i was reading in new to the site and Copperhead had this question at the bottom of his post and no one answered. so i decided to put it here. what is your thought on why it is so addictive

to me many things but to me these are a few and not all i have, just a few
1. the interest it gets by all who really see it That alone tells me this car is going to be one that makes it for a while and not just a fluke.
The compliments i get from all the guys that do rebuilds and find out they already own one
2. the ability to personalize
3. the amount of people here researching ways to personalize and sharing

 

I think one of the reasons it's so addictive is because of the styling. People may confuse it with the PT...but the HHR has taken that basic retro design to the next level. The HHR actually resembles a vehicle from the past, yet has some new car styling & features as well.

The ability to personalize is definitely a key attraction. The HHR is like an artists blank canvas...it's begging for you to make it a work of art. This is the 1st car I've ever done modifications to and I'm having a blast. It's fun to come here and see what others are doing and then go out and look at mine and imagine what it would look like. I'm sure after I see CJ's car today, I'm gonna really want to do more than I already have.

One of the key reasons I believe it's so addictive, is the fact that there a not a zillion of them on the road. The car has a really cool style of it's own and people notice it because it stands out and grabs people's attention. Here in Denver, I can't tell you how many people stare at my car when it's on the road and that includes many PT Cruiser people as well. Plus...with mine being orange in Denver Bronco country...I'm sure that gathers some interest as well.

Great thread CJ...and thanks to Copperhead for posing the original question. I must have missed that post...because being the lady of few words that I am... I surely would have responded.

 

Addictive........good term. I've had lots of vehicles over the years, but I was really drawn to the HHR. It's appearence, the comfort. I've never had anything quite like it. I really appreciate the looks of it because it reminds me of a 1950 Chevy pick up we had at work years ago (I wish I knew what happened to that), and of my Ganddad's 1949 Chevy pick-up. It comes with plenty of friendly items such as power this and that. And if you apply even the smallest mod, it makes it yours. I haven't modded anything since my 1979 CJ5. Although everything I've done to my HHR is small, it looks big to me. I'm actually having fun!

 

There is nothing special about the HHR. I have acted the same way with my previous vehicles (except my Grand Am) so it's not just the HHR it's all cars. Maybe for some of us the HHR is some magical dream car that makes you want to customize a vehicle for the first time or it's an addiction, but to me it's a decent size economy car with no balls that I chose because it looked nice and I needed more room than my Mustang. I was kind of forced into the HHR by choice. If I had my way I would still be driving my Mustang. I customize my HHR because simply for the fact that it's mine and I have to drive it every day. Give me a crappy car like a Chevette or a Shadow and I'll probably do the same for the same reason. I'm more interested in cars other than my HHR but the HHR is all I have at my house to work on right now. Damn it, I should go get my Malibu from my moms house so I can start tearing apart a real car. Don't take that the wrong way because I love my HHR but I don't see anything special about it that makes it more addictive than any other vehicle past or present.

 

Blasphemy!

 

The HHR for me is a symbol of all the good times I had growing up when I was a kid. My family had a 49' Chevy Pickup and a 50's Suburban and there were a lot of great moments. I learned how to drive in that pickup and we used to take family trips in that Suburban. They were fun times. So it's a lot more than just a car to me. It's a trip down memory lane. It's also the only car I've ever had that when someone asked me if that's my car, I smile from ear to ear and reply proudly "Yes. That is my baby!" I've had a hard life. So I consider this car also my achievement in fighting through the struggles I've had to endure. My HHR....She's my pot of gold. Call it cheesy if you will, but it's how I feel.

 

Fair enough , all vehicles can inspre one to customize. Cars like the PT have a whole industry sprung up around its customizeability.

I see that beginning with the HHR as well as these PT companies and others sense another "addictive" car in the mix. Yup, some cars are more addictive than others, and the HHR is one of them for many of us. I'm in that group. I owned may cars over the years and rarely customize any. I have become boring and just drive them from the factory = Path of least resistance.

Owning six stores over the years and now having our daughter has eaten into my time to play with autos. Priorities and all.

Still, I've managed to hang onto a couple of Corvair convertibles from the years when cars were exciting to me. They can be customized and they were by me. Suspension, interiors, engine changes, etc. Did 'em all. Could not do them now if you paid me. No time Other things matter more.



The HHR gives me a modern canvas and a growing palette from which to chose. It is reviving my car spirit. Damn, I like American cars!
Got rid of our Vibe, which was not bad, but inspired me in no way other than to get the heck out of it. Good car for some one else.

Never liked Mustangs. Everyone has them ( no offense meant ) and they drove the Corvair into oblivion ( No, it was NOT Nader's fault ). I like to drive uncommon cars when I'm able. Hence the Corvairs, the '62'& '63 Buicks, the Taurus SHO ( in its first model year ), the '68 Satellite convertible, etc.

I have no interest in Firebirds or Camaroes. The New Dodge Magnum looks nice though.....



The common cars I have owned are the Safari mini van ( But I got AWD, man was that a good truck ), the Voyager mini van ( That one went through four engines and five transmissions over 200,00 miles, what a POS! ),Dodge Colt ( wife's ), Saturn L-200 wagon ( decent car, no repair place within an hour''s drive = get rid of it ).

But these days, as I get on in life, ( Yup, admitting to being middle aged ), I just want a practical, dependable car that I can get repaired locally if needed. That ruled out saturn, and many others, so I'm sticking with the big three. Today we own four GMs. The Buick Rainier, and the HHR L2. Both are outfitted with a lot of amenities, and two Corvairs convertibles, one of which I have to do the brakes and a couple of other things on.

To show how lazy/busy I've been in the fix it dept, the '67 has a problem with the driver's window. It has slipped off the track or broken a weld in the channel holders. It broke when we met Ralph Nader in '91 and I have yet to repair it! The window goes up and down with assistance, and I have two doner doors from which to graft parts if I need them. I just put it off. So far I've put it off fifteen years...........
Gotta fix it soon though, the wife and I want space in the garage, so I'm selling the white '67



So, why does the HHR make me want to customize it? Likely because most mods are short in time and essentially bolt-on. The sway bar ( essential ), was quick and easy! Changing the Speakers, will be more engaging, but thanks to so many how toos in these froums, I have a support group

That's it, major support group! Definitely a real reason for the excitement I have. No such excitement for our Buick. Nice car, but I've no interest in any mods. Go figure.....



Hey, CH, I liked wht you did with yer 8" sub, but you say it keeps bottoming out, or vibrating stuff? I'd like to do the same ( without the problem ), as I need the room for Katy's bike etc. No large sub boxes for me Any pointers?

 

Hey All,
I can't add much to what everyone else has already said,except the first time I saw one it reminded me of one of my first jobs. I was 16 years old, and I worked for a small neighborhood grocery store, and I delievered groceries in a 1950 Chevy Suburban! I realy though I was hot stuff, getting paid to drive! I also learned how to change the plugs and set the dwell angle to make it run smooth. Most mechanics today would know what a dwell angle meter is, let alone how to use it. Sonny Martin