I've discovered by examining the RPO codes that my 2009 HHR 2LT- which seems to be in quite reasonable condition was a rental fleet build.

The RPO decodes as:
FLEET INCENTIVE HERTZ RENT A CAR (B/C/D/E/F/G/H/J/K/M/N/U/V/W -TRK CKGMLPST

I was a little suprised. It's quite well optioned - electric leather seats, fog lights, sun roof, sports suspension etc etc. Is this normal for rental builds? As I'm not from the States, I don't know how the rental market works here. How long do they keep the cars? Do they normally rent optioned up vehicles in the general pool - or would this have been a lease car? Any other opinions on ex-rental experiences appreciated. And if anyone knows how to decode the decoded RPO further (What's TRK CKGMLPST ?) I'd appreciated it.

Thanks
Richard

 

Richard,

Welcome to the site!

You will find a lot of nice folks and tons of information here.

As to your concerns....

Many HHRs were built specifically for rental companies and as leased vehicles.

Most (notice I use the word "most") rental companies will keep a car no longer than 20,000 miles. If the mileage was accumulated in one year...if the mileage was accumulated in two years...the car would be put up for sale when the mileage was 20,000.

I know people who have purchased rental and fleet vehicles and are extremely pleased with their vehicles.

In fact, a rental or lease vehicle would probably (notice I use the word "probably") have more, consistent oil changes than personally owned vehicles. After owning my auto and truck repair shop for over twenty years, I have seen many personally owned vehicles not getting the care they need!

Enjoy your HHR and post some pictures when you have a chance.

Again Welcome!

 

The third sticky in this forum section is a list of RPO codes. The ones on the glove box door, anyway.

They usually do rent fully optioned cars. And 2LT is basically fully optioned plus a few things.

Welcome!

 

Thanks for the welcome. As for Pics, on the right is my HHR, the left is my first love, a Holden FC in Australia (now waiting patiently in my sisters shed) - and a clue as to why I might have been attracted to the HHR when I moved to the states.

 

Is your FC a 1959? Very sharp!

What engine?

Manual or automatic transmission?

Your HHR is very clean. Beautiful, also!

 

Hi - Thanks for the comments. The FC is stock 1959 model- they only came with manual (three on the tree). Us Australians didn't get auto transmissions in any locally built Holdens until the 60's. The engine is a 132.5 CI (2.2 L) "Grey" straight 6 cylinder - again, there was no real choice in the matter, although mine was rebuilt in 1974 to later model specs - it's now 138 Cubic inches!. It was my grandfathers from new to 1969, then my Dad's until 1979 and I've owned it ever since. My sons is not getting it for a few years yet.

I've yet to see many HHR's that are not clean. I'm trying to work out how to take the HHR back to Australia when I retire. I'm not entirely sure it will be possible (to legally use on the road) if I do, or if it is even sensible. (The Left hand conversion, parts supply etc)

 

Mine was a rental. I am now sitting at just over 234,000 miles and have never had an issue. Enjoy.

 

Welcome to the site.

Nothing wrong with a formal rental car.
Only drawback is, almost all former rentals will have the remote start feature deleted.

 

Welcome to the site, rental or not , it will give you many miles of enjoyable driving!

 

Mine wasn't deleted. Although I has to buy a fob and programmer ($55 for both from O'Reilly, and working in three minutes - I can't really complain as the dealer quoted $280). Is remote start really very useful anyway? I've never had a car with it before. Although I've never lived in a country where it snows either.