I slightly nicer interior with a bit more sound deadening that didn't rattle like an empty wagon. That is my only real gripe. I thought mine was a good buy at $20K brand new.

 

It is just fine stock...
Remote factory start, in the dead of winter, is wonderful...

A better motor mount from the factory, is all it needs...

It's amazing how, just putting in a better mount, puts the power to the
ground, & greatly reduces "torque-steer".

A mount, + a few mods = one fun DD, & a V8 killer at the track...

Don't know why you guys hate the 4T45E automatic.
Mid 12's @ over 111mph , & awesome on the street too.
Maybe because I reduced the 'shift-time' ,via HPTuners,
shortly after I got it 3yrs ago, is the 'saving-grace', on
making these 4T45Es , live long lives. It shifts just as strong,
after 18,000 miles ...

It was easier, quicker, & cheaper, to get my HHR SS into the mid 12's, then, my last car, a 98 Z28 automatic...