2007 HHR LT
Mechanic said my shocks were shot and needed replacing.

Which of the following is the better choice.
I only drive in the city and do not drive fast or hard.
My sticker says FE1.

KYB 349043 Excel-G Gas Shock
ACDelco Professional 530-456 Premium Gas Charged

Both are $33 shipped and sold by Amazon.

thanks

 

FE1 - softest ride (LS), FE3 - a little stiffer (LT), FE5 - way stiffer (SS)
Have you looked into RockAuto.
They are a sponsor here AND we get a 5% discount.
You will also receive a cool magnet to start your collection.
Personally I installed KYB in the rear.
I also installed a TTR sway bar and Colbalt TC/SC springs.

 

Is the 5% discount given to HHR in addition to the readily available 5% discount coupon that can be found with Google?
I usually research the part# at Rockauto but prefer the easy Amazon return policy in case I screw up.

Glad to hear your vote for KYB! But I don't know what Colbalt TC/SC springs are.

 

I doubt you will find a real FE1 part. That is what we used to call "OEM crap".

 

Pretty sure they won't stack discount codes.

 

KYB shocks for sure,
no RockAuto doesn’t stack the discount codes.
but do compare price and product.
SC/TC Cobalt rear springs lower the rear to a level stance.

 

I went with KYB Excel-G, Strut-Plus, the ones with the spring and mount included and pre-assembled, and KYB Excel-G shocks for the rear. I went with the strut/spring combination because you save time and grief by having the entire assembly even though the initial cost may be a bit higher. Your mechanic will love you for doing the combo and you should save at least a half hour or more in labor cost. If you're remotely able to do your own work on your car, the rear shocks are literally a half hour job with just two sockets and a breaker bar or ratchet wrench.

I just put a new sway bar and it is noticeable, but I think the struts/shocks made the biggest difference, but if you're having the shocks done, now would be the time to do the sway bar too for about $150.00.

 

Do the KYB Excel-g ride better than the ACDelco 530-456? Lot of people seem to choose the KYB.

 

Ride quality is dependant on your buttocks.
What is a good ride to you may be too soft or hard for me.
I chose KYB for their quality and I like the name.
That and their in my signature.

 

I can only compare to the old worn ones and the KYB but I will say the car handles very well for what it is. Does it ride like an old Caddy, or corner like a Camaro, absolutely not, but it has a ride that seems to be the perfect compromise between handling and smoothness.