The MS3 is a fantastic vehicle from what I have heard. I just don't care for the styling, I love my HHR's versatility as well. The MS3 is the faster car as well FWIW, and the interior is nicer from what I gather.

All of that said, I chose the HHR. Fits my sense of style better, gets better gas mileage(!) and can haul more stuff, and handles insanely well.

 

My last four vehicles have all been first year models. I like to buy stuff when it's new and fresh on the market. So I've had a few growing pains with them, but nothing major. All issues were covered under warranty so I wasn't too upset.

Having a forum like this allows an owner to debug a lot of issues and arm themselves against the dealership service people.

 

I scared the crap out of my daughter last night taking a highway ramp at about 60 MPH. With my GP, I would be lucky to get to 40 MPH on that ramp. I cannot believe how well this beast handles - like it's on rails. I have not been able to break it free yet. but I have plenty of time to work on that.

 

i'm saying this now because we,as in me and the dealer, found the problem. when we didn't know what was going on it was frustrating. i think just the dealer/gm made this worse for me than what it was. i hope they have learned something from it. what i mean by that is,anyone complaining of no boost or turbo won't spool,pressurize and check for boost leaks.

all it was,was a bad ic pipe that the robot or day labor person put together wrong. my car runs great now. i think gm really need to get thier dealers and service depts. up to spec on this motor/car. last boosted application gm had (not including cobolt sc) was the typhoon/syclone back in the early 90's. they are clueless.

 

no way a mazdaspeed3 beats an hhr ss. off the line they might get the jump,but after that an hhr ss will reel it in.stock cars with equal drivers. a bsr ss will brutally rape a ms3!!!

 

exactly jerssy!!!

 

Don't get me wrong, those of you who are willing to get the first year models and put up with the little (and not so little) issues make my life so much easier! I am waaaaaaay to anal with my cars to put up with it. I don't think I could have handled the problem mightymouse was having. I think I would have gone absolutely insane. Now when I finally get it next year I will be able to come to this forum and find answers to any problems I might find.

As far as the MS3 goes, it is a great car. I just HATE the styling. I am soooo tired of the hatchback thing after driving a Civic Si for 5 years now (for financial reasons....not by choice). The HHR SS also fits my needs much better now that I have 2 1/2 yr-old twins. It is a car I can haul with, put the family in, and play with.... all wrapped up in one nice little package.

 

I traded my 07 1 LT for an MS3, I test drove the ss and the ms3 at least 2 times each 1 manual ss and 1 auto ss, and IMO the ms3 won hands down all the way around and I couldnt be happier with my choice.

 

just want to retract my statement after research...the ms3 is nothing to ignore!!! very similar to the ss in alot of ways.

hhr ss ms3
260hp 263hp
turbo turbo
23,000ish 22,000ish

 

MS3 is a fast little car. SS won't stand a chance mod for mod due to weight.

I think they have gone 13.7 or better stock.

I like the mazda 3 but liked the mpg and the deal on the HHR much better.