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HHR in ABQ

Old Apr 28, 2020 | 08:44 AM
  #1  
eldieste's Avatar
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Joined: 09-14-2019
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From: Albuquerque
HHR in ABQ

Hello Everyone

I was dailying a Chevy SS and kind of looking for a second car to save miles and gas. I walked by a local dealer here in ABQ and saw an HHR SS sitting on the lot. After a bit of research, I figured it was worth a test drive.

2010 Black HHR SS 5sp, LSD, 68K miles. New Mexico car, so no salt and no rust.

Definitely showed signs of a busy life via door dings, scratches, etc. but very clean on the inside and under the hood. Radio was swapped by someone who did an incomplete job. Wheel controls nonop along with subwoofer. I took a drive and bought it the next weekend. This was back in August 2019

Pro-
LNF. Wow that motor is stout. First whistle at 2500, followed by that second at 4500 with that pull. Performs as advertised!
Tons of useful space. I have hauled 8foot lumber and a 65inch TV back there.
FWD, 4cyl. We actually had some winter this year and it moves decently in the cold. Good on gas if you stay out of the boost.
Fits the pattern with the other Black Chevy SS 6sp. Ok, not a Pro for everyone but it fit the pattern.

Con-
The A pillars are massive. You have to make sure to look around it when making turns, pedestrians can hide in plain sight.
Interior annoyances. Eh, its a post-bankruptcy GM. I knew what I was getting.
Trying hard to think of more here but I really enjoy the car. Torque steer? It's fine. Flinty ride? I bought a perf car.

The radio still isn't fully functional, but I did buy a (needed!) cargo net finally. I have a tuned ECU(ZZP) sitting on my bench along with two sensors that haven't found their way in yet. That should be interesting.

One question. Is there a known issue with the climate control "mixer"? I don't know if that's the word I am looking for. What I mean is, I move the air from floor to mid-level to panel and it feels like the panel vents are not opening completely. Sounds like air is getting pushed into a closed flap back there. I would have searched but i don't know if "mixer" is the term.

Anyway, hello. The forums are great, and the car is very enjoyable. I didn't "get it" before I drove one, but I do Get It now. These are really fun and useful vehicles. I hope I can take care of it as well as the people before me, I feel pretty lucky to have found such a low mileage example in the shape it's in.

Erik
Old Apr 28, 2020 | 09:27 AM
  #2  
RJ_RS_SS_350's Avatar
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Hi Erik, to the forums!

Old Apr 28, 2020 | 09:47 PM
  #3  
sleeper's Avatar
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Welcome & Congrats on the new ride.

I think the term is "Blender door" IIRC ?
Old Apr 29, 2020 | 08:21 AM
  #4  
Oldblue's Avatar
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From: Welland,Ont Canada
Welcome to the site! From the library! Some reading

https://www.google.ca/search?q=hhr+b...&bih=626&dpr=2
Old Apr 29, 2020 | 08:21 PM
  #5  
sleeper's Avatar
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From: SE USA
I was close, does that still count ?
Old Apr 30, 2020 | 08:18 AM
  #6  
Oldblue's Avatar
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From: Welland,Ont Canada
Close.



Old Apr 30, 2020 | 08:45 AM
  #7  
eldieste's Avatar
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Joined: 09-14-2019
Posts: 5
From: Albuquerque
Thank you, that is just the information I was looking for. Probably above my pay grade though.

Here it is it all it's dirty glory.

Stay Safe


Old Apr 30, 2020 | 08:51 AM
  #8  
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From: Alabama
Why does it have the regular HHR grille and not the SS grille ?
Old Apr 30, 2020 | 09:06 AM
  #9  
Oldblue's Avatar
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From: Welland,Ont Canada
The PO might have put that in, SS grille is more money?
Old Apr 30, 2020 | 09:37 PM
  #10  
sleeper's Avatar
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Joined: 01-09-2007
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From: SE USA
Originally Posted by Oldblue
Close.
Blue- Well if it were horseshoes I'd be in.

Originally Posted by eldest
Thank you, that is just the information I was looking for. Probably above my pay grade though.

Here it is it all it's dirty glory.

Stay Safe
eldest- Ok now..

Originally Posted by Oldblue
The PO might have put that in, SS grille is more money?
Blue- Love to hear the story about this.

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