Sorry about the damaged HHR and glad nobody was in it at the time.... (hopefully nobody was in it). As others have mentioned, I wouldn't have a dealer bodyshop do this. A quality independent shop that has experience with big jobs and will give you references to check out would be the way to go.

I know it's not in the plans, but if it were mine I'd chop it...... I mean, roof needs replaced and all.

 

the ford place estimated at $3000 to fix. the ins adjuster is going to see it tomorrow. doesnt seem that it will be totaled and i dont want it to be. i bought it new for 5-6G off the sticker right after economy tanked with 3k gm points. as long as it looks good and doesnt make terrible noises im fine with it, i dont plan on rolling it. its tough deciding where to bring it, its hard to find a body shop not on the insurance list(state farm). at least the roof has nothing to do with how it drives really, im still driving it around but it whistles on the highway haha i actually hit 100+ with the damage going from raleigh to charlotte this weekend, another HHR was playing with me...really adore my HHR!

i was in the house at the time of the tornado, this branch literally got ripped off a tree and flew through the air to hit my hhr. 10 foot hole in the roof, shed has 3 trees on it. house in the hood blew off its founation and collapsed, it was wild, lots of destruction. search "raleigh tornado cardinal" on youtube

 

Um, it's just the roof...

 

remove the head liner and put a jack in the right spot it should just pop right out then just install a new windshield and your good to go.

 

WERE you in the car when it was hit? Was it hit by debris or a falling tree? hey, if someone's house fell on it, I wonder if their homeowners policy would cover it? I'm from Oklahoma and have seen my share of these, but never thought about the insurance implications.

 

Checked my collision database. Surprised to find a new roof panel is only $470 or so. Also looks like it will need a couple of roof crossmembers. Those may not be on the estimate.

Also, adding a moonroof, you would end up complicating the whole repair job significantly. Only feasable way to do that would be to install a used roof panel, with everything already on it. Welding up a new roof panel is hard enough, but dealing with a used one with drilled out spot welds, etc. is a lot of work. Then you have to wire it up, deal with installing a different headliner, etc. I think you would be better off just selling it and buying a different HHR with a moonroof already in it. - It's not a piece of cake.

 

Or you could just install an aftermarket one... But I mean Ziebart type places can install electric roofs, I wouldn't think it would be that hard...

Hey, you should look at making it a convertible!!!!

 

Very few aftermarket sunroofs are of any quality, but there are a few who the top custom shops use:
http://inalfaroofsystems.com/

 

Having owned a 'chopped ride' long ago. I see no big safety issue putting a new roof on this hhr...

Again to the OP, bummer about all your damage.. Crazy weather.

 

after close to 4 weeks its finally fixed, just got it back and it looks better than it did before, will be listening for noises but so far so good!
got it fixed at a GMC/Cadillac dealer