flowrider

iTrader: (9)

Actually it's not. The Malibu is a FWD 4 cylinder midsize car built in the US. The SS may share some styling cues, but that's about it.

It's built in Australia by Holden, and is a RWD V8 Sedan. If it bears any relationship to anything else produced in the US, it's with the late Pontiac G8.

Lou

RSXiMUS

iTrader: (7)

Yeah that's a silly thing to say. That's like someone calling our F a Camry. The Chevy SS while it does give off a last gen Malibu rental vibe, really does offer respectable performance for a 50s "someone" who wants to fly way...way under the radar.

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

I loved my 04 and 06 GTO's. If something happened to my IS-F, I would pick up a Chevy SS 6spd and throw a whipple on it.

lifethinkr

Am I missing something here? a chevy SS what? cobalt? Camaro? Malibu?

boones

Full model name is simply "SS". From Australia and sold there by Holden. Here is a link to the US version:

http://www.chevrolet.com/ss-sports-sedan.html

lifethinkr

holy moly! GM tried to copy the ISF!!

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

LOL!

The Holden Commodore has been around a lot lot longer than the IS-F.

Big V8 Sedans are hot stuff in Australia...Holden Commodore vs Ford Falcon.

BLKLBL

I read your whole writeup.. You're comparing apples to oranges... A USED luxury performance sedan, to a NEW performance sedan.
Used luxury sedans = ISF, C63amg, RS4, M3

New performance sedans = SS, charger SRT, 300C

zpletcher

GM = Government Motors.....?

Hee Hee

Cheers, Z

PS Although so far so good with my 49 yr old Sting Ray.. Ha!!

LexyISF

First of all, I'll start by saying I'm Australian.

Second of all, the SS is the biggest bucket of **** on the road. They aren't even in the same league as the IS-F, not even worth comparing.

LexyISF

This made me laugh!

The Holden Commodore SS V8 has been around since 1982.

SoulFreak

iTrader: (1)

I read you're entire review and I must say I do respect and understand several of the things you wrote. Both vehicles really don't share the same qualities other than the performance numbers. Numbers only because both are V8 engines and produce over 400hp. I began digging a bit on the Chevy SS and honestly most of what I found it being compared to was the Dodge Charger. That made more sense to me. Before I got my first F I was torn between a C63 and M3. Reliability and simply staying loyal did it for me. At the end of the day it's your call, good luck!

vbb

iTrader: (3)

For all of those ripping the guy for not comparing apples to oranges, remember, not everyone cross-shops cars in the exact same class. The competitors to the ISF are the C63, M3, CTSV, etc, but that doesn't mean someone looking for a high(er) horsepower sedan can't also look at cars like the SS. As dedicated ISF owners, none of us can really imagine wanting an SS over the ISF (at least I know I can't), but for some people, it may make sense. The OP seems to be one of those people. No need to get arrogant or condescending on him because he is shopping a car that most of us wouldn't consider buying. He did what we all should do, which is drive two cars we might be interested in and then pick whichever one suits us the best.

That all said, while I like a bit of a sleeper, the SS styling is far too bland. It looks like a rental car to me, which may be what the OP wants, but makes it a non-starter for me. I would not consider the car on looks alone, even if it had better overall performance. The ISF is definitely a higher-end car, and is priced accordingly. For the same budget, I'd absolutely not hesitate in buying a slightly used ISF over a brand new SS.

boones

Thanks for the feedback vbb. I can appreciate that the cars are not in the same class. They aren't direct competitors in the marketplace. The cars don't know it, but at the moment they are competing for my dollars. They are similar enough for my purposes to both be considered for the same role. They each have strengths and weaknesses in how well they would perform the variety of tasks I demand.

The comments from those who can't understand the comparison or only have disparaging things to say are expected on an internet forum. Doesn't bother me. I consider it the price of extracting good feedback from other owners. You can be assured that on the SS forum, there are those who will talk about how the lexus can't possibly compare and is undesirable for XYZ reason.

vbb

iTrader: (3)

Agreed. Most people shop cars in the same niche but sometimes people don't. I'm loosely shopping for something to replace my Titan and I'm looking at everything from a Tundra/Ram to a 4Runner to a Lexus Nx200t. None of those are in the same class, yet for different reasons all appeal to me.

If you do get the ISF, there's a wealth of information on this site.