I got a 1 lt but i feel like i could use more performance. I'm just wondering what ss owners drove before they decided. I already drove the gti(awesome,shaky reliability),mini cooper s(small and bad interior),and mazdaspeed3(tricky 6speed man.) but have yet the hhr ss.

 

Before '08 HHR SS, I had '06 Cobalt SS/SC, before that, '04 GTO LS1 6sp. I bought the GTO because it kicked azz. I bought the Cobalt SS because the GTO got lousy gas mileage, and the Cobalt SS also kicked azz. I bought the HHR SS because I wanted more room, and more doors(three kids), and more power. I loved all of these cars, they were exactly what I wanted at the time. The HHR SS , however, is the best combination of, performance, room, gas mileage and features. I didn't really consider anything else,except, maybe, momentarily, the Mazdaspeed3. That's really the only car that's comparable to the HHR SS. But in styling, content and price, there's really no camparison.

 

I was replacing a Sonoma.

Do I looked at Colorado's [just could not get over the cheap looking interior. Solstice Or Sky but I have one two seater already and would have to keep the pick up for winter. G8, nice car but I really was not wanting another sedan. I will replace her car possibly with a G8 in the future. And finally a Camaro but they were not out and would be awhile till they were out and at prices where I could get a deal.

I was never a HHR fan but thought them as being interesting. I hated FWD and claimed I would never own a 4 cylinder. Then I drove an SS and that was it. Several months later I got a killer deal and I am still glad with my choice.

The only failing of my needs with hauler is space. I need about 4 inches more in length to haul my sons Soab Box Derby car. We had not considered running one when I bout the SS and we built a car a few months ago, It will not fit in the back with the axles on as it is just inches too long.

We have not far to drive to I plan on getting the inlaws truck or just strapping my hatch shut. So we will work around it. I may build a support to tip the car on it side to slide if forward more too. That buy me some room too.

 

My HHR SS replaced an HHR 2LT. LOL... I only had the 2LT for 6 months and we were in buying my girl a new car when they had me test drive the SS.

0-percent financing made the SS be lower priced over the life or the loan so I jumped.

 

I wasn't looking for a new vehicle until I saw the HHR SS. It's just one of those "Gotta Have It" things.

I'm selling my '06 Honda Element EX-P. I have enjoyed it very much. It's big inside, holds all my stuff, gets decent fuel mileage, has a good sound system, and is very reliable.

But the HHR SS will be alot more fun on the road, and fun's what it's all about, isn't it?

 

We checked out a Vibe. Unimpressed by car and dealer. Then the evil HHR ad appeared on my yahoo page... The rest is hiSStory.

 

Being a longtime VW guy, I can tell you that you're only sacrificing roominess going from the HHR to the GTI. (Unless you get a 5 door GTI ) VW really does build an outstanding vehicle. I know the early models (MKIII and older) were plagued with electrical problems, inferior interior parts, etc. But, since the MKIV platform VW has really stepped up their game. [/VWfanboirant]

I will agree with you that the Mini Cooper is not worth considering. My wife wanted one REALLY bad so we went hunting a while back. Drove a couple of different ones including the S and was not in the least impressed. For a supercharged motor, the thing was a dog. I understand it's only a 1.6 liter motor, but c'mon the car is "tiny".

I too was considering the MS3 but I don't think it will give me what I'm looking for like an SS would.

 

I had it narrowed down to the Caliber SRT-4, and the SS. I get employee pricing and the incentive was 0% for 72 months at the time, so it was a no-brainer. I am glad I chose the SS anyway because now everytime I see a Cobalt I realize how ugly(jmho) they are.

 

I bought the HHR SS as soon as I seen it. No question. I traded my HHR 2lt in faster than i would have ever imagined. If you get 1,You should consider the stage1 upgrade on the SS. It turns it into a little monster.

 

With gas at $4 and an Expedition and F150 that both get 12 mpg or so, my wife said she wanted something that got better gas mileage - perhaps (the dreaded words that every man hates to hear) a MINI VAN. I panicked to avoid that at all cost and hence the great compromise - the HHR SS.

She's happy and I'm happy, plus with her being happy, I got the added benefit right after that of being able to buy my new Harley.

Life is good.