Looks like airborne is getting this post back on track
I have auto trans, because I am lazy also and like the remote start even if I dont use it.

 

I love the stick tranny!! you can have a lot more fun, but, you gotta like a manual trans. I wouldn't have it any other way!! Why don't you test drive both!!??

 

To me the auto rules . I am older, lazy and just love to cruise my HHR. Eventually, Chevy will put in what is needed to put the pt gt to sleep.

 

I'm enjoying my auto. I've had both for extended periods and with the amount of driving I do, I simply prefer the auto. 9 weeks old, 12K miles so far! Plus I like the auto-start feature!!

CBL

 

I am stuck as well. The HHR I drive is an automatic, and for cold days in Missouri (Mild, but still cold) it is nice, also hot days for it's leather as well. I just now learned about the I and L gears, so I'll give them a try, but ever since my stick conked out on me; and I learned to drive on it - I am very partial to the stick.

I will be in Texas by the time I get my own HHR (My mother's is the one in the signature - but consider myself 1/3 owner since we all drive each others cars) so the coldness factor won't be bad, but it will be hot, and since I love leather it might be useful for that, but I really don't mind. I love a stick, I love driving a stick and more than likely I'll be getting a stick.

So one question, for someone who knows the automatic and manual:
-When I had my last car, I noticed that the automatic version cruised in last gear at a lower RPM than my stick version (roughly 250 - 500 more RPM), so does the HHR do that as well? I will be driving a lot of highway miles and if I can get a lower RPM then I might order an automatic (Or does the engine/transmission wear about the same?) since I'll be going back and forth to Texas and Missouri (~500 miles, for family), as well as anywhere I get a gig.

Thanks!

 

Well, with the intake and IMCO muffler on my 2.4L, I'n running 3100rpm at 95mph....so judge for yourself.

Generally speaking, automatics have a higher final drive ratio than sticks, so yes, they usually will cruise at a lower overall rpm in the highway.

 

With numbers taken from GM specs:

Auto: 4th ratio: 0.68 Final Drive: 3.91 OA Ratio: 2.66

5-sp: 5th ratio: 0.69 Final Drive: 4.17 OA Ratio: 2.88

Yep, like Mike said, the auto is geared a little taller than the 5-speed.

At 60 MPH the auto will be turning about 200 RPMs less.

 

I gotta say I love sticks!

However, I too am lazy and like the conveniance of the auto which is what I have.

By the way, I LOVE the 'I' drive! The only problem is that it sucks up gas way too fast for me.

 

Tip: It's not the "I" gear that sucks up gas......it's that LEAD FOOT on the gas pedal!

 

True that!