Howdy folks,

I'm new to these forums, but not new to HHRs.

I've ordered my SS in Victory Red. I currently lease a 2007 LT 2.4L 5-Speed in Sunburst Orange that I have to break before or around then.
I just love these cars (trucks?) and they're so useful on top of it all.

So, it'll be arriving end of March or early April. Delivery is 8-10 weeks from what I've been told. For Canadian delivery anyways.

I ordered the following options:

- sunroof
- Pioneer stereo upgrade
- performance seats

I test drove a black 5-speed and fell in love with the changes over the LT instantly. It really is everything an LT 2.4 wants to be. Better handling yet not painfully stiff suspension, better power (duh), and better control (traction, stabilitrack) of the power in bad weather. The performance seat actually drops you down a bit which is good because I'm a big and tall guy, and my sight line improves slightly.

Cheers!

HHRSS-Canuck

 

 

I TOTALLY mis-read your username....

anyway...I like what you ordered...already leasing one sure makes for a noticeable improvement with the new SS, I bet.

BTW...maybe after you get it, you can let us know if you think the performance seat would be interchangeable with a stock 06-07 HHR seat.

 

Welcome. This is a NO. 1 site for HHR's

 

WELCOME and CONGRATULATIONS from the Rockies.
Keep us posted on the order progress please.

 

to the best place for anything

 

Yes, already having an LT 2.4 definitely has been a good comparison.
I found that the LT's body roll was rather old Volvo-esk like, but still competent under harder cornering. The SS's multi-rate springs were nice over railroad tracks and rough roads, yet dead flat in the corners, which I really like.

The performance seat should be interchangable because it would use the same seat rails as the standard seating, it just has slightly different dimensions to it. It is longer in the legs, which is good for me. It also sits a little lower which makes gripping the short throw standard easier. The LT's power seat sits lower than the LS's, but that little bit extra height with a sunroof is needed by a guy like me. The top portion of the HHR's windshield is very distorted to look through. I'm sure every owner here understands.

The power, well... what can I say? It's stinking fast. the 260HP was tempered under normal throttle conditions to where it felt like the the LT 2.4 (using 91 octane of course... I still don't know why people think running any less with this engine is a good idea). However, under full boost - holy cow. It's the forces that make you say, "Geeeeee". Best part is the lack of torque steer. For those who have full throttled an LT 2.4 on the highway, you'll know what torque steer is. The SS did not exhibit that at all.
I tried a passing gear throttle at 60mph dropping to 3rd gear, and yeah, that's a launch to 75mph. Very quick.

Finally, it was freezing out and the roads had been wet, slowly freezing, so it got greasy near the end of the test drive. That's where I appreciated the Traction control / Stabilitrack. Normally, the LT would torque through a corner and break loose on the front wheels. Same with launching - even under average to mildly aggresive acceleration off the line, with those stock LT tires, it became embarrassing that the front wheels kept breaking loose.
Not the SS. That traction control system is really cool. I trompted it around a wet left turn. It kept the front wheels on the edge of losing grip, but never did the typical 'death pedal' response where it drops the throttle drastically. I was impressed. Turned off the traction control, it behaved like the LT off the line in the wet. Granted, if the LT I have had this sytem on board, I would be much happier with the LT's behaviour in crappier conditions.

That lighter-than-LT clutch pedal is definitely something to get used to. Feather light for auto-crossing enthusiasts no doubt. That actually is better for me. I have a patched up achilles tendon on my left foot. It frequently gets sore driving standards in traffic, and the SS's ultralight clutch will help alleviate that.

HHRSS-Canuck

 

Welcome, you're gonna love it!