Exactly!!

 

GM lists 5 pages of upgrades and uptates to the 2.2 (and to a lesser extent the 2.4) for 2007. The horsepower differences are real, not a matter of measurement. Corrected SAE measurements began in 2003. that is why early 2.2s were 145(approximate) and later ones 143(actual). Current ones are 149(actual). Using old measurements GM would say 150 for the 07's
Here are the differences from 06-07:

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu_Cjt....New/07_L61.doc

 

just droppin in with my 2 cents, id get the 2.4 especially if your gonna be on the road on trips.... i also agree on the previous gas statement while it will run on low grade gas it runs soooo much better on mid grade

 

I want an aluminum 540 in mine

 

This whole debate is kinda funny. If you want to go fast, you bought the wrong ride! It's a 4-cyl, front wheel drive, box. 149 hp and 172 hp is still just that, my wifes 4-door family car has 280hp! Like JimDaddyo, you wanna go fast put it on a full frame, add a Ford 9-inch and a powerglide........hell, you won't even need a 540, a small-block will do fine!

 

I actually got my HHR so I don't HAVE to be fast. I've done fast. How fast you want to be is just about how much of your money you're willing to divert towards that pursuit. I saw the following quote regarding a fast daily driver, in someone's sig on some car forum once, and it rings true:

"I'm spending money I don't have, on horsepower I don't need, to impress people I don't know."

 

I got hung up on getting the 2.4. Nice motor BTW.
My first test drive was a 2.4 auto. Wanted it.
Next drove a 2.2 5 spd in the color and price I wanted.
Didn't like the constant shifting and hitting that 4000rpm brick wall.
So this hang up with the 2.4 motor lasted for several weeks and deals were disappearing on my color/options.
Up here the LT's are a lot more $, of wich you get the 2.4, 1 power seat and a few other things like bigger exhaust wich the V-tec needs to breath.
So I finally just bought a 2.2 auto and it is better than the 2.2 5 spd.
Don't have to worry about hitting that wall at 4000rpm, just put it in drive and go.
Today I hit the 1000K mark so I raced a Ranger off the line that was trying to out-accelerate me and blew him away for the first 100 yds easy.
He was pissed and reved his V-6 past me.
Do I wish I had an LT with 2.4, you bet.
Do I regret buying my LS 2.2.......nope.

 

LS - $17,040



2LT - $21135



Beating a Ford off the line - Priceless

 

Or worthless, unless it's a Mustand GT.

 

THAT WOULD BE A GOOD QUESTION TO ASK MIKE, MAYBE HE KNOWS, IM SURE I HAVE SEEN THAT SPEEDOMETER WELL OVER 100 MPH?