Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Wagons Chevrolet HHR Chevy HHR Test Drive - What Did You Think?
39 messages, Last post on Sep 20, 2008 at 1:42 PM
You are in the Chevrolet HHR Forum. Your Host is kcram
| Have you taken an HHR out for a spin? Well this is the place to let us know what you thought of the experience. | |
|
|
|
I was finally able to test drive an HHR stick the other day at a dealership in a Minneapolis suburb. I have been waiting quite some time to do this (I drove a couple of 2.2L autos last Sept.), but no manuals have been available up here until very recently. Before the test-drive I was pretty sure an HHR 2.2L stick would be the perfect replacement for my current vehicle, but after, I'm not so sure. My main concern is with the notchiness in the test car's linkage - particularly going into 1st and 2nd gears. The clutch was pretty much perfect - light; not too much travel and smooth engagement. But those neutral-1st and 1st-2nd shifts were very, very balky. I do a lot of driving in heavy city traffic and that spells trouble. I'd love it if some HHR stick owners could chime in on this. Did I get a bad sample or is this pretty much par for the course? Perhaps it's something I could get used to, but I said the same thing about a certain Isuzu Stylus about 12 years ago. I bought it despite the linkage, never got used to it (in fact, I tired of it quickly) and was relieved when we (the car and I) parted ways. |
|
|
Replying to: gogophers1 (Dec 27, 2005 11:40 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: micweb (Dec 28, 2005 2:49 pm)
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: gogophers1 (Dec 27, 2005 11:40 pm) I noticed the same thing in my test drive of a 2.2/manual. It was very balky and notchy. It felt very similar to a friend's Saturn Ion 5-speed. Perhaps years of driving Honda and Mazda manuals has spoiled me. Some may not be bothered by this, but sounds like you were as was I. I'd suggest trying another one just to make sure. Perhaps it's something I could get used to, but I said the same thing about a certain Isuzu Stylus about 12 years ago. So you're the guy who bought one! I think they sold maybe four or five of them. =)
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: allfiredup (Dec 28, 2005 10:08 pm) Indeed. In fact, for the time I spent living up in the Fargo/Moorhead "metropolitan area" back in 1994, I never saw another one. And other than that d*** unpleasant stick, I loved the car (great "handling by Lotus" suspension and razor sharp steering). I think you might have hit the nail on the head when you mentioned your being "spoiled" by certain sticks. For whatever reason, the feel of many domestic manuals leaves me cold. It's like the manufacturer is going out of its way to even offer it, so you'll take what they give you or you'll shop over at the import stores. Mazda's are ok by me as are Honda's, but the I prefer the feel of VW's and Hyundai's manuals. It's odd. But it's a personal thing and the difference in feel between two manuals can be - and often is - night and day. That's why I have never and will never order a manual-equipped model of which I've only test-driven the slushbox version. I've never driven a "nightmare" automatic (they all seem about the same to me: you shift the car from park to drive and then to park again). I have driven nightmare sticks though. |
|
|
Replying to: smogdung (Dec 28, 2005 6:51 pm) 
|
|
|
A bit of a slug, in the acceleration department (well, what do I expect - 2.2 liters in 3100 pounds, vs. 2.0 in my stick shift Focus ZX3 weighing about 2600 pounds - even a stick shift can't make up for that). Handled much better than the automatic I drove a few weeks ago (why? probably a difference in subjective impressions - the automatic test drive was mostly straightline, the stick shift test drive today had some curves, and once the car hunkered down it gripped well). Nice interior. I can see why it is popular, but I am migrating more towards a Malibu with the 2.2 (even more of a slug, but not unexpected!). |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: micweb (Nov 16, 2005 5:04 pm) Oh, and btw, you don't have to get all the other extras (I consider 'em goodies, but I understand lots of people don't care to pay for the frills). The 3500 is available in base model sedans. In fact, a coworker bought one that was practically a stripper except for the 6 cylinder about 3 months ago. |
|
|
Replying to: jerrywimer (Nov 18, 2005 4:33 am) This is so that people who now want the 4 can upgrade it from an LS to a 1LT and still keep the 4. I kind of like 4's too...call me crazy, it dates back to Fiat 128 days when a DOHC engine was really cool....
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Wagons Chevrolet HHR Chevy HHR Test Drive - What Did You Think?
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Chevrolet HHR
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
