I've gotten some nice compliments and stares too, but both have gone up a lot since I painted the roof and rear valence black...one I've gotten more than once has been "I never really liked or noticed HHRs until I saw this one" or some variant of that. And yeah, almost no one knows about the SS, and they're quite surprised when they hear about the SS can do. Just hoping I have enough $$$ after my 40th (this Thursday) to buy some IPCW Bermuda Black tail lights to finish off the whole red/black theme.

 

The product I used was ClearMask- I believe I paid around $300 for the entire front kit. The hood was the hardest, the passenger side finished better than the driver side (I learned how to stretch it). They show how to apply this clear film on a porsche- the hood it totally flat....simple compared to our super round hood. Once I got the hang of it, the rest went smoothly. It would be a lot easier with two people! I would say it took me about 4 hours to do everything, including the lower spoiler and the painted area around the grill openings. I also did the mirrors and the rear fender area of the rear door- this always gets rocks thrown up from the front tires. Yea, it was a pain to apply this stuff but way worth it!

 

Oh and another thing I did within the first 300 miles is install some adjustable yellow rear Koni shocks! Now the rear dosen't have that soft bouncy feeling, it just sticks now- They are for the late model cobalt, and fit right in, kinda pricy though!

 

I've had mine since July of '08 and it still brings a smile to my face when I drive it. (14K) Yes, there are some downsides to this car and some scary threads I hope I don't have to post on (just read about the broken door handles) But overall, I'm pretty pleased with a car that will bring out the grin factor, get good MPG's when I'm not destroying the go pedal, and put my two iddie biddie kids in the back!
But I'm still too paranoid about door dings and scratches to let my wife near the thing. My 3 year old gets yelled at if she so much as looks in my HHR's direction ( even though she can spot an HHR a mile away and shouts at the top of her lungs "HH-CAR" ) and my 8 month has drool rags around the seat to protect the upholstry.
And only I am allowed to close the hatch! (or load and unload it, wash it, look at it...)
Am I sick?

JIm

 

LOL,, no, your fine. I just gave my kids to some gypsies to avoid any damage.....(just kidding,, we never had any)lol

 

Right on! my grin dont go away much behind the wheel. Man its fun to drive. Im still having to wait on LNF upgrade to make this a lil' beast!!

 

I have nothing negative to say about my Black, 09 SS. Ten months old and just turned 7000 miles, I've have no problems at all. Chased down and fixed a few rattles, but thats about all. So far , I'm having a lot of fun with it.
As far as looks: now that the weather is nice, and I'm out and about a lot more, I'm noticing a lot more people looking and commenting about it. I'm sure the hood scoop, and the tinted headlights,along with the badging have a lot to do with it. It does look a little wicked now, and will soon be even better, once I get the Pedders on, and the new wheels[Giovanni-black wire mesh centers, Red rims], and last the racing stripe[red to match the rims]. I've finall settled of the color combo, I want, and it will soon be done[ I think].
Having a ball, squirting around with the Trifecta tune on, and a s---ing grim on my face. Today while going to lunch with my ole friend Pete Paulsen[House of Wheels], let him drive the SS. He races roundy round cars every weekend, and once he pulled the trigger on her, he was impressed. he said "Man this thing is wicked quick"". Can't believe the power from a four banger". "This thing is a real sleeper'. I think he is in the market for a SS now.
Anyhow, I know now, that I made a real good choice in getting this SS. Things gets as many looks as my 96 Implala SS ever did[which was plenty].
Can't wait to get all my mods done[real soon now]. "Moon"

 

50,000+ miles on my black 5-speed '08 SS and no major issues. I still have the original tires on (good thing it's summer). I have experienced the chipping windshield and bad lower control arm bushings just within the last few thousand miles. Also, I just replaced brake pads in the front last week. The best thing about this car for me has been the fact that it HAS been very reliable while delivering great performance. Tons of fun! Almost as much fun as my 6-speed 2000 WS6 Trans Am. I give the WS6 the edge because of the rear wheel drive and rumble factor. I used to love setting off car alarms in parking garages. After 50k on the SS I still average 27 MPG mixed with a heavy foot. I can hit 32 MPG on the freeway if I try. I can't say enough about how much I enjoy this car!

 

41,000 miles and still a satified customer! Bought 1/15/08 no major issues.