I've been lurking on here for two days and finally got my pics onto the computer so I could post! We needed a new car as, sadly, my 17 YO son totalled the family car, a 2005 Ford Freestyle that served us well and gave her life protecting his. I wanted something safe with a bit of style, and since the aforementioned car-wrecker is leaving the nest for college, did not need such a large vehicle. NOW HOLD YER TOMATOES I started looking at PT Cruisers but the online reviews were, well, frightening. Even more SCHOCKING I had never seen or heard of the HHR but when I saw one online and I emailed my husband - "I don't know what this is - looks like a Crusier on steroids, and the reviews are GREAT!" Bought the second one we drove, having done our Edmunds homework on price, had the Carfax, checked it out, etc. LOVE IT!!!! Bought it for the safety, reliability, but come on, it's CUTE. Already thinking about vanity plates, crown shaped stems, a script Chevrolet, CHROME. . .

So here she is:



Here's what she replaces - and yes everyone was okay, one broken collarbone, sadly:

 

. Glad all is okay after the accident

 

Welcome to the forum, nice ride! I bought the first HHR I drove..... it happens.


Good that the kid is okay.... what did he hit?

 

A Dodge pickup that was stopped at a redlight, neither of which he saw. . .he hit the brakes about 4 feet before impact ! One year and two days after he got his license!

The first one we drove smelled like dog and the salesman said it was the carpet shampoo. . . and the clearcoat around the bowtie in the back was all bubbly/crumply, like maybe it had been in a wreck even though the Carfax was clean. So we went to the 2nd delaership on our list.

 

Good call on the "dog" smell..... It could have been water damaged.


There is a reason they call Dodge trucks RAM........ Don't pick on them.

 

Welcome, even though you did use the 'C' word in describing your HHR (I hope it's a female...).

 

Life's better behind the wheel of a Chevy

 

 

Glad you son's okay and sorry about the Freestyle, but congratulations on the HHR!

I don't like to think about this part, but it's also nice to know that the HHR has a five star frontal as well as side crash test rating (aka Volvo used to be the only one?). It's comforting when I have my wife and/or daughter in the HHR.

 

Congrats!!!

I have an 09 Blackie myself (LS) and love every minute in it. In fact when I first got the car we were going to use my wifes 05 cobalt for all the kid side trips and mine was just to go back and forth to work in. Hasn't happened that way-I use it for every trip. Best thing is my wife doesn't want to drive it

Mike

PS-Glad your kid is OK, that's the most important thing. The HHR is ultra safe-but just let him watch you drive it when he is home from school. Maybe for a dollar you can let him sit in the back seat...