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Chevy HHR Test Drive - What Did You Think?

39 messages,  Last post on Sep 20, 2008 at 1:42 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet HHR, Car Buying, Wagon


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#4 of 39
Re: First stick test-drive [micweb] by smogdung
Dec 28, 2005 (6:51 pm)
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Replying to: micweb (Dec 28, 2005 2:49 pm)

Anybody test drive a 5 speed 2.4 L yet? That would basically be like a Solstice Stationwagon....I guess???
#5 of 39
Re: First stick test-drive [gogophers1] by allfiredup
Dec 28, 2005 (10:08 pm)
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Replying to: gogophers1 (Dec 27, 2005 11:40 pm)

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 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. =)
#6 of 39
Re: First stick test-drive [allfiredup] by gogophers1
Dec 28, 2005 (10:45 pm)
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Replying to: allfiredup (Dec 28, 2005 10:08 pm)

So you're the guy who bought one!
 
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.
#7 of 39
Re: First stick test-drive [smogdung] by ray80
Dec 29, 2005 (5:14 am)
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Replying to: smogdung (Dec 28, 2005 6:51 pm)

Ours is the 2.4l 5 spd. The Pontiac version of this engine has 5 more ponies then the Chevy version, plus the HHR is about 400lbs heavier so its not quite the same
#8 of 39
Test Drove 2.2 Stick Shift HHR Today by micweb
Nov 16, 2005 (5:04 pm)
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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!).
#9 of 39
Re: Test Drove 2.2 Stick Shift HHR Today [micweb] by jerrywimer
Nov 18, 2005 (4:33 am)
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Replying to: micweb (Nov 16, 2005 5:04 pm)

Why would you buy a Malibu with the 2.2? The 3.5 V6 is smoother, quieter, quite a bit more powerful, and returns essentially the same mileage in normal driving. This is speaking from experience, btw. We recently traded ours off, but not because of any shortcoming in the vehicle. Entirely because with 2 children and lots of group activities involving them, my wife wanted a minivan. While we owned the Malibu I routinely achieved 31+ mpg in 80-90% highway driving, with a low of 25 mpg in heavy city driving. In long all-highway trips I actually managed to hit a high of 34.5 mpg. Not too shabby for a ~3500 lb 200 hp 210 lb.ft torque 6 cylinder..
 
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.
#10 of 39
Re: Test Drove 2.2 Stick Shift HHR Today [jerrywimer] by micweb
Nov 18, 2005 (10:57 am)
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Replying to: jerrywimer (Nov 18, 2005 4:33 am)

Thanks for the great advice! The only LS ("stripper") models with V6's out here are the "fleet" vehicles I have seen on some lots. Otherwise you have to upgrade (this year) to a 2LT I believe to add the V6.
 
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....
#11 of 39
Re: Test Drove 2.2 Stick Shift HHR Today [micweb] by geemac
Nov 19, 2005 (6:02 am)
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Replying to: micweb (Nov 18, 2005 10:57 am)

Where did you find a V6 in an HHR? The biggest engine is the 2.4, which is available in either of the LT models. The LS comes only with the 2.2.
#12 of 39
Re: Test Drove 2.2 Stick Shift HHR Today [jerrywimer] by poncho167
Nov 19, 2005 (7:02 am)
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Replying to: jerrywimer (Nov 18, 2005 4:33 am)

Though the 3.5 L engine gets very good mileage, on the Malibu forum a lot of people achieve upper 30's mpg with the 2.2 L engine. One person has gotten as much as 41 mpg not using his computer reading.
 
I would rather have the 2.2 L engine in the HHR and put the extra money into something else. I wouldn't be drag racing this vehicle, and I have been driving for mileage for over 10-years-now.
#13 of 39
Re: Test Drove 2.2 Stick Shift HHR Today [geemac] by parky129
Nov 20, 2005 (1:35 am)
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Replying to: geemac (Nov 19, 2005 6:02 am)

People are mixing other cars and car models into the HHR site causing confusion. The 2006 HHR is only available with either the 2.2 litre 4 or the 2.4 litre 4 IT IS NOT AVAILABLE WITH A V6. 2.2 4 only in the LS, 2.4 4 available as an option in the 1LT, standard in the 2LT.

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