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Definite plans for upgrading my 1999 SS for a 2002. Still contemplating a 02' Berger SS or a "standard GM SS" with a host of SLP installed engine/performance options at SLP in Jersey. Berger claims 380 HP but can only provide me with a dyno sheet for their prototype SS, not the actual car I receive. I am quite skeptical since they sell the car at "sticker price" with no possibility of discounting the car, works out to approximately $30,000.00 for the SS and $10,000.00 for the Berger conversion, totaling, you guessed it $40,000.00!!! Now granted the SS is loaded with all the GM options (traction control, t-tops, leather, etc.) but no SLP options. The Berger conversion adds the stripes, the grille with SS emblem, the blacked-out tail panel, Berger badging, Berger wheels, "dimpled" rotors (big deal), white face gauges, power antenna, different springs, chambered exhaust and the mysterious engine mods which claim to improve HP by 50 to 380. All this for 10 large plus full price on the actual SS itself. Is this hype? Is it worth it? I know with only 30 to 50 being built it will be rare, but what is to stop the bookvalue for the car dropping from $40K on delivery day to like $20K the next day??? Do you guys think it will really hold its value the way the original Bergers' have??? In a nutshell I like the Berger car a lot, but I am sure I could have SLP perform some major improvements themselves for a lot less and still get the car itself cheaper. What do you guys think? Is it "smoke and mirrors" or a solid investment?? Sorry so long but I gots to know!!! Oh by the way my double white SS hardtop is for sale, 18K miles, automatic, come and get it!!!!!
Posts: 29 | From: Mamaroneck, New York, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2000
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IMHO the Berger SS is a joke. Overpriced and I don't think it looks any better than a base SS. If anything it looks riced out. As for an investment, no way. A car is the worst investment you can make. You lose thousands of dollars the second you sign the papers. So if you like the car get it but what ever you do don't think of it as an investment.
quote:Originally posted by Scott/99ArcticSS: Definite plans for upgrading my 1999 SS for a 2002. Still contemplating a 02' Berger SS or a "standard GM SS" with a host of SLP installed engine/performance options at SLP in Jersey. Berger claims 380 HP but can only provide me with a dyno sheet for their prototype SS, not the actual car I receive. I am quite skeptical since they sell the car at "sticker price" with no possibility of discounting the car, works out to approximately $30,000.00 for the SS and $10,000.00 for the Berger conversion, totaling, you guessed it $40,000.00!!! Now granted the SS is loaded with all the GM options (traction control, t-tops, leather, etc.) but no SLP options. The Berger conversion adds the stripes, the grille with SS emblem, the blacked-out tail panel, Berger badging, Berger wheels, "dimpled" rotors (big deal), white face gauges, power antenna, different springs, chambered exhaust and the mysterious engine mods which claim to improve HP by 50 to 380. All this for 10 large plus full price on the actual SS itself. Is this hype? Is it worth it? I know with only 30 to 50 being built it will be rare, but what is to stop the bookvalue for the car dropping from $40K on delivery day to like $20K the next day??? Do you guys think it will really hold its value the way the original Bergers' have??? In a nutshell I like the Berger car a lot, but I am sure I could have SLP perform some major improvements themselves for a lot less and still get the car itself cheaper. What do you guys think? Is it "smoke and mirrors" or a solid investment?? Sorry so long but I gots to know!!! Oh by the way my double white SS hardtop is for sale, 18K miles, automatic, come and get it!!!!!
I checked it out also. I like the stripe. My local body shop is going to paint it on and clear coat it for $1300. I'm going to put the power antenna on at the dealer shop. I called Bergr and the price was 39 thousand and something. I'm going to have almost 40k in mine when is done but I have different options. Never get my money back but I can't take it with me either.
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Investing in the right car and taking care of it can be a good investment. Price a deusenberg (spelling). On a more realistic item the copo camaros, motion performance vehicles and other classics are worth a lot more than the price their owners paid for them new. If the ss as we know it is on its way out it will become a collectors item. It is a great car and it will be rare.
For example in 1970 the best vette you could get was around $6000.00. If you had one in anything like good condition I'll bet you get a lot more for it now. Same thing with camaros, I've seen them advertised in the 10 to 20 range which is a lot more than they sold for new.
I think the only way to consider it as an investment is to keep it for a long time, as at some point it will no longer depreciate, and then it will begin to appreciate.
Posts: 80 | From: Cooper,TX USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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id go for the berger, it wouldnt be an investment unless you keep it for 20 years, BUT.. how many freinds will have em?? jim
Posts: 48 | From: ventura ca, | Registered: Jan 2001
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Well, here is my take.... I bought my SS because I LOVE Camaros. In order to ever see any monetary gain, I would have to sell my SS. There is nothing that is going to make me sell this car! So, I bought a GM SS with the SLP options that tickled my fancy. Now, I can put the mods on it that I want and my car will be unique (to me). So, for me the Berger SS is a waste of money.
Now, if you are looking to make a buck. You MIGHT be able to get back your losses in 20 years or so if you decide to sell the Berger. But I think it would be hard to get someone to pay a bunch for a bunch of appearance mods. I don't think that their HP claim is too far off of a stock LS1.
Wow. That was a bit long! Anyway, make yourself happy. If you want a Berger SS...buy it. If not, buy a GM SS.
------------------ Amy F00-1724 2000 SS Navy Blue Metallic/ Black Top, Ebony Leather, ASR, SLP Floor Mats, car cover, dash plaque and Key fobs BMR STB, SLP SS Chrome 10 spokes with SS Centercap, Carbon Fiber Whisper Lid, SLP SS Grille, Camaro SS Fuel Rail Covers and PerfeXshine Tulsa Firebird and Camaro Club Member: http://www.lt1.net/tfcc/ COFBA Member: http://www.cofba.com SSOA Founding Member: http://www.ssoa.net
quote:As to the horsepower ... the 380 may be right ... but I'd bet it's not 50 more than regular SS.
I agree with the above quote. People who have their F-bodys dynoed claim some pretty high rear wheel numbers that suggest that GM is underestimating the HP of the F-bod (in order to protect the ego of the Vette buyer) who knows. But it doesn't take any "magic" to increase the LS-1 hp substantially. Buy the Berger car only if it's worth it to you. If it appreciates later than that's a bonus, but I wouldn't bet $40,000 on it.
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Posts: 21 | From: Lee's Summit, Mo | Registered: Nov 2000
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Thank you ladies and gents for the feedback. My plan is to keep the new 2002 SS indefinatley (I have had my 67 SS/RS for 14 years so far) and I figured the Berger may hold its value a little better than a "standard SS". After much debating though I feel better buying a "standard SS" that I can negotiate price on and at the same time have $$$ left over for some mods. With the Berger I don't think I will have that "warm & fuzzy" feeling when the payment book arrives. So there it is, selling the 99 Arctic White hardtop SS for a 2002 Arctic White SS convertible. Too bad I gotta wait until July/August to place the order. Good things come to those who wait!!!! Thanks everyone for your opinions!!!!!!
Posts: 29 | From: Mamaroneck, New York, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2000
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With specialty cars like this, there really isn't any right or wrong answer. If you're buying a Berger Camaro SS and YOU think it's worth the price, then it is. Personally, I'd buy a "regular" Camaro SS and spend the extra money on mods of my own choosing which is exactly what I did and am still doing.
------------------ Steve SSOA M99-3864 NJ State Trooper #3936 (retired) Life Member of: Veterans of Foreign Wars & Vietnam Veterans of America 1999 Sebring Silver Camaro SS #3864, grey leather, A4, Pioneer DEH-P77DH CD player/receiver, T-Top, ASR traction control, rear window defogger SLP Engineering options: dual-dual exhaust, Bilstein suspension, and Auburn rear Personal mods: Solaris xenon headlamp bulbs, Whisper lid, K&N air filter, SLP subframe connectors, Hotchkis shock tower brace, SLP Power-Flo y-pipe, DynoMax Ultra Flo muffler, muffler bypass mod, Jet Stage 2 PCM, Hypertech 180 degree thermostat, MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor spark plug wires, P275/40ZR17 Michelin Pilot Sport tires (front)/Nitto NT-555R Drag Radials (rear) on American Racing 200S wheels, Wings West front grille insert, carbon fiber fuel rail covers, Yank Torque Thruster 2800 converter, Moroso tranny cooler, Comp Cams custom cam (212/214 .521/.523 115)
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If I was considering a "special" SS I would have to look at an Intimidator. It has nothing to do with Dale's untimely death, but the pics I've seen are pretty interesting. I've seen a couple 1997 Earnhardt SS's and although nice, did not think that much about them. But it seems like the 2001 is much more and supposedly around $40K. Don't know about '02 either.
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Isn't the real question the same as the one most of you used to justify buying an SS in the first place?
It was a matter of it being as cheap to buy an SS as it would have been to buy all the mods yourself.
You also probably added the rationalization that it was also a car that would at least hold it's value better than a stock Z28...heck, it might even be a collectible someday.
Now I'm not too sure if the Berger will stand up to this test, but I would venture a guess it would come close.
One thing I think that should be REQUIRED is that SLP and Berger, et. al. provide a dyno sheet of each car as PROOF of the advertised hp ratings. Don't be puttin' 375hp(+) stickers on it if it isn't doing it.
I've seen stock Z's put up the same numbers as both of these models...yes, I was there at more than a few dyno tests of all of these Camaros.
To paraphrase...."Horsepower talks...BS walks"
If you like it and can afford, buy it...simple.....and IF it holds it's value, kudos to you!
Posts: 101 | From: Nashville, IN | Registered: Mar 2000
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Oh by the way my double white SS hardtop is for sale, 18K miles, automatic, come and get it!!!!!
