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Try another dealership, or meybe walk into it and talk to them in person. The HHR is better than the scion. The Xb and Xa both look cheap. This car looks at least 5K more expensive than it is. Only the Tc loooks nice in the scion line.
The HHR is so worth it, just try one more time, walk into the dealership and demand your $17,000!
believer
~~~~~~~~~~~end quote~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be sure to see the whole picture. See how many other dealers are in the local area. And the resale value...
http://www.intellichoice.com/reports/vehicleReport/vehicle_nmb/16610/type/new/year/2005/ma- ke/Suzuki/model/Grand%20Vitara
BTW, air bags up the wazoo sounds painful As for stability control, be sure to consider why this is needed, as in higher profile car which was prone to roll -- is that the reason here? If there are two of you making the decision, and are not so sure about a car, maybe a rental of that car on the weekend would help?
Have fun, Loren
Thanks
-b
Glad to hear you are happy.
-b
My mileage calculation routine is like this:
Fill up until automatic shutoff by the pump, then ram the nozzle down into the filler tube as far as it will go, with the springs on the pump handle compressed, and do one "top off." It's important not to retract the nozzle from the filler tube or you will over-fill and either spill gas or set off the dreaded CEL (check engine light).
I then drive until the low fuel warning light comes on, then go back to the same pump and compare mileage against gallons, using a calculator because it's those pesky decimals that can inflate or deflate mileage.
When I am on long trips, I look for very flat spots (a slight lean of your vehicle can throw off measurement a lot) to refill (some stations have one or two flat spots next to their pumps and a couple with slight grades). I use the same "fill to auto shut off, then one top off with the filler pipe held in tightly" technique to get the most uniform fill possible. Since I am not using the same pump as I do during my urban commute, I average tanks (usually on a road trip there are three or four refills).
In short - the on board computer is not a reliable "overall mileage" computer. It has to choose a window of time to average. On some old "instantaneous" mileage computers I would see mileage in the mid to high 30's on cars that really averaged about 18 mpg.
If you look at an early post in this forum, one heavy city driver was appalled at getting "only" 17-18 mpg. Other people reporting mileage are closer to what you report, but I think what is going on is reliance on the on-board computer.
How bad can city mileage be? Well, when I test drove a Cobalt this spring, it was reporting 14 mpg on the test drive, based on a 5 mile loop on city streets that included one on-ramp to next off-ramp freeway spring. This on a car that Consumer Reports said "Overall fuel economy of 23 mpg is unimpressive" - but which, on their more expanded report, turned in 15 mpg city, 35 highway, and 29 mpg on a 150 mile trip. So your mileage is heavily linked to the amount of city driving you do - even a steady state 35 mpg on the highway degrades to 29 mpg on a 150 trip which includes getting to, and back from, the freeway - even a little street driving pushes the average way down.
http://nkyfba.homeip.net/modules/Gallery/albums/userpics/DSCF0063.JPG
There's a link to a picture.I would have just posted the pic, but it is formatted too large.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I knew it was just a matter of time. First, it was air conditioning. Apparently now you don't even get seats and a heater. If Chrysler keeps decontenting the PT at this rate, pretty soon all you'll get is a bag of bolts, a roll of sheet metal and an assembly guide.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I have filled my HHR 3 times so far I get 26.3 MPG "yes thats using Miles/Gals" now thats in Omaha NE all city driving. Anyway thats 15MPG more than my expedition, so I am very happy with the HHR.
My wifes Town&Country gets right at 20 MPG and its a fat pig with a large V6 I dont know why its hard to believe a smaller HHR gets from 24-27.
I understand that if I drove in down town phoenix or chicago my MPG would be lower thats simple math.
I forgot, 2.4 Automatic.
PT comparison is futile as the HHR is better equipped at any level of comparison.
I thought it was just an issue of stick vs. automatic, light car vs. heavier, less aerodynamic vehicle - but our 2005 CR-V gives us much better mileage than we got from the PT Cruiser. And its a heavier, bulkier vehicle than a PT Cruiser.
I was already leaning more towards an HHR than a PT as a future vehicle replacement, and your comments help me.
If there are any stick shift owners out there who have a few miles to report, let us know!
Hummm, no, not really. Try out the door price, with air conditioning. The PT has far more punch to the styling. True, if you want a more conservative style, go for the HHR. It is a good car. PTs seem to still be selling. Personally, the 2005 looks better than the 2006, and some are still available. Shop them both and see how the price compares. You may find the original is not all that bad a deal. As for gas mileage, expect anywhere from low 20's in town, to around 24-26 on the freeway, with only an occasional 29+MPG on longer runs. And that is with a stick. With an automatic, knock off a couple MPG. So IF these amazing MPG figures posted here for HHRs is common, that is a very big plus for the HHR over the PT. Especially for those driving many miles a year. My tires are not up to the 35# pressure, so once I add more air tomorrow, I will do another mileage run to see if MPG improves. I think what I have gotten so far gives with other PTs with a stick. As for the HHR being brand new, well we all know the history.
Loren
chevy kept jerking me around demanding a deposit and insisting that i have to pay $22,500 for a vehicle that has a sticker of $17,000. they claimed it was due to demand and kept saying "take it or leave it".
well, weighing in cost factor with my daily mileage of 60+ miles a day, i left it!
i don't think it's right for them to try and rip us off. the pt looks really nice- though i didn't care for the dash change for 06' and the auto mileage is bad for highway driving. the end decision was Scions XB, it was $15,300 and gets 34 miles to gallon on highway with auto. it too looks different in its own way. to each there own, that's why we are each different.
i found this car to be a breath of fresh air and it handles really well. if your considering possible alternatives and want cargo space and good mileage - but don't need a lot of ponies.....then i would recommend at least giving the XB a look! :shades:
Instead, there seems to be a lot of space taken up by people who don't seem to have any interest in the HHR. I haven't tried it but wouldn't be suprised to hit this site by Googling "PT Cruiser."
Anyway, I have a couple thousand on mine and love it more every day. My subdivision dumps onto a main thoroughfare and i have learned to just pull the automatic down to the middle position and floor it. The response is pleasing and easily allows me to get up to speed without delaying anybody.
I am completely satisfied with the high end stereo. Even the hideaway clothes hangers are cool. And bonus, the smooth lines and low profile make washing easy.
Since there seems to be a lot of interest in milage, here's my experience: Always over 25 mpg in mixed city/county/state highway driving. 26.2 into a headwind this afternoon of a freeway and 32.2 with the tailwind. Usually on the freeway an average of 28 to 29 mpg overall. BTW, this is at 75 to 80 indicated. Around town I accelerate "briskly." I might be able to squeeze a little more out of the milage by being more conservative, but I think the HHR looks cool gong fast.
I hope HHR owners and interested parties take back this board. It could be a good place to keep in touch.
I agree also with the takeover by HHR non owners voicing their opinions on a subject they are not in touch with, if you don't own one you don't know them well enough to knock them. Drive a HHR and see for your self what we are enjoying as Owners of this wonderful automobile.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/07/27/138525.14-lg.jpg
:sick:
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
or r they crying. [damn tree]
Since it looks like that branch broke off of the tree, and the HHR is parked on the grass, I'm guessing that someone was parking the car in that spot to take a great picture of it... just in time to have a tree "shed" on top of it. Talk about bad timing!!
This is an example of why former Alaska Governor Wally Hickel said "You can't just let nature run wild!" (He was referring to aerial wolf hunting at the time).
So, running boards or no running boards? It seems to me to "complete" the look of the car but hubby prefers without since he thinks they take away from the killer look of the wheel wells/fenders (or whatever you call the bulges ).
-b
I got the walnut kit and it really dresses up the HHR.
IS THE DEMAND UP? HERE IN CT I CAN FIND 11 HHRS IN LESS THEN 15 MILES BUT ON 5 SPEEDS AND MOST ARE GRAY
As for stuff on order, it takes forever to get replacement glass for the Maxx. Sorry to hear part delays are plagueing HHR as well.
As for the ripoff prices some dealers are trying to get for this new model; SOSO (same old same old). For new buyers, wait a few months or so. You'll get a better made car and maybe less fun and games from the dealer.
It is true, the HHR is selling more than they can make. In fact I recently read that they will double the building capacity soon, but Lutz doesn't want to get into the problems that the PT has with it selling like hot cakes, and now they are slow movers with one plant closing because of it. The HHR here in Northern Illinois thus far spends no more than a few days on a lot, if that.
I wonder if it's just dealers aren't ordering many of them or if there aren't a lot of 2.4L engines available for the HHR yet?
I'd be seriously tempted by an LT 2.4L/5-speed with just XM radio and the chrome appearance package. When I priced one on the Chevrolet website, it came out to $18,555. A lot better than $23k. Although I hope eventually they'll start selling under MSRP.
Anyone have the 2.4L or either engine with the 5-speed manual? I test drove a 2.2L automatic about two months ago (only one they had on the lot) and it just didn't have enough power for my driving style. I'd like to know what opinions anyone has of the manual transmission.
Have it your way - it's a definite advantage of buying domestic cars.
believer
So, at this point it looks like I can get a high mileage semi-sports car (certainly better than an old Austin Healy Sprite) in the form of a Cobalt Coupe with stick shift or new Civic Coupe with stick shift; or a family car that will be a quieter commuter for me (than a Focus ZX3) with reasonable pickup and ride with stick shift, but not much fun in the curves.
Ah, decisions. At least I know the 2.2 isn't underwhelming in the HHR, even with an automatic; the HHR cabin does not feel claustrophobic; and the HHR seating position is comfortable.
All these vehicles are around $17k in lightly optioned (ABS, side curtain airbags) format. Of course I'd have to order, given my desire for the "base" model but with safety options.