Florida Members - Anyone with time in a HHR?

I am in the market to replace my 2004 Avalanche. I have been looking at 2002-2006 Honda CRVs. I like the size and mpg. The only thing that worries me is the a/c compressors tend to blow up and destroy the whole a/c system. I started looking at the HHR. I always liked those and they are a lot cheaper with less miles and i can get a newer model year than the CRVs. I want an 09 and up because they come standard with side curtain airbags. This is going to be mainly for my wife to drive the 2 kids around.(both under 3 years). According to consumer reports on edmunds, they get pretty decent mpg and not many complaints as far as quality and reliablity. Just wondering if anyone out there had any experience with one or owns one and can give me some insight to them. The only thing is they seem kind of cramped in the interior.

98z28bitcha has an really nice ss, should ask him about his.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/florida-members/1515892-ss-hhr-lashway-motorsports.html

I wasnt crazy about them at first but have since warmed up to them alot

i've seen his. It's a sweet ride. I wouldn't mind a SS model, but they are out of my price range. They make about 260hp stock and I read there is a factory option to make them over 300hp! I wish I could get one of those, but I am going to have to get the 2.2 or 2.4. I'll shoot him a pm.

Underpowered IMO. I had a rental when Chevy was rebuilding my Av's tranny. Otherwise it wasn't horrible. SS would prob be ok...

Just my 2 cents everyone of them hhr s are rattle/clunking/noisy cars I have ever worked on at the dealership. Would never ever recommend them to anyone.

From front struts, upper strut bearing, sway bar bushing, cheap over head lighting, continous convertor failure, it is not worth your time or money. Hopes that helps

I figured the interiors would be cheap. Well that sucks. I guess I will stick with the Honda. I cant find a suv that gets the same mpg as the CRV. Is there a suv that you do recommend?

Gmc envoy with a 5.3, is a nice suv. But they also have been having issues lately with oil ring control. 4200 in line motors had a head issue a long time ago, which I have not seen many in the ealership since then.

Thought of the h3 with a 5.3 or inline 3.5?

Stay away from the cross over shit the Acadia/enclave/outlooks bigger turdsbthen the hrr.

I like the trailblazer/envoy/rianier, but the mpg is only slightly better than my Avalanche was. I want to get some with decent milege and room. I looked at the equinox/vue/torrent, but I read form numerous websites that they are poorly built as well. I know some one with a 05 equinox and he said he only averages 15mpg with the v6. I looked into the Santa Fes, but consumer reviews were saying that they don't even get close to the advertised mpg.

HHR ends up with all small annoying GM econo car issues.. Honda's are worth the money, my wife has a new GMC Terrain, the 4cyl one and its ok on gas, not super impressive but way more useful and roomy than our civic. altough im sure our civic would outlast it.. drive them, more than just around the block. a good dealer will let you drive for a few hours or maybe the day. that will give a better impression of them.

My brother just got a terrain a couple of months ago. He likes it alot. I also have a civic(03, bought it new)but putting two kids in it sucks. I'd like a terrain but my wife doesn't want a car payment abd doesn't want to spend more than 10k...so I am limited to what I can get.

RsSean, hove you seen the Terrains in the shop much and if so what for. Wanna give my brother a heads up on what to expect.

Just my 2 cents everyone of them hhr s are rattle/clunking/noisy cars I have ever worked on at the dealership. Would never ever recommend them to anyone.

From front struts, upper strut bearing, sway bar bushing, cheap over head lighting, continous convertor failure, it is not worth your time or money. Hopes that helps



He's an idiot. In the scope of what you're looking for, they're fine- If you can ignore the appearance.