I have the same issue. They put it back on just yesterday... we'll see how long that lasts.

 

I don't have any pitting on my HHR either, but I am one of those who leaves a long margin of space between me and the car in front of me.

It has been my experience that those with a "pocked" front end usually have a filthy engine (and not from leakage).

This is an example of 23 years of "keeping my distance" driving 'ol 87 Silver.

 

My engine is clean and I only have a few chips so far knock on wood.

I find most of my chips in the windshield and paint come from rocks from cars coming the other way.

I got hit in the windshield with a rock over the concrete divider from a car going west while I was going east. I saw it and could not swerve in traffic.

Keeping back helps.

Todays paint is just not as good because of the EPA rules and glass has been putting bad since the mid eighties.

The paint is not a quality issue as it is bad on all cars. The HHR just shows it worse since it has so much exposed paint surface area vs most cars. For Gods sake I hit bugs on the side of my hood!

I hate chrome but the bumpers took a lot of beating in the old days and just shined right up.

 

I'd recognize that engine compartment anywhere!

 

I am sometimes amazed how people have issues with their hoods on the HHR. While I agree the paint isn't what it used to be, the main reason for the chips is the design of the vehicle. To me it's quite obvious the HHR is going to be more prone to chips from road debris. It's the price we pay for our great and unique design. I bought mine used, (2008) and don't know anything about the previous owner but I only found 2 small chips on mine. I believe that if you drive a little more cautiously and not tailgate, avoid very stony or dirt roads when possible and use touch up paint you'll be fine. My 64 Corvair has a flat front, no grill because it's air cooled and I have a couple chips on the front, thats life. I'm planning on keeping my HHR very long term, I believe it is going to be a future collectible. If I need to have the front repainted some day, I will. By the way I live in MA and the roads are horrible here as well. Remember, take care of your vehicle and it will take care of you. At least our HHR's accelerate by choice!

 

Location, time of year and driving habits are the problems for styling. You have hit it on the head.

As Nick Mason Car Collector and Pink Floyd drumme once said when asked about driving his original Ferrari GTO on daily trips. He said it was made by man and it can be repaired by man. It would be a waste not to enjoy it.

I don't want get this started into a collectobillity debate as often many owners of makes want and hope for the best. In each case it is up to supply and demad and that is yet to be determind with no guarantee of what to really expect.

I may yet look into the clear bra. But I wasnted a Red or Black SS just for the fact those colors chips can be touched up with a little paint and light sanding with a follow up buff. It is something I can do myself. the metalics are much more dificult to match and get the metalic paint to match.

 

I must admit I don't understand what the heck you are referring to. I have about 40,000 miles on my 2008 HHR SS, and have had zero problems since a few minor initial issues, and I drive mine very hard and have several performance mods. I do notice that on cold mornings on a rough road, there are some noises in the dash which I attribute to plastic pieces vibrating so maybe that's it? Seems pretty minor, but maybe that actually matters to some folks.

 

Clear Bra on Nose, Front fenders, headlamps and mirrors. NO CHIPS!

 

sounds like the dealersip just doesnt know what they are doing.





ours has been good so far. we just ran out of warantee, in that time we just had a blower fan replaced that was making a ticking noise. other then that nothing.

 

Apparently a few don't... My only nagging issue at this point is the headliner falling. Two different dealers have tried, one of them 4 or 5 times. The best repair lasted maybe 4-5 days.