Hello everybody! I need to decide quickly, about buying a 2008 HHR SS, manual trans. 25000 miles
2008 being the first year for SS, is it prone to problems? Reliability?Engine,turbo?
Need info about installing a center armrest (or armrest/console)
o From GM as a kit or in spare parts?
o Anything avail from jobbers or aftermarket vendors?
o This must be a common complaint on SS 5 speed

Looking forward to participate in the forum
Thanks
LAJMAR
From Canada

 

i havent had any major problems, I have an auto tho. some people have been having clutch slippage with tunes. mine just had problems with the connections to the onstar module.

there was a thread about adding an armrest

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/hhr-ss-45/new-guy-my-new-hhr-ss-arm-rest-mod-part-s-pics-15404/

 

No issues here with the 08.

The only real wide spread issue was the low vaccume on the brakes at start up after sitting all night but it has been addressed by a TSB and was mostly seen on the automatic.

The manuals I have see some shifter adjusment issues also addressed by a TSB. Also the real high power cars can slip the clutch.

Few rare turbo failures and minor issues but they are far from common and 98% of us never see them.

Parts were rare after the Chapter 11 in the spring but they are getting better. Also the 2.0 Turbo is coming back in some new cars like the 2011 Regal and should use most of the same parts.

I wish I had console storage arm rest but no one make one for it that looks right. Also the arm rest... I have one but never use it. It is just in the way and I am not driving a conversion van anyway,

Other than the low vaccume TSB the only issues I have had were not GM related.

 

I've got an 08SS 5 spd and so far nothing has gone wrong. I want arm rests too and have been looking at some options but the wife came up with two black pillows squeezed between the seats and it's proving to be a better solution to a common center console arm rest like my GTO and her SRX (certainly better than the seat mounted type). She was thinking do making something more form fitting in the future.

The only thing I've changed so far is I added a second accessory power outlet below the one in the rear of the console. I have one more to add but I am not sure where. I might put it in the back like the wife's SRX. After that I think it will be seat heaters.

The shifter is great. It's smooth, easy to get into gear and pretty compliant.

Cruising it at 70MPH I consistently get over 30 MPG as long as I am not pumping the pedal. That's pretty hard to beat with the power that is on tap and the price of the car. It's half the price the our SRX and twice a fun (but no doubt, it's not the ride and cush of the SRX).

I am questioning my plan to get the Stage 1 kit due to the clutch. If I do it I will budget in the $600-700 replacement cost. I am just staring to suspect that even without abuse, the clutch might not be up to the task. But we will see as people get into the 50k+ mile range with the kit.

I am very gentle on my cars (no burn outs, never use launch control) so how it will fare over the years remains to be seen.

 

I have an '08 with manual trans and the GM Turbo Upgrade. I have about 14,800 trouble free miles on it. I had the kit installed at about 7,500 mi.

I really don't miss the arm rests for our situation, because I use this as an occasional "fair weather" car. I may casually look at junk yards and if I come across them, I may go for it.

What we really miss (as well as the wife) is a passenger grab handle.

 

08 5speed, there are some after mrkt. armrest that will work in the SS .

 

That's the ebay one?

 

I got my at auto zone about 6 months ago, And hav'nt seen another since.
I put the suede on the top section , It was originaly a vinyl .

 

I'll watch for one. I'm willing to experiment.

 

08, 40000 miles 5 speed, stage one, no clutch problems.