You didnt look very deep. Its 2 separate but related issues. GM went down to the wire because of UAW. Dont even task me on this one , I know. I have several generations of family in GM and I worked for Tyco/Siemens supplying relays in a lot of GM vehicles. Ive been there and seen it with my own 2 eyes.
GM is NOT a well run company, don't know where you got that info. Just a company infused with taxpayer money.
I never once called the car a piece of crap, you assume way too much. I referred to several parts on the car as crap, and I stand by it. And I DO love my car! Other wise I would have traded it in by now.

 

Out of nothing better to do, I thought I chip in on this discussion.
What was GM thinking?: How to get you to buy a vehicle made for the masses[read: mainly for little old women to drive around doing their shopping, Ect.], with a Reto look[almost resembling a PT Cruiser], and made as cheaply as possible. It was never meant to be a quiet, smooth riding, long distance vehicle, that was very reliable. Something a little different, to be driven short distances, or as a companty deliverly vehicle.
I bought my SS, after first doing my homework, and for the potential, for a different look yet, after I completed the mods, and replaced some of the cheap parts . Now,my SS definately won't be mistaken as a PT Cruiser for sure, and I now have the look, power and handling I was looking for, as pictures will attest. I planned and drew up drawings to get the look I wanted, and now she's pretty much finished. all mods, pretty much completed.
It's different, and it will on ocassion[at the track, and a few weak moments] hand most v8's their rear end.
Bottom line: you pays your money and takes your chances, as with any vehicle. You buy for whatever intented use the vehicle is going to be used for, and if you mod it, be prepared to get your wallet out from time to time.
I know my warranty would be voided as soon as I drove up to the dealer service dept., and thats fine with me. The SS rides roughter, and is noisy over low speed bumps, but I can live with that. I work out of the house, so it's not a commute vehicle[bought new Sept. 09-just truned 16,000 miles].
Oh, did I mention: I really like my SS now. "Moon"
P.S. Just in case you forgot what it looks like...."Poof"

That was fun...again!

 

Cool. The member American & Proud has a thread on deadening and he went all out and stripped the entire car and laid down Audio Barrier. I did the floor and rear door. Makes a huge difference in road noise. Totally worth it imo. Takes about an hour to pull out the interior and about 4 hours to lay down the barrier.

 

...

 

I saw that, the way the car is from factory turns the back end into a giant loud speaker for every hum and whine in the road surface. I recently used 2 cans of the 3M undercoating in the rear compartment....made a noticeable difference. Am going to use the sticky stuff like in the thread you mentioned later, especially on the roof panels...big vibrating expanses of bare metal.....

 

I did almost pay $ 25,000 for this grey sled, and yes in the many miles it has I have replaced bearings shocks and did go to softer 17" tires that cost me 1.4 miles per gallon. But it still costs halve as much to drive as my bride's m series mercedes with a diesel. And the stereo is really better than the bose in my miata and the one in my bride's suv. Now my 2001 excursion with the 7.3 liter diesel will ride very well. But costs twice as much to operate and oh twice as much to buy. love the HHR even with the shortcomings which I think I have replaced with much better components.

 

one last thought, the bones of the HHR are not that bad. I had a 1983 olds firenza wagon with every option that i put 292,000 trouble free miles on. That people were amazed at the ride quality and quietness of the vehicle. In saying that I am always quick to replace stock shocks or springs to make it ride how I like.

 

I have had limited issues with my '06 HHR.


By oldlar at 2011-10-23

I've driven from Maine to the Florida Keys.
It gets great gas mileage: a graphic distribution of my mpg for 90K miles



By oldlar at 2011-10-12

GM has no replacement for this small "station wagon". I do lots of long hauling in the car.

 

So true - It's the perfect car for me - size wise especially.

When GM discontinued the Safari and Astro, they left a void in their product line that has never been dealt with either. The "replacement" vehicle was/is the Savanna which is huge in comparison to the Safari/Astro. Never understood that decision. There are tons of contractors that need a van of reasonable size, but the Savanna is just like a bus in comparison.

 

The Astro van was a nice vehicle. Rear wheel drive with all wheel drive versions. There was some really nice conversions and special editions that made super nice family get away vehicles.
This is nice and comfy..