I've mentioned I've been stoopid busy lately. Apparantly my boss thought I needed something to make the travel time shrink a bit , so I've been spending quite a bit of wheel time with a Bright Red HHR SS. I don't know what I was expecting, but this is, short of a Corvette, one of the most seriously fast cars I've drivien in a long time. 0-60 in about 6.3 seconds I'm told, top end limited at 150 mph, 14 second quarter.

Those numbers don't really tell the story. A stock HHR SS lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 8 minutes and 43 seconds. A Lotus Exige goes around the Nordschleife in 8:42. A Honda S2000 laps it in 8:39. An NSX does the deed in 8:38. This litttle retro delivery van is only 3 seconds slower around the most challenging race course in the world than a BMW E39 M5!





I also didn't expect to see the 31.2 mpg I've been getting on the thing, per the DIC. Surprising little vehicle, on a number of levels.

I'm posting from the iPhone. Will someone please post the picture of my ttuck peeing on the chebbie bear?

So what's that thing got under the hood- supercharged Ecotec? And do they build it with a stick-shift?

Turbo-charged eco-tec. 260 HP, 260 ft/lbs torque, near zero turbo-lag in a 3100 lb scooter. 5-speed manual with optional Limited Slip/Brembo's (why, O why is this optional?) or Automatic. Natch, I'm in the slushbox.

polarbear said:

Natch, I'm in the slushbox.

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Serves you right for all the times you've tried to explain to me why I shouldn't hate them.

Gosh... That's a strange combo. I'm impressed.

Ernie, I've never been in one of those things, let alone drive one, but for a course like that it looks like the top heavy design would tip a lot and lose traction. Is it top heavy or does it just LOOK top heavy?

Ryan

john112deere said:

Serves you right for all the times you've tried to explain to me why I shouldn't hate them.

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I don't dislike the slushbox. This powertrain makes you be careful though- it pulls like a freight train, but it's not the sudden "Bang" you get out of a V8 when you punch it. This thing just picks itself up and moves (wheelspin is almost impossible because of stabilitrak). Punch it, and make sure you look in front of you (think merging on an Interstate).

O'Rattlecan said:

Gosh... That's a strange combo. I'm impressed.

Ernie, I've never been in one of those things, let alone drive one, but for a course like that it looks like the top heavy design would tip a lot and lose traction. Is it top heavy or does it just LOOK top heavy?

Ryan

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Doesn't feel top-heavy at all. Actually, the biggest HHR gripe is that the roof/windows are too low and restrict visibility (true).

cool - too bad it still looks like an HHR

There's a Cobalt SS with the same powertrain for folks that feel that way. One of my favorite "sleepers."

polarbear said:

There's a Cobalt SS with the same powertrain for folks that feel that way. One of my favorite "sleepers."

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better, thanks

i had a hhr for a company rental for a few weeks. I liked it a lot but damn it's so damn ugly. You can't help but laugh at yourself while driving it.

what would WE be out the door for on one of those Ernie? Either the HHR or Cobalt?

There I feel better now

Skandocious said:

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is that your rear main leaking? you really need to fix that

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON TOM!??!

Skandocious said:

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON TOM!??!

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yours sometimes, not others

good work on lifting the back tire though - time well spent

tomtoc said:

is that your rear main leaking? you really need to fix that

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Yeah, man! that thing's leaking like a chevrolet! we'll have to ban you now for driving a chevy

Eh ehm... We'll have to ban you for not recognizing a FORD when you see one!!!

Skandocious said:

Eh ehm... We'll have to ban you for not recognizing a FORD when you see one!!!

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oops, with that bad leak i just assumed it was a *********

Skandocious said:

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AAAHHH!!! Chris is a blasphemer! Cast him into outer darkness!