Well,

It's finally happened! I found a taker for my HHR LT lease.

AND...

Found a used 2008 HHR SS in Ottawa!!!!
Drove it home yesterday. MAN... what a refinement to the LT.
Handling is incredible, acceleration is stupid fast, ride is firm yet comfortable.

My back has been giving me grief in the last several years, and even with that, the 5 hrs of driving yesterday did not produce any back pain what so ever.

Details:

2008 HHR SS
- Silver exterior, Red/black interior with suede inserts and performance seat
- 5 speed manual
- Pioneer sound system, XM capable radio
- On-star
- auto-dim rear view mirror with electronic compass
- PW, PDL, PS, PB
- Tire pressure monitoring system with readouts in dash display of pressures
- 260HP / 260FTLB
- limited slip diff
- traction control/performance mode
- no-lift shift, launch control

Now, aside from all the details...

So, the drive home, I averaged about 8.1L per 100Kms for mileage.
If I were to do a complete grandpa run on cruise control with no street or traffic time, it is feasible to lower that into the 7.x per 100 territory. The best I ever managed with my LT 2.4L was 7.2L per 100kms.

Very happy I got this car. It answers all my car requests:
- enthusiast type car
- sporty
- utility
- great gas mileage

Pics to be posted later...

Glad that it finally worked out for you, nothing like the 'new' car feeling

Nice you got the PT Cruiser Turbo

That's PT Cruiser Turbo II I'll have you know.

Way to go Rob! I can't wait to check it out. Think I can bum a ride in it?

I've been pondering driving a G8 GXP around the block lately. Mark says I shouldn't do it. I'm thinking if I do I might regret it too.... I've seen a few on the road and they look oh so sweet. Great time to buy a GM right now too!

I think your 5 hour drive was a little easier on you because you probably had a huge shit eating grin on your face all the way home!!

I actually drove around town last night to learn how to launch normally and hear engine /tranny sounds for measuring my speed. Using the speedo only sucks because the car does accelerate faster than my old LT by a long shot. Constantly looking at the speedo became quite a distraction and nerve wracking. Had to learn the feel of the car just to act like a normal person on the road.

Seemed to have down before I parked it for the night.

SO...

There is a Black SS, Red SS (Logels employee), Red SS (house restoration dude), and my silver SS in town.
Any others out there you guys may have seen?

New, they're not a great deal ($32K), but one year olds are... ($19-24K).

Here's another piece for those looking for a good used deal.
Chevy West in Nepean, where I bought the car, specializes in GM executive cars from Michigan. This is where my car came from as well.
They're getting in Corvettes for a significantly lower price than new or Cdn used.
You know Camaros and other cars will be in the bunch over the next year or so.
Keep them in mind if you're searching for your next Chevy. They do get nice cars in.

Street Tech Racing wrote:

Nice you got the PT Cruiser Turbo

We just call it the PT Abuser, but ya thanx

Auralplane wrote:

I actually drove around town last night to learn how to launch normally and hear engine /tranny sounds for measuring my speed. Using the speedo only sucks because the car does accelerate faster than my old LT by a long shot. Constantly looking at the speedo became quite a distraction and nerve wracking. Had to learn the feel of the car just to act like a normal person on the road. Seemed to have down before I parked it for the night. SO... There is a Black SS, Red SS (Logels employee), Red SS (house restoration dude), and my silver SS in town. Any others out there you guys may have seen? New, they're not a great deal ($32K), but one year olds are... ($19-24K). Here's another piece for those looking for a good used deal. Chevy West in Nepean, where I bought the car, specializes in GM executive cars from Michigan. This is where my car came from as well. They're getting in Corvettes for a significantly lower price than new or Cdn used. You know Camaros and other cars will be in the bunch over the next year or so. Keep them in mind if you're searching for your next Chevy. They do get nice cars in.

There is a red one in town here, not a bad looking car

The Elora one sold 3 days before I called. That was another GM exec car as well for the same price of $19888.
I've purchased this one. Got rid of my lease. I like driving... leasing makes that prohibitive.

Right on Rob!!!

How do ya like that "launch controll" thing they have going?... or the no lift shift?

We service the Black one at Dettmer. Belongs to one of the boss's buddy's who's got a thing for VW's, has an old bus, bug and dune buggy as well as his HHR SS. Good guy, supply's our shop with off lease computer hardware. Had steel rims for the winter tires without TPMS sensors, kept getting emails from OnStar telling him his tires were flat.

Very cool!

Why haven't you stopped by yet

Mark

Drove by this evening to your place. No lights on, no cars in driveway... thought you guys were out.