What is so bad about the Chevy Hhr??

Posted by jfpcinfo@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 26 comments

Everyone and their mother has told me not to buy a used Chevy HHR. Sadly no one can actually supply a logical reason. I get that some people don't like the look, but all I hear is, "my friend only had problems with that car!" What problems? "Idk, it kept breaking down." How so? "Idk..." Or, "You see them all the time on the side of the road!" Where?! I've never seen one on the side of the road!!

From what I understand it was kind of like a parts bin car. Chevy canyon frame? Chevy cobalt motor? Cheaper interiors... Not much space. Underpowered? I've test driven a couple and it seems to have plenty of power and nothing obviously bothered me.

All I need is a little car with a little motor with a little more space...

I'm looking at a couple on CraigsList and some used car dealers... 2008-2011 Anywhere from $3000 to $4500. From 90k miles to 150k miles.

Can anyone give me any good reason not to buy one?

Thank you for any input!

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

No one will respect you if you drive an HHR.

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jfpcinfo@reddit (OP)

Luckily I'm not one to care to much whether someone respects me or not depending on my choices... Or for what I drive...

How is there meaning in the life of those who have to get this or that thing because everyone else thinks it's cool? Does someone putting you down for what you have actually bother you?

Materialistic things come and go, how you treat other people, regardless of what they have attained, is a much better way of discerning the value of a person.

The only question I really want answered about this car is whether it is likely to be reliable or not based on other people's opinions.

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

Gm cars from the early 2000's are less reliable than any Japanese car from the mid 80's. There. Question answered. If you want a car that gets shit gas mileage, has a creaky plastic interior, drives like a slug, and looks like it was designed by housewives in thier mid 40's, then yeah, pull the trigger on that HHR.

Edit:Typical GM ignitions

Edit 2: bad brakes and numerous build quality issues

Edit 3: if you don't care what people think of your car, then you might as well drive one that is cheap, reliable, and gets good gas mileage. Pass on the HHR and get a Civic. Millions upon millions of civics were made(and continue to be made), compared to less than 500k in HHRs

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Acceptable_Maximum60@reddit

Driving in your sleep⁉️

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Acceptable_Maximum60@reddit

Who cares

TieBeautiful3702@reddit

Please help! I'm looking for a clutch kit for a 2011 Chevy Hhr Lt! Anybody know anything about them?

DueCalendar4798@reddit

I have a Chevy HHR and I hate it! It has no power, the driver door handle always gives me problems, even after replacing it because it broke. Front passenger door and rear driver side door don't unlock. I have talked to other owners and they say the exact same thing. That's just a few problems.

SAME SAME SAME exact problems!!!!!

Conscious-Dane@reddit

The door handles SUCK! I’m replacing one now- and it’s so dumb

Not me. China closet people write HERE.

ottrocity@reddit

Visibility sucks.

Driving feel sucks.

Interior sucks.

Exterior sucks.

Shitty car build from leftovers they had laying around.

I agree about the visibility! It’s not easy to get a look all the angles and the windshield is SMALL

Othe that that I’d say it drives okay-

Interior is fine

Exterior is really cheesey-but now that I drive one, I think it looks just like all those little Kia’s and Scion hatchbacks

What the heck privileged planet do you live on⁉️

Extra_Ad1761@reddit

Take that back

Ordinary-Heron-2261@reddit

.I have a 2010 below 100,000. My problem headlights constantly being replaced stopped by the law numerous times.The braking system is bad and blind spots are horrible. The perfect size you can actually live in it. But I don't suggest for anyone to buy it....sorry. why does it have 2 batteries?!!!

buba426@reddit

i own and drive an hhr. i can point out a few things. although its reliable as hell ( including preventative maintenance: oil, tires, blah blah ), it is incredibly underpowered. it screams in pain if i try to push it too hard and does not like to go above 80 mph. second, the steering, while fun, feels a little loose to me. finally, it just feels cheap. im saving up to replace it with a faster car eventually. NOTHING beats screaming down the street at night with an engine so loud it wakes the dead ( except the fact you have to watch out for the police and their ticketbooks of DEATH)

Some humans are also CHEAP

I have a 2009. Starts and goes every time I try. Low maintenance, huge storage. -air still works. WHO THE HECK TOLD YOU THAT. Hhr is Chevys best kept secret. It's nostalgic looks kept it from selling but it's a plumb of a car.

The_Burt@reddit

Nothing is all that bad about an HHR. The rep it's got is because nothing is all that great about it either. It's just a Cavalier dressed up as a PT Cruiser. It is however reliable and economical and roomy. But its also one of the multitude of mundane, boring, unexceptional cars to come along in recent history.

So really it comes down to who you ask. The HHR driver and the "CarGuy" will give you different answers, both biased. Suffice it to say it's a decent enough "Appliance" but it's not a car enthusiasts first choice.

trickmj@reddit

I love mine. 2008 with about 89500

Putting less than half the average miles annually might have something to do with it.

Appropriate-Meet1379@reddit

I put about 90,000 mi on one in about 2 years. No issues what so ever

I did a lot of IT work driving one of these and I miss it. It was really great!

OrdinaryLatter3792@reddit

Honestly I like the hhr it's a good car never broke down on me just keep up the maintenance

WesternWaGal92@reddit

I just purchased an 08 HHR and I adore it. I've owned A Saturn Sl1, Honda Accord, Cadillac Cetera, Ford explorer and Ford Escape as well as a Lincoln Town Car. The HHR has by far been my favorite. Great on gas. Easy to handle. Looks cute and very spacious. Seats are comfortable as well.

TBFCrypto@reddit

I recently managed to snag a 2011 with 74,500 miles for less than $6k. Had it for 6 months and it drives fantastic. That said, I drive mostly highway to/from work and routinely go 90mph and it's fun. Granted, the 90mph is for about 10 minutes, no cross country stuff. That said, keep good tires on it, maintain it, it will get you from point a to b with no hassle. It's a fun little car. Given that my other vehicle is a Ford E350XL, this car feels like a toy in comparison. LoL