I bought my HHR SS because I wanted it, not because I needed it. I had (and still have... never got around to selling it) a perfectly good '06 Honda Element, but the HHR SS grabbed me and hung on.

At 69,000 miles, my '09 SS has been a ton and a half of fun. I drive 40,000+ miles a year, and it's been 99% dependable. Mileage is very good: roughly 27 mpg. The original Michelins lasted 60,000 miles. It's very comfortable, and holds all my tools, equipment, and luggage.

At some point, it will be time to say good-bye to the HHR, and I'm already looking for its replacement.

I think it's going to be a Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sportwagen. I've always wanted a diesel, and this may be my opportunity.

Of course, I'll be going from 260 h.p. to 140.

That'll be a shock.

Life goes on.

 

GM is trying to lose me as a customer. They don't build anything I like other than the Camaro which doesn't have enough headroom. They make their pickups and SUVs too high besides being ugly. I'll have to keep my 95 Blazer, 99 Silverado and the HHR running until I can't drive anymore or somebody builds something I like.

I was hoping they would build more retros, like a 55 or 57 wagon.

 

No replacement for the HHR not only leaves Chevy with nothing "retro" it also leaves them with no Wagon of any kind....

 

When it comes to replacing my (2006) HHR someday(53000 miles) it will be either GMC Terrain/Chevy Equinox. Outside GM I've identified the Hyundai Tucson.
Thats my shortlist for now but I have few more years and 50,000 more miles before that happens.

 

I didn't hear anything about it reported, as had been anticipated, from the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Web search finds no new leads. So, do we know yet what vehicle the GM Aztec, er HHR plant in Mexico will make after the 2011 model year? Does anyone have information on any five-seat station wagon or hatchback, or something with similar architecture and a more politically-correct label (crossover sport utility vehicle), in the works from Chevy/GM to replace the HHR?

 

Retro cars are so last decade. That's why the New Beetle is going away too. Even the next Camaro is probably going to be less retro than the current one. The new trend is going to be expanded eco-management. More hybrid and ultra-efficient designs. The HHR is too heavy for the new-generation Ecotec engines and cannot support fuel mileage requirements for its class.

Looking back on my ownership experience, I would have probably kept the car if it was a little bigger and more comfortable. Building it on Epsilon would have been a much better decision than the Malibu Maxx. In my opinion, the car is just too heavy for its suspension and braking requirements on Delta.

Equinox is probably as small as Chevy is going to go for a crossover for a while.

 

That would be the average "Toyota owning American public", wouldn't it?

 

There was a Nomad wagon prototype being played with shortly before the HHR debuted, I think they probably shelved that though. And as far I can see nothing can really replace the HHR, right.

 

I know the panel version going away..had not heard anything on the reg version...

 

Here's a pic of the new wagon my wife drives.



Note: not our actual vehicle, ours is white.