Good Lord! The windows are what caught my attention. Very different, but very cool!

 

thats a really hard car to work on and it is expensive to own. Parts are not cheap because its old and in short supply. the H6 motor is a pain and SVX's are known to grenade transmissions. there have been a few that have successfully swapped it out for the EJ25. But, thats not really a practical solution.

 

I love the car, and Id expect it to have downfalls which is probably why they're so far and few in between. Just like the Eclipse GSX's timing belt issues. My dad had a 93 GS DOHC, and he caught victim of it. So off to the junkyard (this was in 2004) and we found an eagle talon, same engine. Did the head swap, he broke all but 3 valves. Dad was merging on the freeway when the timing belt slipped and BAM we all know the rest of the story, but back to the point. The 98 Eclipse GSX has always been my childhood favorite, and even now knowing the issues, I would still hands down purchase one.

 

I finally sold my 1978 El Camino after buying this 2008 SS. I've owned the "El" since 1988 but the real key was the 1964 327 in it that came out of my Corvette Stingray I tore up in 1965. That little engine has been in five Chevy's over the years with extensive machine work done on it in 1974. It would really kick ass. Not many people realize the thrill and pleasure of driving a balanced and blueprinted engine. Not radical, just "optimized".

I'm 74 now but not exactly ready for the Buick crowd (yet). I got "the bug" last January when I saw a HHR pull up in front of me while I was sitting out front of the hospital emergency room at 2 AM (wife had problems). After lengthy study, I decided if I was to own one, the SS was the only way to go to meet all requirements. So I found one and bought it.

Boy,,, the internal combustion engine has sure made some great strides forward over the years. Some bad, but mostly all good. I don't much care for this "FE5" suspension but I recon that can be remedied. The highway MPG is "as advertised" but not the in town stuff. However, I don't think I'm giving it a fair shake as the majority of it is short trips and those sensors don't get sufficiently hot enough I guess. I still kinda think the "open loop" settings are a tad rich for a four banger but I don't know what the hell they are nor how to get to them (yet).

But, for get up and go? My 327 would be proud.

 

That is also a pretty close description of our 1997 Acura 3.2 TL Premium and the 2005 GTO is heading in that direction.

 

I traded in my 1998 Mustang GT that had 117k miles.
It was pacific green with every available option and a 5spd trans. It had black Bullitt wheels, Borla exhaust catless, 275/40/17 tires, PI motor from an 02 GT. I loved that car but there were things that needed attention like the paint and the fuel mileage sucked.
Traded it in on a 08 HHR SS Victory Red with the Recaro seats 5spd trans

 

Sold my 1999 S10 LS short bed. Nice little truck and I liked the (albeit) limited hauling capability but just couldn't pass up my desire for the HHR SS.

 

Had a 2000 Eclipse GT with 173K that needed more work to pass inspection than I was willing to put in it. We've had the HHR for about a week now and we're enjoying it...

 

1998 Chevy S-10 Blazer. Can't do much when the rear end and catalytic converter goes west.

 

I passed my 2000 Honda Accord EX w/V6 to my son when I purchased my Roxy. Love my HHR!!!!