Should I buy?
Senior Member
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 419
From: British Columbia, Canada
Hi CuriousC and welcome to the site.
One thing to keep in mind as your read the various forms is that mostly only the people with problems write in. (and a big if here) If there have been 300,000 HHR’s sold and there is around 5000 owners/wantabes on this site and maybe say 1000 with some kind of problem that is 0.033 percent (hope I did that right) Not bad!
I have a 2007 with 10,000 miles, tire balance and steering column clunk under warranty. No leaks, no rotors.
One thing to keep in mind as your read the various forms is that mostly only the people with problems write in. (and a big if here) If there have been 300,000 HHR’s sold and there is around 5000 owners/wantabes on this site and maybe say 1000 with some kind of problem that is 0.033 percent (hope I did that right) Not bad!
I have a 2007 with 10,000 miles, tire balance and steering column clunk under warranty. No leaks, no rotors.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-19-2005
Posts: 20,687
From: Miami
No brake probs, no leaks, and mine never got any noticable rattles, not even the headliner at the sunroof!
Seems the leak prob has been solved as well as the key/ignition prob.
I'm 6'4 and the head/leg room is plenty front and rear!
Dory is an 06 model 2.4L w/ just under 30K on the odo. The 2.4 will get you up to speed fairly fast, but not record breaking. The dic is currently reporting 27.1 MPG, 305 miles on current tank of gas w/ a projected 160 miles left in tank!
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2007
Posts: 1,554
From: ...
The Saturn Astra is a re-badged Opel Astra built in Antwerp Belgium. Support North America and buy the Mexican made HHR. The HHR is a better vehicle anyhow. Since it sounds like you keep cars a long time, the HHR will also be easier to get parts for later on.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 03-13-2008
Posts: 24
From: Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
Hope you mean warped front rotors since the HHR has REAR DRUM brakes and disc on front only, except for the SS which is all disc. I went from driving full size pickups with big V-8's to the '08 HHR with the 2.4L and in doing research I kept reading how they said it lacked power. I loved the looks and wanted better gas mileage. That little 2.4 really surprised me with the get up an go it has, so I don't know what these people that reviewed it were comparing it to. The HHR also has a 16 gal gas tank compared to other cars that only have 13, I want to drive further before getting gas and I was sort of looking at a jeep product that was coming out (is now out) but as soon as I saw the 13 gal tank, I said no way and went back to plan A, which was the HHR.
When others have asked questions like you are doing on the forum, a few members have said, rent one for a week and that will help you decide.
When others have asked questions like you are doing on the forum, a few members have said, rent one for a week and that will help you decide.
I am going to have to test drive the HHR and see, longer for a few minutes. I don't want to buy the 2.4L and find out it isn't enough. Thanks for chiming in.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 03-13-2008
Posts: 24
From: Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
I think that the water (cowl) issue has been addressed; we don't hear that much about it anymore.
Rotors will likely be an issue on any GM (Astra included); that being said, problems are usually driver and/or dealer induced and there's a cheap & easy fix (Buy a good aftermarket set for $200). My rotors are still trouble free after 1 year, but no one but me touches them.
What I've intentionally done with my purchase (others will disagree, but still) is to stay away from the sunroof and the ABS system. My previous GM had 3 ABS sensors replaced in 3 years, so I was not willing to risk it with this one; note that the ABS sensors seem to hold up great so far on the HHR. The sunroof issue is not GM specific; all models are prone to leaks, noise and failures (at least much more than my plain roof!) and it's definitely not a "must have" item for me. Note that headroom is reduced by having one.
After your '94 Honda, anything new out there will feel like a rocket to you...
If reliability / maintenance costs are your main concerns, keep it simple. If you want fast, then look at the SS, but the fact that you're considering running regular in it tells me that it's not really what you want.
BTW, the Astra is not a first year model, it's been on sale in Europe for at least 3 years....
Rotors will likely be an issue on any GM (Astra included); that being said, problems are usually driver and/or dealer induced and there's a cheap & easy fix (Buy a good aftermarket set for $200). My rotors are still trouble free after 1 year, but no one but me touches them.
What I've intentionally done with my purchase (others will disagree, but still) is to stay away from the sunroof and the ABS system. My previous GM had 3 ABS sensors replaced in 3 years, so I was not willing to risk it with this one; note that the ABS sensors seem to hold up great so far on the HHR. The sunroof issue is not GM specific; all models are prone to leaks, noise and failures (at least much more than my plain roof!) and it's definitely not a "must have" item for me. Note that headroom is reduced by having one.
After your '94 Honda, anything new out there will feel like a rocket to you...
If reliability / maintenance costs are your main concerns, keep it simple. If you want fast, then look at the SS, but the fact that you're considering running regular in it tells me that it's not really what you want.
BTW, the Astra is not a first year model, it's been on sale in Europe for at least 3 years....
As for keeping it simple that doesn't work for me. I had a sunroof and ABS in my Accord so you can't expect me to downgrade. Though I did also have to spend a mint on my Accord's ABS, that also failed me two or three times over the lifetime of my vehicle. It did save me more than a few times so I expect ABS with any vehicle I buy. The sunroof on the other hand never leaked or failed me.
What I really want is a lot of power, but I don't like the idea of paying an extra .30 or .40 cents more a gallon for it. I do a lot of driving so it adds up. Still its not out of the question. Thanks again for the information.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 03-13-2008
Posts: 24
From: Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
I have an '06 HHR and have experienced problems with the front rotors. It is either an issue of dealer tech incompetence (not using torque wrench), or cheap Chinese rotor quality. Had machined three times,(6,000, 9000, and 30000 miles) last time dealer charged me $135. Went to dealer today to speak to service mgr, and he assured me he'd get this covered by GM rep in two weeks. We'll see. Anyhow, replaced front rotors with ebc rotors, and green pads. They are great, and getting better as pads bed with usage. So if you get HHR, save the hassle of dealing with dealer service dept. and replace the rotors.
Engine, 2.2L is excellent. The ride of the HHR is comfortable, smooth, and pretty good handling for a car its size. I get mixed mpg around 25 and on recent trip to central California, got close to 33mpg highway.
Thank god, here in SoCal, don't have to worry about windows freezing shut. Left those days behind me in the great state of Michigan. I have sunroof, and have had no leakage.
I love my HHR, I really do... my negative postings on this site have all dealt with the rotor issue, which like I said, I came to terms with and just picked up the superior rotors and pads. Best of luck with your new vehicle.
Engine, 2.2L is excellent. The ride of the HHR is comfortable, smooth, and pretty good handling for a car its size. I get mixed mpg around 25 and on recent trip to central California, got close to 33mpg highway.
Thank god, here in SoCal, don't have to worry about windows freezing shut. Left those days behind me in the great state of Michigan. I have sunroof, and have had no leakage.
I love my HHR, I really do... my negative postings on this site have all dealt with the rotor issue, which like I said, I came to terms with and just picked up the superior rotors and pads. Best of luck with your new vehicle.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 03-13-2008
Posts: 24
From: Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
Hi CuriousC and welcome to the site.
One thing to keep in mind as your read the various forms is that mostly only the people with problems write in. (and a big if here) If there have been 300,000 HHR’s sold and there is around 5000 owners/wantabes on this site and maybe say 1000 with some kind of problem that is 0.033 percent (hope I did that right) Not bad!
I have a 2007 with 10,000 miles, tire balance and steering column clunk under warranty. No leaks, no rotors.
One thing to keep in mind as your read the various forms is that mostly only the people with problems write in. (and a big if here) If there have been 300,000 HHR’s sold and there is around 5000 owners/wantabes on this site and maybe say 1000 with some kind of problem that is 0.033 percent (hope I did that right) Not bad!
I have a 2007 with 10,000 miles, tire balance and steering column clunk under warranty. No leaks, no rotors.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-02-2007
Posts: 152
From: Greencastle, PA
I've got an 08 2LT with the 2.4L engine, has plenty of power and I drive over a mountain to work 5 days a week, can hold 55 mph easily going up the mountain. Also have hitch on it and it pulls my loaded 4 x 8 utility trailer easily.
I've just passed 4900 miles on it, no brake problems, no water leaks, only problem I've had is with a engine check light caused by a faulty selonoid in the purge cannister of the emissions system. That's been replaced and the car is now perfect, no problems with anything.
TomR
I've just passed 4900 miles on it, no brake problems, no water leaks, only problem I've had is with a engine check light caused by a faulty selonoid in the purge cannister of the emissions system. That's been replaced and the car is now perfect, no problems with anything.
TomR
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 03-13-2008
Posts: 24
From: Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
Dory must have been rolling along the assembly line just behind oneton's HHR.
No brake probs, no leaks, and mine never got any noticable rattles, not even the headliner at the sunroof!
Seems the leak prob has been solved as well as the key/ignition prob.
I'm 6'4 and the head/leg room is plenty front and rear!
Dory is an 06 model 2.4L w/ just under 30K on the odo. The 2.4 will get you up to speed fairly fast, but not record breaking. The dic is currently reporting 27.1 MPG, 305 miles on current tank of gas w/ a projected 160 miles left in tank!
I am glad to hear that, hopefully by next year the brake problem will be totally solved also. Even now after reading what people said here the brake problems don't seem as wide spread as I once thought. Your a big guy and if you are comfortable in the HHR I think I will be fine. I think the 2.4L will probably meet my needs, the HHR SS sounds really nice but I really don't want to spend a few thousand more since we are probably going to buy an Enclave in 2010. I am trying to save as much as possible and if the 2.4L doesn't struggle when loaded or going up a hill I think I will be fine. Thanks for the input.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 03-13-2008
Posts: 24
From: Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
Actually though I didn't keep the Accord for 15 years, my dad did. I use the Accord to get to point A and B when necessary since I am in college now. IMO it was a big mistake to keep the Accord for as long as he did. The thing started costing us money after it turned 7. Never an issue with the engine or transmission but things like the A/C, ABS, and Alarm System needing to be replaced added up. It was less than buying a new vehicle though.