Drove a 2008 HHR this week

[TomsHHR]

Flew into Cleveland and Get to the car rental, they just put out a SOM 2008 HHR 1LT with the 2.2 engine. Well to make a long story short it started with 2 miles on it and ended with 168 miles. Not much different. It had a couple of enhancements.
1. The DIC now includes tire pressure readings for all four, nice improvement.
2. New style 16" billet rims.
3. The interior was the grey above with ebony from the dash and seats down.
4. Some chrome was color-keyed to the body. side view mirrors, door handles, beauty bar on the back hatch door.
5. For the miles driven the HHR averaged 27.6 mpg, not bad for new. My 2006 averaged close to the same and is at 28.5 city 87 proof, 32.3 highway with premium.

[Steve]

Very nice, I've been working hard to get my hands on one to test drive. Renting one for a weekend isn't a bad idea.

[tbplus10]

Very nice, I've been working hard to get my hands on one to test drive. Renting one for a weekend isn't a bad idea.

I've never bought a new car without renting a like model for at least a couple weeks.

Tom:
In your oppinion do the enhancements make it worth spending the extra $$ for a 2008 or would I be better off buying a closeout 2007 at a lower price?
I'm still going to buy an SS when they come out, but if we buy one earlier we'll give my daughter a great deal on a used car when we get the new one.

[TomsHHR]

Myself, unless one of the new colors appeal to you, I would go with the discounted 2007, I have driven 2 HHR Rentals now. A 1LT with 2.2 and a 2LT with 2.4 auto.

Here are some of the changes I had noted during my rentals.

1. There is some small changes in the interior such as a T/C Switch so you can turn it off instead of shifting to a lower gear in the 2006-7.
2. The trim package with both a 1LT and 2LT have painted mirrors and beauty bars now, the rear fenders are rolled at the top so it would be easier to change to after-market wheels/tires.
3. Added to the DIC is all 4 tire pressures.
4. The grille on the 1LT was close to a chrome with a clear coat on it.
5. new style rims on the 1LT.

A lot of the dealers have the 2008 brochures available now.