SS to 2LT
Senior Member
Joined: 11-15-2008
Posts: 1,599
From: Newburgh, NY
I really love the leather seats and butt warmers of the 2LT to the point that I was on the brink of buying one at one point. Then I was spoiled by the perf of the SS once serious shopping took place.
My butt is cold now but my tires are hot.
My butt is cold now but my tires are hot.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-11-2009
Posts: 327
From: WI
-J
Senior Member
Joined: 07-10-2008
Posts: 423
From: Not necessarily Humbolt County
As part of my "Terry takes forever to pick a car" journey, I just drove several move cars
2009 SS Auto
2010 SS Auto
2010 SS 5spd
2006 2LT Auto
2007 2LT Auto
2009 2LT Auto.
At the risk of being a nitpicker:
1. The 2LT rides nice much nicer over the SS (expected with the FE3 and taller tires over the FE5). I was able to drive 2 of the 2LT cars 25 miles+ up and down mountains (real mountains) and through town. I averaged around 30 MPG over the runs. The 2.4L actually drags the HHR around really, really well. I never felt like I didn't have enough power to pass or merge down on-ramps. Once I knew where the window switches were it didn't matter where.
2. All 3 SS were no doubt faster but I was surprised that the difference wasn't more pronounced. I can't say the 5spd was much faster than the auto although I could pick a better gear when needed. Above 65MPH they seems equal.
A slight tip-in on the throttle made it get up and go but it wasn't what I expected overall. No doubt the Stage 1 kit will improve that some. At WOT, yes the SS pulled harder and had great pull up to the 100MPH mark. The 2LT would do it but not quite as aggressively. One SS had the RDP which looked out of place but did have some nice data. I wish it had trans temp.
3. The 2LTs were all tight and rattle free. All 3 SS had rattles just about everywhere but most pronounce was in the dash and above the front seat belts. I am not sure what that was about. It was a huge turn-off. So I just stabbed the throttle more to make me forget about it.
4. The SS FE5 ride was certainly firmer and at some point it started to feel too firm. I could still live with it but I don't do too many 4 wheel drifts (although it felt like I could).
5. The tuning on the SS power steering is much better and tighter than the 2LT but the 2LT wasn't in any way bad. You can still tell the difference though. Maybe the LS is more pronounced over the 2LT and SS.
6. I'm 6'4" 200lbs and I had no problem seeing street lights through the front window. I did have to remove the rear seat head rests for the rear view but after that it was fine. A slight glance back through the second row window was easy to confirm I wasn't about to cut off a Peterbuilt.
I'll tell you, it's a hard decision. The 2LT was just nicer to drive but the SS power did make up for it's faults. What I still don't get is the rattles. I would assume the dealer could fix those. The SS front and rear fascias do look far better than the 2LT. The SS just looks important.
So the bottom line is, I have no idea what I will do. Both the 2LT and SS can be had for a song and dance around here (repo's are coming out of the woodwork and new ones are being discounted like Wal-Mart.) I sold my 2004 GTO so I know what power is but I never even lit the tires up on it so I can't say I need to have lots of power. They should offer the SS engine in a 2LT but that would put the car way out of it's price point.
Therefore:
PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME! HAVE SOME COMPASSION!!!!!
2009 SS Auto
2010 SS Auto
2010 SS 5spd
2006 2LT Auto
2007 2LT Auto
2009 2LT Auto.
At the risk of being a nitpicker:
1. The 2LT rides nice much nicer over the SS (expected with the FE3 and taller tires over the FE5). I was able to drive 2 of the 2LT cars 25 miles+ up and down mountains (real mountains) and through town. I averaged around 30 MPG over the runs. The 2.4L actually drags the HHR around really, really well. I never felt like I didn't have enough power to pass or merge down on-ramps. Once I knew where the window switches were it didn't matter where.
2. All 3 SS were no doubt faster but I was surprised that the difference wasn't more pronounced. I can't say the 5spd was much faster than the auto although I could pick a better gear when needed. Above 65MPH they seems equal.
A slight tip-in on the throttle made it get up and go but it wasn't what I expected overall. No doubt the Stage 1 kit will improve that some. At WOT, yes the SS pulled harder and had great pull up to the 100MPH mark. The 2LT would do it but not quite as aggressively. One SS had the RDP which looked out of place but did have some nice data. I wish it had trans temp.
3. The 2LTs were all tight and rattle free. All 3 SS had rattles just about everywhere but most pronounce was in the dash and above the front seat belts. I am not sure what that was about. It was a huge turn-off. So I just stabbed the throttle more to make me forget about it.
4. The SS FE5 ride was certainly firmer and at some point it started to feel too firm. I could still live with it but I don't do too many 4 wheel drifts (although it felt like I could).
5. The tuning on the SS power steering is much better and tighter than the 2LT but the 2LT wasn't in any way bad. You can still tell the difference though. Maybe the LS is more pronounced over the 2LT and SS.
6. I'm 6'4" 200lbs and I had no problem seeing street lights through the front window. I did have to remove the rear seat head rests for the rear view but after that it was fine. A slight glance back through the second row window was easy to confirm I wasn't about to cut off a Peterbuilt.
I'll tell you, it's a hard decision. The 2LT was just nicer to drive but the SS power did make up for it's faults. What I still don't get is the rattles. I would assume the dealer could fix those. The SS front and rear fascias do look far better than the 2LT. The SS just looks important.
So the bottom line is, I have no idea what I will do. Both the 2LT and SS can be had for a song and dance around here (repo's are coming out of the woodwork and new ones are being discounted like Wal-Mart.) I sold my 2004 GTO so I know what power is but I never even lit the tires up on it so I can't say I need to have lots of power. They should offer the SS engine in a 2LT but that would put the car way out of it's price point.
Therefore:
PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME! HAVE SOME COMPASSION!!!!!
Senior Member
Joined: 07-03-2008
Posts: 1,664
From: jerSSey, exit 5
The only reason I can think the SS has more dashboard rattles is because of the much harsher ride. I know on my commute, the concrete highway has bad joints and you can feel them jar the SS, and eventually they must take their toll on the interior. Other than the seats and power window switches, I don't think the SS interior is any different than an LT or LS.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-20-2006
Posts: 931
From: Peoria, IL
All I can say is my 08 SS has LESS rattles than my 06 2LT had. That thing was a rattle-trap even after the worst rattles in the headliner were repaired by the dealer. Buy whatever makes you happy. I find the SS, especially with the stage kit, to have much more power and less grating engine noise than the 2LT. The 2.4 is not a very refined motor. The LNF 2.0 is.
Platinum Member
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 16,081
From: SE USA
Contact your Insurance Co. with a SS Vin, & a 2LT vin & compare pricing to insure... That is a factor to consider also .........
Former Sponsor
Joined: 08-18-2009
Posts: 1,036
From: Canada
either way just make sure its a panel!!!!myself..went for lt2.4..great on hwy..all around very comparable with SS..if ur anything like us..it wont stay looking "stock" for long...debadge and lower it..much cheaper in the long run and no P.I.T.A turbo problems down the road...that condensor is a nasty place to have one if u have "northern climate issues"..ie..snow ..ice..freezing rain..sumthing to consider..