HHR What's the word?

Wife likes one locally, 2011 auto red with black trim and rims, sharp looking, but are they any good?

Personally, I would pass. No visibility, trans is good, but has hit or miss problems, Ecotecs like to eat timing chains, it is a grown up Cobalt like the PT is a grown up Neon, and they feel small and cramped to me.

Electrical gremlins out the azz.....I'd pass

if you don't mind the styling and the price is really right, i guess.

At 6'4" tall I had major issues seeing out the windshield - expect to barely see if you are the first at every stop light. It also forced me to hunch over and look under the rear view mirror when taking right hand turns. For me visibility was a joke.

+1 on the visibility. I had one as a rental and had to return it because i did not feel safe driving it with all of those blind spots. Amazing that Ralph Nader didn't jump on that thing.

pinchvalve wrote: +1 on the visibility. I had one as a rental and had to return it because i did not feel safe driving it with all of those blind spots. Amazing that Ralph Nader didn't jump on that thing.

I never complain about this kind of thing, but same deal. Had one as a rental and hated driving it. Couldn't see a thing.

+3 on the rental thing. Better visibility in a submarine.

I want an SS panel....they are super rare.

Visibility is overrated lol...try driving some exotics. Hell the bettle in my avatar has pretty poor visibility...scratch that...really poor AND no side mirrors. It's a deathtrap but I still love it.

In reply to Cotton:

Not super rare.......although there is a one of one floating around in central indiana.

In reply to yamaha:

I'm specifically talking about SS panels. How is slightly over 200 ever made not "super rare"?

Hell, I must know where 5% of those are just off the top of my head........Are you positive that isn't per year. If not, they must have sold at least half in indiana alone.

Also, the one of one is a panel SS, 290/290 factory upboost, and seems to be the only one to get a 6sp manual instead of the auto or 5sp......its periwinkle blue btw

In reply to yamaha:

I thought it was for all years combined....kind of blew me away too. I'll do some more digging to make sure because I read this awhile back.

Ranger50 wrote: Ecotecs like to eat timing chains

Really?

I've only ever heard that from you. Never heard or seen a single one

In reply to Zomby Woof:

yeah I've never heard that either.

For me too, my experience was as a rental car. At 6'1" and a 32" inseam, I had the drivers seat back pretty far. Far enough that the B-pillar was very intrusive as my shoulder rested against the B-pillar the entire time.

As for timing chains, I read recently that for '04, the Ecotec got different (better) oil squiters for the chain which improved longevity of the chain.

To cite a source, the googles quickly brought me to these.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184795
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112711

yamaha wrote: Hell, I must know where 5% of those are just off the top of my head........Are you positive that isn't per year. If not, they must have sold at least half in indiana alone. Also, the one of one is a panel SS, 290/290 factory upboost, and seems to be the only one to get a 6sp manual instead of the auto or 5sp......its periwinkle blue btw

Okay these guys are saying 216 total SS panels and only 9 in the blue you are talking about.....wow. Wonder where the guy came across that one with the 6 speed? Sounds pretty cool.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=38661

In reply to JohnRW1621:

I googled it to, and it seems that it was a first year thing in 2002.

Zomby Woof wrote:

Ranger50 wrote: Ecotecs like to eat timing chains

Really? I've only ever heard that from you. Never heard or seen a single one

I'll be his proof as the owner of an LE5 equipped Delta. It goes tick, but I got it for 6k so...

Rockauto does sell the timing chain kits, as will your local GM dealership.

Edit: Mine's an '06, for reference.

In reply to Zomby Woof:

It isn't a literal "eat" but the chain gets so much slack in it, the adjusters can't keep it tight, then it snaps. Enter big repair bill.

It is a stupid cheaply made chain too.

Zomby Woof wrote: In reply to JohnRW1621: I googled it to, and it seems that it was a first year thing in 2002.

In my post a Saturn Service Bulletin is refferenced and it says '00 - '03

Bulletin said: Info - Timing Chain Design Change and Revised Service Procedures #03-06-01-017 - (Jun 9, 2003) Service Information -- Timing Chain Design Change and Revised Service Procedures 2000-2003 Saturn L-Series with 2.2L Engine (VIN F -- RPO L61) 2002-2003 Saturn VUE with 2.2L Engine (VIN D -- RPO L61) 2003 Saturn ION Vehicles General Manager, Fixed Operations Manager, Technician Purpose The purpose of this bulletin is to communicate updated service procedures to the timing chain and timing chain oiling nozzle due to design changes that have been made to both components. All timing chain kits now available in service will include the oiler nozzle. This new nozzle has higher flow rate characteristics that will increase oil flow to the timing chain under low RPM operating conditions. Whenever replacing a timing chain, it is important to replace the oiler nozzle. Prior edition Service Manuals for the above listed vehicles refer to the timing chain index links being colored "silver" and "copper." With the implementation of the newer design chain and oiler assembly, the index link colors have changed. In order to avoid confusion, the service procedure text has been modified to refer to the index links as two common colored and one unique colored link. Please use the procedure in this bulletin to replace all previously issued Service Manuals.

More googling shows that the HHR was offered from '06 to '11 so there should be no chain issues with a HHR since this was corrected by '04.

Zomby Woof wrote:

Ranger50 wrote: Ecotecs like to eat timing chains

Really? I've only ever heard that from you. Never heard or seen a single one

knew the early ones did. thought there was an effective revision ~2005.

man i type slow

In reply to Cotton:

It was ordered by an retired gm plant manager......I presume that means copo isn't dead

Considering coming from Ions of the redline variety, I'm not surprised by low production numbers from vehicles that were never advertised.