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Chevy HHR: anyone drive/buy one?

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by Jack 06, Feb 10, 2006.

  1. Jack 06

    Jack 06 New Member

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    Recognizing up front that the HHR belongs in the PT Cruiser genre---to me it's a downsized panel truck with windows---I nevertheless kinda like it. The faux chrome grille does look a little cheesy, like a bolt-on accessory, but still...

    I looked at one close-up at a dealer. It's in the Corolla price range, although you can add $10K worth of stuff and kick it up into the Prius price range. The interior looks OK. But what stands out, to me, is the 30 MPG highway rating (with a 2.4L
    4-banger). What cars is the HHR competing with, MPG-wise, while it tries to create a niche for itself? Why is the engine 2.4 instead of, say, 1.7? Performance over economy again?

    Is is just another Cavalier-platform "lower-end" vehicle with nothing going for it but a retro look? Did GM choose to "compete", in this case, only with the PT?
     
    #1 Jack 06, Feb 10, 2006
  2. San_Carlos_Jeff

    San_Carlos_Jeff Active Member

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    I also like the looks if it. Seems like a very practical car. Starting to see a fair number of them around.
     
    #2 San_Carlos_Jeff, Feb 10, 2006
  3. Jonnycat26

    Jonnycat26 New Member

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    If it's a truck, it's quite possible that people may use it to, ya know, move stuff. So a 1.7 that offers 30 or 40 less horsepower is just going to irritate people.

    Compared to the Matrix, the only one that delivers comprable HP to the 2.4 is the XRS, which gets 25/32 from 1.8L. So the HHR has a bigger engine which delievers roughly the same milage and a bit more power (and a lot more torque).
     
    #3 Jonnycat26, Feb 10, 2006
  4. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    I like the looks of the HHR. I like the funky color, kind of orange, I think. Does it have amber turn signals? That's a must-have on all cars for me.

    Nate
     
    #4 naterprius, Feb 10, 2006
  5. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    Crap, it looks like it's the old-style "brake light consumption" type rear lighting. I refuse to drive a car with lights like this after I got hit in my 85 Ranger during a lane change (the other driver coudn't see the turn signal). GM's old SUV's used to have a nice, amber turn signal. It looks like their new ones do not, I hope they haven't gone back to "brake light consumption" again.

    Nate
     
    #5 naterprius, Feb 10, 2006
  6. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    i think it's ugly as sin. fascinatingly ugly. like a train wreck you can't take your eyes off.

    yuck.

    i wouldn't drive it if chevy paid me to.
     
    #6 galaxee, Feb 10, 2006
  7. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Dammit, G. I love you more and more every day. :wub:

    Can't stand 'em. From the first one I ever saw live I just don't like 'em. Can't even say that I can rationalize it. But like Jack said, it's like the PT Loser and I can't stand those either.
     
    #7 TonyPSchaefer, Feb 10, 2006
  8. The Old Man

    The Old Man New Member

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    You're funny! That's what some say about our Prii, unfortunately.

    I think it's an interesting vehicle. For a utility vehicle, I think it looks quite smart. You're, of course, entitled to an opinion. I, nonetheless, enjoyed your opinion!
     
    #8 The Old Man, Feb 10, 2006
  9. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    ^_^
    i'm loved, and i'm funny!
    and someone, yes more than one person even, agrees with me!
    yes! today was a good day after all.
    i needed that.
    :wub:
     
    #9 galaxee, Feb 10, 2006
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