proud to own an SS!!
Senior Member
Joined: 04-16-2011
Posts: 149
From: florida
re
i've had mine for 3 months now...
i will have to agree with many on here about the bang for the buck deal...
this is my 1st 4cylinder performance vehicle - i come from F-body's and LS1's and chevy small blocks before that
this car kind of reminds me of the f-body's (not in looks) but in the way you
squeeze hp out of them. it was said these wagons can get 300hp really
very easily - true statement - same with LS1,very easy to get 400hp with bolt on's - either one of these vehicles with that kind of hp is just a hoot to drive
mine is still stock and can still hold its own - with the mods you guys have come up with on these motors and the right tires and suspension pieces
these little buggers are fast - pure and simple
i only wish the overall build quality was better but i understand this isnt an expensive car - that's why its a bang for the buck
i will have to agree with many on here about the bang for the buck deal...
this is my 1st 4cylinder performance vehicle - i come from F-body's and LS1's and chevy small blocks before that
this car kind of reminds me of the f-body's (not in looks) but in the way you
squeeze hp out of them. it was said these wagons can get 300hp really
very easily - true statement - same with LS1,very easy to get 400hp with bolt on's - either one of these vehicles with that kind of hp is just a hoot to drive
mine is still stock and can still hold its own - with the mods you guys have come up with on these motors and the right tires and suspension pieces
these little buggers are fast - pure and simple
i only wish the overall build quality was better but i understand this isnt an expensive car - that's why its a bang for the buck
Senior Member
Joined: 07-03-2008
Posts: 1,664
From: jerSSey, exit 5
Just yesterday my SS turned 3 years old. I still really enjoy driving it. In addition to the pickup it has, I love the handling and braking. I'm always getting myself in trouble when I drive other vehicles, because I am so used to being able to turn and stop like I do in the SS.
I paid about $22K out the door for mine, and had it paid off in less than 2 years. It now has 61K miles but I haven't had to make any repairs - just maintenance and tires. I will run this at least two more years to 100K miles unless the vehicle starts to fall apart on me. So far, so good.
I do a lot of research on cars, and I agree you aren't going to find anything close to the bang for the buck. The closest thing I can think of is a Camaro V-6 at 305 HP and around $29K. But that vehicle is pretty one-dimensional - definitely not the versatility of the HHR SS.
I paid about $22K out the door for mine, and had it paid off in less than 2 years. It now has 61K miles but I haven't had to make any repairs - just maintenance and tires. I will run this at least two more years to 100K miles unless the vehicle starts to fall apart on me. So far, so good.
I do a lot of research on cars, and I agree you aren't going to find anything close to the bang for the buck. The closest thing I can think of is a Camaro V-6 at 305 HP and around $29K. But that vehicle is pretty one-dimensional - definitely not the versatility of the HHR SS.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-30-2011
Posts: 101
From: Flint, MI
Loving mine
I always love to bring up, when people ask if it's fast, that it will keep up with a 97-04 Corvette around the Nurburgring. And that's before any mods.
I have to admit I think it's a bit homely, but that's part of Pete's charm. He's a nice simple Pete. It's predecessor was a Lancer GTS, which looked like it should do about 170...but couldn't. People always wanted to race it, and for the most part, it lost. Pete, on the other hand, gets kinda chuckles and silly looks when you pull up next to Mr. Civic Si....and then you see the grin sort of a fade in the rear view...
So...it handles quite well, it's about the fastest you can go for the money (we'll have to see about the '12 Focus ST (where's our RS?!?!?!)), and the best i've done so far is 14 new computers, in boxes, with all peripherals AND the networking equipment to hook them all together with some room to spare for small items AND an adult passenger. Just rolled over 80k miles, 8k of them mine, and so far things are great (other than my mysteriously disappearing front left TPM)
There's just nothing else available that can do what these little cars can. I mean, 160mph! In a wagon! 25mpg combined!
I have to admit I think it's a bit homely, but that's part of Pete's charm. He's a nice simple Pete. It's predecessor was a Lancer GTS, which looked like it should do about 170...but couldn't. People always wanted to race it, and for the most part, it lost. Pete, on the other hand, gets kinda chuckles and silly looks when you pull up next to Mr. Civic Si....and then you see the grin sort of a fade in the rear view...
So...it handles quite well, it's about the fastest you can go for the money (we'll have to see about the '12 Focus ST (where's our RS?!?!?!)), and the best i've done so far is 14 new computers, in boxes, with all peripherals AND the networking equipment to hook them all together with some room to spare for small items AND an adult passenger. Just rolled over 80k miles, 8k of them mine, and so far things are great (other than my mysteriously disappearing front left TPM)
There's just nothing else available that can do what these little cars can. I mean, 160mph! In a wagon! 25mpg combined!
Senior Member
Joined: 05-13-2008
Posts: 2,075
From: Knoxville, TN
The "Ring" was done with a 5sp without LSD or Brembro. FAST.
We are approaching 4 years in January. Still turns heads, we love it. Anyone who appreciates Industrial Design, beautiful lines, and nostalgia. Will look away. I've also noticed anyone with a car with some sort of distinctive lines, loves it. To me it still looks like a Nascar Truck from the front
We are approaching 4 years in January. Still turns heads, we love it. Anyone who appreciates Industrial Design, beautiful lines, and nostalgia. Will look away. I've also noticed anyone with a car with some sort of distinctive lines, loves it. To me it still looks like a Nascar Truck from the front
Senior Member
Joined: 07-03-2008
Posts: 1,664
From: jerSSey, exit 5
The "Ring" was done with a 5sp without LSD or Brembro. FAST.
We are approaching 4 years in January. Still turns heads, we love it. Anyone who appreciates Industrial Design, beautiful lines, and nostalgia. Will look away. I've also noticed anyone with a car with some sort of distinctive lines, loves it. To me it still looks like a Nascar Truck from the front
We are approaching 4 years in January. Still turns heads, we love it. Anyone who appreciates Industrial Design, beautiful lines, and nostalgia. Will look away. I've also noticed anyone with a car with some sort of distinctive lines, loves it. To me it still looks like a Nascar Truck from the front
Senior Member
Joined: 05-24-2010
Posts: 104
From: SE Wisconsin
Most bang for the buck? For sure! The best car , probably not. Best sleeper, without a doubt. I was at a stoplight on a local 4 lane when 4 guys on older Harley's pull up next to me. Light changes, I nail it and pretty soon there are 4 angry bees trying to chase me down. I back off at 70 as they finally get up enough speed to pass me by. The look the last guy gave me as they went by was priceless.....
Senior Member
Joined: 07-03-2008
Posts: 1,664
From: jerSSey, exit 5
this thread just makes me more depressed that they jettisoned the SS, and then the HHR completely 
I seriously would have conisdered buying another one in a couple years. I guess I could look for a lightly used one at that point.
I seriously would have conisdered buying another one in a couple years. I guess I could look for a lightly used one at that point.
