Looking for some feedback from other HHR owners.

I have a 2008 HHR 1LT that I've beed using as a daily driver. My daily commute (4 days/week) is 150 miles round trip, and I currently have 217k on it. So far, I haven't had any major issues outside of the normal maintenance (tires, brakes, oil changes, etc.), but I'm thinking it's time to change out the timing chain and water pump (makes sense as long as the front is torn off). This is a little beyond my experience and capabilities, so it's probably going to the dealer, and that'll run me about $2k.

Unfortunately, there's not too many good used ones around my area, and the ones that are, are listed for way more than I want to stick into one. With the timing chain/water pump replacement, is it unreasonable to expect another 200k? I'd like to hear from others in similar situations - did you repair and keep, or trade off for something else?

 

Don't go to a dealer! Any decent shop can do the chain for around $1000. Parts retail for about $200 + 4 hours labor. Is it making noise?

Look into Lower Control Arms they are most likely gone.

Have a compression and leakdown test done to get an idea of health.

 

Thanks, Don,

Already replaced lower control arms - they were trashed! Have replaced front rotors (upgraded) and pads. Replacing rear drums and shoes today.

It's not making any noise, and seems to be runing fine. Still get 30-32 mpg regularily, running at 60-70 mph, 52 mph average.

Yup - checked parts at O'Reily's - $158 for the timing chain kit, which includes new sprockets, and a rebuilt water pump runs about $60. I'll have to check with our local mechanic (slim pickin's around here) on a schedule.

I'd love to get 300-350k miles, or more, out of it. Anyone else out there with a high-mileage HHR? Would love to hear about it. Thanks!

 

I was at my Dealer and they were talking about one that was in a few weeks prior that had 400K on the clock.

 

We've got delivery drivers in town into the 400+ range, hot shotting is big in my area. I plan to keep mine until it dies, im at 145 and it has shown no signs of slowing down.

 

There were a couple of guys on this site with 300,000 and one with 450,000 on the HHR. You should be good. One thing you have going for you is highway miles are easier than city miles.

 

I only have 178K on my 2011. The old 2008 went 200K before needing a head gasket.

 

Thanks for the encouraging reports of others in the high miles range. Wasn't there a thread on here someplace where owners were regularily posting their milestones?

 

You can find pretty much any old thread using the Search function above (in the brown colored header)

Try this one I found: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/gene...00-plus-35692/

 

I remember seeing one in the thread that someone posted the link to. It was a salvage yard posting an HHR and the ODO was 500+k miles.