The better half has decided she wants a better car since she landed a promotion and has her heart set on a HHR. I haven't found many reviews, and most seem to be the "I just got this and it's the coolest thing" type; nothing long term or technical. Just wanted to see if anyone here had and thoughts/opinions. I saw an old thread from 2006 on here, but nothing since. Thanks.
Opinions on Chevy HHR
- Thread starter m0ntels
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Mechanically, it's a big Cobalt, right?
So if that's the case, much of what is written about the Cobalt is the same for this ride.
I'd check Edmunds.com for their reviews. May have to look at earlier models, but that should give you a general impression.
Maybe you could rent one for a week or so and see how livable it really is.
So if that's the case, much of what is written about the Cobalt is the same for this ride.
I'd check Edmunds.com for their reviews. May have to look at earlier models, but that should give you a general impression.
Maybe you could rent one for a week or so and see how livable it really is.
Should tell her to get the SSR...hehe performance will blow her mind. Just type in HHR Reviews in google, below are some links.
US News
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Chevrolet_HHR/2008/
Edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/hhr/review.html
Automotive.com:
http://www.automotive.com/2008/43/chevrolet/hhr/reviews/lineup/index.html
Automotive review is fairly indepth.
US News
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Chevrolet_HHR/2008/
Edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/hhr/review.html
Automotive.com:
http://www.automotive.com/2008/43/chevrolet/hhr/reviews/lineup/index.html
Automotive review is fairly indepth.
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Had an HHR rental a few months back. All in all it was OK - good cargo space - we actually used it to move some of our stuff at the time. Interior was decent. It did feel kind of slow though. Not sure which engine it had.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of its looks, but if the wife likes it, then that's all that matters. What car will she be upgrading from?
Personally, I'm not a big fan of its looks, but if the wife likes it, then that's all that matters. What car will she be upgrading from?
I rented one in san antonio and the back was beat to [censored] from luggage because the whole back is plastic. I thought that the car sucked and couldent believe that chevy was still in business makeing junk like that, but hey thats just me.
a lot of them have been showing up on the roads around here, due to it's cheap buy in and great mpg. a friend had to rent one when his car was in the shop; he wanted to hate it, but had to admit that it drove well. he complained about the visibility.
Side windows the size of postage stamps. I don't like the shrinking glass area of modern cars.
With all that has happened why would you buy a G.M. product? Just my opinion.
JHZR2
Staff member
I've had them as rentals multiple times. My biggest issues were ergonomics ( I drive old euro cars - window switches on the center console don't scare me, but the ergonomics of these aren't great), and some visibility issues. Otherwise it returns decent mileage and has good space.
She's coming from a salvaged 2000 Cavalier that she got 5 years ago to get to college. It's literally falling apart and all the wiring is starting to disintegrate. I have a feeling anything will be a big improvement.
She likes the Honda Fit I have and wanted something similar in MPG and utility. We looked at the Rio/Spectra 5 models and Soul, we had test driven an Aveo before I got my Fit, and she didn't like the look of the Yaris at all so we skipped that one. We were on our way to look at a Vibe when she saw the HHR and she liked the look of it. She's the artsy type so she like things that are "unique." We haven't driven one yet, we most likely will this weekend.
I'd prefer her to get the Vibe, we know 2 people who have them and they have been great for them, but we handle our own money separately so it's really up to her. From the reviews there doesn't seem to be much negative about them that I couldn't say about most cars in the <20k price range. As for the GM political issue, she couldn't care less about politics, and I have a GM card from back in the day with a grand on it to help save us some money.
She likes the Honda Fit I have and wanted something similar in MPG and utility. We looked at the Rio/Spectra 5 models and Soul, we had test driven an Aveo before I got my Fit, and she didn't like the look of the Yaris at all so we skipped that one. We were on our way to look at a Vibe when she saw the HHR and she liked the look of it. She's the artsy type so she like things that are "unique." We haven't driven one yet, we most likely will this weekend.
I'd prefer her to get the Vibe, we know 2 people who have them and they have been great for them, but we handle our own money separately so it's really up to her. From the reviews there doesn't seem to be much negative about them that I couldn't say about most cars in the <20k price range. As for the GM political issue, she couldn't care less about politics, and I have a GM card from back in the day with a grand on it to help save us some money.
Originally Posted By: m0ntels
She's coming from a salvaged 2000 Cavalier that she got 5 years ago to get to college. It's literally falling apart and all the wiring is starting to disintegrate. I have a feeling anything will be a big improvement.
She likes the Honda Fit I have and wanted something similar in MPG and utility. We looked at the Rio/Spectra 5 models and Soul, we had test driven an Aveo before I got my Fit, and she didn't like the look of the Yaris at all so we skipped that one. We were on our way to look at a Vibe when she saw the HHR and she liked the look of it. She's the artsy type so she like things that are "unique." We haven't driven one yet, we most likely will this weekend.
I'd prefer her to get the Vibe, we know 2 people who have them and they have been great for them, but we handle our own money separately so it's really up to her. From the reviews there doesn't seem to be much negative about them that I couldn't say about most cars in the div>
If she likes weird looking cars maybe a nissan cube is in order! If I were going to buy an inexpensive new car and I dident have a kid in a car seat it would be a Hyundai accent.
She's coming from a salvaged 2000 Cavalier that she got 5 years ago to get to college. It's literally falling apart and all the wiring is starting to disintegrate. I have a feeling anything will be a big improvement.
She likes the Honda Fit I have and wanted something similar in MPG and utility. We looked at the Rio/Spectra 5 models and Soul, we had test driven an Aveo before I got my Fit, and she didn't like the look of the Yaris at all so we skipped that one. We were on our way to look at a Vibe when she saw the HHR and she liked the look of it. She's the artsy type so she like things that are "unique." We haven't driven one yet, we most likely will this weekend.
I'd prefer her to get the Vibe, we know 2 people who have them and they have been great for them, but we handle our own money separately so it's really up to her. From the reviews there doesn't seem to be much negative about them that I couldn't say about most cars in the div>
If she likes weird looking cars maybe a nissan cube is in order! If I were going to buy an inexpensive new car and I dident have a kid in a car seat it would be a Hyundai accent.
You should be able to get a very excellent price. It won't be in GMs new line-up and the resale will plunge more than it already has.
My mechanic has a HHR GT or whatever and loves it.
I think the Vibe would be a better choice. My dad had an '06 Ion, which I think is based on the same platform and it felt really cheap. He had unexpected problems with the front bushings giving out causing it to clunk badly at around 20k miles of gentle highway driving. He also had a lot of problems with all of the weather stripping on the car. It fell off on at least 2 of the doors and was peeling off the back window as well. Is the HHR significantly different than the Ion/Cobalt? Gas mileage was good, though.
Originally Posted By: m0ntels
She's coming from a salvaged 2000 Cavalier that she got 5 years ago to get to college. It's literally falling apart and all the wiring is starting to disintegrate. I have a feeling anything will be a big improvement.
That brings back memories. I bought a totaled 95 civic in 98. I put it back together, put an additional 200k miles on it. But it never died. I finally sold it last fall.
She's coming from a salvaged 2000 Cavalier that she got 5 years ago to get to college. It's literally falling apart and all the wiring is starting to disintegrate. I have a feeling anything will be a big improvement.
That brings back memories. I bought a totaled 95 civic in 98. I put it back together, put an additional 200k miles on it. But it never died. I finally sold it last fall.
Originally Posted By: Steve S
With all that has happened why would you buy a G.M. product? Just my opinion.
that's not very nice. play nice in the sandbox.
With all that has happened why would you buy a G.M. product? Just my opinion.
that's not very nice. play nice in the sandbox.
make sure to get some parts from these guys
http://www.californiacruisers.com/hhr_parts.htm
http://www.californiacruisers.com/hhr_parts.htm
I rented one back in 2006 when they were pretty new on a trip to Florida. Originally I didn't really want it. Since I was going to be in the Miami area, I really wanted something with a real trunk to keep my luggage out of sight. It did have a little hatch under the trunk floor, but that didn't hold much. They didn't have any more sedans at the time, and the counter clerk tried to convince me that it was the latest model they had.
It drove OK for a rental. The dark factory windows (I guess it's classified as a light truck) did help with the Florida summer sun. There was plenty of trunk space. It didn't accelerate like my WRX (not many rentals would) but it wasn't as bad as some rentals I tried. I think I got well over 30 MPG driving from Miami to Key West and back. There weren't many hills, so I can't comment on how it would handle. It was easy enough to drive and parallel parked pretty easily.
It drove OK for a rental. The dark factory windows (I guess it's classified as a light truck) did help with the Florida summer sun. There was plenty of trunk space. It didn't accelerate like my WRX (not many rentals would) but it wasn't as bad as some rentals I tried. I think I got well over 30 MPG driving from Miami to Key West and back. There weren't many hills, so I can't comment on how it would handle. It was easy enough to drive and parallel parked pretty easily.
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