A big Texas Maggie, the only thing I might add and being the owner of a 2007 LS with a 2.2 the long term advantage of having the 2.4 might be engine life and maintenance cost, the 2.4 wouldn't have to work as hard giving it a slight advantage. As far as fuel goes you are at the mercy of the company that sales the fuel. Most people think there are four fuel tanks under the ground each one containing one type of fuel, one tank for the three grades of gas and the forth being diesel. The truth is there are only two tanks, one gas one diesel, the octane is added in the pump head, I don't know about you but I don't trust that most places pay close enough attention to making sure this is always being calibrated and maintained jmo!

Curtis & Deb

 

I drove both the 2.2L and the 2.4L before I bought Smoke. The 2.4 was an automatic and it was fine...but it wasn't what I wanted. I had my heart set on a 5 speed and Sunburst Orange. Daytona Blue was my 2nd choice as far as color goes...but it had to be a 5 speed. Out of all the HHR's I looked at the day I bought mine...and I went to 4 dealerships that day...only Smoke had a 5 speed...and it had a 2.2L engine. I didn't really feel enough of a difference between the two motors to justify continuining my search for a 2.4 Sunburst Orange 5 speed, so I went with the 2.2L and am very pleased.

With a few minor mods (CGS, IMCO muffler and Bosch +4 plugs),Smoke has much more power according to my butt dyno. Plus...I didn't even worry about the muffler tip. We had one to bolt on to it when I got home and I eventually looked and purchased a nice stainless steel aftermarket tip that I had welded on to the IMCO anyway.

It's all really a matter of what your budget will allow you to spend too. To me...the small amount of added power just didn't seem to be worth it for the extra $1000 extra or whatever it is. JMHO

 

All the information has helped - just got home from the dealership and they're working out the dealer trade. If the holiday wasn't in the way I'd have her by Wednesday! But I'm an Air Force Mom and I can wait!!! Even tho it's going to be darned hard! Thanks everybody!!!

 

So what did you decide?!?

 

2.4 without a doubt. The extra power is welcome. I drove both and there is a noticable difference IMHO.

 

Hah! Oops! Guess that would've been nice, right? 2.4L AUTOMATIC, SUNBURST ORANGE METALLIC (of course) BLACK INTERIOR, all the standards plus XM SATELLITE RADIO, FOG LAMPS, RUNNING BOARDS, CUSTOM SPLASH GUARDS, SUNROOF, and POLISHED ALUMINUM WHEELS..... Whew!!! I'm soooo excited!!

 

Let me know when you get it. Maybe we can do a Meet halfway (Like Marshall) and get some group photos

 

Ok, sounds like a plan!

 

Hi! Out here in California I appreciate the 2.4 for getting on the freeways. We do put premium in Zippy but it's not that much more for the added Zip. Good luck with your purchase, I'm sure you'll love your bowtie too!

 

Another G2G?!?!
Maybe a few of us Michiganders could join up!