I've owned my black Z28 new since 3/98 but I want to get something that gets better mileage. I could buy a used Civic or something, but I want to save money on gas AND drive something cool and fun... to me, the HHR fits the bill.

The price of gas alone would justify switching cars if I had a long commute, but I only drive something like 16 miles a day round trip to work and drive very little on weekends. In fact, I only have 60k on the Camaro's clock and that's about 7k miles a year. The Z averages about 12-15 mpg.

If I sell my immaculate loaded M6 Z28, I could get about $9k for a down. I wonder if just the mileage alone would save enough $ to justify the cost of the HHR. The last thing I need is another payment right now (my house is mortgaged to the hilt), but I would be saving money on gas every month. Don't know about the insurance yet... HHR's are safer and not considered "muscle" like the Z, but the cost to replace is more than double.

So how do I support my claim to the wife (and to me too) that selling my gas guzzler makes $ense? Now that gas prices are going back down is not helping the cause here...

 

Well you know gas will go back up so there your back to saving money on gas.
Most people seem to say that ins dropped for them. It is a very safe car, for such a small car it seems to be built like a tank.
Have her check out this forum and read what others think. Good luck and welcome to the site

 

I agree the mileage will help as well as what I would think would be a savings on insurance, mine is quite reasonable...The HHR is a great pick, it handles well, runs out well, has plenty of room and is just a blast to play in !!! If you check the forum you will be able to see what issues that have been seen and what can be done to personalize the HHR...Good Luck in whatever you decide...

 

KEEP THE CAMARO !!! With your situation, why add another bill. I dont think you would save enough to make up the difference , maybe in 20 years , but no more than you drive , i wouldnt do it. plus the camaro with low mileage , should keep a decent value. Dont get me wrong I love my HHR . But in your situation I would not trade at this time. Just my opinion!

 

I thought I recoginized that HHR in MOTRV8D's avatar!
That's me but in yellow!
Good Photo-shop job!

 

I have to agree. Why get into a long term contract when you're ok right now.And since you barely drive the Z28 a tank of gas should last you a decent time. I love my HHR but if I didnt have to get into more financial strain I wouldnt.

 

therein lies the rub. The short commute distance I have kinda nullifies the gas savings.
But thanks for all the info guys and gals!

 

yeah you busted me, that's your ride, but yellow!




if they made a yellow HHR, I'd really be in trouble, that's my fave color for cars.

 

im terrible at math but I think I have it figured out...
If I drive 7000 miles my Camaro (at 15 mpg) uses 467 gallons a year, at an average of $3.00 a gallon (here in SoCal), that's around $1400 a year in gas.
The HHR, at 30 mpg, costs half that or $700 a year.
So I would only be saving $700 a year on gas. I'm going to have to find more savings somewhere before I can justify the cost to the little woman. I think the only way this would work is if my insurance went down but because of the cost of replacement factor, it will go up.
Is my math right?
BTW, I only want to get the 2.4L motor and I have read that it takes premium fuel as well.

 

also bear in mind... the 2.4L gets 30 mpg on the Highway.... most average only 23 - 25 in city driving like I do on the freeways around San Diego.