I skidded off the road backing down a snow covered country road after failing to make a hill and caught the passenger side front wheel on a protruding ledge to the extreme detriment of a tire, tie rods and control arm as well as the subframe assembly, door and fender. Milage 151,000. Motor strong, manual trans good, fairly recent clutch, brand new rear brakes and front axle, some rust. I was planning on stretching it another 2 years. Absolutely the best car I have ever owned but I am feeling fate intervened. Probably take 5 grand or more to get it back on the road which does not seem prudent. Am I likely to find any salvage buyer? I actually have collision insurance on it so I could make a claim and hope that the value would exceed my deductible. Need the counsel of other fans of HHR SS!

 

I could move it from the shop and defer decisions. The HHR is/was? my daily. I am driving my hobby truck ('96 Ford Ranger)

 

It's driveable? Get pictures. We may be able to help you with the repair if you have basic hand tools.

 

From what you described, it’s fixable, just you might not think it’s financially viable. It’s an SS fix it!

 

thanks guys. photo is subframe cracked and twisted. it is repairable, not drivable as is but will be $2600 for the mechanical repair, plus body work to door and fender additional. mechanics are good - I've been dealing with the garage for over 50 years. Kelly blue book on these things looks like 2 grand. mine is well maintained and only 151,000 miles. It has some obvious rust of rocker panels but some paint bubbles where body is rusting. It is requiring regular expensive repairs eg most recently rear brakes and front axle a few weeks ago. Electronics are getting fluky. The car has been perfect for me in terms of utility and fun. I was planning to replace it within the next few years but am at a loss as to what vehicle comes even close. I also feel terrible to think sending it to the crusher. But maybe I should postpone the replacement search and pay the cost of keeping it on the road. If I do so I'd like to sell it to somebody who would appreciate it. Are there such people out there?

[img alt="cracked subframe
"]https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.chevyhhr.net-vbulletin/1500x2000/cracked_subframe_b1061119af451d748efc2539e7dfc2bd0 bf0dc21.jpeg[/img]
cracked subframe

 

cracked subframe

 

PS: My last heavy mechanical work was 42 years ago when we had no money and I replaced the clutch on my ford fairmont in the driveway in the winter. I did that kind of stuff as a kid and young man, rings, valves, seals, transmission and motor swaps etc.. Today I tend my 9N Ford tractor, snow blowers, etc. but only do little stuff like oil change, battery on our cars etc. I could try to get the passenger door to close myself but I am not going to do the complicated heavy front end work needed. Among other things it needs to be done on a lift.

 

Actually you can drop the engine cradle, just hold the engine up in place with an engine cradle undo the suspension and engine and transmission mounts and lower the cradle it’s held in with four 21 mm head bolts .

 

Bumper covers, wheels, GMPP seats, manual transmission, good engine, spoiler or hatch with same, knuckles, RR swing axle, all easy to sell. $2000-3000? IDK, I did not add it up.

 

Hey Guys, I am going to end my relationship with this wonderful mechanical object. Any advice about a decent burial? Scraps for $250. Seems wild that my expensive tires, strong motor and tranny, new brakes, axle etc. end up melted down. I could part it out. What I'd like to do is find a junk buyer who would pay me enough to avoid the insurance hassle and just pass it on as parts without the effort of parting it. The car currently is in Southern VT. Suggestions of possible junk buyers welcome!