thinking of trading in my '06 LT 2.4L for an '08 LT1 2.2L.

will i really miss the ABS in the winter? is the power difference that noticeable with the manual stick?

thanks for any feedback!
J

 

The 2.2L has plenty of power with the manual, pulls strongly

 

Get the 2.0, it's smaller with better gas mileage! (OK so if you press the pedal down it does go really fast and it is only available in the SS but of the 3 engines it is MY favorite! )

 

Why? You're probably going to lose a lot of money on that trade, so I'd assume you're just having a lot of problems with the car you have now?

You'll be hard pressed to find a 2.2 owner who will tell you the 2.4 is better, or a 2.4 owner who will tell you the 2.2 is just as good. My opinion after driving both, including 5-speed models, is that the 2.2 is just as good driving around the city. However, the 2.4 is better for highways, hills, and mountain terrain where the engine can rev up to 3,000 rpm and the VVT kicks in with the power when you really need it. 2.4 models also have the cooler exhaust tip

 

My brother has the 2.2 and I have the 2.4. The power isn't bad on either,

(only drove his for a few minutes) but to me, his motor was louder.

 

I read an article that for 09 the 2.2 is getting VVT. You might want to wait unless you are looking for used.

 

I'd stick with the 2.4... The aftermarket is slow for both of them (compared to imports), but there seems to be slightly better selection for the 2.4

The 2.4 can get just as good milage as the 2.2 if you drive it 'right' plus it's got the extra bit of power when/if you need it.

I wouldn't step down after having the 2.4... I'd probably be disapointed after a short while.

 

I'd have to agree with this post 100%. I drove a 2.2 for a few days as a rental. Yes it was peppy, but when you needed power, there just wasn't as much.

And the ABS has nothing to do with engine size, it has to do with trim level. We have two 2.4's, a 1LT and a 2LT. The 2LT has it, the 1LT doesn't.

 

I concur on the differences between the 2.4 and 2.2. I also drove a 2.2 rental. Not bad, not bad at all. But after having the 2.4, and knowing how well it does on the freeway compared to the 2.2, I would not want to "step down". In the city, they are pretty much a wash.

I think you can live w/o ABS. Its nice, but not a "must have".

 

It really doesn't matter what people say on here.I have a 2.2 hhr with 90000 miles.I travel all over the US with this car.It is a 5 spd,and I put a 5x8 trailer loaded with two 10x20 tents all my painting supplies luggage and pulling as many as 3 people inside.I have went up and down jelico mountain at 70 mph NO PROBLEM.The 2.2 is a great motor with awesome pulling power.