I actually like sunroofs...I like the sun coming in. I like my RPD too...I have it set to boost, so for me it's really just a boost gauge. I do like it though, and the fact that I can change what it's measuring when I feel like it.

The RPD definitely seems like a love it or hate it thing. I bought my SS off a lot, so it came with it, but I don't know if I would've ordered it as an option. I don't really miss the storage space that it takes away.

 

I run boost on my Aeroforce gauge and MPH. This give me a much easier read on the boost and the speedo as the SS speedo sucks.. I can punch up all the other info with no issue if needed.

I also set the lights on the gauge to set the lights off when I hit 20 PSI. I can tell if I got good boost without even looking at the gauge.

 

Love the aeroforce gauges , But had to keep the stock boost gauge ,
so running 5 perimiters , 6 if i want to set the dic to coolant temp .

 

Or has a wife who needs to drive the car too and can barely manage an automatic....they're tricky you know.

 

I really like the center boost guage pod as thats one reasons I bought this car. You can select several different display colors. What I really like about it is it numerically tells the air temp after the intercooler and the actual water temp. After upgrading my intercooler, the air never goes more than 6 degrees over ambient! it made a difference especially in hot weather- still spins the tires in 2nd gear with the a/c on! Also, since its a good idea to cool down the turbo after driving, you would be surprised what the coolant temp does during those minutes of idling as the dash needle guage dosent show the 15 degree difference the engine experiences when the heat from the manifold goes into the head that first minute or so. It shows to me when I can shut down the engine. The digital meter is more accurate than mechanical guages and I don't like the aftermarket looking ones in the pillar (just my opinion). Just be sure to get the limited slip differential and don't bother with the Automatic, they are just like any other car on the road....the manual transmissions are going away as people are lazy and would rather talk on the phone/text, drink coffee or whatever it is becides driving...It takes skill to drive a manual- especially after changing to a stronger clutch. I like full control of the engine/trans, thats what makes driving fun!
Good luck on your search!

 

I just love these cool-aid drinking guys with SS manuals, that try to convince people to get a manual, just because they have one.
Over the years[about 55, since I was 16] I have owned many cars[none of them totally stock] and a lot of them were manuals.
Granted a totally stock SS manual has a slight H.P. advantage, and may be a little quicker, depending on driver skill, but both manual and auto SS's being tuned to roughly the same H.P.-torque, that advantage goes away, in a big hurry. The auto will launch harder, the wheelspin easier to control, and it will shift at the proper RPM-torque curve, every time, without fail. No manual, no matter how good a guy thinks he can shift, will never hit the proper shift point, time after time. Won't happen.
Look around at the quick cars nowdays, and very few are manuals, for that reason. Most all cars nowdays have some sort of computer controled convertor trans, Read: Auto.
After some milage, down the road, when manual guys are paying big bucks to replace clutch and sloppy shifter parts, I'll only have to maybe change the auto trans fluid.
So shift away on your outdated manuals, but don't knock the auto's.
As a footnote to track guys: Seems there is certain Auto SS on this site, that is beating the manual guys like a drum, on far less $. "Moon"

 

i think the center dash gauge is pretty awesome.. wish the 08 had em...But then again i like having the storage box.. which by the way gets really hot in the sun

when i bought my auto ss it was used with 18k, but i test drove a brand new 2010 stick just to see if i wanted to try a lil more fun and get a manual for tooling around . On my test drive i quickly realized in rushhour traffic ill stick with my automatics. but, owning a sportbike i figured i can jump on that and shift all i want... Would of been cool for gm to put the triptronic transmissions like the mazda's have for them "fun days", or maybe a ferrari paddle shift :)

I also liked the 08 red/black interior vs the '10 all black interior... i say get it! Even if its not a z28 or a full blown v8 muscle, it shocks the heck out of alot of people when they look at ya going 70 like your a "wanna be ss"
and you punch it and they are now "objects in mirror appearing closer then they appear" .. Mine haulsthe fiancee, 2 kids(10,12), all their handheld electronics, 2 80lb pitbulls with their bed and it still has room for the 10inch sub/amp ... not too many vehicles have room to haul that much and get 24+mpg

 

Folks:
I choose the 09 specifically because the lack of the meter in the dash, again like most the space is more useful. The transmission is a personal choice and I went with the 5SPD for a couple of reasons which are I like to row (don't own an automatic trans car/s) and more importantly the 'performance package' doesn't come with the auto trans.

 

You mean these, easy to add to my auto, we don't seem to need the LSD.

 

I know I am coming in late on this but my advice is to get the best car you can afford. Newer / lower mileage and overall condition. Auto or stick is your preference I vote for stick it works for me but u know what works for you. I love my sunroof and I enjoy my LSD and bermbos. I don't have rpd but I would like one mounted like the Cobalt guys. The storage in the dash for me is too good to give up.

Either way I think you will be very happy with an SS.