Why did you choose the HHR?
Senior Member
Joined: 07-21-2006
Posts: 1,708
From: Ft Walton Bch FL
I needed a new car badly. It had to fit 3 adults comfortably for long trips. It had to get better gas mileage than my minivan so I could afford a car payment again. I looked at hybrids but didn't like their price or styling. The HHR had great interior room, got great mileage, was under $20K, and the clincher was 0% financing.
After 14 months, it still feels brand new and I still love driving it!
After 14 months, it still feels brand new and I still love driving it!
Senior Member
Joined: 03-19-2007
Posts: 670
From: Port Huron, Michigan
First for me was the price. I had GM employee papers so the price was awesome. The only other car in the same price that we considered was the Dodge Caliber till we drove one. What a piece of $4!T. The retro styling is cool too. We needed a hatch for the dog and good gas mileage, so the HHR fit the bill.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-20-2006
Posts: 21,640
From: Hillsdale, Michigan
Price and looks. Was downgrading to save money but still wanted something with some looks.
Downgraded from this:
The HHR doesn't get the same kind of looks as the Crossfire but it still gets looks
Downgraded from this:
The HHR doesn't get the same kind of looks as the Crossfire but it still gets looks
Last edited by HillsdaleHHR; Aug 15, 2007 at 06:31 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2007
Posts: 1,554
From: ...
It was time to get rid of my Vette for a number of reasons, impracticality being a main one. I couldn't replace it with something boring, and another hi-po sports coupe was not something I wanted. The specs I laid down were pretty tight, the replacement had to grab me in the style dept, had to be fuel efficient and happy burning 87 reg unleaded, and needed to have a backseat as well as moderate cargo carrying capability. I'm pretty much all about the way the appearance styling grabs me when it comes to vehicles, and the HHR's lines seduced me.
I got and get some flak occasionally about trading a limited production car like the Vette for a mass produced rental fleet vehicle like the HHR. It doesn't matter to me. A vehicle to me is about the machine not the money. I hope my vette stays together okay for the next owner. I flogged the dog snot out of that car... had to have the transmission pulled out and repaired twice. It was fast though.
I got and get some flak occasionally about trading a limited production car like the Vette for a mass produced rental fleet vehicle like the HHR. It doesn't matter to me. A vehicle to me is about the machine not the money. I hope my vette stays together okay for the next owner. I flogged the dog snot out of that car... had to have the transmission pulled out and repaired twice. It was fast though.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-14-2006
Posts: 1,186
From: So. Cal
Im choosing the HHR SS, for a lot of reasons. I know that's not on your list since it's not out yet but it is supposed to be available late this year, prolly Nov. With the extra costs of the SS, it might be over your budget tho, don't know about that.
1) The looks. I'm an "old car" guy, I've had several over the years and I love 'em and I love this little Chevy's homage to the 49 Suburbans of yesteryear. And I think the new front end fascia and grille of the SS looks terrific!
2) I have to get the SS, only b/c I've been driving a 98 Z28 since new and I know that if I don't get something reasonably quick I wouldn't be happy with it. The SS is going to have 260 turbocharged HP.
3) Gas mileage. Im getting 15mpg with the Z. Now I know that a turbo'd version will of course not get as good as N/A versions but still and yet, if I keep it lite on the footfeed, I'll get a lot more MPG and that's good for me AND the ozone layer.
4) Utility. I love how versatile the interior of the HHR is. It can hold a lot more than my Camaro when you lower the rear seats.
5) Price. Even with the upcharges for the SS model, it will still be a lot less than many other cars out there with similar power. I'm hoping anyway, no prices have been quoted for the SS which Chevy isn't even offering yet.
1) The looks. I'm an "old car" guy, I've had several over the years and I love 'em and I love this little Chevy's homage to the 49 Suburbans of yesteryear. And I think the new front end fascia and grille of the SS looks terrific!
2) I have to get the SS, only b/c I've been driving a 98 Z28 since new and I know that if I don't get something reasonably quick I wouldn't be happy with it. The SS is going to have 260 turbocharged HP.
3) Gas mileage. Im getting 15mpg with the Z. Now I know that a turbo'd version will of course not get as good as N/A versions but still and yet, if I keep it lite on the footfeed, I'll get a lot more MPG and that's good for me AND the ozone layer.
4) Utility. I love how versatile the interior of the HHR is. It can hold a lot more than my Camaro when you lower the rear seats.
5) Price. Even with the upcharges for the SS model, it will still be a lot less than many other cars out there with similar power. I'm hoping anyway, no prices have been quoted for the SS which Chevy isn't even offering yet.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-15-2007
Posts: 237
From: Muskego Wisconsin
I owned two cars, a vintage 83 Mercury Marquis wagon and a 95 Ford Escort (OK , stop snickering - the Escort was free) The Escort was starting to cost money for repairs to the tune of $ 700 in three weeks. That's it, time to go! My boss suggested the HHR as his wife owns an 06, and really loves it and the fact that they are not expensive. HMMM, never thought of that car, but I liked it well enough. I am a DJ for some of the local car shows we have around here, so I needed something cool to use as well. (83 Merc filled the bill, like, how many of those do you see on the road?) Went down to the local Chevy store and bought my Imperial Blue Panel. Had it now for just over a month and I truly love it. Yeah, it's no sports car, but it does look cool and I can't go anywhere without someone asking me about it.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-20-2006
Posts: 21,640
From: Hillsdale, Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 03-05-2007
Posts: 629
From: Rochester NY/The Villages, Florida
Hey everyone I just joined the site since ive been checking out the HHR.
My company is offering the HHR LT as one of our company vehicles as well as the Saturn Aura XE or Chevy Impala LS (pretty much scraped the Impala from my mental list). I haven't driven either one of them but the Aura's 224HP V6 is nice that plus it says it gets 30mpg highway which i think is the same as the HHR...right now till i test drive them the HHR is winning but only because I think the HHR is bad ass hot...love the retro wagon look something a japanese car manufacture could never pull off! who wants to see a retro corolla wagon hahaha! although a retro datsun 510 sedan might be fun if done right.
So im pretty convinced on the HHR based on looks, but why does it seem that every review i read makes it sound like crap....i drive pretty aggressive and according to the reviews im guessing i won't be able to take off ramps at 50mph without modifying the suspension. Would you say it drives like a SUV more than a car? It seems the Aura can handle much better than the HHR can plus its very quiet on the inside from what i read, while the reviews make the HHR seem very noisy?
If the HHR didn't look cool (say it looked like an accord) would you still put up with its quirks or would you get something else?
Thanks!
Hope i end up a HHR driver.
Chad
My company is offering the HHR LT as one of our company vehicles as well as the Saturn Aura XE or Chevy Impala LS (pretty much scraped the Impala from my mental list). I haven't driven either one of them but the Aura's 224HP V6 is nice that plus it says it gets 30mpg highway which i think is the same as the HHR...right now till i test drive them the HHR is winning but only because I think the HHR is bad ass hot...love the retro wagon look something a japanese car manufacture could never pull off! who wants to see a retro corolla wagon hahaha! although a retro datsun 510 sedan might be fun if done right.
So im pretty convinced on the HHR based on looks, but why does it seem that every review i read makes it sound like crap....i drive pretty aggressive and according to the reviews im guessing i won't be able to take off ramps at 50mph without modifying the suspension. Would you say it drives like a SUV more than a car? It seems the Aura can handle much better than the HHR can plus its very quiet on the inside from what i read, while the reviews make the HHR seem very noisy?
If the HHR didn't look cool (say it looked like an accord) would you still put up with its quirks or would you get something else?
Thanks!
Hope i end up a HHR driver.
Chad
Chose mine for look's, versatility and economy......