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Getting closer on buying HHR but...

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Old 11-16-2007 | 02:44 PM
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Getting closer on buying HHR but...

So 2 days ago I go test drive a sweet 2007 2LT with everything on it. The dealer REALLY wants to sell the car as it has been on his lot since July and the flooring costs are killing him. It is not my first choice in color (Red with grey leather interior) but it is equipped exactly as I want and the deal is really sweeeeet. Anyway...

I take the car out and immediately feel vibration, especially when the brakes are applied. The sales person is very concerned and when we get back to the dealership he tells me to pull into the service area.

Today the sales person sent me an email and told me the brake rotors had to be resurfaced. Now this is a BRAND NEW HHR; is this a "bad sign"? I mean the car had all of 10 miles on it. So what do you all think about this??

Oh yes, one more thing: I asked him if I had them (the dealership) install a K&N Intake Air system and a rear sway bar, would it void the warranty and they said "no" and that they would put that in writing. (I am going to purchase the extended 5 year 100,000 warranty and I don't want to jeapordize it by adding the Air Intake and Sway Bar.)

Ok, this post is too long I know. I really, really am close to pulling the trigger. Please advise on the 2007 2LT with the brakes being be resurfaced...should I stay away from this HHR and purchase a 2008?

THANK YOU one and all for your most wonderful advise!!

Sincerely

MWG2
Germantown, Maryland
Old 11-16-2007 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by MWG2

I take the car out and immediately feel vibration, especially when the brakes are applied. The sales person is very concerned and when we get back to the dealership he tells me to pull into the service area.

Today the sales person sent me an email and told me the brake rotors had to be resurfaced. Now this is a BRAND NEW HHR; is this a "bad sign"? I mean the car had all of 10 miles on it. So what do you all think about this??
Other members had rotor problems but don't think it happened right off the show room floor. I'm sure those members will answer your post. If the deal is as sweet as you say, go for it. Aftermarket rotors don't cost that much and are easy to replace so don't worry about it. Right now the '07's have a $2500 cash allowance or 0% int.
click on search function at the top of the page and type in rotor problems and find those that had problems and what they did. AS they say the SEARCH button is your friend
Old 11-16-2007 | 03:01 PM
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Commonly called "lot rot" and is not unusual to find on a car that has been sitting for 4-5 months. However GM, on their TSB, suggests the rotors to be SANDED LIGHTLY to eliminate the problem.....not resurfacing (if it is, in fact, lot rot).

You do know GM AUTOMATICALLY gives you a 5 year, 100,000 mile Drivetrain warranty on all 2007's??? So the GMPP, if that is what you are buying, is for the other items on the car....with a deductible. You might want to read the warranty VERY WELL, before purchasing. There are several threads on this forum regarding the "extended" warranty. Use the search function.

Also understand, THAT DEALER cannot provide warranty outside of his service, for those added items. For example, if you're traveling in NY and experience a problem, the dealer there has no obligation to repair the item under GM's warranty, if the problem can be associated with the add-ons.

Essentially your dealer is providing the warranty....that's all.

GM has a very specific TSB regarding this. Ask your dealer about it. But remember, in most instances they will say anything to sell a vehicle.

Just some info to think about, since you are obviously concerned about warranty issues.
Old 11-16-2007 | 03:29 PM
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My wild a$$ guess, (worth nothing) either an previous overaggressive test drive or the lot parking rat (that always leaves the radio on full bass) doing his formula one thing.
Old 11-16-2007 | 03:31 PM
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Thank You!!!!!!!!!
Old 11-16-2007 | 03:33 PM
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The warranty items I am concerned about are mostly electrical (power windows and the like) and the power sun roof. I really want long term protection on those items, hence my wanting an extended warranty. In the past, on American cars, the extended warranty has paid for itself more than once.

THANK YOU Snoopy for your insight. I truly appreciate it!!
Old 11-16-2007 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by MWG2
The warranty items I am concerned about are mostly electrical (power windows and the like) and the power sun roof. I really want long term protection on those items, hence my wanting an extended warranty. In the past, on American cars, the extended warranty has paid for itself more than once.

THANK YOU Snoopy for your insight. I truly appreciate it!!

If you feel like you need an Extended Warranty on anything, My advice would be to pass and buy something you have more confidence in. I would have never had an Extended Warranty pay for itself on anything I was offered one on in the past 20-25 years. In fact I once figured out that I saved over $8000 by passing on everyone offered on everything from used cars to notebook computers and appliances. This was AFTER spending approx $3000 in repairs/replacements the EW would have covered!!!

Put the money in ING @ 5%. You would be surprised how much you would have left over IF you have any repairs done by independent mechanics.especially. I for one cannot wait for my warranty to expire so I can take mine to my mechanic for the bigger things. IF the car proves to be too costly to own I will sell it. I doubt it will.
Old 11-16-2007 | 06:02 PM
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MWG2......

If you are considering the GM plan then you need to understand that it no longer is called the EXTENDED WARRANTY plan (for good reason). It is called the GM PROTECTION PLAN. It takes affect at 12,000 miles or the first year. So, in effect, you are paying for SOME protection that already comes free with the car.

Also, check and see if ANY of the repairs under the GMPP have deductibles. I believe some have said they do.

Understand I am not trying to talk you out of it. But, many people buy these things then say, "opps" (usually much worse) afterward.....according to a consortium of state attorney generals.
Old 11-16-2007 | 10:11 PM
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Thank you Snoopy. Yes, I know about Protection Plans. I had one for a Ford a while back and it really did pay off. An electric window motor failed, I paid a $50 detuctable and that was it. Then I had another window fail, and again, I was only out of pocket $50. If I hadn't have had the Protection Plan, I would have been out $380 per window.

I will read the protection plan very carefully.

I have been a Honda customer for the past 8 years and one of the things I like about Honda is that they want to have satisfied customers. GM, on the other hand, just wants to sell units. What has drawn me to the HHR is the looks. I think it is the most fantastic looking vehicle to come along in while. I wanted to wait a few years until they got the "bugs" worked out of it. That is why I decided to look at the 2008 HHR. (Yet the dealer has a new 2007 that he really wants to move. I guess there is no difference between a 2007 2LT and a 2008 2LT...correct?)

Anyway, I want to make sure the HHR will last as I drive 20,000 a year. Again, THANK YOU for all your advice.

Sincerely,

MWG2
Germantown, Maryland
Old 11-16-2007 | 11:23 PM
  #10  
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i think one of the major changes for the 08 other than lil options here and there is just the body styling. smooth bumpers for 08. i mean yea there is alot of other things that are changing but nothing really major that i know of, then again i really haven't looked much into it. as for the rotor issue im thinking that once you get it running for a while and do some daily driving it should go away, if not then youll prolly have to resurface them later on which the dealer should do. your gonna have some bugs here and there just like many other newer cars would, but hey, good thing for warranty huh



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