I am seriously thinking about trading my Fall Edition in for a 2009 SS and have a few of questions: 1. Do I have to run high test gas or can I use regular? 2. How does the SS drive in the winter? I have had no problems with my Fall Edition. 3. Is the reprogrammable display unit a separate item or does it come automatically with the SS. I don't like it and really use the storage space. 4. How long did you wait to get yours if you ordered it?

 

Lots of these questions have been answered (or debated) in other threads on this forum. It's worth using Search to get more details... here's the short version.

1.
2. Probably the same as a non-SS. It's a car.
3. option
4. longer if you order #3 above

 

I ordered mine on Oct 3rd,, it is--supposedly--going to be at my Dealer on Nov 3rd.. (no perf. display),,,

 

To answer #1 No High test is not requires.

There are many here that want to argue their point of view but here is what GM says. High Test is suggested but not required . This means it will run fine on regular but it will be down on power.

In other words it will not break parts.

I know on my 04 Supercharged GTP it loses around 20 HP with regular. I have not run regular in the SS so I do not know how much you can feel the loss of power.

As for the performance display you might want to check it out and see if you really want it or not. Many of the features are already in the Drivers info Center. Also many are buying the Aeroforce Scan meter that gives most and other performance numbers. For most it is a 50/50 split if it is really worth the money.

Also unless you want one built just figure out what you want and have a dealer do a shearch. Many dealers have SS's sitting on the lot. I saw one today even with the Brembo brakes. They seem to be easy to find on the east coast.

Only pay $100 over invoice less incentives and what ever else you can get of. There is no reason to pay more than $24,000 if you shop around. Incentives will be getting better as sales are slow and winter is coming.

Unless your in a hurry to buy let the deal come to you. Too many I have seen have paid way too much.

Oh as for winter driving. It will drive as any other FWD in the Snow with Stability Control. It is moslty point and gas deal and takes little skill to keep it going. Also the Stability control helps keep you steering when you spin the front tires or slide them in a turn and many FWED cars do. The bottom line is if you can drive this Vehicle in the snow you should not be on the road in the winter.

 

I don't know about your area but in South Central Pennsylvania the best trade-in price I could get on my loaded 08 2LT was $14,010!!!!
It's only got 12,100 miles on it. The depreciation on the HHR is just plain crazy!! Needless to say I'm keeping it.

TomR

 

1. No you don't have to run premium octane but it's recommended for best performance and honestly if you wouldn't run premium in it, don't bother getting an SS (my opinion). Why buy a performance car and not buy the best gas. I did a little write up an you only spend like $100 a YEAR extra getting premium VS regular. If you can't afford $100 a year you shouldn't be buying a new car.
2. Don't know but I imagine much like any other FWD SUV/Van/whateverthedueceyouwannacallit
3. As stated above, optional
4. About 4 days for them to find one, I have an 08

 

The same can be said about buying the auto version of the SS. For the miles I drive per year, it works out to about $160 a year saved, but it's more about the principal of giving oil companies any more of my money. Although with the recent fall in prices, I've been more apt to get premium.

BTW - I've been experimenting with fuels in the SS, and using premium in the auto does not improve performance or fuel economy in any measurable way.
Perhaps it makes a bigger difference in the 5 speed, which has 25 more HP off the line to start with.

 

I can see how the auto makes sense if you drive in traffic on a daily basis, manual is not the best for that. Also to really see any performance gains or losses due to fuel type we would need some dyno pulls but I don't think anyone will spend the money for that purpose alone.

 

yup. you might rethink this purchase when you see what ur gonna get for your Fall Edition.

 

In my GTP you really can feel the differance of the Premium vs Regular.

Premium will rep the wheel out of your hand if your not expecting it. I can tell when the wife put in Premuim as soon as I pull out of out street.

The Auto thing is resonable since the boost is limited in first and second gear.