Chevrolet HHR Questions

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757guy

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Local dealership has a used Chevrolet HHR LT for sale, and I am wondering if anyone has an opinion or experiences with their ride and handling characteristics, maintenance issues, etc.

2007 Chevrolet HHR LT, Leather, sunroof, Alloy Wheels, XM radio, 9,000 miles, $13,300, Very Clean.

As seems as though there are many for sale at the area dealerships, so are these cars a good value or not?
 
I have an '09 LS with the 2.2 and absolutely love it. It has great utility with the space in back and still gets me about 31.5 mpg on average.

Wit that said, the ride is a bit rough. I think a taller side wall tire would be better suited than the low profile tires it comes with. The handling is so-so, for an economy car. The addition of a rear sway bar helps with body roll and is easy to do and cheap.

The known issues that I've been able to find are the front brake rotors are prone to warping, and the front suspension is suspect(rod ends,bushings) and likely to need earlier than expected attention. The steering column also had some issues with the interlock device locking up, there is a recall for that one I believe.
 
If something is cheap, there is a reason. The market is telling you there is very low demand for these cars. You can assume:
1) it's because it's a bit of a narrow market vehicle that only appeals to a small audience
2) There are other cars in that category that are superior and get more attention
3)It's made in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, not the precision engineering capital of the world, and so people end up selling them after they figure out it's a turd.
4) It's a failed GM Delta platform , will soon be discontinued and other cars built on that platform are set to or have already been terminated.
5) Trying to sell it after you're done with it will be darn near impossible because no one knows what the heck it is.
 
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I would expect that nearly all of the used HHR's you see at the dealership are from rental fleets. Ask the dealer for a carfax report. I would tend to stay away from rental cars or satisfy myself that the price allows for some extra repairs.
 
The Carfax on this vehicle shows one owner that lives about 2 miles from my lcoation. I've examined the vehicle closely and both interior and exterior looks like it was well cared for and driven without children.

I have not driven it yet but plan to in the next couple of days. The balance of the factory warranty is still in place, so I got that going for me, which is nice.
 
I have driven several HHRs since they came out as rental cars, mostly on short in town trips. Last Sept, drove one for ten days in Arizona. It suited our needs nicely. Had about 14K miles on it when I got it. Plenty of room for suitcases, etc. No issues in town or on highway driving. I did not notice any harshness to the ride at all on the highways. Overall gas mileage is not so great (still affordable). I would seriously consider buying one just because of the easy passenger front seat access. Too many sedans don't have the access I like (hit my head getting in; hard to get out of once in). Drive it and see what you think.
 
Originally Posted By: TJPark01
If something is cheap, there is a reason. The market is telling you there is very low demand for these cars. You can assume:


Do you have one or are you just making generalizations? At least the guy above your post actually owns one.
 
I rented one a couple of weeks ago for a few Days in Houston. Hertz gave me a brand new one with 6 miles on it and I racked on about 175. All in all I found it a competent driver on city roads and freeways , good fuel economy and well appointed. Its cargo is appropriate for luggage or shopping and I found it to be a comfortable car for up to hour drives in city traffic. This fits the nich of an around town errand car with some minor utility capabilities in cargo.
If you like it and it fits your needs I say go for it.
 
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: TJPark01
If something is cheap, there is a reason. The market is telling you there is very low demand for these cars. You can assume:


Do you have one or are you just making generalizations? At least the guy above your post actually owns one.



LOL....Don't bother. His post is full of innacuracies and assumptions. For instance, since when did they engineer cars down in Mexico? Big difference between engineering something and screwing it together. Also how on Earth is the Delta platform considered a failed platform? The Cobalt has sold well for years and the HHR has sold well too. An ageing platform that is about to be replaced, yes. But a failed platform, hardly.

Guess, I just cant see a turd for what it is....lol
 
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: TJPark01
If something is cheap, there is a reason. The market is telling you there is very low demand for these cars. You can assume:


Do you have one or are you just making generalizations? At least the guy above your post actually owns one.



LOL....Don't bother. His post is full of innacuracies and assumptions. For instance, since when did they engineer cars down in Mexico? Big difference between engineering something and screwing it together. Also how on Earth is the Delta platform considered a failed platform? The Cobalt has sold well for years and the HHR has sold well too. An ageing platform that is about to be replaced, yes. But a failed platform, hardly.

Guess, I just cant see a turd for what it is....lol
Exactly......funny how the Ford Fusion is built in Mexico and is winning awards. I guess Ford cornered the market on all of the good assemblers down there.....
crackmeup2.gif


I'm actually considering getting the HHR myself....the Malibu is starting to make me think that we should go our separate ways....
 
I had one for a rent a car when the Subaru was being repaired for 4 weeks. Right before it they gave me a PT-Cruiser for a week.

The only thing that the PT did better was you can see out of it a little better. Other than that the HHR was a nice rig. EXCELLENT build, size was good, power was very good MPG was in the high 20s (the PT was 21 mpg) and I liked it a lot.

There is a lab up in SLC that once they had their fleet of Corollas/Vibes all turn over 300k miles, they bought a fleet of HHRs. Everyone I've talked to loves them and so far so good. The average one has well over 100k on them with no love as far as how they are driven.

I'd buy one used. Never
31.gif
a new one now. The power plant is top shelf IMO.

Take care, Bill

PS: My Uncle has a PT Cruiser which I change its oil for him for years. He has had little problems with it other than poor MPG. Also its a REAL pain to change the spark plugs in. Oil changes are easy with it.
 
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Big difference between engineering something and screwing it together.


The people who blame all their car's problems on union labor are easily confused about the difference between engineering and assembling.
 
Originally Posted By: brianl703
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Big difference between engineering something and screwing it together.


The people who blame all their car's problems on union labor are easily confused about the difference between engineering and assembling.


But some problems that show up on a vehicle ARE based on the labor who put them together.
 
Last June during the firesales my girlfriend and I were moments away from pulling the trigger on getting one to replace her 02 Civic EX, which she doesn't like that much anymore (and I hate).

She did like it, but the dealbreaker was that I had to put the passenger seat into severe reclining position to keep my head away from the ceiling. The driver seat is fine because it can be lowered.

She didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a car that she somewhat liked but was just as uncomfortable for me as the Civic. So we kept the Civic.

The moral of the story is this: Have your regular passengers check out the seat. Other than that, it's a great car.
 
Originally Posted By: Ike_Clanton
Is every platform that has been discontinued by any manufacturer "failed?"


Yeah, that failed Ford "Panther" platform just about makes me sick.

They can't get rid of that failure soon enough...

(Enough sarcasm?)

I've rented several HHR's, and I've never been disappointed.

I've also rented several PT Cruisers, and I've ALWAYS been disappointed.
 
Originally Posted By: TJPark01
...
4) It's a failed GM Delta platform , will soon be discontinued and other cars built on that platform are set to or have already been terminated.
...
Thats why the Cobalt SS is the best handling and fastest on the track of all the Asian rockets and VWs. I'm feeling more than a little anti-GM sentiment here TJ ...
 
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
....

I've rented several HHR's, and I've never been disappointed.

I've also rented several PT Cruisers, and I've ALWAYS been disappointed.
Agreed the PT does not gell into what one would call a "good" automobile.
 
These cars don't really hold there value at all and there value drops like an anchor as soon as it leaves the dealer. $13,300 is a very high price. This car is going on 3 years old. Shop around, I would offer $10,000 and if they don't like it, walk. Heck, you can get a new 09 PT Cruiser for $12,500 if you shop around.. But again, $13,300, no way, $10,300 is where it should be and I would not give anymore than that.
 
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