Hey Guys,

I need a car to commute and run errands for work and I was looking at a new Chevy HHR. Does anybody have anything to say about it positive or negative?

Thanks,
Joe

I road in one the other day, it was comfortable from the passanger seat. I also liked how it was a true station wagon type vehicle. Very spacious for hauling stuff with all the seats folded down...

I test drove one 2 weeks ago. I like the looks and interior styling, but the lack of power, RPMs that were too high between shifts (overcoming the 4 cyl), lack of visibilty when backing up and an interior that seemed small caused me not to buy one. I went with a used 2004 Malibu Maxx. V6, leather, 22-30mpg, very spacious rear seats, fold flat seats help the cargo fit and the rear hatch back made cargo loading easy. I would check into the MAXX. The HHR is cheaper than the MAXX of course.

http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu/colors/ Goto 306 views and choose the MAXX LTZ

Here it the one I just bought for the wife
http://images.cobaltgroup.com/4/5/7/304083754x250.jpg

I had one as a rental car for a while in Dallas. I'd highly recommend you rent one for a weekend before you buy one. Use it like you would for your regular day to day. I've rented cars before just to see how well they fit my lifestyle... it's what made me decide against the new Grand Cherokee.. For me, the Chevy Avalanche was a better fit. The HHR felt small, although it had some neat features. If you can't spend enough time in a dealer test drive, find one at Avis, and use it for a weekend. It's a small price to pay for an experice ahead of an actual purchase.

-Ted

My wife had one for a rental for about a week. She hated it. I also suggest you rent one for a couple of days first.

Thanks for the input guys.

A customer of mine who works for Enterprise brought one to my store but it was a base model. I wasn't crazy about the way it drove either. I'd have to drive the model I want to make a legitimate decision.

Joe, I was car shopping a few months back and checked out the HHR. I never really liked the looks of them, but found that after being in one and taking it out, it's kind of growing on me. As for the 4 cyl engine version, that would certainly come in handy at the pumps, but not too good for hauling loads for a business all day long. I thought it was comfortable. I like the thought of renting a car for a few days to get a good idea of how it fits your needs. Good luck in your decision!
Dano:)

No, but I had a PT Cruiser as a rental car recently.
Avoid it like the plague.
It had the build quality of a Cuban relief raft.

I've got a similar vehicle, Scion XB (Toyota). It may be small, but you can get all kinds of stuff in it. I've had 2 front 68 Camaro fenders, a radiator core support for a 68 Camaro, my shotgun and my hunting cloths, and all the fixings (diaper bag, toys, etc) for my 2 year old son, at the same time. I average between 30-32 mpg in city driving. Rear legroom is unbelievable for such a small car. I'm 5'11 and my dad is 6'1. I can drive at my normal seat distance, and he can sit behind me with room to spare. I've got 20k miles on it, and I've had zero problems. I get laughed at alot, but who cares. I've never had a fill up over $30. My range is about 290 mi before I fill up. I've taken several trips in it, and it's suprisingly comfortable. Just something else to consider, if you don't mind the jokes.

doesnt the scion have like 104 hp?

lol yeah.. but it's not as bad as it sounds. I've never had a problem with the lack of HP. As a vehicle that gets good mpg and room, I don't think it can be beat.

No, but I had a PT Cruiser as a rental car recently.
Avoid it like the plague.
It had the build quality of a Cuban relief raft.


that is the funniest thing i've ever heard!! :) also very true. in my opinion chevy could of done something alot better with there time on the hhr or even the ssr for that matter. i think both cars were brought out to surpass time for something that will actually "CONTEND" with other models that burn up the roadways. it's kind of hard to find a car that will give you comfort and power and also economical enough to be called a daily driver. i bought a subaru and absolutely love it i am sold on them it has the handling unlike anything i've ever drove and also the power to get you on a freeway. the one neg. thing though is the road noise, you hear everything but as it is said you usually give up one thing for the other. well in my opinion the hhr is not very appealing and no i wouldn't even consider the option of owning one. same fealings with the p.t. or a neon there just throw aways to me. sorry if any of you have one no pun intended just opinion.

I think the HHR is competing in the market with the Honda Element, XB and PT Cruiser. It's not intended as a hold over vehicle. Like the PT it's retro American vs the very modern Element and XB. The SSR is just a nitch vehicle for the "my clubs don't fit in the Vette" set and sales numbers are not a big issue in GM's game.

As for the Cuban relief raft... They may not look too classy but if you can make a 1955 ford truck float, I'm not going to complain about build quality. :beers:

Initially I wasn't too sure, but the HHR has definitely grown on me. I was able to drive one a couple times, ...and it wasn't bad. I would consider one (other vehicles I'm looking into, ...Equinox and Saturn Vue). One of my primary interests would be fuel economy, ...so the loss of some power under the hood isn't as much an issue. What really caught my attention with the HHR is they are priced fairly reasonably.
On a side note, ...I rented a PT Cruiser while out west recently, ...I was surprised, ...I DIDN"T like it. I always thought they were a neat looking vehicle, ...but after driving it, ...I was not impressed.

Kevin

I think the HHR looks nice. The car is designed after the '49 Suburban. As for the motor, it is a 4 cylinder that makes a modest 180 hp and gets an advertised 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

The thing that really got my attention was the model I picked out was pretty much fully loaded (with a really nice leather interior) for just over 20k.

I'm still shopping but I haven't seen anything else in this price range that has what the HHR has to offer....and I'm really not interested in sport compacts.

The only experience I have had is when one hit my daughters car!! Not bad damage....but interesting set-up, as the bumper fascia runs almost to the top of the light housing on the side. Takes away from the fender. Rims were nice and it looked very new.....as the guy who lane changed my daughter only bought it 5 minutes earlier.....and was heading home. His wife didn't look too happy about the crash.:clonk:

I think the HHR looks nice. The car is designed after the '49 Suburban. As for the motor, it is a 4 cylinder that makes a modest 180 hp and gets an advertised 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

The thing that really got my attention was the model I picked out was pretty much fully loaded (with a really nice leather interior) for just over 20k.

I'm still shopping but I haven't seen anything else in this price range that has what the HHR has to offer....and I'm really not interested in sport compacts.


Ever since I saw the first one I've said they should have made it a full size version of the HHR and replaced the current burb with that body style. I think the "full size suv driving soccer mom/dad hauls the toys on the weekend" set would have eaten up a retro burb...