SS-Has it changed your driving habits?
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
The front wheel drive of this car is pretty squirly but this is true of front wheel drives....Front wheel drive does not partcularly lend itself to driver passion..The suspension is pretty stiff in the bumps but does reward on cornering which is an accomplishment considering the shape of the vehicle... The car does make for a great hwy cruiser....
The car is by far the slowest of my rides .. it does deliver as a great beater in bad weather or running errands....
The car is by far the slowest of my rides .. it does deliver as a great beater in bad weather or running errands....
I agree the FWD as good as it is on the SS it still has it's limitations vs RWD performance applications.
I hate losing the steering if I break the wheels lose under acceleration.
Just one of the poor aspects of a FWD application. Otherwise GM did a good job of taiming it as much as they can. In the past I have had a few FWD that would go for the ditch as soon as you jumped on it.
The HHR SS is the American Mini Cooper.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-03-2008
Posts: 1,664
From: jerSSey, exit 5
How the SS handles depends on your perspective based one what you have driven in the past. If you are used to RWD, then it is much different, and probably not as good. If you have driven mostly FWD cars, then this car handles awesome. I absolutely LOVE taking this car around the curves.
The only downside of driving the SS is that I get REAL impatient with slow drivers that get in my way. My wife noticed this last night when we were driving to dinner. She told me I need to relax. NEVER!
The only downside of driving the SS is that I get REAL impatient with slow drivers that get in my way. My wife noticed this last night when we were driving to dinner. She told me I need to relax. NEVER!
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
How the SS handles depends on your perspective based one what you have driven in the past. If you are used to RWD, then it is much different, and probably not as good. If you have driven mostly FWD cars, then this car handles awesome. I absolutely LOVE taking this car around the curves.
The only downside of driving the SS is that I get REAL impatient with slow drivers that get in my way. My wife noticed this last night when we were driving to dinner. She told me I need to relax. NEVER!
The only downside of driving the SS is that I get REAL impatient with slow drivers that get in my way. My wife noticed this last night when we were driving to dinner. She told me I need to relax. NEVER!
Point being is loss of traction in a corner can cause the loss of steering [better know as Understeer]. In a RWD the rear wheels break loose you can still steer. Not a big deal but just a point of differance.
As for as the SS goes your not going to find a FWD that is much better taimed anywhere else.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-08-2008
Posts: 116
From: usa
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 04-10-2006
Posts: 195
From: Simi Valley, CA
The SS has cost me money!!!!
After 8000 miles on my 2008 5 speed car it makes my old hot rod feel like a lumber truck! Aside from my old sedan having almost 400 hp it left alot to be desired in the handling department. So............I had to install a nice stout rear sway bar (from Welder Series) and crank the dampening up a bit on the rear coil-overs. OK, now when I occasionally drive the hot rod to work I at least can keep up with most cars on the circular on-ramps...........but it still is quite a bit slower than my SS through local canyons. I drive the SS much harder than I really should, but it is ALOT of fun.
After 8000 miles on my 2008 5 speed car it makes my old hot rod feel like a lumber truck! Aside from my old sedan having almost 400 hp it left alot to be desired in the handling department. So............I had to install a nice stout rear sway bar (from Welder Series) and crank the dampening up a bit on the rear coil-overs. OK, now when I occasionally drive the hot rod to work I at least can keep up with most cars on the circular on-ramps...........but it still is quite a bit slower than my SS through local canyons. I drive the SS much harder than I really should, but it is ALOT of fun.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-26-2008
Posts: 4,152
From: N.W. Burbs Chicago
I believe it's an austin, not a current mini. And it looks like its rear wheel drive in the video ( at one point during a 360 you see the front wheels rolling, and the backs spinning ). I'll guess its a 1972 austin . Just a guess.
He is movin in that thing though, The nose brake wheelie is wild.
And my SS has changed my driving . It's hard to have a track worthy hypermite as your daily driver, and not push the limits once in awhile !!!!
He is movin in that thing though, The nose brake wheelie is wild.
And my SS has changed my driving . It's hard to have a track worthy hypermite as your daily driver, and not push the limits once in awhile !!!!
