suitcasejefferson

I found this thread to be very informative. I am a vintage/classic car enthusiast, and have a '63 Nova SS and a '72 Chevelle "Heavy Chevy". Neither one are show cars but are in very nice condition. I rebuilt them from the ground up mechanically. They are registered and insured as collector cars, which severely limits what I can do with them.

I bought the HHR because I loved the way it looked, how practical it is, the great gas mileage (I get very close to 30 highway, but I tend to drive about 10 mph under the limit. Don't want to push that little 2.2 really hard) I have owned this car (2011) for almost 2 years now, and have had no problems. It currently has 68,000 miles on it.

One of the aspects of being a vintage car enthusiast is the idea that these cars can be kept going forever. There is not a single part for my Nova and Chevelle I cannot get.

I know the HHR is a modern car, and like all other modern cars, it was designed to be disposable. I suppose most people will scrap them when the engine/trans or something else really expensive goes out on a high mileage car.

When my '01 Malibu reached around 260,000 miles, I decided to trade it for the HHR. I wanted to get one before they all got trashed. I would like to keep this car for a long time. Aside from the engine and transmission (I lack the facilities to replace engines and transaxles in FWD cars) is there anything else about this car that a really good, highly experienced amateur mechanic would have serious problems fixing/replacing? I have built several engines (old school) and a few automatic transmissions (RWD) I won't touch a manual transmission, transfer case, or differential. Those require specialized skills and tools I don't have. I also never did get into electronics, and these cars seem to have more electronic parts than mechanical ones. Do they tend to have electronic problems very often?

I also know that unlike vintage cars, there will come a time when parts become hard to get for modern cars. I'm hoping most parts will be available for at least another 10 years or so.

johnny377

Well as of tonight my 2010 is up to 192,000. I had zero problems at all until one year ago at around 165,000 miles... Exactly a year ago the flex pipe broke and was changed, one month later the key was stuck in the ignition while running so the ignition was changed. I get into phases where the headlights will blow out repeatedly, I go through brakes once a year. and my left windshield wiper disconnected but I fixed it myself very easily. When its really cold out the shift interlock doesn't unlock very easily. BUT, this car runs exactly the way it did with 10,000 miles and I can not complain. My brother had a 2006 same engine and for some reason mine seems to have a lot of low end power compared to his with no modifications. I don't know what the difference is but I don't care for that in the winter. I would get another just because the drive train has been so reliable. Most other cars I have ever owned were ready to retire by 192,000 miles.

Ron S

johnny377

Welcome to the site. The 2010 has a little more HP than the 2006. I can tell the difference between my 2010 and my wife's 2009. She has even commented that mine has better acceleration then her's after using the 2010.

solman98

2006's had a higher final drive ratio (2.91 vs the later 2.29 I believe). They lowered it in 2007 or 2008 on most auto's. 5 speeds got a 4.17 ratio whichis why the 06 2.2 5 speed would run neck in neck with a 2.4 auto and giving up almost 30 hp.

63falcondriver

2008 LS no options, 151, 800 miles. Cylinder head replaced under GM drive train warranty at about 80k miles due to burned valve seat. Other than that no repairs, just maintenance items:
front brake pads and rotors
Battery
headlight bulbs
wiper blades front and rear
tires
oil changes
etc.
We average about 30mpg mix between rural and highway driving.

GJoneson

2010 218,000 running great
both wheel bearings
out put shaft seals
roters
normal stuff
Runs great
Change the oil!!!!

Nvrenuf

2009 LS bought new
206,000 miles
1 set front brakes and wheel bearings
1 set of Spark plugs
coolant change
lots of oil changes

highmileage

226,800 miles on it (365k kilometers).
We put roughly 621 (1000 kilometers) or so miles a week on.

Catalytic converter
Ignition change (before they released the recall).
Electrical harness.
Soon to be clutch.

Fabricater

182,000 miles,changed front wheel bearing 2 times,breaks and rotors o2 sensor ,heater motor resister and a few oil changes.Just put new tires on it.. This car has been abused by my son and oil has not been changed as often as it should be,but has been a good car to this point.

peegee12

2009 LT, 105K, purchased new in May '09. Rotors turned within the first two months, new pads & rotors @60K, then rotors turned again around 80K, steering wheel starting to vibrate, so probably time for another set of pads/rotors (I won't ever buy the OEM rotors again). Clunking noise is back - steering column replaced under extended warranty around 45K, probably time for new sway bar bushings and links. Ignition switch and electric power steering pump replaced by recall. Fan shroud broke, replaced under extended warranty. All service done per manual, new spark plugs/coils @ 95K, transmission fluid @65K, oil changes whenever DIC shows around 40% oil life remaining. Put Michelins on at 50K, so still decent tread left. Lots of road miles, this has been a great little hauler. Hoping to keep it going for quite a while longer.