Picking up my GT2 today

[powermatt]

The first SS I tried to buy I had for a couple of days, but gave it back when it failed inspection for suspension problems (was buying out of state, even back then). I found another earlier this year, but it was sold out from under me before I could even go look at it. Both were manual transmission cars. I think they could have held on for another generation or at least a facelift if GM gave a crap about them, but they were just fulfilling a contractual obligation to Holden, and that was that (and now they're building manual transmission Caddies again, which no one will buy).

That ship sailed when I got my Stinger. Other than the soundtrack not being as good, and the lack of a third pedal, it's better in every objective and subjective way. And it's still in production. Even if prices were sane, I don't think I'd go after one again. They're special cars, no question, but if I want to go out in something with great RWD dynamics and three pedals, that's what my Miata is for. Still unfortunate that GM couldn't muster up the courage to keep them around. RIP, Holden.

 

[RM7]

The first SS I tried to buy I had for a couple of days, but gave it back when it failed inspection for suspension problems (was buying out of state, even back then). I found another earlier this year, but it was sold out from under me before I could even go look at it. Both were manual transmission cars. I think they could have held on for another generation or at least a facelift if GM gave a crap about them, but they were just fulfilling a contractual obligation to Holden, and that was that (and now they're building manual transmission Caddies again, which no one will buy).

That ship sailed when I got my Stinger. Other than the soundtrack not being as good, and the lack of a third pedal, it's better in every objective and subjective way. And it's still in production. Even if prices were sane, I don't think I'd go after one again. They're special cars, no question, but if I want to go out in something with great RWD dynamics and three pedals, that's what my Miata is for. Still unfortunate that GM couldn't muster up the courage to keep them around. RIP, Holden.

They screwed up the styling on those. The same car, the Pontiac G8 GXP was ok, but they really toned it down for the SS and it really looked like a 2015 Malibu. You really had to know what you were looking at/for. The sleeper concept was taken way too far. It was also a time when bat-shit-crazy sports sedans were starting to show up with massive blowers and turbochargers, making well upwards of 500hp. While it wasn't intended necessarily to compete with the current M5 and AMG models of that generation, one couldn't help but do so. Holden seemed to handle both of these situations much better than GM in the US, having wider bodies and exclusive tunes at even higher levels. It was still a fantastic car and sleeper, but it was kind of like they didn't really want to put the time and effort into developing it and making it something people really wanted. That time and money possibly went into the CTS-V or something.

 

[Tokinwhiteboy]

They screwed up the styling on those. The same car, the Pontiac G8 GXP was ok, but they really toned it down for the SS and it really looked like a 2015 Malibu. You really had to know what you were looking at/for. The sleeper concept was taken way too far. It was also a time when bat-shit-crazy sports sedans were starting to show up with massive blowers and turbochargers, making well upwards of 500hp. While it wasn't intended necessarily to compete with the current M5 and AMG models of that generation, one couldn't help but do so. Holden seemed to handle both of these situations much better than GM in the US, having wider bodies and exclusive tunes at even higher levels. It was still a fantastic car and sleeper, but it was kind of like they didn't really want to put the time and effort into developing it and making it something people really wanted. That time and money possibly went into the CTS-V or something.

Couldn’t agree more. Got kind of annoying when people asked how I got a malibu like that. Lol

 

[powermatt]

They screwed up the styling on those. The same car, the Pontiac G8 GXP was ok, but they really toned it down for the SS and it really looked like a 2015 Malibu. You really had to know what you were looking at/for. The sleeper concept was taken way too far. It was also a time when bat-shit-crazy sports sedans were starting to show up with massive blowers and turbochargers, making well upwards of 500hp. While it wasn't intended necessarily to compete with the current M5 and AMG models of that generation, one couldn't help but do so. Holden seemed to handle both of these situations much better than GM in the US, having wider bodies and exclusive tunes at even higher levels. It was still a fantastic car and sleeper, but it was kind of like they didn't really want to put the time and effort into developing it and making it something people really wanted. That time and money possibly went into the CTS-V or something.

Between the super sleeper styling and the fact that it was a V8 that could handle, it was like they were trying to make a car no 'murican would ever buy. I liked it for the exact same reasons I like the Stinger, dynamically: it was extremely well balanced. Which is probably the same reason the Stinger sells in such small numbers. It makes too much sense.