So while waiting for my Mom's Maxima to get the oil changed and tire rotated - I test drove a 2009 HHR Panel SS. It had the performance drivers seat, the performance display everyone seems to be going ape s**t for and an auto transmission. Black with Red and Black interior.

While the ride was much more compliant than I thought it would be, and it seemed to handle better than my 2007 - I was let down by the power - and really disappointed with the performance display. Too hard to read (on an overcast day no less) and it looked "tacked on". Now everyone has their own opinions and this is purely mine. The HHR SS looks great. The panel body in black looked way cool. Performance wise - it may beat my 2LT / 5 speed all day long - thing is - IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT could. I was expecting my back to be planted in the seat (it wasn't). I expected the performance seat to hold me in a lot better than it did - and for '09 to have a matching passenger performance seat (nope). I was also amazed at how shallow the bins (where the rear seat would be) are.

The sticker with incentives was 25,700. If you're in Champaign, Illinois and you want to take a look - be my guest - it is at Sullivan - Parkhill Chevrolet.

Look it's just my opinion, but I'll keep mine. I know some, if not most will disagree with my opinion. But I just didn't feel it was worth the extra $$. The HHR SS looks better - but my 07 Premiere Edition ain't ugly.

 

i haven't seen the performance display in person but from the photos i have seen of it it looks like s**t. Such an afterthought. Plus i would be mad if i lost my dash storage bin...

 

There is an SS Panel at my local dealer, the performance display does need work on the placement. As far as performance and handling. I got an LS as a loaner and not talking down the LS, but the handling and power were very different than my SS. I'll take my SS any day. Not to mention a few thousand $ and you can have 307 whp in the SS.

 

I have never driven an LS. I have my loaded LT2 / Premiere Edition with a 5 speed, and I test drove the SS today. I bet my opinion would be different in I drove a 5 speed.

 

Okay, that's true, the 5 speed does have more power. I have never driven an Auto SS.

 

i drove the Auto SS and it had a lot more power in my mind compared to my Auto 2LT.

When i was test driving them all, i got the SS out on some deserted roads and opened it up, it was flying.