While reading a link on this forum about GM paying off its loan, it led me to another link about the Mustang and Camaro V-6 power strugle. In short the Mustang is claiming to have 305 hp and now the Camaro is suppose to have 312hp. The article says that both cars have plenthy of power with the V-6. What I am getting at is that this shows how under ratted our HHR SS vehs. are we only have a 2.0 and with the GM upgrade were almost pushing 300hp in a smaller veh. not to mention with a few other upgrades can surpass the 300 mark. It makes me love my sleeper all the more. We are in an exclusive club. I actually would like to hear from anyone who takes on one of the new Mustangs or Camaros with their HHR SS, it should be interesting.The way I look at it, if we win with our little 2.0 thats great, if we loose to a V6 or V8 how can they really brag they beat a little "4 banger" either way we win, thats just my view.

 

While the SS and the Eco 4 Turbo is a great combo don't too carried away with the camparo.

You are compairing a fully loaded more expensive HHR to a base Camaro with it's base engine.

Having been behind the wheel of the Camaro's I can say the SS lives up to the Camaro well but the Camaro is anything but blah.

GM is working on a new Alpha based Camaro and it will be smaller and much lighter. It also looks to be coming with a Twin Turbo V6 with around 420 HP. Around 2016.

Also Buick will have a Regal soon with the same motor we have. I expect it will gain a little more HP in the future.

I guess what I am getting at I agree we have a very impressive engine. But the other engine for what they are and what they cost are also very impressive too. The MPG in the Camaro is amazing considering the weight penalty.

We should just be glad we have these offerings in the face of such goverment control.

SO smokem while you can.

For what it is worth any 4 cylinder with a Tubo is not look upon the same as a non Turbo. With many of the power cars like a WRX and others having a turbo is respected as if it had more cylinder. Few peorple show shame in lossing to a Turbo anything.

Now a HHR on the other hand that they may not know has a turbo will get you a What have you got response.

Either way the based Mustang and Camaro are jusrt economy cars with a little more power. They are really not there to win races. They are there to keep the price down and the MPG up for the brands average. With 3800 pounds in a Camaro it needs it.

Now if you beat the SS you have something to brag about.

 

Corvairman, I agree with your main point.

The Camaro and Mustang, regardless of powerplant are "Superstars" in the public eye.

But in comparison of a V6 to a 4cyl, we definately have something over them in this regard.

As far as the public eye goes, most do not know what an HHR is and less realize that the SS is more than a cosmetic package re this vehicle. Makes for a good sleeper.

I for one have much more fun and enjoy the perf of my HHR SS 4 cyl 2.0L than the V6 3.6L VVT Cadillac CTS that it replaced. The SS is raw, real and faster. The only people that argue this point with me is those who have never driven one or the other or both.

.......Liked this one...................Love this one......

 

87Silver you understood my point, thank you! I guess in the end I feel the HHR doesn't get the respect that it should. I have said it before, there will always be faster cars out there but the unique qualities of the HHR may not be matched again. You have a vehicle that can be used for utitility purposes, that being its a wagon, you have a vehicle that is front wheel drive, better traction, you have a vehicle that is uniquie looking, 30+ mpg when driven carefully and KickAs@# power should you choose it. Not to mention some nice creature comforts when equiped properly. I love Chevys and am proud that GM has paid back their loans. I was a Mopar man in my younger years but have become a GM fan since getting into my Corvairs several years back. I can't wait to see what GM and Chevy bring out in the future. But I doubt there will be another HHR SS. On another note I find it interesting Ford is advertising their new SHO V6 haveing 350hp, there commericals state their v6 has the power of a v8, well our 4cylinder has the power of a v8 but Chevy never pushed it in their ads, maybe they should have and the HHR and the SS would have had a different fate, we'll never know now. I am planning on keeping my HHR a very long time. In fact I just took my 2 car garage and took out the center wall and made it into a 3 car garage just so I could put my HHR SS tucked in with my Corvairs, now thats love.

 

I have many V-8 kills with my SS.

 

Corvairman, I understand what your talking about, sometimes when I get talking about how much I like the HHR it seems like a great majority of people will just stare at you as if you've just came from outer space. It seems as though they're amazed that you could actually like it.

Neither does the Corvair get the respect it deserves. I have none now, but have owned 3 in the past 18 years including one 65 turbo Corsa. It's a funny thing about Corvairs, When I was really into them I couldn't own just one...don't know why...It appears the same might be happening to me with the HHR's. I just traded one to get the SS but didn't really want to get rid of it, and I'm already thinking about a replacement HHR.

I know this isn't a Corvair forum and I don't mean to get off topic, but for those HHR owners who've never driven a Corvair, you really should try to some day, they are a marvelous car that was way ahead of it's time.

 

I could have written this myself. I agree 100% with you Corvairman.

 

I hear you man, no respect for the LNF platform but you can blame GM for there poor ass marketing for it, but the V6 Camaro doesn't have any advantages what so ever in performance over a HHR SS. You would have to move up to a Camaro SS and the base is starting at $30,945 MSRP.

The new 2011 Mustang V6 is intriguing as it traps 13.5-13.7 in the 1/4 mile while the V6 Camaro is 14.2-14.5.

As for the Regal GS turbo, the new 2.0 DI turbo Hynudai Sonata (thats right Hyundai in the same segment) is suppose to put out 275 hp, the Regal GS only puts out 250, but the Hyundai only weighs in at
3100 lbs also (less then our HHR SS ). The only thing the Regal GS turbo might have over the Hyundai is an awd system but that option isn't suppose to come out till next year sometime for the GS turbo model (if it comes out).

A little unknown fact, Hyundai used the exact same blocks as the Mitsubishi DSM 4G63 blocks in some of there cars in the past.

 

totally agree with most everything. Yet, i love the sleeper style that this car has developed. People always ask what it is..... My boss laughed and said I should had bought a HEMI truck like his, then we meet at a stop light and i proved my POINT :) he now owns an LT 2.4. :) I hope the HHR SS stays a sleeper

 

The HUNS are coming!

Another MFG to watch out for in their engine offerings, is what VW is trying to do. for starters they have come up with a 225HP 1.2L that is Super and Turbo charged, and claims 45MPG!
I am not so impressed anymore about 6's and 8's getting around 3-400HP or even 500. what I am impressed with is getting the same amount of HP out of a 4-banger with minimum mods that a GT came with only a few years ago! that aside, you can buy a v6 camaro for less money than our SS's and you have a good solid base car that is RWD, but by the time you up the HP in the 6, you could have bought the SS1 or 2