Just got this new shop truck this morning. No, it's not an April Fool's Joke.
It's a '08 Chevy HHR Panel with three miles on the odometer when I drove it off the lot.
Bruce Bowers had his HHR at Fred's and I just couldn't take it any longer.
Actually, I wasn't planning on buying one for awhile but drove by the Chevy dealer and they had this one on the lot. It was the first one they had put up for sale. For some reason they are just not available in this area. As far as I know this is the first one in Temple.
Now, I just wonder what I could put on the side?
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
HooRay!!! Looks cool Ray, congratulations!
Can't wait to see the bling.
Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
I'll be in Chuston, Tecksez for the next few days Ray. When I get back I can cut some vinyl and send it over to ya. What would you like it to say? Seriously, good ride cowboy.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with it, Ray.
.
Posted by Regina L. Wolfgang (Member # 7911) on :
HHmmm.... what would Chester do??????? Retro ride calls for a retro layout don't ya think?
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Sounds good to me, Regina.
Posted by Regina L. Wolfgang (Member # 7911) on :
I bought an FJ Cruiser last year. Gotta love the retro remakes.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I'll come and hand letter it for you. Just pay me what you think the job is worth.
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
how bout a big fat polar bear, kinda looks like one already, maybe you could get pierre to print one when he gets his new printer, there's polar bears all over the place where he lives and he has a good digital camera so no artwork needed.
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
then again, if you had one of those big 5 axis routers you could park on the table and carve it all up sawatsky-like with wiggly lines and everything
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
Lot of potential there Raymond! Can't wait to see the end result!!
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
I'm so envious it hurts.
Hope you enjoy it for a long, long time.
Joe
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Very nice, Ray. You will love the ride, the comfort, and the economy!
I bet you get yours lettered before I do mine, though... Hey, it gets cold here in Minnesota in the winter and I don't have a heated garage. No, wait, it was that I needed to do a layout and finalize the design... yeah, yeah, that's the ticket...
Can't wait to see what you do...
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Sweet Ray. I checked out some pics, etc. on the web. What is the cargo/passenger set up. Does is function like a mini van. ie: fold down seats. Is it big enough to get a 4'x8' in flat on the floor?
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Now if they would just make one of those the size of a pick up.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
There are no rear seats in the panel version of the HHR.
As far as the 4x8 issue goes... when you look as cool as you do profiling in one of these bad boys, who cares?
Posted by Donald Miner (Member # 6472) on :
Well, being as I am the patriotic sort, I'd go with an American flag on the large expanse of white and my shop logo on the front doors. Maybe a big eagle on the hood, with a flag in the background. But that's just me. I'm sure you will come up with a great design. Good Luck and enjoy trhe ride. Don
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
Now that is a nice shop truck! I am sure you will do some beautiful lettering on it Ray.
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
I was looking at the same thing over the weekend. As cool as they look, man, they sure seem tiny! I'm not sure my ladders would fit in it. The price for the one I was looking at was right though. Please fill us in or keep us (me) up to date on the pros and cons!
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Pretty cool ride Raymond. I know you'll sweeten it up with your magic touch.
4x8's, ladders, what about putting a rack on the top?
Posted by Bill Lynch (Member # 3815) on :
How about a Mail Pouch ad? Definately a sweet ride that screams for a classic design.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Although there is room in the back for lots of stuff, it is not meant (at least for me) to carry 4' x 8's and such. It will be used mainly for scooting around town and being a traveling billboard. There is no back seat but it does have some bins for storage.
We will use it to work vinyl and paint lettering on windows and such where a 4' ladder is sufficient, but not for heavy stuff.
It is comfortable, gets good gas mileage, has On-Star and lots of bells and whistles, but it is not meant to be a crane truck.
For the time being I will just do something in a digital print and then mull over paint schemes and such for a later time.
This is my first completely new vehicle and the best part is the smell inside.
New toys! Is this a great country or what!
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
I WANT ONE!! I WANT ONE!! Congratulations Ray! Sharp lookin' ride!
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
2 things NOT TO DO......WRAP IT or VINYL IT.... paint on that will be so "retro"!!!!! we have a car show every sat evening. this guy has a beautiful 1951-52 FORD PANEL DELIVERY. and its sorta the bright 60's ford blue met. SWEET...till you get up next to the graphics...ITS PRINTED VINYL....really looks like crap.....on that vehicle.
Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :
I've only had mine for a few weeks Ray and I love it! I got 30 mpg on the first tank. Mine's silver
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I think you should route some real cool 3D lettering for the side Raymond... GOLD LEAFED of course!
I've already done our trailer and am planning our truck now!
Can't wait to see what you do on the side...
-grampa dan
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
You know, I found the answer to that burning question of whether a 4x8 would fit in the back of my HHR Panel! I fit one in mine last night.
I only had to cut it twice.
[ April 03, 2008, 08:08 AM: Message edited by: Bruce Bowers ]
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
These things are definately cool looking. As far as the 4x8 issue....how often do you haul around a 4x8 anyway? A lightweight little trailer will solve the 4x8 and ladder problem.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
This probably is of no particular interest to anyone, but I would not have bought the HHR if I needed a truck. For installations and those times when we need to haul the 4' x 8's we use Mike's truck, which is a full sized '03 Chevy Silverado. It's his but I pay half the insurance and put gas in it when it is needed for the studio.
I've been looking at these HHR's for a long time, but when Mike decided to try out the Sheriff's department I no longer had access to his truck, so I was looking for a full sized pick-up. Luckily, he returned and my search for a HHR continued.
This would not be a practical shop truck if you did a lot of large signs, installations, etc. For me, it's perfect. As Jeanne says, it's my new toy.
She reminded me recently that I now have a lot of toys: HHR Panel, ShopBot, Fancy Video Camera, Adobe Editing Software, and one of those refrigerators that spit ice and water out the door. She said that it was time to paint the house and fix up the bathroom at home. I guess she's right...which is normal.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
the looks of the new HHR panel are beautiful for the normal person in any business and so are the looks of my 59 Chevy Carryall yet the gas mileage you'll receive differs from the LS6 454 I have in mine.
Good luck Raymond and God bless
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Jeez Ray... next thing you know, you'll be getting indoor plumbing and one of those electronic moon-dials you strap to your wrist!!
I think it's a GREAT looking vehicle.... I've come to like the looks, which I wasn't sure about at first.... but I especially love those blocky fenders and the panel version is the cat's meow!
Do 'er up good and make a point of posting the pics will ya?? Show us the candy Mister.
I'm with George - you can always get a light duty trailer for sheets of stuff - if ya needed to in a pinch.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
They are awesome, I would have had one but I could'nt fit a 4x8 in the back, so I got another Caravan with fold down seats, and we can fit a 4x8 in the back, then realized I have a 4x4 pick up truck and said.*&*&%$$%##@!!!!
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I was trying to fit a 4' x 8' panel into my wife's "new" van a few years ago without destroying the upholstery and the guy at the supplier jumped down to help. He told me: "I have a wife, too."
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Looking at the photo again and how well the body lines cast a shadow how about faux embossed lettering?
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
this was one at car show last weekend...the accent lines are painted same color as lettering...
[ April 03, 2008, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Kevin Mann (Member # 7161) on :
What a coincidence! I have spent the past 2 weeks researching possible replacements for my nice (buy not fuel efficient) Tundra. After researching everything from Magnums to Civics I settled on the HHRs. I have not parted with my truck as yet. I am worried about the space issue. As far as ladders go, just have the dealer install the HHRs side rails and cross members on top-it's rated for 100lb-enough for a little giant type ladder or a couple of aluminum ladders. I have been looking more at the passenger models though, you never know when you may need a back seat.
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
I think Op's photo says it all ... sorry you guys but the styling sucks.
Looks like a hippo on wheels.
[ April 04, 2008, 06:37 AM: Message edited by: Jon Butterworth ]
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
36 to 1 Jon, you loose. lol Just joking!
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Oh Ray I'm so jealous...I saw my first one abut 3 years back as I was coming home from a family reunion in Missouri...as i saw it go by I actually stopped and turned around to follow it...my wife thouht I'd lost my mind til she saw it too.
It was a beautiful saphire blue and looked to be lowered.
I want one bad! Maybe soon if my 300,000 mile chevy short wide ever quits! Until then?
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
Raymond, Don't drink and drive!!!! I loved that car!
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Arrrggghhhh! That suxx!
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Sorry about the Chevy, Tony...but I'm glad you're still here.
Don't worry, I don't drink. Of course that doesn't guarantee that mine won't end up looking like yours some day.
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
That was back in '92. I paid the price! No insurance! 3 broken ribs, broken jaw (loose fire extinguisher. Handle imprint in my jaw bone!), and a broken collar bone. Good thing I put a seat belt in it!
I love the idea of three dimensional letters on your vehicle! Whatever you do it will look awesome! Keep us posted!
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Ray-
I thought you were going for the Hemi Magnum...
Dan
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
guy at the car show here in pcola got one of them.....with the BIG HEMI 425 Horsepower 6.1-liter SRT HEMI® V8 engine he bought it and it was one of the only few that got made before the quit makin the magnum.
[ April 06, 2008, 01:42 AM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Maybe you can get Dave Smith to customize that rear window for you Ray. Looks like a pretty nice canvas!
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
I need a fuel miser too. I'm looking at a micro Japanese van with a 660cc engine to complement the multiple-4x8-carying GMC 2500. I hate driving such a BIG truck just to go get a box of screws or ..lunch.
The HHR looks like a fun little truck. Picture a Jeep Liberty and a PT Cruiser gettin'it on, there's the HHR . Not that that's a bad thing. bump chica wah wah
Have fun Ray. Show us some pics as you get along with the decor
Cheers
[ April 07, 2008, 03:10 AM: Message edited by: Gerald Lauze' ]
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
That's too funny Gerald. Where's the rest of it
I really don't care for the regular HHR that much, but the panel version is sharp looking and seems to be a practical vehicle for 80% of the work I do. When I need something bigger, I could rent it. I also have my eye on the Caliber, but its big sister, the Journey looks very interesting. Too bad it's a brand new model. Oh well, lots to think about.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Checkers, my folks-in-law were put in a Dodge Caliber a while back when they rented a car... it was probably a low end model, but that thing SUCKED. I drove it and I think I could go from 0-60 quicker on my bicycle than in that rolling brick.
I wasn't impressed.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
HHR gets decent/average reviews....the Dodge Magnum? Not so great....
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Good thing I have an 06 Todd. Not sure how you can have 'reliability' testing on a 1 year old car. I'm sure the Magnums we're fine also the first year.
25k miles, $0 maintenance, aside from oil changes. New rims, CAI, don't count!
Love this car to death. To each his own. HHR and PT Cruiser are more like each other than an HHR vs. a Hemi powered Mag.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
What a great surface for a panel jam!!!!
I like it, Ray. Nice choice!
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Hi Dan,
I'm a real Consumer's Report guy and a car nut, and when you mentioned the Magnum as an option I thought I'd look up the two vehicles and see what they had to say about them....
I was kind of surprised at the results actually...
But CR sends out millions of exhaustive surveys each year to subscribers, including detailed questionaires on the cars they own. As you can see from the results - the subscribers indicate problems they have had with a number of major components of the car, as well as questions as to whether you would buy the car again - which I didn't include.
So, all these reliability marks are based upon actual owner experiences. I've found they are pretty dead nuts accurate.
I had purchased a Honda Accord brand new in 1987, and loved the car....with the only problem being recurring problems with warped disk brakes, and constant brake problems.
I looked up the model and year on Consumer Reports (paper version back then)a year after I owned the vehicle and the car received the solid red dot (much better than average) on almost every topic except brakes. On the brakes it got a solid black dot (much worse than average).... and I thought, "Wow.... this thing mirrors my personal experience exactly."
So, there's always exceptions.... but I believe that the data collected is based upon the median experiences of most people that own the particular car.
Not to bash the car... I think it's cool looking and I'm sure with the Hemi it's a fun ride....
Reliability in certain areas might not pan out to be what you thought, but then, a lot of people don't keep their cars for more than a few years anyway - in which case the warranty takes care of anything that pops up.... and the problems will end up being the next owners most likely.
I tend to buy new cars and keep them for a long time - usually 7-8 years before selling them. It's the only way I can justify buying new because otherwise, the depreciation would be murderous.
Conversely though... exceptions always being a possibility....I purchased a brand new Mazda MPV mini van in 89...and it was rated as the top mini van at the time in terms of reliability, driving experience, etc.....and it turned out to be very unreliable.... so, enter chaos theory. Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
The reason the HHR and the PT Cruiser are so similar is that they were designed by the same guy.
I really like my HHR panel. I like the ride, the mileage, the looks, and I really dig the looks it gets.
Still profiling in St. Cloud and loving it...
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Todd, my in-laws are big Consumer Reports fans.. they read each magazine and research all their purchases with CR... myself, looking at a few of their magazines, I've wondered about the authenticity of some the results...
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Consumer Reports doesn't have a category for Turkey Smackin'. That F-150 would be downgraded for windshield damage.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
LOL Jon! But with all those "Much better than Average" red dots..... how come it only gets an "AVERAGE" rating under the "New Car Prediction?"
Hhahahahaha - - - Gotcha There!! Hehehe.
You're clever, but you missed the final step mister! Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Hahaha.... Todd, I saw that after I already had it uploaded to the my server, and thought about fixing it, right before my conscience reminded that I actually had work to do... Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Good luck Ray, we all know you will do a great job. It reminds me of the sedan delivery trucks of the 40's. They were great for short guys like us to letter. Now they have the Dodge Sprinter and it makes us look smaller than we are. Bill
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Wow! Oddly enough, I just received my Consumer Reports automotive questionaire in my email this morning....
I took the survey, and filled out extensive/exhaustive questions relating to just about every aspect of my vehicles... such as repair/problems with just about every aspect of the vehicle....comfort questions....handling... hardware failures....squeeks/rattles.... mechanical....perceived power....you name it and it was on there.
This is why I put a fair amount of trust in the CR recommendations and reliability reports.
Anyway....just thought it was ironic we were chatting about this and in my email it pops.
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Seriously, good ride cowboy.
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