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HHR as a work vehicle

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eluv8
eluv8 Member Posts: 174
in THE MAIN WALL
Why no diesel here, that is a good question. Just look at the great looking exhaust on the new 08 year diesel trucks in the USA. Burn more fuel,for less horsepower high maintenance vehicles. Thank you epa for making an already cleaner technology cleaner, but now burning more fuel to achieve the same mileage, thus defeating the purpose of burning cleaner. Ignoring/Overlooking the big money, polluters that are all around us. We unfortunately miss most of the diesel products that are available in other countries because it costs the companies to much to modify their offerings for our small diesel market.

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  • Wayco Wayne_2
    Wayco Wayne_2 Member Posts: 2,479
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    On a pervious thread

    someone mentioned the Chevy HHR as a possible work vehicle. Yesterday I stopped by my local chevy dealer for an oil change and while I was waiting looked at the HHR's on the lot. Among the others they had a panel truck version that was white and looked like it would lend itself to a light work truck situation. Later that day I passed another Chevy dealership that had the same while panel version on display with ladder racks already attached. It's got me thinking. 22mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. How often could I use a small vehicle for service and my larger van for installations? Would it be worth the investment vs sgas savings? Can the suspension of the HHR hold up to extra weight? Would a small pick up truck be a better choice? What small pickup truck gets 22/30 though. Yep! It's got me thinkjing. WW

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  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,230
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    I'm thinking of getting one too.

    Even though it is quite possibly the ugliest vehicle ever made.

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  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,884
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    Uglier than

    than a Pacer ???

    Scott

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  • Darin Cook_5
    Darin Cook_5 Member Posts: 298
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    Wayne

    Funny you should say that. Right after I read that thread I went over and looked at the HHR too. 30 MPG (highway) with the HHR compared to my pig getting 9 MPG (always). There are some decent incentives right now and I happen to have about two grand of GM cash to use also. The one I looked at was about $17,200 - not bad. My truck listed at $33,000 ('04 - gas $1.72 gal) when I bought it. I have to agree with John though it is UGLY! But I am not going to buy a vehicle based on the looks, it will be purchased purely on the economics of it. Plenty of people have said that hey fuel is the cost of doing business and has to be passed on to the customer - true enough - but why inflate cost and overhead if I can keep it as low as possible and put the money saved into my pocket or back into the biz.







    Darin

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  • Jim_47
    Jim_47 Member Posts: 244
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    HHR or transit connect

    Before running out and getting that cute little car, look at what Ford has coming next summer. If you can wait. Its built like a truck to do the job of a truck. Its not a mini van or a car doing a trucks job. True total MPG is not the same as the HHR but when I saw this at the autoshow It got my intrest.
    http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/
    what do you think?
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,230
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    Wow.

    Thank you, Jim.

    That's a great little truck.

    I love that the US is taking on some of Europe's vehicle designs.

    Here's a website for ya':
    click

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  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,884
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    You guys got me thinking

    about ugly cars.

    Here's a few ...

    1) The Aztec ... I mean OMG, don't know what this is supposed to look like but its not a car.

    2) Magnum .. looks like a coffin on wheels

    3) BMW-M coup.. How can such a great company make a car that looks like a sneaker ?

    4) Avalanche ... Sorry if you own one but one site said it look like Chevy merged with Tupperware

    5) Subaru Baja .... Its a car, its a toy ??

    6) Suzuku X-90 ... This is obviously a roller skate.

    Sorry if you own one of these. I mean really sorry.

    Scott

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  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,157
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    HHR not for tall folks

    I sat in one at a dealer recently. In addition to a very small windshield, I found it hard to see traffic lights with my head right up against the head liner. Go for the sun-roofed version for a bit additional head room.

    They also offer an SS version that has some nice "frills"

    hr
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Rob Blair
    Rob Blair Member Posts: 227
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    I know it isn't the mileage of the HHR but

    my Dodge Caravan gets about 20 mpg, loaded or not, can haul up to 11' of pipe and can put about 10 sheets of plywood in it!

    I still take abuse though from my friends who remind me of the days I said, "I will never own a Minivan!".

    Rob
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
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    The HHR is

    NOT ugly. It's a 1/3rd size version of the Chevy Panel Truck I wrestled around town in the late 1950's & early 60's. Up-sized a little would make it practical.

    Until then, I'll wait for the Transit Connect, or for Benz to bring back the short Sprinter.

  • Wayco Wayne_2
    Wayco Wayne_2 Member Posts: 2,479
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    Mileage on the

    Ford Transit connect is 19/24

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  • mark schofield
    mark schofield Member Posts: 153
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    a nice camper

    http://www.ford.co.uk/ie/transitconnect/-/trc_intro_4col/-/-/-/-

    If I was 25 again, I'd turn one of these into a VW type camper.
  • ALH_4
    ALH_4 Member Posts: 1,790
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    Diesel

    I see the European diesel version of the Transit Connect gets 31mpg city/40.6 mpg highway. Why no diesel here???
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
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    EPA!

  • ALH_4
    ALH_4 Member Posts: 1,790
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    Pollution

    Thank goodness we only have those non-polluting Duramaxes, Cummins, and Powerstrokes here. ;-)

    Honestly, regulations like those for diesel cars in America are so ridiculous they can turn a person into a conspiracy theorist.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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    That looks like an innovative design, I wish there were some milage specs.

    Do you think it will be offered with 0% financing? The american companies are getting desperate

    Some satire: http://www.theonion.com/content/news/ford_reintroduces_model_t_line
  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,981
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    Milne missed a few....

    Of the ugliest vehicles ever made.

    I nominate....

    The Matador. AMC made some ugly M/F cars in their day.think Hornet and the original Eagle....then Chrysler BOUGHT the (deleted word...) company !Along with the Pacer...

    2...the Chevy Vega.. I think these things were originally made of compressed rust...which is why you'll never see one on the road again. The engine (first aluminum try)was the pinnacle of ****..

    3 Anything American made from 1975-1980. Square and blocked was the standard of the day...and the Japanese and Euro makerS kicked our collective asses on body shape alone.(Ford Futura,Chevy Malibu,Chysler 400 series)

    4 ANYTHING French.Think Pugeot and Citreon...Have you ever seen anything uglier? Boxes with too many "accessories" that failed prematurely...(You should see them now!)..but transport vehicle failures run DEEP...and folks want to NOT remember Pugeot.

    5 Anything British. Try to find someone who could fix them.

    6 Anything Italian. I will confess to being a Fiat junkie.(short for...FUTILE ITALIAN ATTEMPT at TRANSPORTATION).

    Automobiles have comae a long way in the last 15 years...But ugly is still ugly.

    I see a lot of ugly in cars...but some find them not to bee. That's what makes the makers money....and who are we to judge someones preference? JCA

    I do have to agree with Scott on one count....If you buy one of the Magnum wagons...do you get a casket with it?

    I'm sorry...but that thing looks like a streamlined flipping HEARSE! JMHO. JCA
  • EJW_3
    EJW_3 Member Posts: 69
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    Anything Italian?

    I think not. How about Lamborghini and Ferrari?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-D5o_g0lxY&feature=related
  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,981
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    E.J.

    Is anyone out there gonna pull an Oprah...and put some magic place mat under the seat... so we ALL get one?

    I couldn't afford to feed one anyway....and would trade any of them for something that gets me 30to35 MPG anyway.Chris


  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,693
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    Scott

    LOL, you and I have the same thoughts on beauty and beast

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  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,693
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    what's the GVW

    I'm reaching my mid-life here and I'm always wondering what lawsuit lurks around the corner. If you're gonna use one of these for work and you have it weighed down, you may want to make sure you're under the max GVW. It just has a feel of "why did that contractor who charges so much money buy a car to run around in? He should have know better"

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  • kpc_20
    kpc_20 Member Posts: 19
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    Rememer..

    the Le Car??? I tought FIAT was...fix it again Tony?
    I still like the new Scion xb...toaster like.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,157
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    Smart car service vehicle

    this company builds tool boxes for many of the small euro vehicles.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,157
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    Smart or Kango service vehicles

    This company builds tool boxes and shelves for many of the small Euro vehicles.

    The Renault Kango is also a popular service truck in Europe with a 1.9 diesel. I heard rumors in Road and Track mag about a possible US version.

    hr
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Plumdog_2
    Plumdog_2 Member Posts: 873
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    Heck yes I remember

    The LeCar was a Renault, not a Fiat, but I had one of those too. I paid 75 dollars for it, put new brakes and rotors on it and drove it for years. I had to pull the engine and repair the clutch one time; I lifted it out with my bare hands. That car got over 40 mpg and was quite peppy. And surprisingly roomy! Parts were dirt cheap at the Euro auto salvage. I would buy another if I could find one.
  • EJW_3
    EJW_3 Member Posts: 69
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    Ugly cars

    Oh, I thought it was ugly cars not ones you could afford. :> I'd make a deal with the devil to own a Ferrari.

    EJW
  • Ed Lentz_2
    Ed Lentz_2 Member Posts: 158
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    I am not in the Plbg or htg business, but I happen to have a Honda Element as a persona vehicle. Gets about 25 highway and it can haul a ton of stuff in it! I moved a 18 CF Ref/Frz almost totally contained in the car! It doesn't have the best HP. I have had it 3 years with not a spec of trouble!

    Just my 2 cents worth.
  • Wayco Wayne_2
    Wayco Wayne_2 Member Posts: 2,479
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    My daughter

    works as a photographer's assistant in Chicago and the photographer moves her equipment around town to the shoots, in a Prius. She sez there's more room in them than you might think. How about rigging up a Prius to pull a little trailer. How far could you stretch 110 HP? :) WW

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  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,157
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    a plumbing rep I know hauls

    40 and 50 gallon water heaters in the back of his Prius, rear seat folded down of course. Something like 4 toilets and tanks also fit inside.

    hr
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Tom Shekita
    Tom Shekita Member Posts: 17
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    I am not ashamed (well maybe a little) to admit that I am the proud owner of a 04 Aztec, 88 Yugo, 68 Citroen 2CV. Now if I could just find a Renault LeCar my stable would be complete!
  • burnerman_2
    burnerman_2 Member Posts: 297
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    ugly now these 'r' ugly

    binkysimporttuning.com there r a lot of ugly cars here royboy
  • The Steam Whisperer (Formerly Boilerpro)
    The Steam Whisperer (Formerly Boilerpro) Member Posts: 834
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    A possible vehicle

    When my Ford van was down with a dead transmission (at 45,000 miles),  I had to use our 1993 Escort Wagon as a service vehicle.  You may want to check these out.  Under normal use we got 33 mpg, 29 with air on etc.  The 1990 to 1995 models are all Mazda and provided exceptional reliability, stay away from the later models.  In our 225,000 miles on ours, we only replaced 3 parts.  Put some heavy duty springs and struts in the back and go.  These things hold a whole lot of cargo.  These are typically running under $3500.00 used, and low mileage models are rather common, since many of these wagons appear to have been purchased by Senior Citizens.  I'm thinking of getting another one and trying to keep the truck parked.  Have to look at the operating costs carefully.  Boilerpro

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