You guys I trust. The mob in the lounge, on the other hand, might just get me into enough of a flame war that Debler finally ups and bans me - as he has probably wished to do a couple of times... but that's not the subject at hand... besides, Debler has pity on my wife for marrying me in the first place, and the vehicle is for her, so I'll throw her on his tender mercies and ask for his indulgence.

The beloved Aztek now has 110,000 miles on it, and it is well nigh approaching time to part company with it.

Anyway... I posted it here because you clowns are my family around here, and you might have an indication as to the content of the 2007 vehicles.

Wifey will need a new vehicle sometime soon (probably by the end of the year), and we're sorta thinking HHR.

Why?

Well, we've got toys (Busa, Sportster, Nova, Camaro, etc...), and are looking for an appliance now with reasonable fuel economy, some space, room for 5, and maybe a little more character than a Malibu (wifey hates Malibus... don't know why... but I know where my bread is buttered so I shut up about about it...) or Cobalt (too small) for a good price.

The MSRP on a loaded 2006 HHR is right around $22,500.

The other choice was an Impala. With the toys needed (leather is a MUST) we're looking at an MSRP of $26,000 for a 3LT with a good stereo, or $27,000 for an LTZ with the same stuff.

Yes, $4000-$5000 can easily sway this decision. Like I said, we have toys, what we need now is an appliance... like the mighty Crapalier I drive to work most days.



Now, if either car comes with a 5spd automatic in 2007, I'll wait until then to buy. Are there any indications of such a thing happening?

Will the HHR have available heated seats in 2007? I'd wait for those too...

***EDIT: Apparently heated leather is available for 2006 and I missed it in the "Build Your Own" section. My apologies.***

So, dealer types or Mr. Fbodfather, please help me with some intel here. Available content will make the decision for me as to when to buy.




BTW... anybody suggests a non-GM product and I'll poke you in the eyes, 3 Stooges style.

I LIVE IN DETROIT. WE MAKE CARS HERE, AND GM IS MY LARGEST CUSTOMER. OH YEAH, AND MY DAD IS A RETIREE. So, if cutting my own throat were on the agenda, I'd consider some Asian rattle-trap, but for now I'm gonna have to pass, Benedict Arnold.





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HHR's are nice. thats all i can add sorry.

 

I have nothing of any real value to add to your thread either,

But I saw an HHR in Sunburst Orange II Metallic and you should defiantly get yours in this color…..very sexy

Oh just to throw an idea out there…..what about an Equinox or the new Saturn Outlook?

 

HHR is probably the only sub-$25k vehicle I'd have an interest in... And I like it regardless of it's great price.

I think it's a pretty cool vehicle.

I like the new Impala as well, and will consider an SS myself this summer/fall.... but I don't know that It'd be fun enough to drive without the SS trim (and it's higher pricetag)

HHR would make a cool daily driver. Good gas milage, cool looks, good functionality, a great price.

I think HHR is a GREAT choice.

 

My wife likes the Equinox, but I'm not a fan of the current Engine...

The HHR's are also real nice... The only real problem is my brother who is 6'4" had a problem feeling 'very' cramped getting into the cockpit. I haven't sat in one (I'm 6'1"), but I have sat in the Equinox with no problems.

I'd say go for it short of making sure you'll be comfortable driving it. It's a nice little SUV... errr car... errr yeah

 

You are a lucky man PX. Why do I say this? Because, I fully understand the dynamics of buying a spouse a car. Yours already accepts the HHR...which is a relatively cool...........AND.........affordable unit.

I bought my wife a Hemi Durango. But it was a circuitous and stressful route, because what she really wanted was a Lexus or Acura.

You my friend, are in a good place.

 

The HHR is a cool little vehicle. I was close to buying one of those and using the money I'd save over the GTO to get the Camaro running, again. The orange color is sharp. I also really liked the gauges.

 

must.get.black.

 

My wife and I just picked one up several weeks ago and we both love it. It's a 1LT with the 2.4L/auto. I don't think that the 4-speed auto is too bad in it. There is lots of room , it's comfortable for a several hour drive (that's the longest trip so far) and is gets about 23 mpg around town. We call it "The Hearse."

 

Positively NO black.

Have a black Camaro SS. Having lived through the nightmare that is black, there will never be another black car in my driveway.

They are the most beautiful things on the road when clean... and they stay that way for something less than 5 minutes, and show every swirl in the paint or water spot like a neon sign.

Silver is basically zero maintenance. Wash it, dry it, throw some wax on it every once in a while - cake.

 

Well, I completely agree that silver is the ultimate "stay clean" color... but from my experience with selling Pontiacs at the end of the 4th gen's life, I can tell you that if you like the orange, get it! It stays pretty clean itself.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and to get back to the original question... the Impala is a great car, but for the price difference I'd definately pick the HHR (unless of course you decide to go SS).

 

I vote PontiacTorrent. V6 power, better looks in and out than its Equinox sibling, already has a 5 speed auto, great flexibility with those sliding rear seats, and lists for @25k with leather. The HHR would be second IMO.

 

looks good.

 

are you telling us you don't want to spend one weekend afternoon washing/waxing a vehicle.

 

Not much change for 2007MY, Pace.

A couple color changes and a little power increase for both of the motors.

That's it.