Chevy HHR vs. Sonoma

Posted by Greybeard on Sep 24th, 2007 in News and weather | Comments Off

We looked over a new Chevy HHR a couple of days ago.  My Sonoma is starting to show it’s age, (a very early onset of aging at that).  We found one we liked and priced it out,  and the price sounded pretty good.  (The one I really liked was the new HHR Panel Truck,   but the other half wouldn’t go for it). 

Anyway,  I did a little web research and found a raft of complaint’s about the HHR.  Way more complaints than the other vehicles I checked out,  in fact,  enough to make me think GM is pushing out a bunch of lemons.  Since the HHR is build on the Cobalt chasis,  I checked out the complaints on the Cobalt,,,,,,  similar complaints.

Looks like I’m going to have to reconsider that trade a bit.  But,  speaking of the 2002 GMC Sonoma I currently drive:

54,000 highway miles,  usually at or below the speed limit.  No heavy loads or towing.  Oil changes and service every 3500 miles.

Here’s it’s list of problems:

1. The drivers door is falling off due to worn hinges.

2. The AM\FM CD player, no longer plays CDs.

3. The door handle for the third door is currently broken for the fourth time.

4. It has a nasty howl,  that I attribute to a faulty driver’s side rear wheel bearing going south. (not confirmed)

5. The driver’s seat has a hole worn in it.

6. I recently had the fuel flow sensor replaced, ($170) after the vehicle stranded us on the expressway.  (driving along at 65mph,  and it just died, and wouldn’t restart)

7. The front brake rotors are shot.

And this is at 54,000 easy miles!  Maybe I should look at a different brand?? 

NOTE:  I find no faulty workmanship on my Sonoma,,  only faulty parts that were used to assemble it.

NOTE II:  Take it for what it’s worth,  the HHR’s are made in Mexico.

~~GB



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