Chevy HHR Network - Random Musings about Horace

I bought my plain dark blue 2009 HHR LS from a reputable used car dealer here in Ithaca, NY in 2013.

Though it was four years old it had only 26,500 miles on it.

It had a clean car fax report.

It had one single prior owner I learned, and I also learned it was not a former fleet car from Avis or Hertz.

To me it seemed for all intents and purposes brand new.

I asked the dealer to give me a new windshield, and he did. The old windshield had a chip in it and some scratches.

The dealer told me he was surprised that this LS came with a factory-installed remote starter.

I paid $12,000 out the door.

I named it Horace.

Horace has been very good to me.

He now has only 62,000 miles on his odometer.

Oil change every 3,000 miles.

I have changed the rotors and pads once. (They are due for replacement again soon)

Several headlight bulbs have come and gone.

The remote starter keychain fob has failed and been replaced twice now.

The first winter with Horace a build-up of hard-packed ice and snow in the wheel well shattered the plastic wheel well liner. Now I know to check for ice and snow in the wheel wells as there is little clearance.

Battery failed two months in.

Replaced spark plugs once.

Replaced serpentine belt. Figured it was getting old. Replaced it before it went. (Turns out this was a smart move. It was on its last legs!)

Replaced every filter last May as a basic maintenance measure.

Flushed tranny and radiator as a basic preventive maintenance measure.

Replaced battery again, but this time just as a preventive measure.

Replaced wipers four times now. Bosch seemed best so far.

In March 2014 I had to replace two solenoids the one time I got a Check Engine Light.

I just replaced the front wheel bearings. This was another learning experience as one of the new bearings came defective with a faulty speed sensor. I actually had to buy three bearings for this repair as a result! Still and all the front wheel bearing repairs came to $265 after getting a refund for the bad part which isn't too bad.

Most people think Horace is a PT Cruiser. I don't know why.

The border agents at Canadian Customs always make me lower the dark factory-tinted windows.

The A/C is insanely frigid!

Horace is running great today and overall I gotta say I love this car!

Book value has dropped now to $6,700.

I think I want a red Turbo SS HHR next.

My only complaint? This car has the worst cup holders ever!