When I get my SS, I'm going to realize what it is and what it is not. It is not a high performance car. It is not a luxury car. It is a relatively inexpensive fun to drive little wagon that gets good gas mileage. I'm not going to worry about little diddly things that may be wrong or not-perfect. If I have major issues, then I will worry. But I also know I have a very good warranty to cover me until I get the car paid off.

 

Go buy a Toyota

 

MightyMouse I hear ya, sympathize for you, absolutely agree with yous (as you yourself point out) your situation is far worse. You have a right to vent and I've got nothing but empathy for you. I can't imagine the frustration you are going through and sincerely hope it does resolve itself quickly for you.

 

Mightymouse, you certainly have a right to vent. I know if I was going through what you are right now, I would be absolutely livid. I hope it all works out for you.

However, when a person takes minor complaints and makes them a reason to hate a brand and then come here and start a flame war, that bothers me. Oh yeah, everything he spewed was not factually correct anyway.

It is a complete myth that Hondas/Toyotas/etc. are better than American cars. As was mentioned, just look at the recall numbers. Also, Toyota and Honda have a habit of officially calling these issues "Engineering Concerns" rather than recalls, so the numbers are actually higher.

I had a 99 Firebird Formula that I drove HARD for 4 years and 59,000 miles. I had one problem. The 5th gear synchro failed, but was replaced under warranty without question. Other than that, the car NEVER had a problem...and again, I beat the snot out of it.

My brother has a '96 Impala SS with 172,000 miles on it. Still on the original motor and trans. It has every bolt on there is and is raced at Englishtown so it has not necessarily been grannied. The motor has never been opened and the tranny has never had a failure after 172,000 miles.

My parents had a 96 BASE Cavalier. They just got rid of it a couple of months ago with 136,000 miles and still ticking....no problems. They also have a 98 Malibu with 72,000 miles, no major problems.

I now have a 03 Civic Si which I bought only because I was getting married and could no longer afford the toys. The AC went at 46,000 miles, the O2 sensors went at 48,000 miles, and it has a vibration at highway speeds that I cannot get rid of. Honda refused to cover the AC under the extended warranty saying it was general maintenance. The freon was COMPLETELY gone. I don't consider that "normal" at 46,000 miles, but I got stuck with a $150 bill.

My brother has a 04 Hyundai Santa Fe with 2 leaking differentials. They are refusing to cover them under the warranty because the gaskets were rotted due to road salt....WHAT?!?!?!? Never heard of that. He took it all the way to corporate with no luck.

Sorry for the long rant, but I am soooooo tired of this BS that American Cars suck and the others are so great. The FACTS show something entirely different.

 

Everyone:

I have vented my frustrations for a couple of reasons and all of you have responded with your opinions. Fair enough. If I simply wanted a Toyota or a Honda, I would buy one and would not even be here. Not everything posted on this forum should be positive, if negative issues are occurring.

I bought my HHR SS aware that the fit and finish isn't the best, but it's almost like we expect and accept that GM fit and finish can be sub-par and it shouldn't be that way. I am very patriotic and wish nothing but for GM to leap-frog back into the lead in global sales. However, I am also a realist. GM got themselves into this position, I didn't, Toyota didn't and Honda didn't either.
Time-line:
They had a monopoly years ago and got complacent.
They have to pay huge cash and benefits to employees and have high costs as a result.
They have to charge high prices to cover these expenses
The build quality loses out to imports (Japs) beginning in late 90's early 00's
They need to catch-up but are too far behind so they introduce 113 new models in three years to increase consumer appeal-this bid fails miserably
They assume the SUV/Truck market will always sustain the company--lack of foresight is very costly
They must close down NAmerican production to save more $$$ and expand and will continue to expand in Mexico.
Union wont relocate and now Mexicans who have never worked in an assembly plant are buildling our cars...and like any new worker they will make a lot of mistakes

That's the truth and if you disagree then my opinion is that you are in denial.

It's like eating a restaurant that makes a lot of things okay, vs eating at a high end place that makes 10 things very very well.


P.S. hhrcrafty- The clutch/tranny assembly is built in Sweden, NOT Germany

 

Canuk:

One simple point.....it's irrelevant what the Japs pay their workers.....they are a thriving and developed country.....Mexico-not so much. Comparing apples to oranges here, you could pay the Mexicans $30/hour it doesn't mean they are skilled workers. How many Mexicans are attending the closest University to you.....how about Japanese......rest my case.

 

You have an entire 9 posts on this forum . . . 7 of them in THIS POST.

You make a rude "lemon" post . .

You come in here slamming HHR's and feel we should all sit idly by and let you arrogantly lambaste an entire car manufacturer just because . .

You feel your door is crooked . . . which the dealer worked on (unfortunately not to your satifaction)

Your head liner squeaks . . . .

Your car broke down . . . yeah that sucks . . it happens . . .

The dealer is working on it . . . OK . . .

The dealer gives you a free rental, they can't control the rental car . . . AND you ***** about it?

PLEASE . . . :eyes:

How does ANY of this even remotely make your car a lemon? . . . Has the exact same problem occured 3 times? If so you don't post it.

It is EXACTLY people like you that have driven the American Car Manufacturer name down the toilet.

 

Yet you still bought the car. That seems like a very poor decision on your part.

 

Been watching this thread and trying to formulate a response of my own. But Xsta and XXL, you have done it very well. Thanks.

I have experience with a family member who had a true "lemon" in all areas. Engine shut off for no reason at random times, never able to be isolated or fixed. AC that would only cool for 10 minutes or so, then blow warm air -- never able to be isolated or repaired. Lots of transmission adjustments and repairs to fix erratic shifting, finally replaced. 2 power window motors failed in the first 6 months. Windshield wipers that, when moved from normal speed to intermittent, would simply stop working. O2 sensors that failed regularly every 4-5,000 miles. What was this car? A Honda. It happens to every manufacturer -- don't kid yourself, it does.

 

Yup I bought it and know that others look on forums before buying their own. Not everything needs to be glorified or criticized. Having a car break down on you on the the road and having no power at all needing to push it to safety to get a tow, when it is only 2 months old.......is a lemon!! My wife drives it occasionally with our baby and it isn't cool for such a new car. I don't trust it to have her drive it with the baby and her alone. That's why we got it, to have two reliable cars. As I said, if it were my 92 Lumina I would chalk it up to a 16yr old car that served me well.

XXL

If you read my posts you would see that my issue is not with my dealership, they are independentaly owned and my father works there.....no probs whatsoever.....it's the company and the product I am angry about. $25k+ for a vehicle-shouldn't happen or shouldn't accept it as okay either.

Maybe I am expecting too much, maybe some of you are okay with getting screwed over and take it.