I am a newbie here, and I want to make some inquiries with regard to the HHR SS from folks who own one. Please pardon what is sure to be a long post. Thanks for your patience.

I am really, really interested in a brand new Aqua Blue Metallic HHR SS at a local dealer about 25 miles from my home. It is a 5 speed manual and its only options are a sunroof and roof rails. (No multi CD changer, no special sound package, no brembo brake/limited slip differential performance package.) But I'll tell you, that color is drop dead gorgeous. The only other one with that color in my area is an automatic. I think the manual transmission would be a blast, and I don't really want the automatic because from what I've read, the engine de-tuning to accomodate the automatic really adversely affects the performance. I'd be really interested in hearing the perspective of someone who has driven both versions.

Until late July of 2008, I drove about 22k - 23k miles per year, having an 80 mile round trip commute per day. I now have a 13 mile round trip commute. I have gone about 4 years and two months without buying a new car. Prior to getting my current car, I owned four cars between July 1997 and January 2005. I was always frustrated because although my cars looked rleatively sporty, their performance was always disappointing in comparison to their appearance (and I just hated getting outrun by the Jeep Cherokees and Honda Preludes of the World.) (Therefore, the frequent car purchases - each one getting more and more "upside down.") However, in January 2005 I got my dream car, a brand new 2004 Pontiac GTO (4 speed automatic.) I still enjoy my GTO. It has leather seats, a six CD changer and an excellent sound system. It has boatloads of torque on demand. It has that unmatched V-8 sound. It also has nearly 83,000 miles now. It is also impractical for hauling around my 80+ year old parents, and 101+ year old grandmother. However, I am certain the GTO is still about a second quicker 0 to 60 and in the quarter mile than a manual transmission HHR SS would be.

By contrast my wife has been driving her 2000 Altima GLE for 8.5+ years (115k miles), and despite my best efforts, I have not been able to convince her to get a new car for herself. (Therefore I feel selfish for wanting yet another new car.) She will only drive an automatic, so if I get a manual transmission car, she will not likely be able to drive it.

I have a short attention span, and my instant cure for boredom over the last ten years has been to buy a new car. I guess I want to inquire about the HHR SS from folks who own one, before I make yet another car purchase and wake up one day disappointed over what I gave up to get it. I'm sure that I would enjoy the HHR SS, but I'm afraid I will miss my GTO.

Some of my questions are:

1. Is the standard stereo system of reasonably good quality? (Good bass, etc.) I'm not interested in installing an after market stereo system.

2. Would I be disappointed if I got an automatic so that my wife could drive it if she had to?

3. Should I hold out for the performance package, performance audio package, etc.?

Thanks for your patience and your insights.

 

mine came with the pioneer 7 speaker system. i am very happy with it , and i have blown up bose speakers in the past. i would say you really need to drive one to decide about the performance.i think i would rather have the 2.0 turbo rather than the 2.4 auto i have. but it is because i think i could squeeze some mpgs out of it. my hhr impresses me with it's performance , but i have also been very impressed with a toyota camry.

 

1. Is the standard stereo system of reasonably good quality? (Good bass, etc.) I'm not interested in installing an after market stereo system.

Standard stero is good. It may not rattle the window in your house but as most stero's go today from the factory it is good enough for 90% of the owners.

2. Would I be disappointed if I got an automatic so that my wife could drive it if she had to?

I got the auto because the wife can't drive a stick. While it is a little less than the 5sp the new stage kit adds the same power to the auto matic and it will put out 290 HP and 315 lb torque. You can work this into your deal and when the dealer installs it it will still be covered under the 5 year 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty. The Auto should do 13's in the quarter.

The only down side to the Auto is the lack of Brembo's which are nice but not a must and the limited slip which I do wish I had but I can live with out since I have to.

3. Should I hold out for the performance package, performance audio package, etc.?

There are a lot of SS around the country on dealer lots. Make the deal you want and have the dealer pick it up for you. Most good dealers will go a long way to get what you want. They should even be able to find the color. THe Sub speaker is a must.

I made my deal on a fully loaded SS and then we went to find it. It took 2 days for the dealer to make the trade but I got what I wanted.

IF you are going to buy one get a loaded one the price is not much more and you will bew glad you did. The deals are too good right now not to get as many options as you can.

I am a RWD fan and never really considered a SS till I drove on. After that I do not miss the RWD or V8.

Drive one if you have not and that should make up your mind. I have enjoyed this car more than many I have had before. I have owned many performance and Muscle cars and this one has not disapointed me yet.

Kind of like a American Mini that can really haul in more than one way.

My wifes car is a GTP Comp G and I love to drive the SS more than the GTP. THe suspesion is just better tuned and it is a marvel to drive such a well sorted car.

 

- Agree on the pioneer system. Unless you're looking to draw attention to yourself it is more than enough for the average driver (and the SS will do that for you without loud music)

- Never driven the 5-speed, but I can say I love my auto SS. If you get the Stage 1 upgrade you're also even with the 5-speed in terms of HP. The car is tons of fun to drive.

- I would also agree on getting as many options as possible. The markup on the vehicle is about 15% but on the options its around 40%, so you have lots of room to knock the price down on the extras.

Hope this helps!

 

I bought my HHR as is from the dealership but simply because I came across one with EXACTLY what I wanted so it made life easier....

I will agree with what everyone said on the pioneer. That is a must if you like good sound quality.

As far as performance is concerned... no, a factory SS is not going to run with a 6.0 GTO, and for good reason. But keep in mind you're looking at a completely different vehicle. Which I know, DUH lol, but that being said, as far as being economically and a financially sound investment, especially given your requirements, it would fit damn near perfect.

I personally have a 2008 5 speed w/ LSD. IMO LSD was a MUST have just given the advantages alone of having one. This is especially true if you look into the stage kit or the aftermarket.

With all THAT being said, if you're looking to get out of a more impractical, allbeit, more sporty vehicle, in favor of a more family oriented, economically friendly car without really sacrificing that 'fun' factor, the SS is really the way to go.

In a more personal note, if you really want to experience a major boost in performance, look into the stage kit... Your dealership can locate one and have it installed for around $800 give or take. That way you can see 30% gain in power and retain your factory warranty. I, on the other hand, took a big ol' middle finger to the prospect of potentially preserving my factory warranty and went to the after market for my tune. But I see around 300 whp and 350 wtq.... : )

As far as the auto goes, its all in your perspective. I have not driven an auto SS but from what I hear, with a tune it's still a ton of fun to drive. So maybe ask your wife what her prospects are of actually driving it on a daily basis and make your decision based on that input haha

Hope this helps!

 

To be honest, it sounds like the best vehicle for you would be a Pontiac G8. Basically a 4-door GTO, and IMO better looking.

 

I love mine!! You are right about the color. I have not seen another one like it on the roads around here at all. I have the 5 speed, sunroof and brembo brakes. I am satisfied with the stereo system, didn't get the upgraded system.

 

I really like my SS and I have the auto. I would advise on getting the stage kit if you do get the auto as it makes it a completely different drive. However unlike most I couldn't listen to the pioneer sound system. Oh it was plenty loud but the sound quality was a mixture of muddy in the mid levels and noisy in the high stuff. I tend to think car companies high end stereo stuff is a pretty big rip off anyway. The premium pioneer system features paper speakers and almost nil in the way of sound deadening. I'm a fan of clean audio not always loud audio.

 

Keep in mind one of the benefits of the auto SS: Remote Start

I use it every day and love it. It's particularly useful in real cold or real hot weather.