Welcome. I've been driving pickups for 23 yrs, last 2 were a Silverado and the last was a Ram. Loved the power and comfort of the trucks but 13-16 mpg sucks. Had been admiring the HHR for3 yrs and the right deal hit last Sat when I bought one. I'm 5-11 and even with the sunroof I have room to spare, the mirror question has been answered. only have about 100 miles on it and doing shorter trips but the dic says about 23mpg with the 2.4 auto. I'm happy with it and it is more comfortable that what I first thought. Also was thinking about the Colorado in order to haul if I needed again but the mpg on the Colorado(crew cab) really isn't that good either, I bet only upper teen unless you do a lot of highway driving. The HHR (not the SS) w/auto can haul a small trailer w/max weight of 1000# (Chevy specs). Hey, just 3 more words, Just do it.

 

WELCOME!

Do the test drive. It’s a great car, and that might be the problem, it’s not a Truck. I moved from a full sized truck to my HHR and don’t regret it a bit (making some of the payment on the gas I am saving) and really like the HHR but it’s still a car. With your bad back (I know how it is) you do have to get in a little bit lower and in spite of what most say here the lack of grab handles for someone that needs a little help in and out is at best a pain (no pun), but something that I am willing to live with. Do the test drive.

 

I traded my 04 Colorado for my 07 HHR. No regrets. I love the ride, the better gas mileage, the seats fold down flat, had a boxed up 42'' flat screen in it with plenty of room for other stuff. It has very good passing power at highway speeds and I just ordered a hitch so I can trailer my race bike to the track.

 

See, now you have to buy an HHR, you've just made all of these new friends! You won't regret it, it's like having a new old car!

 

My first drive was also the day I test drove my 06. I bought it 30 minutes later.
I was VERY surprised at how peppy the little 2.4 was. If you buy a A/T version, the "I" position in the shift gate is great for backroads and uphill climbs...it hold the gears longer, and stops all the unneccesary shifts. I had no idea about the "Intermediate" shift position until I read it in the owner's manual a week after I bought the car. I got to test it out on some of Northerna California's notorious coastal switch backs...I wasnt even driving agressively...It was just Brenda and I, cruising the coast...but sometimes in a A/T equipped car, you have to coax the transmission in to a downshift by use of your right foot just to climb the uphill curves...then it upshifts, and you end up having to brake....over-shifting, over-braking, or manually shifting a A/T is no way to enjoy the beautiful hills, coastal curves, or any backroads. GM really impressed me with the transmission in the HHR.

I too am 6' tall...I only had 1 blind spot...behind me from the back seat headrests when I'd turn my head to look...they now live under the stowe-away in the back...

big side mirrors, comfy seating rake(except bent knees take some getting used to) and a great speed-sensative power steering system makes driving fun again.

you REALLY need to go rent one...or go test drive one again...you'll know. Nothing we can tell you will make you want one, or not...all we can do is tell you how much we enjoy them.

I am sure if the LS or the LT can climb hills effortlessly...the SS can eat them up.

 

I rented one for a week. That sold me.

I am 6 feet tall. Have 2LT with sunroof. I fit.

Love the car.

RECOMMENDATION: Add a rear sway bar!!!!!

Peace,

MWG2

 

In addition to the visibility problem caused by the mirror, you will also find that it is difficult to see traffic signals when stopped at an intersection. The top of the windshield is a little low for us six footers. I quickly got used to it though, just tilting my head forward a little.
The first time I saw one in 2006, I actually said to the salesman "boy, thats ugly." I guess it took a couple years to grow on me, now I think my 2008 is beautiful.

 

just think of it as like wearing a ball cap(on the right way, of course).
I wear ball caps all the time...the windshield header is no worse than wearing a cap. I just lean forward.

6' tall
sunroof model
I fit, I adjust, I enjoy.

 

Wow, what a great group you have here. Thanks for all the honest feedback! Especially the fact that this IS a car, not a truck. The rental idea is a good one, but first I'll kidnap a salesman and do an extensive test drive to see what that yields.

So the rear view can be adjusted, very cool. I don't remember having any probs with the height as far as head room, in fact the test ride, all 2 minutes of it, was memorable in such a subconscious way so that I woke up the next day thinking about it, after blowing it off to the salesman.

I know that the looks are the most unique aspect of this car, but I'm still divided. On the one hand I still think it's ugly, but on the other hand, I can't stop looking at the pictures I got at the dealership, so there's something there that I can't describe. I think it's just hard to reprogram my perception of my ride, from pick up.
Bottom line is, I know I can get used to anything since cars aren't that important to me, I don't drive that much, and deep down functionality is what's really beautiful. I'd rather have an HHR than any "car" GM makes, except the vette, and the only other prospects would be trucks or SUV's; Colorado, Vue, Trailblazer or Equinox, but these are all rated, I think, at 22mpg highway and are a lot more dough.

So is the SS out yet? I've heard that the dealers have ordered them, but are they on the floor yet? Which brings me to another, "what do I really want" moment. I haven't had a manual shift auto for 20 years, but really love the control I have over the roads when I have that option. I've driven over 200,000 miles on a motorcycle, not including racing, which I did as an amateur, and used to be a real gear head, before I spent all my time sitting in my music studio. On the days I do drive, I sometimes have to travel the 405/101 (you other SoCaler's know what I mean) and just the thought of having my foot on the clutch all the time hurts my back. But if I go SS, the shifting as well as the fun, may be back in my driving. I think I've finally matured to the point that speed is no longer the predominant thought in my mind while driving, but a little retro never hurt anybody
(I've lost my license in three states and Canada, during the twenty years that I absolutely had to have the fastest motorcycle made, but since moving to SoCal (first time no bike) I've no tickets and a spotless driving record.)

Are there some tricks that can be used with these modern manuals, that I'm not aware of, to avoid the dreaded "clutch leg fatigue" in parking lot freeway traffic??

Oh, one more thing I remembered. When I opened the rear hatch, I couldn't step forward because the hatch hit me in the head (another bending problem). Is this adjustable to over 6 feet?

Thanks again, you guys are really incredible, to the point where this forum should be mentioned on the HHR sticker. I feel that if I bought an HHR, I'd have support that goes way beyond the warranty.

If there was a major flaw, it would've been sniffed out here a long time ago, but I feel this must be a pretty well made vehicle from the lack of problems mentioned here. If I decide I want one, it'll be an LT2 or SS, but with all the options and colors available, it may take some time to dial in the exact unit for me.

All the best,

 

First, welcome from the OC!
Second, I too left an S10 V6. LOVE my truck and still have it, but didn't want to give up the extra kick of the V6 and insisted on an LT2. So far, not disappointed and the gas mileage alone makes not miss my "Indy" too much. Also, I'm 5'1", so the height factor isn't an issue and like someone else said, I don't need a booster seat to see over the dash!

I can't help you more then say I LOVE driving my car--especially here in SoCal, and it was the looks that made me buy it. Of course, the fact it was a Chevy was the other factor...

Good luck choosing! And they look good in ALL the colors! Although we need an SS for the SoCal group...