My New Car: Chevy HHR or Pontiac Vibe

[Whitethunder46]

So, as soon as I sell the Mustang (hopefully real soon), I'll be in the market for a new car.

I want something reliable of course with decent gas mileage and where insurance won't kill me.

The other key is I want something with a large trunk area or where the back seats can fold completely flat.

Keeping all this in mind, I've narrowed it down to a Pontiac Vibe or Chevy HHR.

Pontiac Vibe: Made by Toyota, can find them all over the place for around $12,000 with less than 40,000 miles, 30/36 mpg, seats fold flat for lots of room, very reliable, nice car for me.

Chevy HHR: Has the very unique look, different, I feel this car would stand out more with an auto detailing business since it's more sleek looking and has that "unique" look. 24/30mpg, a little more expensive, slightly more room in the back, especially with seats folded down.

That's pretty much the basic breakdown of each.

Here is one of the HHR's that I came across: Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

Anyone have any experience with either of these or input?

[mshu7]

I don't have experience with either, however, just going off the facts, I think the Pontiac Vibe would be the better choice because of the reliability, gas mileage, and IMO, a little bit nicer interior.

[BetaB]

Why not a mazda3 hatchback? OK, i am biased

[Whitethunder46]

Originally Posted by BetaB

Why not a mazda3 hatchback? OK, i am biased

If only the seats folded down more!!! I love that car, I looked heavily into it a few months ago, but lately I can't find a Mazda 3 S for under $15,000!

I guess I should add that my budget is pretty much what I get for my Mustang (I'm hoping $13,000). I might be able to scrounge up a few more bucks, but we'll have to see.

[Stittville Ed]

Someone posted a gold HHR that they had detailed and it looked nice.
The gold color popped and would have a good image for you.
But I don't have to pay for it so........................

[Bigfoot]

It's a tough one here. TBH, I like them both. They both have their own personality and I'm sure both are quality cars. Now, in personal preference, I would take the HHR, I find it to be more unique rather than the somehwhat "aerodynamic style of the Vibe. That's just my opinion...

[drdellorama]

get a mazda 3 hatchback or sedan
the sedan's trunk space is humongous and if you fold the backseat also, the space will be bigger.

as for the hatch, the space will be even bigger.
and you get good gas milage

[BetaB]

My brother in law just got a used pantiac vibe, and I like it a little better than the HHR. I do not have a lot of experience with the HHR, but all the esperience with the newer vibes have been great. I can definatley see how the seats in the mazda3 could be a deal breaker. Good luck.

[BetaB]

Also, the HHR might be more "eye catching" if you are going to advertise on the car etc.....But, as a daily driver, the vibe might be more preffered. So many choices and options, it never ends ha ha.

[Whitethunder46]

Originally Posted by BetaB

Also, the HHR might be more "eye catching" if you are going to advertise on the car etc.....But, as a daily driver, the vibe might be more preffered. So many choices and options, it never ends ha ha.

I do plan on getting some vinyl decals for the rear window advertising my website, number, etc. So this is where the HHR becomes more tempting.