Hello all.............I have been reading here for a while every since I purchased an 06 LS less than a year ago. I need to know which SS/options would be best to buy and modify for speed/quickness? I don't know if the manual or auto would be the best fit. I also need to know what options are a must and which are not? I can afford the 08 model but I will be pushing the envelope for the 09 and 10's. Is there any major differences in the model years?

Thanks for any and all input by you all.

 

I'm an LS guy myself (09) & don't know much about SS, but wanted to say Welcome anyway.

Mike

 

For the 08, if you're going for the manual, get the LSD. The RPO is:

G85 AXLE LIMITED SLIP, FWD LIMITED SLIP FWD AXLE(G85)

You can see if it is equipped by looking at the silver tag in the glovebox door and finding the RPO code. LSD is something that is difficult to add later.

 

5sp LSD SS with a stage 1 kit would be fastest and still be covered under warranty. I'm sure some of the resident motor heads and SS owners could tell you more.

 

I wish I had this problem...trying to decide which SS I wanted. lol

 

Jess,

The 5spd with LSD/Brembo package combined with the power upgrade is my choice as indicated by Officer1151. Goes good and gets better mileage but you are now committed to premium fuel when you up the power. The power upgrade kit can be added by the dealer (you can install, but require the dealer to download the GM software). The kits may be getting harder to come by since '10 is supposedly the last year for the SS in the HHR model lineup.

The earlier years had a boost pressure gauge on the driver side pillar whereas the '10 model year has a user configurable display mounted on the top center of the dash. It has many display and color configurations that you select from what is available. You can have a digital speed readout that covers you for when you get above 140 (limit on the analog speedo), horsepower/torque, air/fuel ratio, spark advance, cam phaser angle, fuel pressure, water temp, inlet air temp, barometric pressure, system voltage, tire pressure display graphic of all 4 wheels at once, shift tree lights, gear position indicator and a couple of others I might have missed. Also, the premium speakers w/sub-woofer package was standard in the '10 model and optional on earlier years. Hope this helps in your search.

 

Not sure they made an SS i wouldn't like They are adorable little critters. You should pick the one that cries "take me home with you" To you.

Welcome to the forum

 

Welcome and Greetings!! I'm fond of my SS, but its a bit different than the norm here, something about having a Big Block V-8 and a convertible top makes it stand out.

 

Get one of the 216 '09 panel SS, with a 5sp, lsd and Brembos. The RPD was optional as well as performance seats. One other thing to consider is that headroom is diminished with the sunroof.

 

I have the 09 with sunroof, performance package(lsd and brembos) My only concern is that if you like to drag race, the smallest rim you can fit is a 17 and isnt easy to find one that clears. I test drove a 08 with lsd as soon as they came out and blew the trans on the test drive. I don't think I'll ever buy a 1st year car because of the issues ive seen with almost every first year model car that gets worked out as time goes. Good luck with your purchase, there are plenty of people on here selling their SS it seems.