Manual or Auto Best for Reliabilty???
#1
Manual or Auto Best for Reliabilty???
I am in the last stages of purchasing an HHR SS and need to make a decision on which tranny would be best. I will probably only do a tune of some sort and not get to radical. Is the auto or manual give more problems than the other? Thanks for all your help.
#2
Manual
The manual has more power, and doesn't have the detuned lower gears. The manual in the SS is Saab-derived and has a better feel than the elderly Getrag manual in non-SS. There were early problems with the auto in non-SS HHRs. I have not noticed posts on here about transmission problems with the SS, either way. I would decide based on the other factors.
#8
I have 143,000 miles on the 4 speed automatic on my 2007 HHR LT. For the last 8 months, I have used my car for delivery driving, and my transmission still seems just as strong as ever. It never has given me any concern. In fact, I think the 4 speed automatic in the HHR is one of the best I have driven.
#9
Depends on what you want. I love manuals but bought the auto because my SS is my commuter car in Denver stop-and-slow traffic. Plus I might drag race it in the brackets later. The auto is more consistent for bracket racing (and has the potential of being quicker in the quarter - not having to lift for the shifts means you don't lose boost between gears). Car & Driver tested the Solstice with both, and the auto was quicker in the quarter (but I don't believe it has the reduced torque in the lower gears - something that is cured with the Stage 1, and still retains full warranty). This is the best auto I've driven behind a 4-cylinder - perfect gearing, hot off the line instead of bogging.