nacademus

Lol, the dog certainly learned about relativity and inertia.
HAHA!

BlackknighT

I don't know how many times I have to hear about the 2.2 bashing. Yes I know it's not the 350 4bbl carb I gave up for cash for clunkers to get my hhr, but I am impressed with my 09 vvt 2.2. All around a very capable motor with the automatic & the use of "I" drive. I drove a 2.4 early 08 hhr and guess what-I wasn't overly impressed. It was about equal to or less powered than my 09 2.2.

Whether or not you get the 2.2 or 2.4 you will be happy with whatever hhr you purchase. Get whichever you can afford to pay the gas prices for...

You want speed buy the turbo. Nuff said for a Sunday afternoon.

bfegypt13

I drove an auto '10 2.2 LS for a week and was impressed with how zippy it was, both on take off and at speed.

I bought an auto '08 2.4 expecting it to be similar on takeoff and a lil punchier at speed, and, for once in my life (when it comes to vehicles) I was absolutely right. But, to be honest, there isn't so much difference that it would matter to me.

bk94si

I bought an 08 with a 2.4 but that was because I wanted all the options that went along with it. I would have been happy with a 2.2.

Doctuh

We got our manual 2LTs with every possible option except the automatic transmission (and in my case, the side airbags). On a used car, the options don't add nearly as much to the purchase price as on a new car. So, the "best bang for your buck" on a new HHR would be the barest unit that would satisfy you. I like plush, so I went used so I could afford it. If you don't need heated leather seats, sunroof, fog lamps and such and the acceleration is acceptable, go basic! The standard equipment of a 2.2 auto LS is on par with higher optional equipment levels on cars 10-15 years ago.

Thisstrangeengine

I test drove a 2011 LT1 before I bought my low mileage 2008 LS and assumed it had the 2.4 engine. I was impressed when I actually read the window sticker and saw it was the 2.2. I've driven a few with the 2.4 as I was shopping for mine and wanted that engine, but after feeling there wasnt a whole lot of difference in pickup it made no difference to me which one I got.

11BlueJ

I have the 2.2, and came from a 3.5 v6.

The thing is plenty quick to me, I'm usually suprised to see how fast I'm going when I look down at the speedometer. And passing is no problem.

Never felt I needed more power than I have and when I test drove a 2.4 noticed no difference.

843de

I took some heat for this before, but in my humble opinion, the 2.2 is the sweeter of the normally aspirated HHR engine choices. They just tend to get bashed because of the smaller displacement, if the 2.0's were just 2 liter engines without the turbochargers, they'd take the brunt of the displacement bashing.

Honestly the only reason I ended up with a 2.4 in the 2011 was my desire to order up one with every goody available before the HHR went away. The old adage "there is no replacement for displacement" is going away with the advent of more sophisticated small displacement engines. All that being said, would I ever give up the 427 Big Block in the SS for a teeny V-6 with DI and a turbo, no way!

Silverfox

Thank you all for your informative responses so far on the 2.2 engine.

I am negotiating as I type for a new 2011 1LT with most of what I want, but I do have 1 more question.
It has the Premium Pioneer speakers.
Are they OK or a problem over time with all the extra electronics??
Where do they put the Box??
Is it in the way ??

SF

Greybeard999

I've got an '07 with the Pioneer Premium sound system.... no problems and good sound. The sub is in the drivers side wall in the back... doesn't take up any room.