I'd never call it a dinky four banger, and I'd love to see what The Short Bus can do.

 

Love my SS! Especially seeing that they offered it with an auto (no 'practical' use of right arm= no 5sp fun for me). Loved it since I found out they were available and I have a B.S.E.G. (big S**t eatin' grin) every time I floor it and it just takes off like a bat out of hell.

Later
Allex

 

My last 2 Cars were a 2004 SRT-4 and a 2008 Mazdaspeed 3. I regret trading in my Speed3 for my 2010 HHR SS. I was bored with the HHR after the first year. It will be getting traded in very soon. The SRT-4 and the Speed 3 were much more entertaining cars. This is the only car I have ever really kicked my self in the ass for buying. Both the SRT-4 and Speed 3 were moded, although the SS has stayed stock, I would rather have the SRT-4 or Speed3 Stock over the SS.

I really starting to not like the look of the SS either. Next car will def. be a Mustang or something else that is v8 and RWD.

 

i guess to each his own...however,i too use to own a 2004 srt 4 back in 04.the most i got out of that car was 260 to the ground. that was with a cai,3inch exhaust with catless dp,mopar stage 1,low boost was 15 and high boost was 18,mopar blow off plate,sts,progress springs,bushing kit,upgraded wg actuator. at that time,it was the best bang for your buck. however,the srt only started out with 225ish wich meant you were at 210 stock. yes,the aftermarket was/is big for them. if you have the 5 speed ss,you put down 240ish bone stock. how many 4 bangers can do that. these cars are so easy to get 300hp from with just simple bolt on's and tunes. i say in one year,the LNF turbo will have just as much stuff out and putting out big numbers. some balts are putting out big numbers already.

i agree with you on the looks ...there are some days i say what the hell was i thinking,but most days,i;m glad i got it because it's different and very sleeper. now if i can go back 3 years ago and do it again,i would have gotten me a cobalt ss/tc,jmho.

 

210 stock on an 04'? Most 04's stock around here were hitting 230 to the wheels, the #s were known to be rated low from the factory. The 03's with the smaller injectors were def only making 210-220 stock.

Al ot of my good friends still have theirs, everything from mid 9sec realtune built cars to 11 and 12 sec home tuned cars. SRT-4 was the best bang for the buck. Stage 2, DP & 02 housing with slicks and you have a car in the 12's. Not gonna see any SS do that anytime soon for that cheap.

I'm sure with a better suspension set up and a tune I would enjoy my SS a bit more but I cant justify putting a cent into it cause I know in 6 moths after the mods I will be bored with it again.

As for the Speed 3 it was a dog in the 1/4 mile due to gearing but even in stock form, would out run from a roll, and out turn cars that cost 2x's as much and up. If mine did not have the problems it did I would never have traded it in. It is a brilliant car for the money. Its too bad the front end on the new ones looks so stupid.

 

I like the looks the best always loved the round fenders, now have a new SS badge I installed my self !! The second one will take a little more effort,but I like the blue.

 

That's a sharp cluster faceplate, post up some pics when you get 'er done Sam.

 

We still loving our SS. 16000 miles. Still on stock tires. But getting down there lol. We have both been 135. dont tell anyone... She turns heads everywhere we go and keep her nice. Have NO plans on letting go of this car. Still no Stage 1 yet but we will be good and used to stock and the stage will surely elate us. No mechanical issues at all. {knock on wood}. Still makes us smile crusing to somewhere or hanging out. Absolutely the best car either of us have owned.

 

I loved driving my SS and the mpg compared to my 2 L's. Wish my Lightning's could handle remotely close to the HHR. But, I wanted something that was more mod friendly and had a lot better low end torque. I still don't regret my decision. It's a great car for what it is but I wanted something faster with more old school torque. The fwd didn't help either for me. Hopefully, in the future I can pick up a 5 speed for a DD, when prices are down.


Dave

 

correct on the 03's,but some 04's was getting anywhere between 215-230 to the ground stock. myself was at 225 and my friend was at 218. don't know about 9's for ss,but i have no doubt there are some ss's(hhr) running 12's. crazysteve went 13.1 on the stock turbo and that was almost 3years ago,before all the better tunes and bigger turbos. i'm in love with the genesis coupe,but to get that car to where my car is hp wise is gonna cost me alot!! if i got the turbo,i'm looking at $5k-$7k for a hp rating from 330-380. the v6 mods are a few grand less,but the car cost almost and in some cases $30k+,where the turbo is $23k. sooo,that makes my ss looks more attractive. i agree with the new speed "smiley face" ugly look lol.