Judging by readers and the community, there seems to be a fine divide on whether the looks of the 2016 Chevrolet SS are refreshing or revolting, especially the new 19-inch wheels. Those have been quite the debate topic. But, we have news that may really sway some perspective buyers into a 2015 model year over a 2016 SS.
After receiving word from Chevrolet on official pricing and availability for the 2016 SS performance sedan, which has been pushed back to early 2016, we bring some disheartening news. The 2016 Chevy SS can not avoid the U.S. gas-guzzler tax any longer.
If you are one of the smart lucky one’s to have picked up a 2015 Chevrolet SS with a manual gearbox, you will have seen a hefty $1,300 price reduction from the MSRP. That money is for Uncle Sam, stating you drive a mammoth V8 and are proud of it, and you don’t mind paying the price. The $1,300 tax was applied only to SS sedans with the automatic gearbox.
Now, if you head over to Chevrolet’s official website and fire up the 2016 SS configurator, you will see that by selecting the manual gearbox, only $300 is stripped away from the total MSRP. Chevrolet confirmed this with us stating both the manual and automatic equipped cars are subject to the tax. $1,000 is tacked on for the 2016 SS with a proper six-speed, and $1,300 is added for those purchasing the automatic.
Maybe it’s a sign for any perspective buyer to seek out a 2015 Chevy SS with a manual gearbox to save a little extra dough on one of the finest sport sedans we’ve encountered in a very long time.
Comments
would be nice if you had explained why ….. we all knew this about the ’16, but no one is saying what changed to cause it, federal regs? Software tinkering?
I have a 2014 SS so I paid the blood money
I dont see why they couldn’t just make the SS engine about as fuel efficient as the Corvette or Camaro, they all have damn near the same engine, also a few model options wouldn’t have hurt like a V6 model maybe IMO. Having just one gas guzzling model really crushed this cars sales and existence.
Good point. My GXP drinks gas. At today’s prices it’s no longer a big issue but 13 mpg sucks when GM could use the corvette/Camaro engine and maybe start/stop to enhance mileage plus add some much needed HP. When I bought my Pontiac new in 09. 415 was pretty decent. Now six cylinders are blowin my doors off. I don’t want to modify as its a classic with 7,000 miles.
But if I’m to be enticed to buy an SS, put a 455 horse motor in it.
The reason is because the 2016 manual gets literally 1 less mpg in City Driving than the 2015, which is ridiculous because the overall combined mpg is up from 2015. Moreover, I agree the SS should have the LT1 engine rather than the LS3, even if GM/Holden detuned it a tad to keep the power output a little bit lower than the Vette and Camaro so no ego’s get bruised…but what do I know? Below is the link for the EPA tests.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2015&year2=2016&make=Chevrolet&model=SS&srchtyp=ymm
(I’m not real computer savvy so you may have to copy and paste the link into your browser. Sorry.)
Best wishes to all during this Holiday Season, and for a healthy, prosperous, Blessed new year.
Looks to me as though the only difference between 2015 and 2016 is the fuel they put into it. What’s up with that? Is the 2016, unlike the 2015, “recommended for regular fuel”, I wonder?
i have the SS sun roof Manual Boost gear yea love it