Going to test drive some ss's today
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2009
Posts: 388
From: High Bridge
I took a 10 ss auto out and was extremely dissapointed power felt like it wasn't even there. Then I turned traction control off. Much better bit still not as gOpd as the manual. My wife however is totally against the manual and the car. She does like the car better now then the last test drive but still she is like why don't u look at other cars and I say name one car that gets 30 mpg handles brakes and has some balls to it. Oh yeah has the cargo for my tools. She still isnt sold. She says I just want it cause it's an SS. That is true cause I would never buy a plain HHR. I'm sold on the manual though. I told my wife I would consisder the auto if I get the turbo upgrade. At least that way I won't have to hide that cost from her. How much is the turbo upgrade? Also does anyone know the cost to get rid of the red accents in the interior. I love the all black. That's it for now the dealership let me take re SS home for the night. It's the auto though so now my wife is all like u should get this one. Ohwel I'll keep u guys informed you are getting closer to having a new member to the SS family
Do you actually get to have ANY say about the car that YOU'RE going be driving?Red accents can't be removed...only thing you can do is swap out the interior (probably way more trouble than it's worth), or find an SS with an all-black interior. I'm pretty sure the all-black interior came standard on '10 SSes, so you should be able to find one with little problem.
Premium Member
Joined: 10-09-2010
Posts: 14,420
From: Tacoma
I am telling you She is right get an auto, put the stg1 in and go beat up on the guys with a stick and a clutch to replace. My car has all black interior and a pretty and cool dash too. I would have bought a 2LT till I drove an SS, and then one with stg1 on the auto they are two different cars, and you can tune it to meet a whole new level. Oh and she hauls all my stuff, quickly.
PS. check out who has posted the best times Auto vs. sticks
PS. check out who has posted the best times Auto vs. sticks
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2009
Posts: 388
From: High Bridge
It's all about personal preference...one isn't better or worse. I find driving stick to be a more involving and engaging experience, some find it to be a PITA or something they're just not interested in for whatever the reason. To each his own.
It seems like the OP prefers manual based on his posts, and would consider getting the auto a compromise on his part. I've never driven an auto SS, but it sounds like with the LNF Turbo Upgrade, you're still going to have a speedy ride regardless.
It seems like the OP prefers manual based on his posts, and would consider getting the auto a compromise on his part. I've never driven an auto SS, but it sounds like with the LNF Turbo Upgrade, you're still going to have a speedy ride regardless.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 06-17-2012
Posts: 59
From: Delawsrr
I know the 09 witht he manual that I am thinking of getting is silver with the red accents.. Again It wasn't bad once I was in the car but I would rather have just all black.. To be honest I choose all the cars our family drives.. My wife wanted a normal Trailblazer and I got her to get a Trailblazer SS.. THe sad thing is we had the SS TB for two years and I only really drove it when I drove the family places so unfortunatly I really neaver enjoyed that car... I tried talking her into just letting me teach her manual and she say sI have no reason to learn it, so I said what if I get hurt and we are in the middle of nowhere and there is a manual car what are you going to do? I like manuals not for their difference in speed cause as we know all real drag cars have autos but a manual is just more fun.. I love being in total control.. This auto SS did get alot more exciting once I turned it on Comp Mode.. The reason why it was slow when I originally test drove it was cause I had TC on.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2009
Posts: 388
From: High Bridge
I know the 09 witht he manual that I am thinking of getting is silver with the red accents.. Again It wasn't bad once I was in the car but I would rather have just all black.. To be honest I choose all the cars our family drives.. My wife wanted a normal Trailblazer and I got her to get a Trailblazer SS.. THe sad thing is we had the SS TB for two years and I only really drove it when I drove the family places so unfortunatly I really neaver enjoyed that car... I tried talking her into just letting me teach her manual and she say sI have no reason to learn it, so I said what if I get hurt and we are in the middle of nowhere and there is a manual car what are you going to do? I like manuals not for their difference in speed cause as we know all real drag cars have autos but a manual is just more fun.. I love being in total control.. This auto SS did get alot more exciting once I turned it on Comp Mode.. The reason why it was slow when I originally test drove it was cause I had TC on.
Not sure how much modding you like to do, but you could do a sweet red/silver exterior paint job to tie in the red interior accents, if that's your thing. Could be awesome.
EDIT: Check out chuck n's car in this thread...beautiful. Gives you an idea of what can be done:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/hhr-ss-45/two-tone-ss-custom-paint-37832/
Last edited by Devils950003; Jun 22, 2012 at 09:21 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-15-2008
Posts: 1,599
From: Newburgh, NY
It's all about personal preference...one isn't better or worse. I find driving stick to be a more involving and engaging experience, some find it to be a PITA or something they're just not interested in for whatever the reason. To each his own.
It seems like the OP prefers manual based on his posts, and would consider getting the auto a compromise on his part. I've never driven an auto SS, but it sounds like with the LNF Turbo Upgrade, you're still going to have a speedy ride regardless.
It seems like the OP prefers manual based on his posts, and would consider getting the auto a compromise on his part. I've never driven an auto SS, but it sounds like with the LNF Turbo Upgrade, you're still going to have a speedy ride regardless.
I truly use LSD, so this part tipped the scale for us. (Can't get limited slip with the HHR autos like my 2 GM pickups and SUV.) My wife, while driving our larger, leather interior luxury SUV of the family to work, LOVES driving the SS stick when she has the chance to. As you say, some feel you're more connected with the machine as we do.
Deceased
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
The upgrade is not a DIY project, the price seems to vary but the SS guys will pitch in with what they paid I'm sure, if the dealers don't know about it, you'll have to find a dealer with some experience.
Problems will arise if the upgrade isn't done properly by a good technician.
Problems will arise if the upgrade isn't done properly by a good technician.
