What do you hate about your HHR SS the most?
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
The HHR SS was one of the best kept secerets of pre Chapter 11 GM.
New Member
Joined: 04-19-2010
Posts: 20
From: Saline, Michigan
what do I hate the most about my SS?
#1 would be the lack of traction! with 22lbs boost, upgraded intercooler and downpipe it just won't put the power to the ground. 1st gear, no way, 2nd spins it all the way but at least it goes, 3rd will spin in cold weather.
#2 would be the notchy transmission-this thing is so stiff (even since day one). #3 would be the automatic door locks that cant be turned off.
#2 would be the notchy transmission-this thing is so stiff (even since day one). #3 would be the automatic door locks that cant be turned off.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-18-2008
Posts: 744
From: Oak Harbor, Washington
#1 would be the lack of traction! with 22lbs boost, upgraded intercooler and downpipe it just won't put the power to the ground. 1st gear, no way, 2nd spins it all the way but at least it goes, 3rd will spin in cold weather.
#2 would be the notchy transmission-this thing is so stiff (even since day one). #3 would be the automatic door locks that cant be turned off.
#2 would be the notchy transmission-this thing is so stiff (even since day one). #3 would be the automatic door locks that cant be turned off.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-08-2009
Posts: 220
From: Los Angeles, Dallas, New York
Torque steer can be fun. At least it keeps you awake.
I dig hot front wheel drive cars. My impala SS will light up the tires and the smoke comes through the AC vents. I'd like to cut a flap in the roof like a funny car and let the smoke out.
If any one thing I don't like about the SS is nobody knows it exists.
I know, I know GM didn't have any money, (well the executives did but not the rest of the company). The thing is they made the car, wanted to break into the hot hatch market, (which as of today with fuel prices would have been brilliant), but instead just let it die an early death.
I don't believe for a minute the hhr could not have been updated, or that retro done right is not cool. Mustang has lasted forever doing retro, so has the new camaro been a hit. You can't compare the HHR to the PT Cruiser because that has been around forever, has the same look as when it started and didn't have near the cargo space or utility of the HHR, so that one is not a good comparison.
I am sure by now GM has packed up the Mexico plant and is now making 1.6 litre somethings that sell for 12 bucks, but they had a diamond in the rough and didn't know what to do with it.
Look around this forum and others. Except for the Mustang and the Charger/300c, there is probably not any domestic vehicle more customized than the HHR, especially the SS and let's face it, we have very few options and third party suppliers compared to those cars. Nothing with a 4 cycl. and a turbo.
Anyway, this bunk about pre chapter 11 GM being broke show's GM's lack of foresight.
This commercial by Dutche LA, is legend and got more social media play than almost any spot of it's time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sdcNVCrYro
It only costs about a buck fifty to produce (at the time Mitsubishi only had a buck fifty) and if you have a pulse it will motivate you.
GM could have done the same when they tested the HHR at the Nurburgring.
Dumbasses.
I'd like to buy another HHR SS, but I have the awful feeling that since they made so few that parts will get scarce.
Bet ya I can buy parts for the EVO for the next 20 years.
I dig hot front wheel drive cars. My impala SS will light up the tires and the smoke comes through the AC vents. I'd like to cut a flap in the roof like a funny car and let the smoke out.
If any one thing I don't like about the SS is nobody knows it exists.
I know, I know GM didn't have any money, (well the executives did but not the rest of the company). The thing is they made the car, wanted to break into the hot hatch market, (which as of today with fuel prices would have been brilliant), but instead just let it die an early death.
I don't believe for a minute the hhr could not have been updated, or that retro done right is not cool. Mustang has lasted forever doing retro, so has the new camaro been a hit. You can't compare the HHR to the PT Cruiser because that has been around forever, has the same look as when it started and didn't have near the cargo space or utility of the HHR, so that one is not a good comparison.
I am sure by now GM has packed up the Mexico plant and is now making 1.6 litre somethings that sell for 12 bucks, but they had a diamond in the rough and didn't know what to do with it.
Look around this forum and others. Except for the Mustang and the Charger/300c, there is probably not any domestic vehicle more customized than the HHR, especially the SS and let's face it, we have very few options and third party suppliers compared to those cars. Nothing with a 4 cycl. and a turbo.
Anyway, this bunk about pre chapter 11 GM being broke show's GM's lack of foresight.
This commercial by Dutche LA, is legend and got more social media play than almost any spot of it's time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sdcNVCrYro
It only costs about a buck fifty to produce (at the time Mitsubishi only had a buck fifty) and if you have a pulse it will motivate you.
GM could have done the same when they tested the HHR at the Nurburgring.
Dumbasses.
I'd like to buy another HHR SS, but I have the awful feeling that since they made so few that parts will get scarce.
Bet ya I can buy parts for the EVO for the next 20 years.
Premium Member
Joined: 10-09-2010
Posts: 14,420
From: Tacoma
Well stated I agree wish I would have found them earlier I'd be on my second one. Tried to get the wifey to let me buy her that SS panel that came up yesterday but she won't let go of her 740sport.Oh well
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2009
Posts: 388
From: High Bridge
Torque steer can be fun. At least it keeps you awake.
I dig hot front wheel drive cars. My impala SS will light up the tires and the smoke comes through the AC vents. I'd like to cut a flap in the roof like a funny car and let the smoke out.
If any one thing I don't like about the SS is nobody knows it exists.
I know, I know GM didn't have any money, (well the executives did but not the rest of the company). The thing is they made the car, wanted to break into the hot hatch market, (which as of today with fuel prices would have been brilliant), but instead just let it die an early death.
I don't believe for a minute the hhr could not have been updated, or that retro done right is not cool. Mustang has lasted forever doing retro, so has the new camaro been a hit. You can't compare the HHR to the PT Cruiser because that has been around forever, has the same look as when it started and didn't have near the cargo space or utility of the HHR, so that one is not a good comparison.
I am sure by now GM has packed up the Mexico plant and is now making 1.6 litre somethings that sell for 12 bucks, but they had a diamond in the rough and didn't know what to do with it.
Look around this forum and others. Except for the Mustang and the Charger/300c, there is probably not any domestic vehicle more customized than the HHR, especially the SS and let's face it, we have very few options and third party suppliers compared to those cars. Nothing with a 4 cycl. and a turbo.
Anyway, this bunk about pre chapter 11 GM being broke show's GM's lack of foresight.
This commercial by Dutche LA, is legend and got more social media play than almost any spot of it's time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sdcNVCrYro
It only costs about a buck fifty to produce (at the time Mitsubishi only had a buck fifty) and if you have a pulse it will motivate you.
GM could have done the same when they tested the HHR at the Nurburgring.
Dumbasses.
I'd like to buy another HHR SS, but I have the awful feeling that since they made so few that parts will get scarce.
Bet ya I can buy parts for the EVO for the next 20 years.
I dig hot front wheel drive cars. My impala SS will light up the tires and the smoke comes through the AC vents. I'd like to cut a flap in the roof like a funny car and let the smoke out.
If any one thing I don't like about the SS is nobody knows it exists.
I know, I know GM didn't have any money, (well the executives did but not the rest of the company). The thing is they made the car, wanted to break into the hot hatch market, (which as of today with fuel prices would have been brilliant), but instead just let it die an early death.
I don't believe for a minute the hhr could not have been updated, or that retro done right is not cool. Mustang has lasted forever doing retro, so has the new camaro been a hit. You can't compare the HHR to the PT Cruiser because that has been around forever, has the same look as when it started and didn't have near the cargo space or utility of the HHR, so that one is not a good comparison.
I am sure by now GM has packed up the Mexico plant and is now making 1.6 litre somethings that sell for 12 bucks, but they had a diamond in the rough and didn't know what to do with it.
Look around this forum and others. Except for the Mustang and the Charger/300c, there is probably not any domestic vehicle more customized than the HHR, especially the SS and let's face it, we have very few options and third party suppliers compared to those cars. Nothing with a 4 cycl. and a turbo.
Anyway, this bunk about pre chapter 11 GM being broke show's GM's lack of foresight.
This commercial by Dutche LA, is legend and got more social media play than almost any spot of it's time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sdcNVCrYro
It only costs about a buck fifty to produce (at the time Mitsubishi only had a buck fifty) and if you have a pulse it will motivate you.
GM could have done the same when they tested the HHR at the Nurburgring.
Dumbasses.
I'd like to buy another HHR SS, but I have the awful feeling that since they made so few that parts will get scarce.
Bet ya I can buy parts for the EVO for the next 20 years.
Mustang only really went retro with the '05 reboot. Before that it went through various redesigns through the years, but none were really "retro".
And if anything, I'd say the Mustang/Camaro/Challenger retro pony/muscle car market is different than the PT/New Beetle/HHR retro "fun and cute but functional" market. (I'm generalizing here). The PT has already been killed (after one lukewarm redesign in '06 that was worse than the '05 and earlier models) and the HHR is on its way out (never benefitting from any significant redesign). The 2012 Beetle will go a long way towards establishing how much life the "huggable" retro market has left...VW really went all out giving the former New Beetle a noticable and needed facelift.
There's a part of me that would've liked to have seen a updated HHR in the same vein as the '12 Beetle, but I strongly suspect that the market for it just wasn't there...the PT (and let's face it, there IS a strong comparison there, especially since the same guy designed both cars) probably lasted three model years longer than it should have.