SSZ vs. THUNDER

[Jesterarts]

Hey guys... just doing some research.

In the next year and a bit I plan on getting a new toy.

I have decided, it will either be a SSZ ute or a THUNDER ute.

Though I can't decide which I should go for.

The THUNDER has more torque and power off the bat, but I plan on modifiying them which would put them fairly neck and neck from what I gather as the 5.7 and 6.0 are fairly closely matched once the mods go on (bolt ons, tune, etc).

The SSZ is a touch cheaper... which means more of a bank balance from the word go. But the THUNDER is as good as it gets before getting into maloos (Which I don't want to get, don't ask... thats jsut my decision).

They both have the same brake package from what I understand but I will be looking to upgrade those aswell so no biggy if they are not.

Interior wise, the SSZ has the 2 guages in the middle, which the THUNDER doesn't... but I plan on getting air bag suspension and the guages for that would go in the middle instead so no point in having the holden ones in the first place I guess.

In terms of looks... *drools* they are the same.... *drools some more*

The upside to having the THUNDER (which will be black) is I will have 2 awesome sound tracks to play in it straight away... (Thunderstruck and Back in Black ).

Speaking of soundtrack... I am assuming the 6.0L will sound a little deeper than the 5.7L? This is a big point for me... I want this thing to sound good.

Price wise? they seem pretty even... so value for money they are on par I guess...

If you guys want to give me some opinions or ideas... that would be great.

As I said, not going to be happening in the next 12months, but I like to do my research before hand.

Thanks in advance

[Devils_Thunder]

Go the Thunder

I'm love mine to bits!

[Jesterarts]

Yeah, they are a stunning looking car...

As is the SSZ though... which brings me back to my dilema... and although stock for stock the 6.0L has alot more torque and a few more ponies... once the mods begin this advantage greatly reduced from what I gather... or am I wrong?

[johnvtls1]

once modding the 6L will be far ahead of the 5.7. small cams in the 6L net you 300rwkws eaisly. If it was up to me id go the 6L mate. The 5.7 is now becoming slightly rubbish lol. its still a decent engine but the 6L is just that much better.

[minux]

Id def go the 6.0 option.

If you do get a thunder, remove that ****ing ugly thing on the back of it though.

[GAMBLR]

Id def go the 6.0 option.

If you do get a thunder, remove that ****ing ugly thing on the back of it though.

im assuming you mean the hardtop minux? i think that was one of the extras the thunder had, so would removing that make it pointless buying a thunder? how much extra kit did they have over a standard SS?

[minux]

im assuming you mean the hardtop minux? i think that was one of the extras the thunder had, so would removing that make it pointless buying a thunder? how much extra kit did they have over a standard SS?

If your buying a ute for the hardtop well thats pretty stupid. The Thunder is just an SS ute, however it was labelled SS Thunder as the MY06 model which carries the 6.0 engine.

[GAMBLR]

If your buying a ute for the hardtop well thats pretty stupid. The Thunder is just an SS ute, however it was labelled SS Thunder as the MY06 model which carries the 6.0 engine.

lol wasn't implying that at all. but if you were to buy a thunder, only to take the hardtop off, why buy a thunder at all? from what you've said may as well just buy an SS...
I'll shut up now, I've made myself look stupid enough

Thunder gets my vote Jester

[minux]

lol wasn't implying that at all. but if you were to buy a thunder, only to take the hardtop off, why buy a thunder at all? from what you've said may as well just buy an SS...
I'll shut up now, I've made myself look stupid enough

Thunder gets my vote Jester

Yeh but the thunder is an SS with a couple of badges and hardtop, from my understanding there was no SS in MY06 form, they were all SS thunders.

[GAMBLR]

ah ok that makes more sense

[Devils_Thunder]

Yeh but the thunder is an SS with a couple of badges and hardtop, from my understanding there was no SS in MY06 form, they were all SS thunders.

The Thunder got the 6L because of the changes to emision laws and it got all the left over Monaro bits after it was discontinued, (Wheels, interior ect.).

[Jesterarts]

Minux... but the roadster cover is one of the things I like... lol
(Seriously)

Pretty sure you had the option of having a 6.0L SS or a THUNDER 6.0L.

The THUNDER was a limited edition SS basically.

[BLU_FZ1]

Does the Thunder come with leather? If not i would take the SSZ. The bolster material on the cloth seats dont cope very well

[burnz]

a vote for the SSZ,
thunder's came out in the VY model with the roll bar.
i'm not shure but the ssz was option more than the standard thunder.

ps: the Z came with both 5.7 and the 6.0 didn't it???

[andyman]

hmm there is a thunder in a car yard at the moment, its also painted in ignition, so that would be a lil more rarer

[Troy711]

ps: the Z came with both 5.7 and the 6.0 didn't it???

A quick look of Redbook says SSZ only came out in a 5.7. It was only a very quick look though so I could be wrong haha.

[Kal123]

6.0L

/thread.

[Jesterarts]

SSZ where only 5.7

Basically... Holden knew they had the 6.0L SS coming out soon and they have alot of 5.7 stock still... so they added and upgraded a bunch of bits and called it a "Limited Edition".

Very good marketing move as once the 6.0L came out... any stock left with the 5.7L lost value dramatically.

[Escape-The-Fate]

if you have the pennies mate, id honestly go for the thunder..are you looking for a 6spd man or u want and auto??

[Jesterarts]

6spd... I can't drive auto... drives me nuts.... plus I keep going for the clutch when slowing down and end up stamping on the extra wide brake pedal if i drive an auto.

[Escape-The-Fate]

glad to hear your going for a 6spd, shits me to tears walking up to a nice ss/hsv ute/sedan and seeing that its an auto..kinda makes me look at it differently then haha

[Breno]

I was at exactly the same question when i was looking for a ute and im 100% happy i went with the thunder. i went 6spd Black as well and looks great.

the difference is pod gauges, the odd extra Z stitched in a seat and extra Z badge or 6.0L V8 with the thunder badge. it seemed pretty obvious to me in the end.

the thunder is a newer model 2006, 6.0L V8, leather, climate, a good set of 18in rims from factory and a hard top. which if thats the only thing you dont like just take it off (its really easy) put it in storage or simply sell it to get a soft cover.

Was pretty sure the SSZ came with the hard top as well didint it?

i learnt from before that dont settle for second best cause you will regret it.

And on the subject of doing mods to the engine wouldnt spending money on a 6.0L be far more worth it than on the 5.7L, it would always be that little bit better than the 5.7L doing the same mods to both.

theres my 2 cents worth anyway

[Jesterarts]

Awesome... it's a clear landslide in favor of th Thunder thus far.

And i do agree about potentially regretting it if I don't get the 6.0L knowing it's better.

Thanks

[BANKS]

ssz

whats the price difference between the ssz and the thunder atm?

[Jesterarts]

Cheapest SSZ I can find atm is 26,000 and the cheapest THUNDER I can find it 27,900.

Though on average I can find a nice SSZ for about 27-28 grand while a nice THUNDER I'l looking at 29-30 grand.