I just picked up an 06 2.4 LT and love the car but I despise:

The annoyingly long door lock buttons - Can anyone tell me where (if) you can buy shorter replacement buttons for my door locks so I can rest my arm on the window again?

The horrible (criminal) lack of a decent console/cup holder - Can anyone tell me where (if) you can buy a custom center console for an 06 HHR?

Yeah the window button placement sucks, I won't even go there...I have the premium Pioneer sound system with XM, but I prefer Sirius - Can anyone tell me if it's possible to receive Sirus Satellite radio with the factory premium Pioneer system?

Other than that I love the car and this forum is great, you guys are fantastic, thanks for all the info!!!

 

Ya know, this was all in the car before you bought it...

Welcome to the HHR Familia!

I don't open my windows, so don't fuss about the door locks (I know some folks like to hang out the open window).

I don't eat in my car, so the cup holders aren't an issue and occasionally just have my coffee mug there no problem.

And I like the window switches where they are (see first sentence about rarely opening windows).

Anyhow...what color and we like pix!

@ngelita & Blackie

 

You must be tall, because that little window isn't built for optimum arm resting height. I lost the arm/window habit after the first 10 minutes of driving and haven't tried it since.

Don't know about your questions...just that you'll get used to what's what. The fun outweighs the little drawbacks it might have. I personally wish there was a center storage box thingy that I can use to write on.

 

Mike has what you need (he's one of our members and vendor) http://www.thehhrstore.com/Smoothie_Lock_Knobs.php

 

Hey Dude, you can get the door locks at Autozone for sure, or any auto parts stores in your area that can get Dorman products (or as everyone else knows them as HELP! Products). Part# is 75403, They come with a little rubber vacuum cap to install (no scratches) if you put the pliers on the rubber cap and tighten just past where it gets tight, the door lock with sit perfectly flush with the door panel. I do recommend taking an exacto knife or razor knife and "ever so slightly" wallowing out the door lock hole in the door panel because the locks are a hair bigger then the stock ones and I had to do a little trimming cause mine were sticking after about a week...



enjoy your HHR, and welcome to the site!

 

Oh crap! I didn't even see that Mike has them, i would always support the vendors on here. they just didn't have em when i was looking for them so i found those on Dorman's website and gave it a try. Sorry Mike

 

Yep, I definitely knew about these shortcomings before I bought the car. The dealer let me drive it for the weekend, and these issues aside - the car still impressed me. I was averaging between 28-34 mpg's, which has brought tears to my eyes as I was driving a Grand Cherokee before the HHR.

I got a GM certified Black 2LT fully loaded with every option possible (plus new tires and brakes all around) out the door for $10,500. It's got 40,000 miles on it but it looks BRAND NEW, and runs like a champ. I've driven nothing but sixes most of my life, and I gotta say the 2.4 4-cylinder automatic in this thing really amazes me.

The good gas mileage on top of the roomy storage space made dumping my Jeep not so hard. And now a week later, I couldn't be happier.
If it's possible to get Sirius with the Pioneer receiver, I'll be in heaven.

Thanks for everything guys, I really appreciate your help!

 

You XM/Sirius dilemma will work itself out soon enough when the two merge. They will need to find a way to make the receivers accept the opposite signals.

 

The window switch will be nothing in a week or two,stuby door lock knobs will fit the locks we all have them, cup holder well lets just say oh well...... move on

As a year one owner I still love my HHR LS

 

I must be the odd guy out because the few times I've driven with the window down and my arm resting on top of the door panel the lock knob hasn't really bothered me.The knob happens fall right in the bend of my arm at the elbow.And yes,I'm tall(6'2,34'' inseam).I drive with the seat all the way back and almost all the way down