After much educating myself and looking at 2012 Impala LTZ's with the 3.6 Camaro 300 hp engine and 6 sp auto I test drove one last night with my wife.

One of the reasons I wanted a different ride was the annoying downshift thing the HHR does in the mountains, well the LTZ is way worse That 6 sp stumbles between gears and tries 2 or 3 shifts before finding the right one ( with the cruise on and going up a big hill about 60 mph)

The ride on the panel was a little stiff mostly because the new oversized Goodyear Tripletreads firm shoulders . The LTZ has 18" goodyears with 31-33 lbs in them . It had a terrible ride you felt every bump and expansion joint. My wife even said the HHR's leather seats were more comfortable and the heated seats worked better. She said that she liked the panel alot more .

I guess some times you have to drive something else to appreciate what you have. On the plus I did like the Impala's power It would run ! I guess I should forget about the new 2014 SS impala with the 475 hp big block.
See yinz later ...John

 

You found the big problem/failing of today's 6/8/9/10 speed automatic transmissions, they are programmed to get into top gear ASAP, and they'll hunt back and forth between ratios like mad.

Haven't driven the new Impala yet, but I think Chevy goofed by only offering the full boat, stiff riding LTZ's at first, the rest of the engine/trim levels won't be out until September.

 

Geez Chevrolet ....

If they'd just bring back the "New Improved" version of the HHR for 2014 they would sell one to most every current owner that now has 50,000 miles plus on the one they have.
Look at all the great info that could be derived for improvements from just this HHR site.

I'm telling you ....I'd buy one or maybe 2 again.

I went thru the same nonsense of looking at other cars etc. a few months back and the HHR is hard to beat for all around.
A New Improved version could even make it that much better !!

SF

 

I not kidding you when I say my blue HHR has no problem at all with power. With over 300 lbs of torque even in direct drive it will easily pull you up a steep grade. I purposely try to keep it from shifting down so I can feel that amazing torque. It will pull 13 lbs of boost before it shifts down.

On the other hand I'm not giving up my 2LT panel either....


The Wife would like something different to drive, been looking at Captiva LTZ, they have the 3.0 in them.

 

I drove an 2014 Impala LTZ and I loved it. It is a major step above the previous Impala. The 3.6 motor is fantastic, I love them. I actually enjoy the firmer ride and will be improving the ride of my 2009 HHR LS when the struts need to be replaced.

 

Gotta buy the Captiva Used ... Right?

 

Silverfox
Yes, I loked at one a while back didn't drive it though. It sat comfortable though it is higher off the ground so it is a step up to get in. I was told that the body is the old Saturn Vue. It looked pretty good though. We weren't think of buying I was just cutious. This is the vehicle that the fleet sales used to replace the HHR.