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.

 

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.

 

Manuals are almost always more reliable and they are cheaper to fix if they do break. I think the answer depends on how many miles you intend to put on it.

 

Yeah, it depends if you will be keeping it long enough to need a clutch replacement.
I say its a wash, follow your desires

 

73000 plus miles on the 08 auto, no trouble with the trans.

 

probably depends on which tune you get. some people have had slipping issues with the tune and the manny.

 

Thanks for all the advice and I will consider all. Just one more question.......is the auto in the ss the same as the non ss versions......if not is the ss auto beefed up to hold the extra torq?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Thought you said it's not a hot rod

I like my auto just fine I do lots of driving no desire to do the shifting too.