Yeah I tossed and turned at night with the Auto vs. Manual decision for my HHR.

Been driving since 1980 and in all that time only owned one automatic.

I drove a manual HHR, and it worked OK I suppose. Shifter was sorta under the armrests for 2nd and 4th gear....that was a little bothersome. Somehow, I just feel like the automatic just fits the car's character a little better.

The manual I drove was a pretty rough unit, too. Smelled like gas inside. I figured I'd spend several months finding a good manual HHR.

Also, why can't you tow with the manual?

Sorta rambling here, but these are the thoughts I had. Found a 2.2 Auto and so far, so good. I'm gettin' 28.5mpg average and I'm definitely keeping up with traffic

 

lmao i wasnt even born in 1980

 

I have had sticks and automatics. The sticks are faster(if you know how to shift right) as automatic torque convereters and other internal parts rob power before it gets to the wheels. Automatics are also more expensive when they break. On the other side of the fence, sticks usually only have to replace a clutch, sometimes a pressure plate, and I would always change the throw out bearing when changing a clutch just incase. I do alot of in city light to light driving, and am sick and tired of driving sticks. So, it boils down to what conditions you are going to be driving the car in, how long you plan on keeping it, and how important fuel economy is to you. Hope this helps.

 

John-

Don't forget the 'slave cylinder' in there with the hyd clutch..

 

I've got a Man. 2.2, and I love it. Here again as has been said maint. can really be a killjoy for some people, I don't mind any of it but my world kinda revolves around a quarter mile stretch of asphalt and my cars are my zen. MPO I wouldn't touch an auto, but I enjoy everything else involved beings I don't use a grage for maint. so it really depends on how you function, if you sub-contract your work and one style to the other jus go with what you like, if you prefer to DIY, well there's alot to consider

 

Did not realize it had a hydrolic clutch, in that case, you wouldnt get that much stronger left leg muscle syndrom like you did with the older clutches that I am used too.

Just for the record the oldest year model vehicle I have driven with a clutch was a 1972 Dodge D100 truck with a 3 on the tree and screwed up synchronizers so you could only put in first if you were at a complete stop. That was what I learned to drive in. If you can drive stick you can drive anything. That is what my Dad preached to me, and dog on it if he wasnt right. EVERY other stick i have driven was breeze compared to that monster.

 

We have 2 HHRs, a Automatic 2.4 '06 and a manual 2.2 '09. The '06 definitely has more power than the manual '09, but each are fun to drive. Just get one of each =).

 

damn now i really cant decide... one dealer has a 2010 LS 5 speed for 15,900, and another has a 2009 (still brand new) 1LT for 17,820 but its an auto. that 2009 i believe has a 3000 dollar rebate too according to GM's site. the 2010 i think already has the 2000 dollar rebate deducted, yeilding the 15,900.

2009: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=1268099847973

 

Doesn't seem like one of those things you need someone else to decide for you? If you like shifting gears, get a manual. If you don't, get an automatic. You're the one who's going to be driving it, not me!

 

I agree. Your decision should be...Automatic!!