If you go with a performance tire you might want to try and stick with one that has good dry/wet traction ratings.

 

Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110, I was just looking at these on tirerack.com and overall ratings are really good.

 

Seems both the Continental ExtremeContact DW and the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 are fairly similar. The Continentals have a slightly higher customer rating and the Hankooks a slightly lower price.

 

I have had good experience with my Continental ProContact, 65,000 warranty, AA traction A temp 400 or so wear ratings. Got them installed for about $100 each on my lebaron. I don't know the stock size of HHR's. I have them as 205/55/16 and they ride great wet or dry!