised 2015 version, though expect the cost to jump by around 15% to secure yourself a manual example according to Hagerty’s Valuation Tool.
First-year examples of certain cars can sometimes be a touch more expensive, although this is typically only seen on classic cars which have key differences on early models, such as flat-floor Jaguar E-Types. The drop in price from 2014 to 2015 models seen here is only minor, whereas the jump up to 2016 and 2017 models is more significant, with these later examples commanding around 20% higher premiums. As newer cars, they are more likely to have lower mileage and to be a touch smarter cosmetically, which might explain the higher prices.
2016 Chevrolet SS Blue Front AngleChevrolet
Interestingly, at least for most SS models on the used market, now is the ideal time to pick one up. Values have dropped around 7% depending on the condition and model-year across the past 12 months, according to Hagerty, a trend also reflected by Classic.com. The site, which collates auction results of cars from around the world, reports that while the average sale price of SS’ was around $42,000 in 2022, they now sit at a little under $39,000.
Another interesting point relating to SS pricing is that, despite being the more sensible offering with a less celebrated nameplate, this four-door sedan is actually holding its value much better than the comparable Camaro. Take for example the 2014 Camaro SS, which too housed the 6.2-liter LS3 V8, although with a few extra horses for good measure. It now sports an average price of just $12,396 according to KBB, which essentially means you could pick up two for the price of a same-year SS in the same condition. This might make the Camaro seem like a more logical buy, but strong residual values are an indicator that the SS is more desirable, and perhaps easier to sell on once you’ve had your fun.
This doesn’t seem to be the case for examples in mint condition though, with cars a year ago tending to fetch between $30,000 and $40,000 at auction. Over the past few months, most SS’s offered in pristine condition have been offered nearer to $50,000. Should this trend follow on to less well-kept examples, values could begin to shoot up across the board over the coming years.
The SS Became Chevy’s Halo Racing Model
Blue Chevrolet SS NASCAR 2017 at DoverHendrick Motorsports
While the Camaro remained the top dog on the road, the SS ended up being given the job of flying Chevy’s flag in NASCAR, one of its premier racing programs. It saw a large amount of success too, mainly courtesy of NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson. He managed to claim the final two of his seven titles behind the wheel of the SS, in 2013 and 2016 respectively. The SS took the fight to Ford’s Fusion and Toyota’s Camry models, and claimed an impressive 73 victories by the time it was retired at the end of 2017.
Its first win came in its debut, courtesy of Johnson in the 2013 Daytona 500. This enviable record currently leaves it third in the all-time NASCAR wins list for Chevy models in the series, behind the Monte Carlo and Impala.
Its Aussie Sibling Also Bossed The Tracks Down Under
While the SS took care of business in the US, the Commodore dominated the high-profile Aussie V8 Supercars series, the highest-profile championship in the region. It carried Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen to four of the five drivers titles it fought for, and also claimed four manufacturers’ crowns for Holden. It patrolled Australia’s best-known racetracks between 2013 and 2017, the same tenure as the SS managed in the states.
Not only is the Chevy SS a bit of a muscle car bargain, but it also comes loaded with some killer racing pedigree on both sides of the globe.
Sources: Chevrolet, Kelley Blue Book, Hagerty Valuation Tool, Classic.com
