The HHR
It was fully loaded with every option and about $26K.

*Current title holder of Guy's award for the most intresting guages. 3-D, with the tach sitting out towards you. Definately creative. I like 'em.
*Interior makes the PT Cruiser feel.... cheap. Not just a little....ALOT!!
*Actually feels pretty solid. Quick enough for what it is, but isn't going to scare anyone.

Even though GM stole the same person who designed the PT Cruiser who made the HHR, it's alsmost like the HHR had far more resources to back it up. I like the PT & I'm a Chrysler stockholder, but I got to say the HHR blows it away.

I smell sales frenzy here.

Impala SS:
Another fully equpted model, running $31,000!

*I can't get used to the idea of paying 31 grand for an Impala, V8 SS or not.
*The car is quick..... DAMN quick! REALLY damn quick!!!
*The interior wasn't the fake metal I've seen in pics, but fake wood.
*The interior of the Impala SS is simply awesome! It has the firm and business like feel of something from Europe. This is easily the best interior GM of North America has put in a "affordable" family sedan since the 70s IMO.
*The fantastic interior does not match the fairly bland exterior.

The Impala SS is darn near as perfect as anyone can get with a FWD GM family hauler at an affordable price. But that exterior really really blows compared to the interior. The quickest way to fix this is to get rid of those horrid 80s era design rims. Someone at GM must know that thin spokes are in because the Corvette and some Pontiacs have them.

I'm not an auto designer, but I would think that anyone who does cars for a living would know that on a conservatively styled car the rims set the tone for the entire appearence. Even a version of the last Corvette or Camaro SS rims would do a miracle transformation of the Impala SS' exterior.

All complaints about Impala's interior and performance is hereby 150% cured. The exterior needs improvement.

BTW: Those gold Chevy badges need to go! It's almost as if it's a 50s part on a modern car. Go back to the red outline or chrome bowtie please.

 

They are both really nice, we're in the market, and both are on our list. Late night for you!

 

Both are really nice vehicles, my father is thinking about buying an HHR and getting rid of his Saturn. 31,000 for an Impala SS, ouch! Still an awesome car though.

 

Nice read... as usual from you, guionM.

It's always great reading when your good self, Z284ever, Red Planet and others offer their input... it's just so entertaining, partly the reason why this forum is one of the best out there in internet land.

Thanks again.

PS Sorry for the free post.

 

Chevy has a second different set of 18" rims for the Impala SS http://www.chevrolet.com/i/06/pic/im..._gallery15.jpg

I'd have to see them in person to decide if I like them better.

 

I honestly don't have an issue with the Impala SS wheels... I actually like it.

 

limit as gas -> $4
2000 4x4 Blazer = 2006 HHR

The HHR stickers at $20k for a 2LT w/17" polished wheels, 5-speed, leather and sunroof. That's mighty attractive to go from 17/22 mpg in the Blazer to 23/30 in the HHRya. I just need availablity to go up on them so dealers will be more inclined to work with me on the pricing. I'd like to be out the door at $19k.

 

I agree. My wife has a 4x4 2000 Blazer and I was trying to convince her to trade in on one. We'll see if she likes it when she sees it in person. She wasn't too fond of the pictures.

I probably won't go 2LT - probably just a LT I think (step up from Base). I want to finance for 5yrs and probably keep the payments the same as my 3yr Blazer payments.

If I could pick on up for ~16-17k that'd be good. Might wait till next spring like you said when there is more on the lots...

 

See sig . We're liking them!

 

I was just in a seminar with both of those cars, and there is a lot of really great features...

Unfortunatly, I asked the guy about torque steer on the Impala, and he said, "well yes its got massive amounts of torque steer, its a v8, if you want the power thats a side effect"

the HHR will be quite a good seller, people love em. its got a lot of buzz too, people are coming into the show rooms to see them.

the Impala has lots of great features, saftey, and quality.
The HHR that is a great car too, just like the cobalt, I hope they give pontiac or GMC a version that looks nothing like a retro design... that would be a great rebadgin vehicle.

 

That's another thing I'm worried about, it's the first model year of the HHR. My roommate has a 2005 Cobalt and his radio resets the time on occasion, so they're giving him a new radio. His ABS light came on when he first got it, except he doesn't have ABS. It's been in the shop about four times for little things like that, nothing bad with the actual performace on the car, but those would annoy the **** out of me.

 

Hrmmm hope thats not the case for very many people...

 

Hey, what ya know Guy....we agree!

And I really, really agree about the Impala SS wheels.

 

I've had a couple of glitches in my pursuit (rebadged cobalt for Pontiac in Canada). The cd player occasionally will not eject my cd. If I turn it off, and come back to the car a few hours later, it is sometimes ejected. I'll have that looked at soon. The second day I had it, the 'check engine' light came on. I took it in, and was told the computer memory needed to be 'flashed'. Minor things though, and they have not really inconvenienced me much. The service department at my dealership has been great.

 

This is the best thing GM can do for itself, expecially when problems accrue