"Newbie" with SS Questions
Member
Joined: 02-04-2014
Posts: 53
From: Garrison, KY
Hello Folks,
I just found your Forum today and have found it to be helpful already. I have never owned an HHR before but I am looking at purchasing a 2008 SS with 78k miles, and according to the CarFax, had a couple of owners, and always been in the Deep South. I have been making a list of "gripes" about mechanical issues from HHR SS owners that seem to be common issues. It seems the general areas are brakes, power steering, turbo, electrical, and a couple of safety recalls.
What would be helpful to me is if I could "hear" from folks in this Forum about what I should look for when I drive & inspect this 2008 SS later in the week, or for that matter, what would you look for if you were buying an SS model? Your comments are appreciated!!
Thanks,
Klondike1776
I just found your Forum today and have found it to be helpful already. I have never owned an HHR before but I am looking at purchasing a 2008 SS with 78k miles, and according to the CarFax, had a couple of owners, and always been in the Deep South. I have been making a list of "gripes" about mechanical issues from HHR SS owners that seem to be common issues. It seems the general areas are brakes, power steering, turbo, electrical, and a couple of safety recalls.
What would be helpful to me is if I could "hear" from folks in this Forum about what I should look for when I drive & inspect this 2008 SS later in the week, or for that matter, what would you look for if you were buying an SS model? Your comments are appreciated!!
Thanks,
Klondike1776
Mine had a few problems when I got it and one since, but they were all easy fixes.
I had a loud clunk/rattle in the front suspension when the front wheels hit a sharp bump. That turned out to be the front anti-sway bar links. I bought the heavy duty, greaseable Moog replacements from Summit for about $25 and installed them myself. It was very easy, just 2 nuts on each one.
I had a Tire Pressure Monitoring System light which turned out to be 3 defective TPMS sensors. I bought new one's on e-bay for 25 apiece. I installed 2 of them myself, but I got smart on the 3rd one and let a tire shop install it.
My CD player wouldn't play CDs. It would get an error every time I put a CD in it, but that turned out to be the easiest fix of all. I just reset it by pulling it's fuse and leaving it out for about a half hour.
About a year ago I started getting "Check Engine" lights. that turned out to be defective exhaust cam Variable Valve Timing solenoid. I replaced both the exhaust and intake solenoids, on the advice of the service manager at my dealership. They were about $30 apiece and were very easy to install. They are on the top of the engine and just have 1 bolt and 1 connector on each one.
Hope this helps,
Rocky
Last edited by Rocky1974; Feb 23, 2016 at 07:59 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-26-2016
Posts: 166
From: Saint Louis, MO
Welcome, Newbie Klondike from Newbie JSK!
I researched here for quite some time before I bought an SS (a 2010 5-speed) last month. While I haven't enjoyed it to its fullest potential yet, the support from these fellas has really made a great impact.
And the aforementioned trifecta: economy, power, handling, personality... (wait - that's a QUADfecta) I'll bet you'll LOVE it!
Best of luck -
Jerry
I researched here for quite some time before I bought an SS (a 2010 5-speed) last month. While I haven't enjoyed it to its fullest potential yet, the support from these fellas has really made a great impact.
And the aforementioned trifecta: economy, power, handling, personality... (wait - that's a QUADfecta) I'll bet you'll LOVE it!
Best of luck -
Jerry
Last edited by JSK; Feb 23, 2016 at 02:58 AM. Reason: trifecta, quadfecta -- who's counting...
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