loaded question for SS owners
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 01-01-2008
Posts: 991
From: Windsor, Ca
loaded question for SS owners
considering a SS purchase. I am familiar with the HHR line-up.
I know it's a HHR with upgraded parts, but it has the 2.0 turbo under the hood.
Do most of you have the same problems? Or is it only the ones posting here. I see a lot of turbo issues/boost issues/timing issues....and I see a lot of replies that come from experience.
Is the 2.0 prone to problems? Or are they few and far between?
we will be buying it as a daily driver...bad call? Is this more of a weekend warrior/toy? or does the SS seem reliable enough to drive to and from work 5 days a week? I am not buying a SS for the extra power...I just like toys and want a fun car that has the performance and looks, but I need reliability...I dont want to be tinkering with it...it's a car, not a hobby for me...I already have/had race cars...I want a reliable car and really like the SS...am I crazy?
I only had 1 problem with my 2.4 in my 06 and that was a thermostat(wearing item) so I was actually quite pleased with the motor/power-plant itself...I bought it with 32k and traded it in with 147k so it was quite good to me. But we want a SS...like she says...if we're going to go buy another HHR, lets get the badaSS one!
I know it's a HHR with upgraded parts, but it has the 2.0 turbo under the hood.
Do most of you have the same problems? Or is it only the ones posting here. I see a lot of turbo issues/boost issues/timing issues....and I see a lot of replies that come from experience.
Is the 2.0 prone to problems? Or are they few and far between?
we will be buying it as a daily driver...bad call? Is this more of a weekend warrior/toy? or does the SS seem reliable enough to drive to and from work 5 days a week? I am not buying a SS for the extra power...I just like toys and want a fun car that has the performance and looks, but I need reliability...I dont want to be tinkering with it...it's a car, not a hobby for me...I already have/had race cars...I want a reliable car and really like the SS...am I crazy?
I only had 1 problem with my 2.4 in my 06 and that was a thermostat(wearing item) so I was actually quite pleased with the motor/power-plant itself...I bought it with 32k and traded it in with 147k so it was quite good to me. But we want a SS...like she says...if we're going to go buy another HHR, lets get the badaSS one!
Senior Member
Joined: 03-09-2014
Posts: 104
From: Wisconsin
Hope experience owners chime in for ya I now your car shopping today,
I bought mine as daily driver too,my only complaint was the ride as I told you before.
I've heard good things about reliability,let see what what long time ss owners say here
I bought mine as daily driver too,my only complaint was the ride as I told you before.
I've heard good things about reliability,let see what what long time ss owners say here
Premium Member
Joined: 10-09-2010
Posts: 14,420
From: Tacoma
There are 9 in our group, I have only heard of one serious problem, but He bought one with 100k on it. Mine has 80k still fine. There were a couple that GM bought back. I am a fan, and planning on buying one more..... SS panel.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-01-2013
Posts: 354
From: Poway So Cali
I got mine new (One of the first ones built) It's been a great car. Mine is a driver. 6 years without any problems to report. Just tires, (My fault, hard to keep your foot out of it) fluids, and brakes... (Again my fault) I drive the snot out this car. It's a lot of fun. Hope that helps
Senior Member
Joined: 12-14-2007
Posts: 2,964
From: Toronto ON Canada
The problems i hear most are unstable boost and related trouble codes, keep that in mind when test driving. Commonly caused by dirty valves or wiring, but in some cases intercooler/piping, bad block casting, timing chain/tensioner, or head gasket. If the car is driven hard the trans could suffer as it's a little weak for a performance car in my opinion, but thats true for any vehicle that is beaten on. I've seen a couple ss' s that I personally wouldn't want.
If you find a solid one, maintenance and common sense should make for a happy owner and vehicle.
If you find a solid one, maintenance and common sense should make for a happy owner and vehicle.
Deceased
Joined: 10-03-2005
Posts: 2,351
From: Sachse, TX NE Dallas
we have an auto and a std in the family and love both of them
the turbo 2.0 is built up so it will take some abuse
the turbo HHRs have less problems than the balt turbos
they are great daily drivers but dont get quite as good gas mileage. 260 at flywheel and around 200 to 210 at the ground depending on auto or std
slap a tune on them and your looking at 265 to 285 whp and 330 to 345 wtq and still get pretty close to the same mileage
other than a wheel bearing and changing out the rotors to our liking that is all we have done
we love ours and wouldnt trade them for the world
the turbo 2.0 is built up so it will take some abuse
the turbo HHRs have less problems than the balt turbos
they are great daily drivers but dont get quite as good gas mileage. 260 at flywheel and around 200 to 210 at the ground depending on auto or std
slap a tune on them and your looking at 265 to 285 whp and 330 to 345 wtq and still get pretty close to the same mileage
other than a wheel bearing and changing out the rotors to our liking that is all we have done
we love ours and wouldnt trade them for the world
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 01-01-2008
Posts: 991
From: Windsor, Ca
thanks gang. We did it!
drove four HOURS and found 3 HHR's to test. a metallic red 2LT panel with black interior, a orange SS and a Victory Red SS.
the panel was nice, but decided against it due to price, condition at that price, lack of visibility(it was pouring rain so it gave us a real good feel for what it will be like). we left with the feeling of "we'll consider it". beautiful car though. The trade-in offer was lower than I wanted but worked to my favor later(more on that). They gave it to me in writing(carMax)
on to the next dealer 30 miles away, in traffic and rain.
the orange SS. It was sweet, never drove it but did a lot of research before we got there. found a carfax note about a "crankshaft replaced"...??? WTH?
called the servicing dealer and learned it broke a timing chain tensioner and had to have the cyl. head replaced, the crank, 2 pistons and new timing set up among other things...at 77k miles...and 3 months after the 5/100k warranty expired...either they had an extended on it, which must be why they fixed the motor rather than replace it(bean counters) or the owner was cheap and then on top of that, they traded it in 2 months later...so can you say RED FLAGS???
on to the Victory red SS.
Factory certified, black interior, AT, as close to "new" as you will ever see from a used car.
55k miles, and it drove perfect. I mean PERFECTION WAS AT THE HELM!
with a pocket full of $100 bills from the race truck and trailer sale, I was ready...and they played hard ball. low-balled me on the trade in, wouldnt budge on the sticker, and tried to "sell me" the car. I told him "I'm trying to help you.
I played back...harder. leverage. they low-balled me on my trade, wouldnt budge on their over-price and we were done...I wanted it...but had 2 feet and a ride home in my truck.
So a few minutes later(45) after some back and forth, they matched the offer from the 1st dealer for my truck, and I offered more cash for the down...I said "you give me what I want, and I'll give you more cash down"
done.
they added an additional 3 year/45k bumper to bumper warranty(the GM one, not after-market) I paid for GAP(I am a believer in GAP if the price is right) and lowered my interest rate.
drove home in the exact car we hoped to score. we kept most of our cash, cleaned out our trade in, and headed to dinner.
a long day, but this was after a 3 month ordeal of selling, negotiating, advertising, researching, emails, phone calls, cleaning, driving, selling, frustration and regret.
done and done.
Brenda will be on here later to JOIN and come up with a USER NAME and/or name for her new HHR.
It's her car...nothing makes a man happier than buying his gear-head girl the exact car she wants. She agreed to give up her seat and sell our race trucks(she was the driver) so you KNEW it was going to cost me~!
thank you all for the helpful advice and thank you to all who contribute to this forum for arming me with the knowledge to be on the look-out.
I have done what I can with my HOW TO posts from my 2LT days...give and take...its a beautiful thing.
I'll post pics when I can...but I will say this....the car pictured below is what made me want the one we bought...
drove four HOURS and found 3 HHR's to test. a metallic red 2LT panel with black interior, a orange SS and a Victory Red SS.
the panel was nice, but decided against it due to price, condition at that price, lack of visibility(it was pouring rain so it gave us a real good feel for what it will be like). we left with the feeling of "we'll consider it". beautiful car though. The trade-in offer was lower than I wanted but worked to my favor later(more on that). They gave it to me in writing(carMax)
on to the next dealer 30 miles away, in traffic and rain.
the orange SS. It was sweet, never drove it but did a lot of research before we got there. found a carfax note about a "crankshaft replaced"...??? WTH?
called the servicing dealer and learned it broke a timing chain tensioner and had to have the cyl. head replaced, the crank, 2 pistons and new timing set up among other things...at 77k miles...and 3 months after the 5/100k warranty expired...either they had an extended on it, which must be why they fixed the motor rather than replace it(bean counters) or the owner was cheap and then on top of that, they traded it in 2 months later...so can you say RED FLAGS???
on to the Victory red SS.
Factory certified, black interior, AT, as close to "new" as you will ever see from a used car.
55k miles, and it drove perfect. I mean PERFECTION WAS AT THE HELM!
with a pocket full of $100 bills from the race truck and trailer sale, I was ready...and they played hard ball. low-balled me on the trade in, wouldnt budge on the sticker, and tried to "sell me" the car. I told him "I'm trying to help you.
I played back...harder. leverage. they low-balled me on my trade, wouldnt budge on their over-price and we were done...I wanted it...but had 2 feet and a ride home in my truck.
So a few minutes later(45) after some back and forth, they matched the offer from the 1st dealer for my truck, and I offered more cash for the down...I said "you give me what I want, and I'll give you more cash down"
done.
they added an additional 3 year/45k bumper to bumper warranty(the GM one, not after-market) I paid for GAP(I am a believer in GAP if the price is right) and lowered my interest rate.
drove home in the exact car we hoped to score. we kept most of our cash, cleaned out our trade in, and headed to dinner.
a long day, but this was after a 3 month ordeal of selling, negotiating, advertising, researching, emails, phone calls, cleaning, driving, selling, frustration and regret.
done and done.
Brenda will be on here later to JOIN and come up with a USER NAME and/or name for her new HHR.
It's her car...nothing makes a man happier than buying his gear-head girl the exact car she wants. She agreed to give up her seat and sell our race trucks(she was the driver) so you KNEW it was going to cost me~!
thank you all for the helpful advice and thank you to all who contribute to this forum for arming me with the knowledge to be on the look-out.
I have done what I can with my HOW TO posts from my 2LT days...give and take...its a beautiful thing.
I'll post pics when I can...but I will say this....the car pictured below is what made me want the one we bought...
Last edited by Smoke Wagon; Mar 30, 2014 at 08:57 AM. Reason: added image
Senior Member
Joined: 03-09-2014
Posts: 104
From: Wisconsin
thanks gang. We did it!
drove four HOURS and found 3 HHR's to test. a metallic red 2LT panel with black interior, a orange SS and a Victory Red SS.
the panel was nice, but decided against it due to price, condition at that price, lack of visibility(it was pouring rain so it gave us a real good feel for what it will be like). we left with the feeling of "we'll consider it". beautiful car though. The trade-in offer was lower than I wanted but worked to my favor later(more on that). They gave it to me in writing(carMax)
on to the next dealer 30 miles away, in traffic and rain.
the orange SS. It was sweet, never drove it but did a lot of research before we got there. found a carfax note about a "crankshaft replaced"...??? WTH?
called the servicing dealer and learned it broke a timing chain tensioner and had to have the cyl. head replaced, the crank, 2 pistons and new timing set up among other things...at 77k miles...and 3 months after the 5/100k warranty expired...either they had an extended on it, which must be why they fixed the motor rather than replace it(bean counters) or the owner was cheap and then on top of that, they traded it in 2 months later...so can you say RED FLAGS???
on to the Victory red SS.
Factory certified, black interior, AT, as close to "new" as you will ever see from a used car.
55k miles, and it drove perfect. I mean PERFECTION WAS AT THE HELM!
with a pocket full of $100 bills from the race truck and trailer sale, I was ready...and they played hard ball. low-balled me on the trade in, wouldnt budge on the sticker, and tried to "sell me" the car. I told him "I'm trying to help you.
I played back...harder. leverage. they low-balled me on my trade, wouldnt budge on their over-price and we were done...I wanted it...but had 2 feet and a ride home in my truck.
So a few minutes later(45) after some back and forth, they matched the offer from the 1st dealer for my truck, and I offered more cash for the down...I said "you give me what I want, and I'll give you more cash down"
done.
they added an additional 3 year/45k bumper to bumper warranty(the GM one, not after-market) I paid for GAP(I am a believer in GAP if the price is right) and lowered my interest rate.
drove home in the exact car we hoped to score. we kept most of our cash, cleaned out our trade in, and headed to dinner.
a long day, but this was after a 3 month ordeal of selling, negotiating, advertising, researching, emails, phone calls, cleaning, driving, selling, frustration and regret.
done and done.
Brenda will be on here later to JOIN and come up with a USER NAME and/or name for her new HHR.
It's her car...nothing makes a man happier than buying his gear-head girl the exact car she wants. She agreed to give up her seat and sell our race trucks(she was the driver) so you KNEW it was going to cost me~!
thank you all for the helpful advice and thank you to all who contribute to this forum for arming me with the knowledge to be on the look-out.
I have done what I can with my HOW TO posts from my 2LT days...give and take...its a beautiful thing.
I'll post pics when I can...but I will say this....the car pictured below is what made me want the one we bought...
drove four HOURS and found 3 HHR's to test. a metallic red 2LT panel with black interior, a orange SS and a Victory Red SS.
the panel was nice, but decided against it due to price, condition at that price, lack of visibility(it was pouring rain so it gave us a real good feel for what it will be like). we left with the feeling of "we'll consider it". beautiful car though. The trade-in offer was lower than I wanted but worked to my favor later(more on that). They gave it to me in writing(carMax)
on to the next dealer 30 miles away, in traffic and rain.
the orange SS. It was sweet, never drove it but did a lot of research before we got there. found a carfax note about a "crankshaft replaced"...??? WTH?
called the servicing dealer and learned it broke a timing chain tensioner and had to have the cyl. head replaced, the crank, 2 pistons and new timing set up among other things...at 77k miles...and 3 months after the 5/100k warranty expired...either they had an extended on it, which must be why they fixed the motor rather than replace it(bean counters) or the owner was cheap and then on top of that, they traded it in 2 months later...so can you say RED FLAGS???
on to the Victory red SS.
Factory certified, black interior, AT, as close to "new" as you will ever see from a used car.
55k miles, and it drove perfect. I mean PERFECTION WAS AT THE HELM!
with a pocket full of $100 bills from the race truck and trailer sale, I was ready...and they played hard ball. low-balled me on the trade in, wouldnt budge on the sticker, and tried to "sell me" the car. I told him "I'm trying to help you.
I played back...harder. leverage. they low-balled me on my trade, wouldnt budge on their over-price and we were done...I wanted it...but had 2 feet and a ride home in my truck.
So a few minutes later(45) after some back and forth, they matched the offer from the 1st dealer for my truck, and I offered more cash for the down...I said "you give me what I want, and I'll give you more cash down"
done.
they added an additional 3 year/45k bumper to bumper warranty(the GM one, not after-market) I paid for GAP(I am a believer in GAP if the price is right) and lowered my interest rate.
drove home in the exact car we hoped to score. we kept most of our cash, cleaned out our trade in, and headed to dinner.
a long day, but this was after a 3 month ordeal of selling, negotiating, advertising, researching, emails, phone calls, cleaning, driving, selling, frustration and regret.
done and done.
Brenda will be on here later to JOIN and come up with a USER NAME and/or name for her new HHR.
It's her car...nothing makes a man happier than buying his gear-head girl the exact car she wants. She agreed to give up her seat and sell our race trucks(she was the driver) so you KNEW it was going to cost me~!
thank you all for the helpful advice and thank you to all who contribute to this forum for arming me with the knowledge to be on the look-out.
I have done what I can with my HOW TO posts from my 2LT days...give and take...its a beautiful thing.
I'll post pics when I can...but I will say this....the car pictured below is what made me want the one we bought...
Man I'm glad you got what you wanted,ss is worth the upgrade good choice,glad you pulled through now you have time to play,I know car research done right take lots of time,was going to buy a red one just like that but miles were high so I bought a silver sometimes you gotta go with the market my friend,and in the end it all works out.
Member
Joined: 09-27-2010
Posts: 68
From: Scranton, PA
I got mine new in 2010. Cracked intake pipe from intercooler to engine after 1K miles. E-brake cable rubbed against rear tire and wore through the outer sheath. Clutch gone after 60K miles - mostly having to do with my girlfriend allowing her 16 year old daughter to drive the car unsupervised. Oh, and my ignition switch jammed in the 'on' position with the car running.
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