driving into work today i turned a 170k on my 2009 HHR. this is my parts hauler and it makes the 450 mile round trip every weekend to Pittsburgh. i average 31 mpg out of her. she handles a 502 big block in the back with no problem. i really like this car/truck what ever you call it. as you know chevy in their wisdom quit production so i need to find a replacement. the replacement will be bought new.
anyone own or drives a Ford Transit
I don't own a Transit Connect, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. 
I work for a commercial auto insurance company in the claims department. The Transit has become a very popular vehicle for a lot of the companies we insure. I've heard of several of our insureds who rave over them and are eager to get repairs done after an accident so they can put it back into service. They seem to be very popular with the hauling crowd.
To the fleet world (read: rental car world) the GM replacement for the HHR is the Chevy Captiva (rebadged last Saturn Vue - rebadged Opel - made in Mexico)
http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/captiva/2012/with-chevy-hhr-folding-captiva-will-fill-fleet-gap-in-us.html
I know one person who owns a Transit Connect (TC) and loves it. The TC will not get 31mpg; rated at 27hyw. The current, big body Scion xB is rated for only 28 hyw.
Not getting much press yet but i am intrigued by the Ford C-Max hybrid at 47mpg both city and hyw.
The newest Escapes are nice too.
On the Mazda side, new CX-5.
I don't own one, but deal with a lot of people that switched to them. Talking to them, several have had transmission problems.
And all auto trans problems since that is all the TC comes with.
From a Caravan owner:
http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/cargo-van.html
170k in 4 years? Impressive! Since you like it, why sell it? If it's running good just keep going. At this point it's cheaper to maintain it rather than buy something new when you look at the depreciation with the mileage you drive.
Must a replacement be new? Find a low mileage HHR.
cutter67 wrote: driving into work today i turned a 170k on my 2009 HHR. this is my parts hauler and it makes the 450 mile round trip every weekend to Pittsburgh. i average 31 mpg out of her. she handles a 502 big block in the back with no problem. i really like this car/truck what ever you call it. as you know chevy in their wisdom quit production so i need to find a replacement. the replacement will be bought new. anyone own or drives a Ford Transit
Why do you need a replacement?
do i need a replacement no i don't. i just want one. it is running fine but with the driving i do its do to have its first problems. i am in no rush so i am shopping now for the replacement for her. i deal so much in used cars that i do enjoy going out and buying a new one.
Your post already has the answer: "a 502 big block in the back". Start cutting my friend.
pinchvalve wrote: Your post already has the answer: "a 502 big block in the back". Start cutting my friend.
it might affect the cargo carrying capacity a bit, but i'm sure Reese makes a hitch for that vehicle and enclosed trailers are cheaper than a new car..
there are people waiting for me to sell her that have plans for it 
the parts getter
If I could see out the front window..................I was close to buying a 5-speed 2 years ago.
I like what you did with it!
tuna55 wrote: From a Caravan owner: http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/cargo-van.html
This is what I was going to say. It hauls more than the connect, can tow (the connect can't) has something called HP and even some torques and the fuel economy will surprise many. The under floor storage is killer!
Paging Hal...
You rang?
I have a 2010 Transit connect and I love it. It will haul more than the HHR (1600 lbs) but it was designed as a city delivery truck. As for towing the owners manual says no towing, but the identical vehicle in Europe is rated to tow several thousand pounds.
I have made a similar trip to what Cutter67 is talking about twice (Frederick, MD to Pittsburgh). Once using I-70, I-68 and Rt 40 and once using I-70 and the PA Turnpike. Made it just fine but it did not like the mountains. On the interstate in the mountains the HHR would probably be better.
Honda Element for the odd ball answer
Crazy thought, but why not shop for the same thing with fewer miles? You might find an '09 HHR with 60k on it.
What do you think is going to fail? 170K is nothing if you have done the maintenance. You should get 300K easy if you stay on to of the maintenance. Especially since it sounds like ti is a lot of highway millage.
If it is rust free how about spending say 10k on a new motor and trans, spindles bearings axle U joints etc. Just replace the drive line. Much cheaper than a replacement and you know the history.
I was looking at a Ford Transit also but I couldn't get a manual in it except for the very base model and then I would have to do without other options. I don't haul parts, just people, things and pets so I checked out Scion Xb, Nissan Cube and Kia Soul. Honda Element was already gone and I wanted a new vehicle. So granted our needs are different and these vehicles probably don't suit you and your needs but I ended up going with the Soul. Nice power from the 2.0 liter and 6 speed manual. This is my DD now and I am happy with it. I have other vehicles for towing, autocrossing etc. Good luck in your search. As a side note, in my search, a Nissan dealer told me I could special order a Cube cargo van with no rear windows or seats. I have never seen one like that but that is what I was told.
The mazda5 fits your needs also, Ive hauled a couple engines and lots of parts as well as having six adults (tightly) for a short trip. The six speed is only available I the base model though.
Powerstroke E350!
i took the Ford for a test drive today. i think its good for city but not highway. its gets moved around more than the HHR when i was in the middle of a couple of 18 wheelers.
the HHR does perform flawless for me. the body is perfect and it doesnt burn a drop of oil between changes the only fault i can find is the driver seat's bolster has a hole in it from sliding in and out. my friend said just change the seats but the seat is so formed to my ass and i am comfortable in it. i will revisit this issue at 200k
thanks for all the replies.
Cutter---> I am actually considering an 5 speed HHR for a daily driver. Do you average 31 mpg on the highway, around town or a mix of both?
In reply to 92dxman:
Its been almost a year dude......and I can answer your question, you should get 30+ average with mostly highway.
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