Poor Paint
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-20-2006
Posts: 21,640
From: Hillsdale, Michigan
I think JX3 and my point is that it is chipping to the point of being excessive. As I pointed out I had close to 10 chips in the paint in all various locations in the first 1000 miles. I live in a very small town of about 10,000 people with a maximum speed limit of 35 in most areas. I have had a paint chip in a car here and there but with this one it seems extreme. I too had an Infiniti and I've got to say the paint was flawless. Yeah a little pricier car but I've also owned a Neon, a Stratus, and I currently still own a ZX3 that is 5 yrs old that has fewer chips than my HHR. You can say its luck if you want but you won't convince me of it. I will keep my HHR but I can say I won't buy another one.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-19-2005
Posts: 20,687
From: Miami
Originally Posted by en0oNmAI
Or the infiniti has a differently angled bumper. Angles can play into this by allowing rocks to "glance off" with minimal damage.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-13-2006
Posts: 1,059
From: Tucson, AZ
Originally Posted by jx3
How do rocks "glance off" a rolling brick? i.e. Infiniti QX4=rolling brick
Infiniti Qx4 sits higher than the HHR. That would explain most of the probs with rocks. That and the lower bumpers are mostly metal. The Qx4 is a Pathfinder/Passport/Rodeo kind of spinoff. Same car just diff badges. My ex had a Rodeo. That thing never had chips either. Just a chrome metal bumper. Then later a brush gaurd. Smaller cars are always going to be easier targets than a "real" SUV. We're right down in there in the dirt. But seriously its a rock chip. They happen. Don't like it trade and get a larger auto if you think its the HHR's fault or even Chevy's fault. I have PLENTY of chips on my car now but not because of Tucson. But because I love to drive it and I drive it EVERYWHERE!!! I volunteer to drive everyone around too. It's all just luck. Face it. Mother Nature is out to get you. However, it seems as though your family is safe. Just be careful of the next few rocks and dive bombing birds. Hitch**** might be helping too!
If this becomes a serious problem you might try one of SoCal Mike's Bra's for the HHR. Might give it a little extra support too! I think he may still be having his 10% sale too!
Banned
Joined: 10-14-2005
Posts: 9,121
From: Rochester,N.Y.
You guys should have seen the front bumper of my 2002 Mustang when I traded it in. The front bumper was completely sandblasted with little pits and chips. I think it had so many chips and pits because the front bumper was so low and flat. I didn't blame Ford because of their paint or design. It's just something thats bound to happen and you have to live with.
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
HHRCrafty....
Seems you have knowledge in the area and you have all your facts correct. Are you in the business? How do you know about the paint types and time lines? Not challenging you. Just wondering. Becuase what you stated is what I remember also.
Seems you have knowledge in the area and you have all your facts correct. Are you in the business? How do you know about the paint types and time lines? Not challenging you. Just wondering. Becuase what you stated is what I remember also.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-19-2005
Posts: 20,687
From: Miami
Originally Posted by en0oNmAI
Infiniti Qx4 sits higher than the HHR. That and the lower bumpers are mostly metal. The Qx4 is a Pathfinder/Passport/Rodeo kind of spinoff. Same car just diff badges.. Just a chrome metal bumper.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-11-2006
Posts: 166
From: Eufaula, Oklahoma
Not to worry, I noticed on my hood an area the size of a football (Silverstone) that has no clearkote. It's been a year and I will tell my dealer about it . Just as soon as I stop procrastinateing about it and the "Radio Pop". Merry Xmas.
Banned
Joined: 10-24-2006
Posts: 1,761
From: The Show-Me State
Originally Posted by Snoopy
HHRCrafty....
Seems you have knowledge in the area and you have all your facts correct. Are you in the business? How do you know about the paint types and time lines? Not challenging you. Just wondering. Becuase what you stated is what I remember also.
Seems you have knowledge in the area and you have all your facts correct. Are you in the business? How do you know about the paint types and time lines? Not challenging you. Just wondering. Becuase what you stated is what I remember also.
Spending some time working at a used car dealership will also give you some insight into how these cars really perform into their elder years. None of 'em are built by Jesus.
Joined: 05-02-2007
Posts: 5
From: Tipp City, OH
I purchased my 2007 HHR new on August 19. Within the first two weeks I noticed multiple paint chips 
. These chips are in various areas including the hood, behind front wheels, windshield pillar, one on the roof (yes, the roof), and even one on the back. I took it to my sales person who tried pushing it off as the result of being a black car
. Ok. IDIOT. I talked with the new car sales manager and he agreed that it was something that didn't seem right. Supposedly they took it to the body man and took pictures they were going to send in to Chevy. Later that night I also sent an e-mail to Chevy Customer ASSistance stating my dilema and my distaste for the paint quality of my car after only 1000 miles driven in town on PAVED roads. After another week I was already noticing the paint in front of the rear tires was getting pitted so I again went to my dealer. No help again. They did offer to pay for labor if I was to install running boards. So on Sept 29 they were installed. They never mentioned painting the affected area. Finally, on Nov. 21 (2 1/2 months later) I receive an email back from Chevy Customer ASSistance stating I should contact them. After a couple of weeks of research I was told that if I fixed the chips they would then sell me a paint protection plan 
. This is my first GM/Chevy product and with this experience will probably be my last. And people wonder why the foreign competitors have made such ground on the big 3. Ok. my rant is over.
. These chips are in various areas including the hood, behind front wheels, windshield pillar, one on the roof (yes, the roof), and even one on the back. I took it to my sales person who tried pushing it off as the result of being a black car . Ok. IDIOT. I talked with the new car sales manager and he agreed that it was something that didn't seem right. Supposedly they took it to the body man and took pictures they were going to send in to Chevy. Later that night I also sent an e-mail to Chevy Customer ASSistance stating my dilema and my distaste for the paint quality of my car after only 1000 miles driven in town on PAVED roads. After another week I was already noticing the paint in front of the rear tires was getting pitted so I again went to my dealer. No help again. They did offer to pay for labor if I was to install running boards. So on Sept 29 they were installed. They never mentioned painting the affected area. Finally, on Nov. 21 (2 1/2 months later) I receive an email back from Chevy Customer ASSistance stating I should contact them. After a couple of weeks of research I was told that if I fixed the chips they would then sell me a paint protection plan . This is my first GM/Chevy product and with this experience will probably be my last. And people wonder why the foreign competitors have made such ground on the big 3. Ok. my rant is over.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-20-2006
Posts: 21,640
From: Hillsdale, Michigan
to the site!!! Sorry to hear you have the same problem (is yours black as well?). Many here share it. Hopefully you will have better luck than I did in getting yours repaired. I really like the HHR but have decided most likely I will not be making another Chevy purchase in the future due to Chevy's response in the matter.
