Any PT criuser or HHR owners out there?

**CyCloned** · 01-28-2011, 09:00 PM

Starting to look around for a car or van for the wife. Trying to get her into something smaller, with better MPG without her feeling like she is a bug waiting to be squished. Any general reaction to quality, ride, value, troubles, would be appreciated.

**Tre4ISU** · 01-28-2011, 09:07 PM

I would go for the van route myself. I haven't owned either one but knew a couple people who owned a PT and it was very cheaply built.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-28-2011, 09:12 PM

I had one for my work vehicle for a while (HHR).

Pros: rode smoothly, good gas mileage (maybe 28 mpg)

Cons: bad blind spots

**MNclone** · 01-28-2011, 09:22 PM

I had an HHR as a rental once. Hated it.
The PT cruiser is a glorified neon. Lousy engine and frame.

I recommend a Mazda 5. Good mileage, good storage, and a third row seat if you need it.

**saf** · 01-28-2011, 09:49 PM

I have a company HHR and I actually really like it. Drives really well and has great fuel economy.

In looking for family cars I thought the Mazda 5 would be the perfect car. Drove it and was not impressed--somewhat noisy, cheap and poor interior. Granted, my HHR is the top model and the 5 was the sport--the touring/loaded version may be really nice.

**GoCy** · 01-28-2011, 10:18 PM

Rented an HHR once, and was a terrible car. The engine sounded like it could explode at any moment. Also had a co-worker who had one, and it was very poorly built. He had quite a few mechanical problems, and got rid of it when the warranty expired. Besides, I think it looks like a cross between a PT cruiser and a hearse.

**akellar** · 01-28-2011, 10:55 PM

Everything I have read the HHR is one of the worst reviewed vehicles on the market. And speaking from experience, I would never buy another Chrysler car. We had a Sebring for about a year and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It felt like it was made out of plastic and I was pretty sure it was going to break down any day. I realize it's not the same car but it's the same company.

**Cycsk** · 01-28-2011, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by CyCloned

Starting to look around for a car or van for the wife. Trying to get her into something smaller, with better MPG without her feeling like she is a bug waiting to be squished. Any general reaction to quality, ride, value, troubles, would be appreciated.

For the last few years, lower priced rental car companies have had tons of PT Cruisers and HHRs. Perhaps a sign that the manufacturers unloaded a bunch on them at a bargain price. I've had to take both plenty of times and never liked them. They are kind of cool to look like, but not so good to drive. They look bigger than they are. Not much storage space. Not much space for the driver. Very poor turning radius.

Try the Kia Sorento. I've rented a few of these and they are great. Good option to a van.

Or the Kia Vibe. Wierd looking, but actually quite nice. I ask for them when I rent. Lots of head room. Okay storage space. Nice power and responsiveness. Carried three other big guys and had no trouble with the suspension, even going into driveways. Good option if you want something a little smaller without going to something tiny.

I was rather disposed against the Kias, but they have really impressed me.

**Cycsk** · 01-28-2011, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by MNclone

I had an HHR as a rental once. Hated it.
The PT cruiser is a glorified neon. Lousy engine and frame.

I recommend a Mazda 5. Good mileage, good storage, and a third row seat if you need it.

I concur. The Mazdas are also great. I take a Mazda "any number" whenever I can get one as a rental.

**Wesley** · 01-28-2011, 11:21 PM

HHR is easy to drive in town, park, and is 27 mpg on the highway. Seats in back fold down easy. They are larger than PT cruiser. They were built on a Saturn Vue car frame.

**besserheimerphat** · 01-28-2011, 11:32 PM

Another vote against the HHR, from a rental experience. I thought the driver seat felt cramped, and as someone else mentioned the blind spots are atrocious. I'm not sure what trim level I had, but the engine seemed to run out of power quickly. Lots of oomph up to 30 mph, but above that (getting on the freeway for example) it just died. I drove my rental up to and around the Twin Cities. And the cupholders were in a horrible position.

I made the same trip in a Hyundai Sonata which was better but not great. A Mazda3 was probably the best car I rented the 8 or so times I made that trip from April - December. I also had a Malibu that was okay, but was "just a car." I had a Cobalt that I didn't like either.

**VTXCyRyD** · 01-28-2011, 11:32 PM

Why not a Ford Escape?

**kilgore_trout** · 01-28-2011, 11:37 PM

stupid bug, you go squish now!

**cmoore_23** · 01-29-2011, 12:05 AM

ya hhr is terrible.. I drove one for my old job.. it had under 30000 miles on it and the struts were going out and the thing was just a piece.. I couldn't stand it..I too would go with the Mazda

**Psyclone Brian** · 01-29-2011, 12:16 AM

I own a 2001 PT Cruiser and enjoyed every minute of it! Mine was manufactured in Canada, and I have never had an engine problem. It has over 109K miles on it, and I think about now is a good time to sell it to someone who'll continue to take care of it. If they are well taken care of, a pretty decent ride it is.