I'm just wondering when rusty is too rusty? We've had our 2008 HHR for I think 17 years this coming month or so if I recall correctly. To me it's getting fairly rusty (Rust Belt) and long in the tooth. To be honest, I like driving this car. My now wife wants a newer/bigger SUV with AWD but, to me everything is too expensive and from what I've read not as good as this HHR has been. Also, from what the exterior specifications show most of the newer Chevrolet and other brand SUV/CUVs are about the say size or only a foot longer than the HHR in length overall.

Anyways, It also needs struts, lower control arms soon enough along with a water pump and timing chain replacement again. Also, it has a weird transmission issue which I've already posted about which could be solenoids or even a torque converter. Exhaust is getting rusty and yes, I've already patched the fuel lines as well. I'm weighing my options to keep pouring money into or buy another one with less miles and less rusty? Just wondering on thoughts about this. Currently, the car is sitting at 236537 miles. Most of them highway.

I don't like all the technology in the newer cars. It's just more things to break and glitch out. Sometimes with one system being tied into another it can pretty much render a car useless. I guess I should address the rust portion. The rockers are rusting through, rust on the door bottoms, rust on the part of the unibody underneath, exhaust rusted through on the flange where the converter and resonator pipe meet and I think there is some more more moderate rust further down the system so that will need to be addressed. Also, I see rust starting on the firewall and some on the front frame rail(s). Anyways, just wondering on thoughts. Thank you in advance.

 

It’s all just a matter of personal preference, I don’t have a problem with repairing or replacing parts. I tend to keep my cars way past their expiry date.

 

Some decent used HHRs pop up for sale from time to time. I traveled thousands of miles for my rust-free prize

Or, just look for 19-year old low mileage vehicles in low-rust locations. The mistake is to decide what you want and hope to find it. Seriously, I've heard of people even looking for a specific color. My newest car is the 2011 HHR, the last car I'll ever buy new.

 

 

Useful life is near the end and keep going until a major $ repair puts her to rest. Doesn't sound like too much left useful as a parts car.
Start the replacement search now online. Rust free replacements are available. You do not say where your living.
At the high mileage you have on yours I can understand your desire for a similar reliable model.

 

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone. If the body wasn't so rusty in my opinion, it would be worth it. I would say in the upcoming year it would need about at least $1k in repairs at minimum. I need struts, exhaust, water pump, and it's got a transmission issue. I've already spent about I think about $1,500 the past couple of years for maintenance stuff. Shocks, tires, battery, hubs, rotors, pad, caliper, exhaust fix, and some other stuff I forget at the moment. If I or we get another one at I know how to attack some of the rust issues. I'm hoping it will be just as decent as this one. For now, I'll keep it going as much as I can at this point. Just crossed 237k miles. I'm located in Indiana and most HHRs/Cobalts are pretty beat here plus you got the salt brine issues to contend with. The cars in the western states look pretty decent but, not sure how they are mechanically which could be a wash. Thank you again everyone.

 

Happy hunting!