I am currently driving a Scion TC, but being a new dad I've decided to move up to something a little roomier.

The more I look at the HHR, I'm really liking it. I think I have narrowed it down to two different ones.

*options one appears to have that the other doesn't

2009 Dark Grey HHR LT w/32k miles - $12,000
*OnStar
*Communication System (I assume bluetooth)
*F&R Head Curtain Air Bag

2007 Maroon HHR LT w/19k miles - $13,000
*running boards

Both cars have a clean Autocheck other than the 2009 being previously used as a Fleet/Rental.

Are there any changes between 2007 and 2009 that I am missing that should sway my decision one way or the other? Or Perhaps other factors? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JD

 

09 comes standard with side airbags, traction control. esc
that would be a no brainer when looking for a car that i put my kids in.

 

The 09 will have the window switches on the door.

Might still try to get them down on price with that many miles.

 

+3 on the 09. Plus still under warranty for longer drivetrain wise. The t/c and esc, along with the window switch placement is the reasons I would pick the 09 over the 07. Plus they have had more time to improve on the car/truck/van/suv thingy.

 

Are these 1LT's or 2LT's? To be honest, if they are are the same models. I'd get the 07. You should be able to get the 07 much cheaper than that though. That 09 probably has been road hard. Both have the same 5/100 warranty. Running boards are a must IMO.

 

Both are 1LT as far as I can tell.

I'm leaning towards the 09 for safety features, but I agree that the running boards look nice. How hard of an install is it? Especially for someone that does zero car work? I guess worse case scenario, I can see how much my brother-in-law would charge to install them.

 

They appear to be easy to install. But they protect the rear fenders more importantly from road rash. Locating a set is a challenge at times.

For the money on that 09, I'd look at new verese one with that amount of mileage. With deals today, you can probably get close to that.

 

Running boards are a snap to install. Anyone with a few basic tools can install them in about three hours. Cost is another consideration, they will cost you from $300 to $500, a couple of hundred to get them painted also. You should be able to do considerably better on both of those cars price wise. I would go for the 09, my only concern being how hard it was driven as a rental/fleet. It does have a 100,00 mile five year warranty thouogh, so you have over half of it left.

 

The 09, being a rental car, has probably been abused lot. I work for a rental company and probably wont ever buy a rental, mainly cause I know how I drive them, but then again maintence was more than likely right one so that could be plus. The 09 does have some nice features like the window switches on the door instead of the middle of the car in front of the shifter( wich I love still trying to see about moving them over there) and the bluetooth and extra safety equipment standard, also I noticed the 09s have a different seat material wich is very nice, would love to swap those out, might be worth looking at. What I would do is try and negoiate running boards for the 09 and have the best of both worlds, whats the worst they could say? no? But I bet you any thing if you say im very intrested in it but it doesnt have running boards but if you throw a set in you have a deal, you could get them pretty easy places are looking to make the sale and will go through quite a bit to make it.