mr.nice

Just to add, those with the AT see even a bigger boost. Stock setup for my HHR SS is 25hp (235) less than the manual...but with this tune, both are rated at 290hp and 315lbs. Wish it wasn't snowy here...but something that will be seriously looked at by me come spring time. And yeah, I remember the days (2003) when I was looking at a heavier, bulkier Grand Prix GTP that was getting 240hp, and I thought that was a lot. Pushing almost 300hp, under warranty, along with a great suspension on the SS...really can't go wrong.

As an owner of an direct sibiling to the Cobalt SS, having an 08 HHR SS, I can completely agree with that article. HHR has a bit more practicality for us as a second car, and the height and weight lessen some of the stats, but the turbo, engine and suspension that the HHR has and shares with the Cobalt are phenomenal. Fit and finish are tops. I had a 98 Cavalier Z24, and these blow the doors off that ok but not great car, any day of the week. Unfortunately for this, with GM's troubles, and the fact that links on this model are still to close to the Cavalier name, and the previous Cobalt SS (supercharged) couldn't hold a candle to this version for pure driving fun, will maake this a truly unappreciated cars by the masses.

Well, this still all comes down to the UAW getting on board. Fine, cut 2-4 brands...given the UAW contracts, you're still going to have to produce roughly the same number of vehicles, but you'll have 1.5x the Impala's on the road, 1.5x the Silverados on the road, as they get all still get produced, just now strictly under Chevy badges instead of thier rebadged twins from the now defunct divisions. Simply, its still cheaper to produce cars and get some value out of the workers, as opposed to have those guys paid out not to work under the current structure. Keep in mind the US Congress will want to see a combination of cost cutting and the maintaining of jobs in any plan.

Just picked up a preowned 07 Denali XL on the weekend. Arizona vehicle, brought up by a broker into Canada. Speedo just over 46500 km (28000k miles). Did all the checks, Carfax was clean (undetailed) as well as some other reports up here in Canada. Talked to GM Canada, warranty will obviosuly be honored until 60k km's or Decemeber 2010 etc etc. So I saw it, drove it, went ahead with it. Vehicle in great shape, headsets and remote not even used. Little to no rock chips or anything. Had a battery drain issue right away, but that may or may not have been my issue from leaving something on, although it just happened with the vehicle sitting and the wife and I playing with the accessories within 30 mins of it being in the driveway. Next thing I know, the battery's dead and needs a boost. Hasn't been an issue since (haven't played around with accesories unless vehicle is running) in the last 2 days. Really, 10 mins of playing around with nav and dvd really shouldn't drain a(n orginal GM) battery, but nevertheless. After a google search I did notice that this drain was an issue...reprogramming of the BCM seemed to help this.Again though, its not draining it now I don't think. Going to take into the dealer this week for an oil change, check things like differential and transmission fluids, and do an electrical test/ BCM update and hopefully its ok. Also will inquire about getting a block heater on it, and, to do the heated washer fluid recall. But at this late hour, something struck me...earlier today I noticed the engine hour meter only had 69 hours on it. Obviously given the miles, there's no way that math works out. I should've checked that before buying, but forgot that was on those trucks (used to have an Avalanche 2 years ago). So what gives? Can that engine hour meter be reset? Can't imagine so. So was the engine replaced at some point? Or am I missing something at this late hour? I got little paperwork from the seller, just the inspection reports needed to be passed to bring it into Canada, the title and all the importation documents. He actually had a GM VIS report, but it was only the summary page and it shows nothing. Having dealt with GM dealers in the US in my search the last 2 months for an SUV like this, I have gotten many VIS reports emailed to me on cars I was potentially looking at, and particularly useful was the claim history. So I am hoping that someone here with access to VIS can assist me with that...I'd like to see the entire VIS report on this truck, or at least the claim history on this truck, and see what was done. Again, its mine and there's nothing I can do now anyways and everything with it is fine it appears. Obviously it didn't need an engine because of an accident or anything, as checks have shown nothing like that, and talking to GM directly, they didn't wave any red flags when talking to them about this vehicle (I gave them the VIN), so everything was and is covered under warranty. But for my own peice of mind, I would like to know as much history on this vehicle as I can and if its got a new engine or what. I'd also like to know what other warranty claims have been made. Anyways, if someone can help me out with a VIS claim history, please PM me and I can provide you the VIN. I realize I can probably get this with some sweet talking a local dealer, but given their relucatance to do much of anything in my experience, I'd prefer to try this route first. Thanks very much, and hope to see a PM from someone who can help me, soon. Cheers,

Since debadged...waiting on some new retro badges. Newest addition.

Well, after a breif 2 years with an 03 MDX, back to a 2 GM family. Very fortunate to be the owners of a 08 HHR SS, black on black, auto, purchased April 2008 brand new. Last night, picked up a 2007 Denali XL, preowned with 26k miles. Black on black. Months of searching and moreso, waiting for prices to drop a little bit. Will purchase the extended warranty on the Denali within the next year. That will be it for a number of years for me..probably spent too much on vehicles, but got exactly what I wanted in the end. Pics soon.

Am close to doing a deal on a preowned GM vehicle for our 2nd vehicle...come on General..one day only all GM vehicles are 10K off! ha! Big congrats...always had at least one GM car in our family and can't see that ever changing. In chronological order, including my parents and brother: 78 Impala 91 Lumina APV 94 Cavalier 86 Camaro 89 Sunbird 92 Grand Am 98 Cavalier Z24 01 Grand Am GT 96 Monte Carlo Z34 03 Avalanche Z71 04 Avalanche Z71 03 S10 04 Optra 08 HHR SS

Sorry for the super old bump, but I have a question regard the CPO program. I understand that the CPO warranty would not be valid at a Canadian dealer if imported one to Canada as a Canadian, however, if I had enough of an issue that warranted taking it down to a Cadillac dealer in the US, or I was down in the US already and wanted some little things looked at, I assume a US dealer would still honor the warranty? I guess I am asking, it has nothing to do with where the vehcile is registered in, does it? As long as that car is sold as a CPO, the warranty is valid within the US, right? Can anyone (a dealer) help me out with this. We're looking at something that's a CPO vehicle that's just been in service 3 years and just past the 50k mile mark, and knowing that a major issue could be looked at, even if it meant driving 6h to get there or on one of our semi annual trips to the US, and get fixed over the next 3 years and 47k miles, would possibly seal that deal. Cheers,

Further: Called the GM Nav Disc center, as entering the VIN on their website states that the VIN is not of a valid Suburban with Navigation. The likely scenario is that it was dealer installed, but not from the factory. The guy on the other end says that if I bought it, I would need the RPO code from the NAV (which means it has to be pulled) in order to make sure I get the correct disc for the correct NAV (and get my potential vehicle in the GM database as having a Nav). As this is a independant, not private dealer, they can't/won't pull out a Nav system, or would they let me take it to a dealer to do. I asked this guy if aren't all Nav's that fit in Subrurbans the same for navigation? I know there are two different models as showcased above, but within each of those models they are the same...basically, no other GM Nav system looks like this and would work in a Surbrban/Yukon, meaning this is like a factory installed Nav, and thus, all the RPO codes should be similar. So if it looks like this, and works with DVD, can I safely assume it's the same Nav system as would've been factory installed, and as such, have the same RPO as one from the factory?

Thanks very much... Yeah, it has those logos as it has the rear seat entertainment. I did an ebay search myself and found these head units...just couldn't tell if there were different head units, but this confirms it. I couldn't belive you'd be able to get a screen just for DVD's when in park or a touch screen radio. So clearly it has it, and obviosuly missing the disc. Obviously not going to reveal this to the dealer...its certainly priced at a level that doesn't take Navigation into account in the price. Really odd for it to be optioned out like that, yet have only the base 17" wheels. That and the interior color is 3rd on the list (grey) for us, but everything else other then the wheels is exactly what we want...but wheels can be changed out. But nothing else near in that price range has Nav. Anyways, thanks again.

Looking at getting a preowned 2007 Suburban, and I have a question that hopefully some expert/dealer can answer here. There is one available in another city (an LT3), so I am going by the website and the pictures. The pictures show it has a front screen. When I asked the dealer about it having navigation, he was suprised. that it even had a screen. Supposedly it has the front screen in the dash that is a DVD (also has the 2nd row DVD), it has a backup camera, but supposedly no navigation. Was/is that possible? A google search brings up nothing, and attempting to build a 2008 one on the Chevy site seems to have a Sun and Sound package, not able to pick those individual options. I find it odd to put the DVD, backup camera and touch screen for radio and xm, (and DVD slot) yet not to stick an antenna and have it Nav capable. Is the dealer mistaken (its not a GM dealer) and it just is missing a Nav disc? Or could it actually hjave everything in the dash except the antenna to make it Nav capable? If this is the fact that it doesn't indeed have navigation, is it just a matter of getting a factory antenna and a Nav disc to be able to have navigation. Thanks,

Had mine going on 4 months now. Seen very few in these parts before, or since. Black on black SS, and bought it off the showroom floor...my favourite dealer had no idea when they were getting one in again, and wasn't one anywhere nearby that they could get in for cheaper than what I got mine for. Love it..sips gas, goes like stink, and very versatile for our second car. Will see what it drives like in winter up here, but getting winter shoes for it...don't want to damage the wheels or any undercarriage with the tight gaps on those wheels. One issue that hasn't seemed to be solved on some people's SS's. Little to no power brakes on a cold (3h+) startup, unless you let the engine startup and idle until it drops below 1k rpm. (about 30 seconds). Had this issue right away...the dealer did a reflash on the system, but hasn't solved the problem. Definately a safety hazard when pulling out or backup up on startup and having to hammer the brakes to bring it to a stop from a slow roll. Anyways, enjoy and congrats! On another topic, anyone have any info on how many HHR SS's were produced for the 2008 MY?

No plans for a Suburban/ESV/Yukon XL Hybrid? I thought those door graphics for promo pictures...not on every unit! All things equal, depending on how much you drive, the amount extra you pay up front for Hybrid technology in any car may take 2+ years to pay off to make up the extra 20% you'd pay at the pump, no?

Well, back in the day while borrowing the parents car (which were 14 years old vehicles at the time) I saw the value and need for a block heater. Ok, those cars would 30 years old now, but have always used the block heater since when it dipped below -20C (5 -10 nights a year here in Calgary) and the car was parked outside (cirrently we just a single car garage) on all my new and used cars since. Since this is (picked it up today!) the first new car I've owned and not leased, and we plan on keeping it for a long time as a result, and less stress I can put on the starter from Day 1, means by year 10, there will be that much less stress in that cold weather. Bottom line, we would use it. Problem is, I don't think it is going to work on the HHR SS. The salesman showed me that the turbocharger is attached to the back of the block, and thats where the blockheater would usually go. Basically, he doesn't think its going to work because there's simply no room to put it anywhere. I really won't worry about until next winter...plus by then maybe there will be a solution, as this is a very new engine variation, and when more Cobalt SS's start rolling up, there will be more info on this engine.

Well, Chevy.com states them as all season tires, but for the sake of the rims, and it being the first new car I've actually owned (am 32, have had 5 GM leases over the past 10 years), I'll be putting better winter tires with either steel wheels or hubs caps come the fall, as its technically our second car that the wife will drive to and from work, at least in the summer, unless of course I need to drive to work! I will ask the dealer, I just figure boards like this often have much more reliable information then the dealer.