Chevrolet HHR

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  • nosirrahgnosirrahg Member Posts: 872
    My 2000 Impala has a "change engine oil" light that I assume operates on the same setup as the HHR (mine doesn't allow me to monitor it over time, I just have to wait for the light to come on though). It usually indicates a change at 6k-7k miles, which was tough to accept when you're used to 3k-4k changes. My compromise is to change it according to the light, but I switched to synthetic oil. Changing it myself means I pay about the same money for the supplies as I'd pay someone else to change it with standard oil, and knowing the synthetic is supposed to be good for well over that mileage takes away any mixed feelings. I'm using Mobil-1 oil and filters, and no complaints thus far.

    (Actually my only problem is that I end up changing my oil twice a year, but that generally falls around Christmas and July 4...I may change it early this spring so I'll be on an April/October schedule instead of a heat of summer, dead of winter routine!!)
  • bporter1bporter1 Member Posts: 229
    How many of you all out there own an HHR with the 2.4L engine and use regular fuel with the auto tranny? This is the only thing that would really make me look elsewhere because I do not want to put premium fuel in another car again. Thanks
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    the GMOL is hard to get use to or trust if you have changed your oil every 3K....and where does it state that....not the owners manual with the exception of older cars...but rather your local chain quick lube dealers....

    I too was a religious 3K changer for dino oil...but with my O4 Malibu Maxx..been using the GMOL...and changed about every 4500...with dino oil until I switched to syth oil...now I go about 7500 between changes...and the GMOL usually it as 25-30% around 7500....I seem to get a 10% reduction per 1000 miles driven.....I also document all my changes and service and mygmlink.com any service you have done at the dealer is automatically documented as well as long as you register with your VIN number...again personal choice to do it every 3K...but 56K on my Maxx and doing well.....

    also just got our 06 Pontiac Solstice..which I will conver to Sythn as well..but still use the GMOL in the digital info center....
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    Haven't tried anything less than 91 octane yet.........but will try 89, then 87.......but when ya think about it ..say ya drive 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg, that's 480 gallons....x $0.30 more per gallon = $144.00 more per year...compare that to the extra $5-10K you'd pay for anything comparable you'd buy from Japan or Europe!!! I traded in a 4x4 Toyota RAV4 .....22.5 mpg...noisy...if I would have had to pay for everything that was worked on during the waranty period it would have been about $6K....will never own a Japanese car ever again!!!!!!!! I paid at least $5K more for that RAV4 4 years ago than I had to pay for this HHR...the HHR is much quieter, gets better mpg & much quicker, has more features, better to look at, etc..
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    I consider my 2.4 L HHR to be my Solstice station wagon....were you able to get anything off sticker?
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    No..MSRP all the way since it was ordered Mid-May....there are some that are getting $ off using their GM Credit Card savings...but other than that.....No one that I know of got it for less than MSRP...there are many dealers charging a 3-5K premium for it....there is a solstice forum, not on this board, that we all belong too..even have a black listed dealers list!!!!!...hope you enjoy your HHR...will probably trade our Malibu Maxx in for one in a few years....
  • geemacgeemac Member Posts: 28
    There seem to have been quite a number of people who claim to have gotten their HHRs under sticker. I bought my 1LT in November for around $1500 under sticker with over $1000 in options included in a discount package. Guess it depends on where you live.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    If you go back you will find he was referring to a Solstice
  • poncho167poncho167 Member Posts: 1,178
    As a former car salesman, I would say that the area where you live can make a big difference in if they are going to deal or not. If you are prepared, and don't mind negotiating, most car dealers will usually come down from the MSRP.

    Yes, the Solstice are short in supply making them demand more $$$ as with most limited production vehicles.
  • jzrodlowskijzrodlowski Member Posts: 2
    I have about 2200 miles on my HHR with a 2.4 li and automatic, use regular 87 octane, no problems, engine is quick and shifts smooth. 50/50highway and city driving. gas tank is massive and the 2.4 li sips gas, i'm running about 26 miles per gallon.
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    You can't tell any difference at all using 87? Maybe I'll give it a try....You ever get on it real hard..? The seating position is conducive to putting your left foot on the brake & having your right foot on the gas a little & jumping off at stop lights...around KC area there's only 20 cents difference for 91.
  • jzrodlowskijzrodlowski Member Posts: 2
    I hate to admit it, my previous car was a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.8 li. I drove it so hard that I popped a rod. I will be rebuilding it this spring. Needless to say, I'm tough on cars and my HHR is pushed daily. I rev it way up to 7 grand all the time. It gets up and goes, but does not have the reserve power of the 3.8 li V6 or a V8, but still has quick accelatation from 35 to 65 mph all on regular 87 octane.
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    I wonder if there is a rev limiter on this 2.4L...one of my previous cars was a '90 Beretta GTZ (quad 4)....the first time I hit the rev limiter (not knowing it was there)I thought I blew the engine....after the revs came back down...it took off again...I put about 140,000 INDY style miles on that GTZ....it had it's problems...but was fun. I traded it in for a 2003 Alero 5-speed 2.2L ecotech...still have it (the HHR is my wife's) ...the Alero is a solid-quiet-fun vehicle....I gave Olds the GTZ + 11K for the Alero....I feel like I stold something from GM....it's getting about 31 mpg....which ain't bad considering the way I drive it! Over the last 10-11 years I've used about 9-10K of GM Card rebates...when the kids each turned 16 I bought one a Z24 & the other a Sunfire GT....believe it or not (combined >150K miles)....neither has ever been in the shop for any unscheduled work.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    I wonder if there is a rev limiter on this 2.4L...

    I thought everyone had rev limiters now? Floor your car in park and the tach will lightly "bounce" off redline.
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    My wife's father recently sold a '62 after holding on to it since the early 70s....he bought it for <4K....sold it for 35K.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    Sounds like it was in good unrestored condition. NCRS ones are getting over 50k!!! This all happened in the last few years. Bought mine for $22K in 90 and it never really started appreciating untill recently.
  • allfiredupallfiredup Member Posts: 736
    About a month ago, I mentioned that the 5-speed manual HHR was a tough find around here, particularly the 2.4L LT. I'm no longer in the market, but I was bored yesterday and went on Ebay. There are at least two manual LTs on there, though both are the 2.2L. They're also both the "Majestic Amethyst" color, which is a love-it-or-hate-it hue. Still, they're the first manual LTs I've seen. One of them is $15,500 and I think the sticker is $16,990. If I was still in the market, might be a consideration.

    Then again, would I get tired of a purple car?
  • jerrywimerjerrywimer Member Posts: 588
    It's nearly universally electronically managed by the engine computer now. Usually the rpm the tach bounces off of while in park / neutral is lower than the maximum you'll see when actually driving down the road. (Tried this briefly with the 2004 Malibu V6, with exactly those results)
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    It was stunningly beautiful, but not original condition...worst car I ever owned was a '78 I bought off the showroom floor...only 180 horses....everthing that could go wrong with it ...DID!
  • gogirlgogogirlgo Member Posts: 47
    Has anyone been to a Chev dealer to see the new LOWER sticker prices? That Edmunds pricing system doesn't seem to reflect changes in price. Missed the RedTag sale and wonder if this is even better.
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    Since I already our HHR, I'm hoping there is no need to go to dealer for a while ;) , But I did see elsewhere someone saying the new sticker price went down by about $100 (don't know if accurate or not). Also to answer your other question about rear window visability, I don't find it particularly good, either driving or backing up. I removed the back seat headrests to improve it a little, but it just the nature of a flat-back with only half a window to be kinda blind.
  • micwebmicweb Member Posts: 1,617
    Try GM's own website. Clicking on any GM or Chevy banner ad in Edmunds will take you there. Use Build and Price for exact pricing of every trim line and option. I did this before the reduction a couple of days ago, so I'd have a future record.

    One of the best ways to save money on GM cards is to get a GM Mastercard; 5% of your credit card purchases counts against your future car purchase, subject to $1,000, $2,000 etc. cap per vehicle (the HHR had $1,000 off).

    The HHR is very popular. When I shopped it last month, the best I could do was a few hundred under sticker, plus the GM Card discount; so I decided to wait.
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    I bought during the red tag (Nov. 28-05) Mine had an MSRP sticker of $20,729 (includes $69 pin stripe)...traded in a 2001 RAV4 4x4 with >99,000 miles on it that needed about $600 worth of work I was getting ready to have done. I gave them the RAV4 + a check for exactly $12,000....included in that 12K was about $1300 worth of sales tax & adm. fees. I also had a little over $1,000 from the GM Card that went into the equation. This deal was almost $5K better than another dealer offered on an almost identical HHR. Pays to shop around !! We're happy enough with it that when it comes time to unload our other car....I'd have to consider getting another HHR...I'd love to see them supercharge that 2.4L...we're getting >25 mpg with the 2.4L automatic...& I've driven it "briskly" quite often.
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    On the GM site & the individual dealer sites the HHR stickers are only about $100 below where they were....as opposed to the red tag prices that were $1K to $1.5K below the MSRPs. But keep in mind....those were all just starting points for bargaining....in all likelyhood you can still get the same prices...you just have to make them an offer...some of the dealers in the KC area have > 10 in stock....you think they won't negotiate????? They do appear to be selling well....I drive through 11 miles of remote highway going to work in Kansas....rarely see over 10 cars on the way to work....one day about 2 weeks ago my wife and I drove to work together....we passed a red HHR & grey HHR ....while in our blue HHR....what's the odds of that ?????????
  • poncho167poncho167 Member Posts: 1,178
    I believe the difference between the new prices and the red tag sale is the new prices are permanent. They are trying to get the prices closer to the selling price. There could still be a red tag temporary sale with the new prices.
  • socalhhrssocalhhrs Member Posts: 1
    We are putting on an HHR "Cruise Night" Friday night January 20th 2006 in Temecula, CA. Details are posted HERE: http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/cruisenight.html.

    If you are in Southern Califonia, come out and meet some other HHR owners.

    We hope to see you there!
  • minarets1minarets1 Member Posts: 49
    where is the batter on these bad boys?
    my wife took the HHR on a drive to Bama the day we got it and she was trying to jump somoen off (oooo, that sounds bad)

    anyway, she said she couldnt find the battery....under the seat, maybe? or is she an idiot (which is a strong possibility) and didnt see in under the hood?
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    She's right, there isn't one under the hood :) Actually its in the rear, under the storage compartment (in back of spare tire). There is a place to jump it under the hood though (spose you could use that point to jump start someone else also)
  • minarets1minarets1 Member Posts: 49
    thanks....ill let her know, so we wont haver to go through this next time
  • minarets1minarets1 Member Posts: 49
    the 2.2L is 172 HP, no? what is the 2.4L?

    this car would be oh so fun to drive with 250 HP....of course the gas mileage would be as good
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    2.2 is 143HP 2.4 is 172
  • hlywdianahlywdiana Member Posts: 2
    I just graduated form college and am looking on buying my first brand new car. Currently I own a 96' Pontiac Grand Am (which I love for the pick-up and speed) but since I have owned it since I was 16 it is time for a change. So now my eyes are on the HHR. I have done some research and am pretty sure this is what I am going to buy...but I wanted to hear from current owners what they think in general. Does it have reasonable pick-up? I've read the brakes aren't the best, is that true? Also the battery being in the back?! Is there any one weird quirks I should know about before signing an agreement? I just want to make sure that it is the best car for me so any sort of imput would be great. Thanks.
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    Thats kinda interesting, I bought ours as a replacement for my 96 GA (daily driver). I have the 2.4 with manual tranny and pickup is just fine, though drive-by-wire throttle makes it seem a little different and I think it weighs in about 500lbs more so that has an effect. Some complain about lack of disc brakes in rear, but I don't have any problem with them at all. As long as battery starts vehicle, I don't care where it is ;) . Some have some concern about small windows and windshield in particular if you get to close to overhead stop-light (can't see it well without bending a bit). I removed rear seat headrests to improve visibility in rearview mirror. Others have wondered about the little light in headliner that casts a tad bit of light on center console controls also. It drives pretty nicely and is quiet with just a bit of road noise from tires. I would suggest taking a good long 'sit in the car and look around' then taking a test drive to see if its going to suit your needs (and desires)
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    All of the HHRs with automatic transmission come with "remore start"...& "electronic traction control"...those are good features. Make sure ya get the auto-dimming mirror that also has an electronic compass built into the mirror. The 2.4 runs best on premium (it has a 10.5 compression ratio) but runs OK on 87. Ya probably want the 17s... Worst mpg for me so far is 25. The 2.4 will kick if ya want it to...it's no Corvette...but then I owned a Corvette for 10 years and spent less than 5 minutes at speeds over a hundred the whole time I owned it...
  • minarets1minarets1 Member Posts: 49
    well, i must admit....i was dissapointed when my wife said she wanted to turn the Trailblazer in on a HHR. she recently found out she was going to be transfered which will result in a 90 mile / day commute. i already have a 88 mile commute in the opposite direction.

    the TB got about 18mpg combined....that wasnt gonna cut it. i am 25 and we have a 7 week old and wasting $$ on gas at this times just doesnt seem wise. i get roughly 25 mpg in my MAXima....

    when my wife wanted a HHR i sorta scoffed. my father in law works for GM and we do get the employee discount, so that of course would be nice, but a HHR?

    well.........i love it. i have been looking for a G35, TL, Lexus IS350...maybe a Saab 9-5,or Buick Lucerne for myself....obviosuly more costly cars and more "lux"

    we bought a silver 2LT fully optioned HHR w/ chrome....i must say i am impressed. fit and finish for a $24,000 car is fantastic. XM radio, heated seats, remote start, ipod jack...not much else i could ask for...except for maybe NAV and HID's, but obviously not needed in this caliber car. good gas mileage is bonus. rides extremely well

    only negatives: needs more power (and that would prolly negate the good gas mileage) and arm rests need to be bigger or 1 solid piece.

    i like so much that when my Maxima croaks, i may get a black 2LT HHR.

    i m impressed.

    your thoughts?
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    If GM put a 2.2L diesel in it you would get more power and better mileage. My wife wants a HHR but I think we are going with a VW Jetta TDI. Tough to beat 42mpg.
  • twaintwain Member Posts: 185
    this car would be oh so fun to drive with 250 HP....of course the gas mileage would be as good
    ---------------------------------

    The Solstice will have a turbo option with 260hp. If GM does the same with the HHR, your dreams will come true. ;)
  • beliverbeliver Member Posts: 155
    jkinzel: well, you will not burn much fuel in that Jetta if it's like thelast VW product I had.It spent most of it's life in the shop either wating for parts or the factory rep to try to figger out what the hell was wrong with it LOL !!

    believer
  • gogophers1gogophers1 Member Posts: 218
    Beliver makes a good point.

    If mileage is your ONLY concern, go with the TDI. But if you're equating a higher MPG diesel VW with lower total operating costs, you're likely mistaken. First, diesel costs more than gasoline. In most locales, it's about a 10% difference.

    Second, unless you're really, really lucky, the odds of you getting one of the "good" VWs aren't good. And the bad ones... well, you don't want to think about the bad ones. Adding insult to injury, VW has some of the worst service depts. in the industry. Poor reliability combined with poor service is a nightmare in the making.

    Think seriously before you pull the trigger on the VW. Do you feel lucky? Do you?
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    VW data-

    IQS2 ( initial quality after 3 months)- industry average 118, VW 147 problems per hundred.

    VDS (vehicle dependibility after 3 years) industry average 237, VW 335.

    Actually only one more problem than average after 3 years.

    HHR will probably score better than industry average.
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    In regards to VW&#146;s poor reputation I have to agree and even maintance for the cars that run well is expensive. On the other hand my neighbor has an 02 Jetta with over 100,000 miles, runs like a Swiss watch and has never had it in for anything other than regular service.

    What Im getting at is that it would be nice to see Chevy and Ford get into a small diesel passenger car like the HHR so we as consumers can conserve oil. The price can be a problem, but it is also a variable. Now diesel cost more, three months from now it might be the other way.

    I may not be quoting this word for word, but the president of MB pointed out that if one third of the US car and light truck fleet was diesel the US could reduce oil consumption by 1.4 million barrels a day. I personally would be willing to pay a little more for diesel to help get out from under the Middle East thumb.

    So a 2.0L or a 2.2L diesel in the HHR could make for a nice ride. :shades:

    Sorry about the soap box. Stepping down now. :blush:
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    I may not be quoting this word for word, but the president of MB pointed out that if one third of the US car and light truck fleet was diesel the US could reduce oil consumption by 1.4 million barrels a day. I personally would be willing to pay a little more for diesel to help get out from under the Middle East thumb.

    Not going to happen until something is done about emissions and or US standards and or the fuel itself is cleaned up.
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    ULSD (15ppm sulfur) should be every where by this fall. If GM has a diesel that meets emissions standards with the new clean diesel I don't know.
  • novanova Member Posts: 135
    What rpm's are you guys running at 75 /80 mph.
    Auto's verses manuals.
    THANKS
  • ray80ray80 Member Posts: 1,655
    Can't say as the speed limit is only 65 here. But if by chance it happened to slip briefly to 75 on the ride home today, tach would have been right on 3 grand in 5th. 2.4 sipping 93 octane
  • novanova Member Posts: 135
    Thanks for the info. I am trying to decide which trans to go with. i do 90% highway driving with the cruise set at 75mph.3 grand sounds high. Maybe some one with an automatic trans will post their rpm's
  • poncho167poncho167 Member Posts: 1,178
    You are correct in that diesels are really no big savings if any. Considering the high price for the car and the diesel fuel, I can't see how you would save money unless you kept it 10-15 years; additionally hybrid cars are better for the environment, but most people fail to realize that they will probably never recoup the cost of the autos higher price with fuel savings unless they keep it a long time. If they do keep it a long time they will also have to absorb the cost of new batteries which could be several thousand dollars.

    With recent Volkswagen quality issues I wouldn't be in a rush to go shopping there where "Driver's Are Wanted."
  • smogdungsmogdung Member Posts: 349
    OK, was just out on the highway....2.4L with shiny 17s...automatic transmission steady 75mph ..tach read 2650, at 70 looked like eactly 2500, at 80 it looked like just under 2900.....I reset the mpg readout at steady 75mph and it stabilized at about 27mpg before I had to turn off....that could have went up or down a little if I could have stayed at 75 longer...it was still changing..depending on slight inclines and slight downhills. We've got about 3,000 miles on it now...I've put about 500 of those miles on there...gotta say...am absolutely in love with the way it drives ....LOVE this engine!!!! LOVE the the way it handles with the sport suspension and 17s.....we both agree ...the more we drive it the more we like it!! Don't listen to any writer -reviewer that says it's sluggish....just not true....I've got a 2.2 ecotech Alero 5 speed...love it...but this 2.4 just feels much more refined .....this was first tank with 89 octane (as opposed to 91)....can't tell any difference??? This car feels solid as a rock.
  • novanova Member Posts: 135
    Thanks. I am looking into getting a 2.4 auto orange with the shiny 17's. GM gold card just boosted my rebate points to $3000 if I buy one before march 31, 2006
  • mike9476mike9476 Member Posts: 3
    Nova, that top-off was the reason we got interested as well. We just received a $2000 top off offer from the GM card. Probably was lower because I only had $300 or so in earnings before. We weren't able to find the HHR we wanted at my preferred local dealer, but they are trading for one at another area dealer and still giving us a good price. We should be picking up our silver LT2 w/ side air bags Monday.
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