Review: 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS "The Perfect Commuter"

[zabolots]

I just wish they didn't have to de-tune the heck out of the motor to protect the ancient 4-speed auto...

[Ambalanche]

EVERYONE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE!!!

This is the thinking that the media want's us to believe. "No reason to buy a performance car, that's just fantacy, buy an appliance instead, nobody else can go any faster than you!" Believe it, with all the Global warming, cafe, and hand-wringing in our political system, if we don't stand up, they will all have us driving appliances!


That said, I like the HHR SS. I'm dissappointed that the automatic saps power and the dash material is horrible. Other than that...

[Orbit Orange]

What we see in TV commercials and read in zoom-zoom product reviews is mostly fantasy. Some of us might have the wherewithal to buy a super-performance car. But hardly any of us driving in metropolitan America will have the opportunity to exploit its full potential.

Sucks to be you. (mental picture of rats in a cage)

I can drive my vehicles like I stole them any day of the week. You couldn't pay me enough to live like that.

[Snafu_SS]

Originally Posted by slowinthefastlane

You've obviously never spent time in DC Metro traffic. This guy's review makes perfect sense for the Washington Post.

I visited for about a week staying with someone in Falls Church and luckily I rarely had to drive through traffic...The subway was a much better alternative to getting into town.

It was nice blasting by all the traffic jams as the train went down into the tunnel....much nicer after having just rode the NYC Metro just the day before (first subway ride, and one hell of a ride indeed!!)

[Snafu_SS]

Originally Posted by Orbit Orange

Sucks to be you. (mental picture of rats in a cage)

I can drive my vehicles like I stole them any day of the week. You couldn't pay me enough to live like that.

In my area people do that with their cars as well as four wheelers, scooters, dirt bikes, and even horses

I don't think it's that hard to have fun driving if you live in some huge metro area. I know a couple in DC that regularly go out caving and driving through the country side and having fun. They may have to drive a while, but they can get out onto the twisty roads and have some fun in an MR2.

[samy1691]

One word..........UGLY!

[greenrail]

Interesting take from a columnist who considers an automobile an applaince.

Having lived in the DC area for a numebr of years, yes the traffic is abysmal. However, once you get away from the traffic and out in rural Maryland, Virginia and West (by God) Virginia, then you can enjoy the extras that such a vehicle provides.

From an enthusiasts view, this is a marvelous machine. Nice Torque and Horsepower. Attention grabbing styling. Good handling and room for everything you need to haul with you. The ultimate appliance that just happens to have attitude and a fun factor to brighten up your life.

Seeing a few of these around the SW Chicago area. Brings a smile every time!

[johnny smallblock]

I'll tell you, from the Manhattan perspective, I know it makes tons of sense for me to drive a small efficient car. But periodically (sometimes late at night, sometimes just when there's a break in the traffic) you can really lay it out in NYC. Driving fast is fun. Driving fast in the middle of Manhattan is much more fun.

Besides, some of the best roads I've ever driven are in NYC. The West Side Highway has sloping banks, gentle rises and falls, at times you drive about 5 feet from the water. The FDR Drive has lanes about 2 feet wider then your car (exciting in a different way). But definitely not for the weak of heart.

Originally Posted by Snafu_SS

much nicer after having just rode the NYC Metro just the day before (first subway ride, and one hell of a ride indeed!!)

In New York it's called a subway. Everywhere else, it's a Metro.


Also, I love the look of the HHR way more than the SS, but I want that sweet turbo 260. What to do, what to do...

[mbukukanyau]

basically, he is saying, buy the HHR with spollers, but, you do not need em, but hey!! you could carry that matress or amore home in it!! yea!!!

[blkwrxsti]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

basically, he is saying, buy the HHR with spollers, but, you do not need em, but hey!! you could carry that matress or amore home in it!! yea!!!

Sounds like the reviewer took advantage of "attentive week" to sneak a few extra helpings of DOOFUS.

Having a Prius does not obligate the owner to use the minumum amount of fuel at all times. Prius drivers are more aware than most what habits improve and reduce their mileage. They're entitled to try to survive rush hour traffic and get to their morning meetings on time just like the rest of us. Just because I drive a manual, it doesn't mean I have to powershift on the way up and heel-and-toe on the way down (I don't HAVE to, I WANT to).

As for nobody needing the high horsepower version of a car - People buy the automobile that meets 99% of their needs. This guy is promoting getting a vehicle that meets 95% of your needs, because we all know that's close enough.

I mean - who cares if your car has the best brakes, suspension, steering, and acceleration. Certainly not that kid who might run out in front of your car chasing a ball into the street, not the truck you're following as it drops payload onto the street, not the pothole that suddenly appears when you're following a car in traffic, not the hole in traffic that comes up during your daily drive, or the empty road that soothes you after a long day at the office.

Next year during "attentive week" maybe this schlieb could enlighten us with more wisdom of this type. If we didn't insist on buying 4000 sq. ft. homes, we'd realize that most families only take up about 5 sq. feet or less. The rest is just wasted heat, building materials, furniture, etc.

Also, unless you're a marathoner or a russian powerlifter, you don't need a meal with 800 calories. I'm wondering why he's not railing about the wasteful human behavior of buying 1/2 lb of newsprint every single day, when you could just as easily read it on the web or listen to it on the radio. It's not like the world is running out of content, why do we need so many writers with their articles?