Tyler. I'm curious as to your statement about less problems w/autos. I wasn't aware that sticks had more issues than autos. Could you expand on that?

 

They have a clutch ? they need replacing. I'm just guessing here, cause I've got an auto. With a little tweek from Vince, I doubt you can shift a stick any quicker. Traffic's no sweat.

 

SS fan. True about the clutch but with my stick I have the LSD plus it's not
"powered down" to 235 hp like the autos are. Talking stock here.

 

True Firemangeorge, but do you really notice a difference that much on 25 hp? (nothing wrong with a stick, it's all good). SS fan, with the stage 1 we get 290 hp, after everything is said and done? How is that hammock these days? I gotta get me one. lol.

"Gee, I'm cruisin down the street worry free and I step on the gas and she really moves". (oh, did I mention I got Led Zeppelin up loud.)

 

Tyler. That 25 hp wasn't why I went with a stick. I was just stating the facts. I went with a stick because LSD was a must for me. Also I got the Brembos w/ the perf. pkg.
So Tyler, what about my question to you a couple posts ago?

 

The plain fact is the stick is fun to drive and yes you can get a LSD and Brembo package. If my wife could drive one and it was a second car [I hate clutched in stop and slow go traffic] I would have one myself.

But with that being said the clutch is a future expense many will see as they do wear. They are like brakes and some people get more miles than others. ALso you will not change it at home unless you are skilled and have a good set of tools.

Second the shift cable in nearly every FWD car gets rubbery and works poorly in time. They are not like the RWD cars where the shifter is right in the tranny and sees little wear. Also in many of these FWD as they age the slave cylinder is some fail along with the pedal. I have not seen this yet in the HHR but I do see it often in other cars.

The power is not an issue with the Turbo Upgrade kit. You do notice the 25 HP till you add the kit and it is no longer a factor.

The LSD would be nice it is the one thing I do miss.

The Brembo's are not as much a factor on this car as say a ZR1 with the creamic rotors. The stock brakes are nearly as good and with upgraded pads it will give you similar performace. Unles you do track time or Autocross you will never need more than the stock brakes in this vehicle.

Finally resale... While in some cases the stick may help since this is a performance model it also will limit buyers. More and more less people can drive a stick and are passing on them. They have never driven one and just don't know how to do so. They also are too focused on their GPS or phone to leave a hand free to shift.

The market today is nearing 5% stick shifts. While a few will remain more and more are going away. Just look at all the auto's and semi autos out there. Few are complaining so there will be limits to what we will see. Add to that that most autos today are as fast or faster in many of these cars. The new ZL1 gives up little to the manual and has a faster tops speed.

It just comes down to what makes you happy. There is no right or wrong here as long as you are happy. The facts I listed are just points to consider to see what you make you happy.

 

If I were you I would take my time and expand your shopping area. There are some good SS out there but there are also many that were rode hard and put away wet.

Get the lowest miles you can and have it checked by an outside shop.

Look at brake wear, tire wear and how many stone chips on the nose. Often these will tell the story of the life it has led.

The SS that have been taken care of will stand out. Take note of the interior for wear and damage to the inside bits. If the cargo area is all chunked up and the carpet has stains and wear it has been well used. Cars like mine is a daily driver but I do care for it and it is in the condition of what many part time drivers are. I am not alone in my care if you read here.

I also would avoid mods. While most are done well how do you know? Also you can pick and choose what you want with a stock one.

The pices on the SS has gone up of late and I have looked as a couple that a local dealer here in Akron has had. They were both beat to death. Both were in the $18K-19K range.

There have been a few in Columbus. I am not sure on the condition but they do pop up there so you might want to take a look.

I bought my 08 SS loaded for $21K new and it came from Dayton.

 

Same here, as far as stick goes. I just find driving stick to be a far more engaging and involving experience. It's not for everyone, but the year-and-a-half I drove automatics (from the time I got rid of my 2005 PT Cruiser GT in '07 until the time I bought by '09 SS) was painful, for me at least...it truly felt like something was missing. Just like some drivers don't do sticks, I don't do automatics.

 

When I was looking around I saw alot of them in Texas. I would assume there would be less rust on a Texas vehicle. I was really interested in one in Rhode Island, but the rust thing haunted me as well. I bought me a good ol Nawth Cackalackie car in the end.

 

For sure Micmac, at the time when I was looking for mine, I couldn't find any Aqua Blue's in Western Canada so I was willing to travel to get one in the southern U.S. Nothing worse than buying a car and having to get the doors repainted. Then you say to yourself when will the rust be coming back.

But for me, my SS had to be a certain car. Aqua blue, automatic, bubble/rust free, one owner, sunroof and low miles. Maybe I was a little to picky in my search. lol.