Pilot vs Chevy HHR - Honda Pilot

Sportymonk · 10-11-2005, 11:32 PM

hey its kind of cute. Looked at one in the doctors parking lot the other day and thought, " Hey, I could get rid of the full size spare and put this in back!!"

Seriously, why would anybody buy an "SUV" and I use the term REAL loosely, and buy an HHR. No tow capacity, no room in back, no room in front. It looked like a roller skate with a car (small body) added on. Seems GM would have learned with the SSR pseudo pickup (go look how much room is in back after the top and lift mechanism is accounted for and the lid that only partially opens!!)

jl_ss · 10-12-2005, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sportymonk
hey its kind of cute. Looked at one in the doctors parking lot the other day and thought, " Hey, I could get rid of the full size spare and put this in back!!"

Seriously, why would anybody buy an "SUV" and I use the term REAL loosely, and buy an HHR. No towcapacity, no room in back, no room in front. It looked like a roller skate with a car (small body) added on. Seems GM would hav elearned with the SSR pseudo pickup (go lok how much room is in back after the top and lift mechanism is accounted for and the lid that only partially opens!!)

It's supposed to compete with the retro-look PT Cruiser not SUVs. It is slightly larger than the PTC and I don't believe either are available in AWD.

**colorider** · 10-12-2005, 07:14 AM

Mrs. Colorider and I stopped to look at them about a month ago and have actually seen quite a few on the road. Kinda cute (in a PT Cruiser sort of way), but when you start pricing one out, the $$ rack up pretty quick just to get the features I feel are important (ABS, etc).

It will be interesting how the sales go.

hondacuraplanet · 10-12-2005, 07:52 AM

Personally the whole retro look turns me off, because it's done wrong.

I don't get why engineers seem to think that the 1950s can be recreated with cheap plastic knock offs of '57 Chevys, James Dean, Elvis, and Coca Cola emblems........nor can it be recreated with plastic. Wanna do retro right? Add CHROME, and real hubcaps.

The HHR reminds me of a full size video tape rewinder made to look like an old car

N_Jay · 10-12-2005, 08:27 AM

GM is just SOOOO lost!

jl_ss · 10-12-2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by colorider
Mrs. Colorider and I stopped to look at them about a month ago and have actually seen quite a few on the road. Kinda cute (in a PT Cruiser sort of way), but when you start pricing one out, the $$ rack up pretty quick just to get the features I feel are important (ABS, etc).

It will be interesting how the sales go.

I really am not into the retro styling of either of these (although I think the PT_C looks better) but the HHR does seem to be comparably priced to the PT Cruiser. Both require you to buy antilocks and side airbags as options. The PT_C does offer more powerful engine options.

jl_ss · 10-12-2005, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hondacuraworld
Personally the whole retro look turns me off, because it's done wrong.

I don't get why engineers seem to think that the 1950s can be recreated with cheap plastic knock offs of '57 Chevys, James Dean, Elvis, and Coca Cola emblems........nor can it be recreated with plastic. Wanna do retro right? Add CHROME, and real hubcaps.

The HHR reminds me of a full size video tape rewinder made to look like an old car

Hey, don't blame the engineers, they are implementing the marketing depts plans/specifications within (usually too small) set budgets

.

ramirami · 10-12-2005, 10:25 AM

the first one works..(PT Cruiser)...bad imitation after 5 years does not..

jl_ss · 10-12-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ramirami
the first one works..(PT Cruiser)...bad imitation after 5 years does not..

From the Detroit News:

"It is a poorly kept secret in Detroit that the HHR (Heritage High Roof) and the PT Cruiser sprang from the same designer, 36-year-old Bryan Nesbitt, who left Chrysler in 2001 and now is executive director of GM Design Europe.

Where the PT Cruiser is simply retro-flavored, Chevrolet says the exterior design of the HHR was inspired specifically by the 1949 Suburban panel delivery truck, with some styling cues derived from the Chevy SSR pickup."

rocky · 10-12-2005, 12:09 PM

Sportmonk, you have me worried...after all the freestyle/pilot decision making we went through together.....

I just think its a hideous design. Best color probably Black to hide it.

Colorider, I bet the best sales market is going to be your local airport rental lot.

jl_ss · 10-12-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rocky
Sportmonk, you have me worried...after all the freestyle/pilot decision making we went through together.....

I just think its a hideous design. Best color probably Black to hide it.

Colorider, I bet the best sales market is going to be your local airport rental lot.

Reviews have not been all that kind, especially with no real higher HP engines available. They just should have called it the AVIS_ ENTERPRISE_NATIONAL

.

Tim · 10-12-2005, 02:22 PM

I sorta like the looks of the old suburbans.......

**colorider** · 10-12-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rocky

Colorider, I bet the best sales market is going to be your local airport rental lot.

Yeah - hard to say. When the PT first came out I was mildly excited about it and "almost" thought I wanted one. Then I went through about a 4 year spell where I could not stand the looks of them. Then out of the blue comes the ragtop and I was immediately drawn to it - buying one within a month of their release.

Fast-forward a year or so and Mrs. Colorider and I had decided we wanted a roadster at some point in time - probably in 2006. All of a sudden we decided we wanted it NOW and the PT ragtop was gone and in it's place a nice new S2K!!!! After we got the S2K we had several friends and relatives tell us "So glad to see you get a different car as we NEVER liked the looks of the PT - but didn't want to hurt your feelings by telling you".

rocky · 10-12-2005, 03:10 PM

The PT came out shortly after the New Beetle and retro began to be "in".
The Pt rode that way and in some ways has become almost classic. I don't think its style is aging. The Mustang is retro, but managed well honoring the past with classy modern touches.

HHR... Its going to go the way of the Aztec.

ramirami · 10-12-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rocky
The PT came out shortly after the New Beetle and retro began to be "in".
The Pt rode that way and in some ways has become almost classic. I don't think its style is aging.

plus they have sold a lot more than they initially thought they would...

it has gone a long way in reinventing Chrysler as a "car" company...

so it has been a success....

10-12-2005, 07:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
colorider Olde Timer Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 6,770 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mrs. Colorider and I stopped to look at them about a month ago and have actually seen quite a few on the road. Kinda cute (in a PT Cruiser sort of way), but when you start pricing one out, the $$ rack up pretty quick just to get the features I feel are important (ABS, etc). It will be interesting how the sales go. __________________ '10 Honda Pilot EX-L '11 Ford Mustang GT/CS '12 Yamaha XT1200Z Enjoy Life Today Yesterday Is Gone Tomorrow May Never Come

10-12-2005, 07:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
hondacuraplanet Site Sponsor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Buffalo, New York Posts: 2,006 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Personally the whole retro look turns me off, because it's done wrong. I don't get why engineers seem to think that the 1950s can be recreated with cheap plastic knock offs of '57 Chevys, James Dean, Elvis, and Coca Cola emblems........nor can it be recreated with plastic. Wanna do retro right? Add CHROME, and real hubcaps. The HHR reminds me of a full size video tape rewinder made to look like an old car __________________ www.oemacuraparts.com Remember to visit www.hondacuraplanet.com for your accessories needs! See our Pilot monthly special here! http://www.hondacuraplanet.com/mm5/m...tegory_Code=SP

10-12-2005, 08:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,440 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	GM is just SOOOO lost! __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

10-12-2005, 10:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
ramirami 'da Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Arlington Hts., IL Posts: 7,969 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	the first one works..(PT Cruiser)...bad imitation after 5 years does not.. __________________ ~~2003 Starlight Silver EXL_RES~~ 2005 Blue Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.0 2011 Black Audi Q5 2.0T

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10-12-2005, 12:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 6,718 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sportmonk, you have me worried...after all the freestyle/pilot decision making we went through together..... I just think its a hideous design. Best color probably Black to hide it. Colorider, I bet the best sales market is going to be your local airport rental lot.

10-12-2005, 03:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 6,718 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The PT came out shortly after the New Beetle and retro began to be "in". The Pt rode that way and in some ways has become almost classic. I don't think its style is aging. The Mustang is retro, but managed well honoring the past with classy modern touches. HHR... Its going to go the way of the Aztec.

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