Custom Outfitting Your Chevy HHR!

Chevy has a new model, the HHR, and it is being well received by consumers and auto critics alike. The HHR – Heritage High Roof – is based on the body style of the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban and is a direct competitor to Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. Aimed squarely at the young crowd, the HHR is also an alternative to Toyota’s Scion division. Chevrolet hopes that the vehicle will be succeed in drawing young people to the brand, to enhance the cars appeal an entire line up of aftermarket parts are being offered by Chevrolet.

Why just buy any old vehicle? Why not purchase a car that makes a statement? Chrysler did it with the PT Cruiser, released in 2000; Honda with the Element; and Toyota has succeeded with three Scion models. In response to the barrage of competing models, Chevrolet needed to introduce a car that wasn’t a rubber stamp of competing models. Enter the HHR, Chevy’s compact tall five door wagon. To be honest, the HHR does resemble the PT Cruiser, however. Some critics have said that the PT and HHR were “separated at birth” or that the HHR takes its styling cues from the Chrysler and not the Suburban.

Regardless, the HHR does have an identity all of its own, beyond the customary Chevy bow tie insignia. With seating for five adults that all fold down [except for the driver], in theory the HHR could carry an eight-foot ladder inside of its cabin. The idea behind this being that the car could either haul plenty of passengers or move lots of stuff. The HHR is an ideal car for a kid returning to college with all of his or her gear in tow as well.

With a base MSRP of around $16,000, the HHR is right in the thick of the competition and well within the range of what many first time drivers [or their parents] can afford. With three model choices offered, a nicely equipped HHR can be had for well under $20.000. The HHR is powered by either the 2.2L or 2.4L Ecotec I4 engines paired with either a five speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.

Chevrolet is capitalizing on the model’s appeal by offering a whole line of cool HHR accessories including custom sized SUV floor mats; upper deck spoilers; custom molded splash guards; rear bumper covers; carpet cargo mats; front end covers; chromed exhaust tips; and more. However, owners are likely to be taken back by the steep dealer prices, so a savvy shopper would do much better shopping online through a trusted wholesaler like the Race Pages to comparison shop. You can get the car for a bargain, but why pay through the nose for expensive aftermarket parts and accessories?

Year-end and seasonal clearance prices plus robust competition are likely to keep the HHR’s price low for the long term. With the Dodge Caliber set to debut in 2006 and new offerings to be released by Volkswagen, Mazda, and Nissan, the HHR must continue to distinguish itself in the growing entry-level market. This is good news for consumers desiring a fun car at a great price.