I have owned GM cars more than anything else. I read the brand specific forums and am being scared off by some of the excessive technology in newer cars, I have become interested in a HHR as something maybe a little bit simpler.

We're just a retired couple that enjoys an occasional road trip. We took a 2005 Chrysler on a 5000 mile trip in 2019. We enjoyed the cargo space in the minivan. We don't camp but we had plenty of space for coolers, and some travel cooking supplies The pandemic and some of my own medical issues has prevented some trips since.

So anyway a HHR is a Chevy, I see some high mileage ones online indicating they can last a bit, and it's got some cargo space. So I'm here to learn more about them.

There is a 2008 LT with 110k miles foresale locally asking $3700.

My problem is 3 cars are waiting in the que for me to fix certain issues and it won't go well to put another vehicle in the driveway without getting rid of something.

05 Minivan, we're driving it, rust free, some klunks in the suspension, windows won;t roll down,

04 trailblazer, was a project , rebuilt front suspension, still stuff to do. front calipers are sticking after new pads,

01 Impala, bought new, 80k original miles. in garage with rusted through front brake line. Was wifes work car before she retired. Shoud have some life left in it

05 Malibu, most likely to go, bad rust and some electrical problems corrosion and animal damage to wiring. Had to stop driving cus license expired and it won't pass emissions test. woodchuck eats wired & hoses near gas tank.

 

to the forums!!

Nose around the site, we've got a pretty good how-to tutorial forum. If you have specific questions, don't hesitate to ask!

 

The 2008 is 16 years old or so. And yer no stranger to rust. Look carefully at the bottom door seams, the gas cap area, rockers, and underbody.

 

The 2008 HHR forsale looks good in the pictures. I know to inspect carefully for rust. My 01 Impala has only little rust visible on the visible painted surfaces but quite a bit of scally rust underneath. It's not structural compromised yet. If I fix the brake lines and a A/C leak it should have some life left in it. Same thing on my 05 Malibu. Not much outside rust for a long time but rust is nearing structural at a rear suspension attachment point.

I've not had a chance to sit in a HHR yet to see how my 6'2" 220 lbs body fits. I drove a Geo Metro for several years so I've driven small cars but approaching 80 years old, retired 23 years, I'm a little more focused on comfort vs extreme fuel economy now.

We're just 2 drivers ans seldom go anywhere seperately but I tend to always have 3 or 4 used vehicles. rather than 1 newer. Each car has a purpose

05 Minivan, Travel and if I need to move stuff, Single family rust free southern car with maintenance records $2500 in 2017.1st minivan ever a at 73. .Tried to keep if off the road in winter till this year cus we just had to use it. Took it to several US & Canadian mountain parks in 2019. 5200 miles total

05 Malibu $5800 around 09, was daily driver, Grocery getter and drove it to Florida 1200 miles about 9 times. Took it from 44k to 160k miles. Not running, It's gotta go if I get something else.Trying to decide if it's just not worth any more of my time..

01 Impala, wifes new car for work commute in 2001. Not a lot of use after 2010. I just concider it her car. Took it to Florida in 2020. On lift with half removed rusted brake line, had to stop work for a hospital procedure. i'm on the mend.

2004 RWD Trailblazer, 1st SUV ever. I wanted something that could tow. I had this RV fantacy. didn't want 4wd. It showed up forsale, high milage, no external rust, engine sounded great. needs front suspension work. $1250.in 2020, It became a multi year still ongoing project. It's together enough for short drives, like it way more than I thought I would.. I thought a Trailblazer was a reasonable sized SUV. 4WD trailblazers have a axle passing through the engine oil pan. Cus I still work on my own cars, I want nothing to do with that complexity..RWD is less common here cus it's snow country.. Don't know for how long but the emissions tag shows this was originaly a California car.

 

Welcome, up your way the roads get salted pretty good I'd think. Only subframe under HHR. Look at it closely & gas lines to tank in R rear