I used to be a 1/2 ton Suburban guy. New one every year for many years.
Later I realized I had reached a point where I did not need the bigger rig anymore,

WALLA !!!....... A mini Suburban that's Lots Of Fun to Drive and does not suck the fuel .
Only downside for me is it has restricted my towing but I am about done with that issue now.
Overall ... I love the Ergonomics and how easy to use most things. It takes a few add on's to make it better then stock.
I love the 2.4L and auto. It idles so smooth and runs quiet. I have always used just Regular gas and no detonation at all.
Excellent mileage as well.
Best little vehicle I have ever owned, barring a few design issues.
I wish they would look at all the issues and bring it back the same but improved.
The HHR guys could give GM a lot of ideas how to improve it.
With gas approaching $4 a gallon it should still be a winner.
Maybe even an E.V. version somewhere ahead.

Silverfox

 

I’ve reached out to Mary Barra, GM didn’t want to go backwards again, the SSR, Camaro and HHR where enough, that was in 2018, maybe she’ll reconsider.

 

I wonder If She has any idea how many owners love them and love to drive them.
With time and mileage taking out a large number of remaining units I think many past and present owners would be interested in updating especially if they were improved.
That would give a good size demand to start with.
Then there is the Rental Fleet that bought tons of them and probably would again.
I know I would sure be interested ....if it were done right. and they would not have so many problems to fix.

Gm has made many poor decisions over the years.
They stopped production of the Astro Van right at the time we were having a gas price issue.
They had a large commercial use as well without a decent comparable replacement at that time.
SUV's don't solve many problems compared to the Astro.
I owned 3 of them all brand new,

Silverfox

 

Up here they offered the Orlando as a replacement for the HHR, I’ve never seen one hot rodded or modified and they only sold them one year 2012, however it was sold worldwide 2011 thru 2015, the the nameplate was sold in China in 2018. Based on the Delta II platform.

Maybe if we petition the resurrection of the HHR, a little wider to accommodate a 4’ wide sheet of plywood or drywall, the 1.5 Turbo and 9 speed automatic, peppy and fuel efficiency, these little Amazon delivery vans will be toast soon, so a panel version will be a prerequisite. And do something about the plastic headlights, maybe a tail light flip open to hide the fuel filler port?

 

You think your Suburbans were gas guzzlers?

I have two Suburbans, 2002 and 2005, that are 3/4 ton, 4WD, with the 8.1L engine! They are used to tow a large travel trailer.

Just before the HHR went on sale, I saw one in the parking lot at our old work location. One of the buildings housed a car test facility for automotive HVAC systems that was doing testing for Delphi (the old Harrison Radiator) which is near me. The HHR was Sunburst Orange Metallic. As soon as I saw it, I knew that was my next car. I bought one shortly after it went on sale (yes, in orange).

15 years after I saw the orange HHR, I still love them.

Now we have three black HHR SSs.

The HHR is inexpensive to buy, inexpensive to maintain (even a scrapyard engine can be had for around $500) and is a great utility vehicle. Engines routinely last 250-300K miles with some preventative maintenance.

Anyone notice how the newer generations of SUVs all seem to look alike? The HHR still looks unique.

Also, thanks are due to Chrysler for making the PT Cruiser first. I don't think GM would have made the HHR if there was no PT Cruiser.

Would be nice to have the GM of old (50s, 60s, even 70s) who would take chances on styling and "oddball" cars. Now it seems they just look to see what's already popular from another manufacturer and then copies it, usually arriving a little late to the game.

Steve

 

It seemed like you were going to say that Suburbans are not gas guzzlers?

 

I was trying to say that 1/2 ton Suburbans aren't as bad gas guzzlers as big-block 3/4 tons are!

Of course, compared to HHRs, all Suburbans use a lot of fuel.

Steve

 

At today’s fuel prices, I’d rather fill up my HHR around 55 litres, then my C1500 with 130 litres. Here fuel is at $1.30 a litre.

 

Closed today from GSA auction in Washington State

Chevrolet, HHR, 2010, 2.2 liter, 4 cyl, flex fuel 26,500 miles
no frills basic LS

Bidder 7 takes it home for $8,025

That's good money.

Why HHR? They're functional fun.
A well appointed one is what I'm hunting for that price (less)

 

Right on Steve.....Your post #27

SF