SS pros/cons?
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-17-2012
Posts: 18
From: Port St. Lucie
SS pros/cons?
I have a 2008 hhr LS. I'm looking to trade it in and get an SS. What are the pros/cons? Like I'm looking for more information. What are the best options to build power? What should I avoid getting and stuff like that?
Senior Member
Joined: 02-19-2010
Posts: 1,529
From: Buffalo ny
I traded my 07 2lt(2.4l) for my 08 SS auto. Its a completely different car with a turbo and sport suspension, from the factory. You can make it a whole different animal with out spending a fortune.
As for building power. You can use the GM turbo upgrade which is a little pricey, but keeps you 5/100k warranty. There is 3 or 4 other options to give you really good, reliable power. almost any tune will put you close to 300hp/ft lbs. give or take a bit. The auto will put less horsepower to the ground but is better when it comes to launching from a stop. If you dig a little deeper, and spend some more cash, You can get down to a low 13's (1/4) car that will hit 60 in 5.5 seconds or so. even this can be achieved for less than probably $2,000. There is one forum member( 2005hhrauto) is in the mid to high 12's with almost nothing invested. Downpipe, E47.5 tune, K&N intake, and drag slicks, might be all he has.
the only CONS i can give (or think of) you is that gas mileage is a little lower(like 25 -27 combined) depending on driving situations. I have gotten low 30's with all hwy driving.
another con is you will be burning through rubber, uncontrollable at times
SO I say go for it, if you can swing the payment. You can find SS's in the $14,000-$16,000 range with under say 40,000 miles. you can probably find SS's with less than 10,000miles, but they will be closer to $18,000, depending on the year
UMMMMM......
panel SS's are pretty rare, for the collectors POV
08's came with a boost gauge in the A pillar,09, 10 are a digital read out in the storage compartment under the mirror.
Thats all I can think of quickly
As for building power. You can use the GM turbo upgrade which is a little pricey, but keeps you 5/100k warranty. There is 3 or 4 other options to give you really good, reliable power. almost any tune will put you close to 300hp/ft lbs. give or take a bit. The auto will put less horsepower to the ground but is better when it comes to launching from a stop. If you dig a little deeper, and spend some more cash, You can get down to a low 13's (1/4) car that will hit 60 in 5.5 seconds or so. even this can be achieved for less than probably $2,000. There is one forum member( 2005hhrauto) is in the mid to high 12's with almost nothing invested. Downpipe, E47.5 tune, K&N intake, and drag slicks, might be all he has.
the only CONS i can give (or think of) you is that gas mileage is a little lower(like 25 -27 combined) depending on driving situations. I have gotten low 30's with all hwy driving.
another con is you will be burning through rubber, uncontrollable at times
SO I say go for it, if you can swing the payment. You can find SS's in the $14,000-$16,000 range with under say 40,000 miles. you can probably find SS's with less than 10,000miles, but they will be closer to $18,000, depending on the year
UMMMMM......
panel SS's are pretty rare, for the collectors POV
08's came with a boost gauge in the A pillar,09, 10 are a digital read out in the storage compartment under the mirror.
Thats all I can think of quickly
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2009
Posts: 726
From: NorCal BayArea
Although we have not owned an SS the general consensus on buying used is:
1) Low Mileage
2) Past Service History (a Car Fax is a start but not always the answer)
3) Check All Doors at the Lower Seems for Rust Repair (rust never sleeps)
We would love to own an SS but we doubt that many people have babied there HHR like our's has been! I would also avoid sun roofs as they seem to have alot of issues!
Best-O-Luck
1) Low Mileage
2) Past Service History (a Car Fax is a start but not always the answer)
3) Check All Doors at the Lower Seems for Rust Repair (rust never sleeps)
We would love to own an SS but we doubt that many people have babied there HHR like our's has been! I would also avoid sun roofs as they seem to have alot of issues!
Best-O-Luck
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Although we have not owned an SS the general consensus on buying used is:
1) Low Mileage
2) Past Service History (a Car Fax is a start but not always the answer)
3) Check All Doors at the Lower Seems for Rust Repair (rust never sleeps)
We would love to own an SS but we doubt that many people have babied there HHR like our's has been! I would also avoid sun roofs as they seem to have alot of issues!
Best-O-Luck
1) Low Mileage
2) Past Service History (a Car Fax is a start but not always the answer)
3) Check All Doors at the Lower Seems for Rust Repair (rust never sleeps)
We would love to own an SS but we doubt that many people have babied there HHR like our's has been! I would also avoid sun roofs as they seem to have alot of issues!
Best-O-Luck
Senior Member
Joined: 08-05-2009
Posts: 358
From: Cahokia IL
I'm getting 27.5 MPG 50/50....not bad for a car that Mustang GTs, Cameros and Challengers learn very quickly to fear.
I would't have an auto....but that's just me
I've had in the neighborhood of 75 cars trucks and motorcycles and this car is in the top five of most fun to drive!
I would't have an auto....but that's just me
I've had in the neighborhood of 75 cars trucks and motorcycles and this car is in the top five of most fun to drive!
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2009
Posts: 726
From: NorCal BayArea
Just from what we've read with no personal experience ! Past post have said leaks and less headroom! Just one more thing to go wrong 
!
and another thing the op might want to look for, bone stock with no mods! Mods usually means Hot Rodded and that means driven hard
.....
Best-O-Luck,
! Past post have said leaks and less headroom! Just one more thing to go wrong !and another thing the op might want to look for, bone stock with no mods! Mods usually means Hot Rodded and that means driven hard
.....Best-O-Luck
,
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-17-2012
Posts: 18
From: Port St. Lucie
We'll the gas mileage is better than my old 2000 blazer so that's a plus. I want to be able to get the manual instead of auto. It would be my first car with a turbo. Do I have to like rebuild the turbo or any thing of that sort? I'm just trying to get as much input as I can. I wanna make sure that I don't do something stupid. And I would love the panel version. Since I really don't carry passengers anymore.
