I'm not too sure 'bout the top speed...... but from 60 mph to 100mph the HHR SS is good n quick. (I only have around 250 total miles on her and I wasn't down shifting or pushin' the pedal thru the floor) Drove real stable too!

 

That's because our wonderful Federal gov threatened to pull highway funds if speed limits weren't posted. Now that doesn't mean they are enforced.

 

I don't know if you've travelled down I-15 but I've gone up and down that road through the entire state of Montana about 4 times in the last 6 years on road trips. I've been pulled over twice for during over the speed limit and I see it being patrolled quite a bit, especially between the Canadian border and Great Falls, Montana. Maybe the locals aren't being enforced but they seem to pull a lot of us Canadian folks over. I guess it's easy money for them because we have to pay the ticket on the spot.

 

Bummer. It's been a while since I was there. I think it was '98 when I was cruising through at well over 100 mph in a '96 Thunderbird. Glad I haven't driven through since since I was unaware of the change.

 

That's alright... you'll see the signs... or the flashing lights

 

To the young man who originally posted this question, I think it bears repeating, please do not attempt any top speed runs with your SS (or Dad's SS), the most fun you can have with these cars is in the 40 to 60 mph range on a twisty road with good visibility (really). Things can go horribly wrong with top speed runs. The young fellow that was driving this M5 was posting the night before on how fast folks thought his Dad's M5 might be able to go. Here is just one write up on it. Even a "safe" car like a BMW can look like this after a crash at 100 mph+ http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/26/air...ash/index.html

 

I took mine to 145 and it had more in the tank...
It was enough to freak out the Charger R/T... LOL

The report of 155 would be accurate, but mines a 5 speed stick. 4 speed auto might wind out too soon.
.... and it's smooth @ 145!!!

DISCLAIMER

Before I get slammed by the "Safety Sam's" of the world about speeding; I only pulled the trigger becasue I know the road VERY well, It was a 10 mile straight line with out grade, the traffic was non-existant, I have taken classes @ Skip Barber and Bondurant and am SCCA rated and have driven on high speed test tracks for years.

Dont worry about me in my HHR, worry about the kid on a new crotch rocket blasting 120 on a residental street...

 

It's good to hear that GM engineers may have done their homework. 'Cuz the HHR looks as aerodynamic as a brick


Just remember... the driver in the other lane hasn't.

 

The 2003 Corvette manual trans is EPA rated 19/29. My Z06 has averaged 19.2 over the last 1000 miles of city driving, the HHR SS is doing 22.8. Highway the Z06 is 29.5 at 70, the HHR SS about 30-31. Both sticks. The Corvettes really shine with the manual. The HHR SS would be better on the highway if it had another gear, its a bit revved up at 70.
But I didn't buy the HHR SS to replace a vette, I bought it to replace a Tahoe getting 11.5 mpg city.

 

I replaced a 99 Tahoe 2WD 2 door... I enjoyed it, had hooptied it up nearly to my satisfaction, but $90 fillups are painful.