Radco

Hello, Love the style and yes Im a Old Fart :) Been reading as many post as I can on the HHR,GREAT info and tons of great advice!
Im looking at a 2 2011 HHR with the 2.2 motor L1 I think it is,havent found any with the 2.4. both around 30k and a 08 with 52k miles
What are the pros and cons of the 2011 and 08? With any HHR what are the quarks? Any major service issues? Is there any major maint needed at around 50K,, I know some cars need timing belts ets.. Thanks for any help and any links I can check out,,
Rich

Krash Kadillak

One difference is the location of the window switches. Lower center console on the '08; on the doors for the '11. Two years with my '06 and I'm still trying to lower my window looking for a switch on the door. Just a minor inconvenience though.

Just pick which one you like best.

gerrbear

08 panel for my biz and i love it no probs

Radco

Thanks for the fast reply. I am leaning more on the 11,thinking any bugs are worked out.. Good to hear you are happy with the 06 and 08. Now test drive time :)

Srjeeper

Great big HHR Welcome Radco from one 'Old fart' to another.....got mine about a month + ago after two years of lookin and "I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!"

It's more fun to drive then any of my Jeeps were, comfortable, great miliage and the looks on folks faces when this "Old Fart' rolls outta it, is priceless.

Wish you all the best in your search for the right one...but after a test drive, you'll be hooked..

Wife says I'm 63 goin on 16.....

5speed4

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the 2011 has Direct Injection and the 2008 does not. Could be good for an extra 1-2 mpg if that's important to you.

jerSSey HHR

Door mounted window switches were just one more feature that sold me on the 08 SS model.

VinceP

Welcome to the forum!

I have an 08 Panel as well. Purchased it new and in almost 90k miles, no major issues.

Some of the things I have seen repeated on the forum have been:

Wheel bearings - seems to be a weak link but easily repairable. I think they are covered in the 100k drivetrain warranty on the 08 but not the 11.

Sway bar end links - again, easy to fix if they are bad. Mysterious bumps, thumps coming from under the car when you you hit bumps. Also the sway bar bushings wear out.

Not part of the car but the key fobs are weak. A little solder will fix those in most cases.

No timing belts in these little engines. They have chains. Obviously can go longer without being changed.

Follow the recommended maintenance schedule and you should be good to go for a long time.

esmarkey

You asked about issues... Sway bar links and whel bearings on all years seem to wear out prematurely, break rotors need to be turned frequently to stop pulsing. These don't always happen and are not high dollar repairs, but are common.
I have an 07 and 08 and had to repalce wheel bearings AND sway bar links in the 07, but not the 08 yet. I had to turn the rotors once on the 08.
Other members may chime n with other issues I may have missed.

Overall, for the price they are good cars that get good milage, and as you already noted, have cool styling.

EDIT: Vince P and I were typing at the same time.... I forgot about the key FOBs

Ron S

Welcome. We have 2 a 09 and a 10 and have had no none warrenty problems. There is a recall on the ignition switch just make sure it is done. That was my only real problem.