Oppo Questions

"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick) 12/04/2016 at 23:38 • Filed to: None

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OK Oppo how do you all convince yourselves to pick between two vehicles when one is clearly slower than the other. The issue I’ve recently developed is choosing between the HHR SS and the Cobalt SS/TC. The Cobalt is clearly the faster in every test and then some and it only gets worse with tunes, yet I seem to constantly be drawn to the bread van. Am I crazy for going for the slower vehicle with identical drivetrains?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:41

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Are you asking us to convince you that liking a car is more important than what the cars 0-60 time is?

CB > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:41

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Go for breadvan. Because the tunes will still workw with it, plus no ridiculous wing to be a cop magnet. Sleeper status is always good.

camaroboy68ss > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:42

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I really liked the SS cobalts, until i went inquired on insurance, it was cheaper to get a LS1 camaro, than insure a ss cobalt. The HHR was a okay idea, that chevy didnt seem to know what to do with.

SlickMcRick > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/04/2016 at 23:44

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Cobalt is much better than just its 0-60. Also these are late night musings brought about through a few shots of Tequila

Chuckles > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:44

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There’s more to choosing a car than just picking the fastest one, otherwise we’d all just be driving the fastest thing we could find. Is this a daily driver for you? Focus on the other differences. As someone who has owned 2 door and 4 door cars, I’d say that 4 doors is way more convenient. There’s also probably more cargo room in the bread van. How do they compare on price, or gas mileage? Unless you are looking to just buy a track toy, there’s tons of reasons to pick the slower car. It all depends on what you want to get out of the car. 

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:45

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I really like HHRs. Drove a manual non-SS and it was amusing. Would daily the hell out of a mildly lowered SS panel van with a manual and some decent wheels.

SlickMcRick > CB 12/04/2016 at 23:45

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I’m definitely leaning that way. I’ve wanted one since 2008 for some reason. Can’t even say why. Did get to drive one a few months ago and oh my was it a blast.

 V8 Rustler > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:45

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/thread

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:45

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Gotcha.

To answer your question, no. You are not crazy for wanting the slower car with the same drivetrain.

SlickMcRick > Chuckles 12/04/2016 at 23:48

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In this case it’ll be mainly a weekend car. The winter beater Protege will be my main commuter. I’m really deciding if I want my possible last bachelor car to be a breadvan or if I want to go with a coupe before family things come into place. Cobalt was only used in this case from doing a little refresher on it’s performance credentials. Was also looking a 128i or possible FR-S. HHR SS came into play because I’ve always liked them since new and they can be had for under $10k all day.

SlickMcRick > camaroboy68ss 12/04/2016 at 23:49

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Agreed. I’ll have to do a little more research to see if they also gave it the chassis tuning they gave the Cobalt.

SlickMcRick > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 12/04/2016 at 23:50

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Mmmmm a panel would be amazing. The weird thing was that they still had the rear seats, just now exterior door handles. Guess aftermarket door poppers would have to be invested to it.

SlickMcRick >  V8 Rustler 12/04/2016 at 23:52

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First car I remember “driving” with my old man modulating the pedals in a parking lot. Uncle also had one and we used it for newspaper delivery. Solid van from my childhood memory.

Chuckles > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:55

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I just went and read your previous post. It’s a tough call. I will admit that the HHR SS is probably a better family car than the other ones, so it would be easier to get even after family obligations get in the way. If you don’t have an upcoming wedding planned or kids on the way, I wouldn’t let that cloud the picture too much right now. What do you want out of this car? If you want to go really fast and get speeding tickets, get the fastest one. If you want to carve up some twisty roads, you might be better off in the FR-S instead of the HHR. If you want to have room for a camping weekend, go with the bread van.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:57

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They might be the same drivetrain, but they are very different cars. The seating position in the HHR made me stabby, it just wasn’t comfortable. The front side of my shin hurt just from driving it, and I’m so glad my parents had an automatic and I didn’t have to try and deal with a clutch.

I’ve done multiple 8 to 12 hour trips in my Cobalt SS with the Recaro seats, and it’s totally fine.

plak424 > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:58

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Go with the HHR. First of all it’s a hatch back, and secondly is not a cobalt so you won’t have to worry as much about it being destroyed by idiotic previous owners or getting revved at by fart can civics at stoplights.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > SlickMcRick 12/04/2016 at 23:59

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Fast bread vans are always better.

SlickMcRick > Chuckles 12/05/2016 at 00:03

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Yes no upcoming wedding or kids, need to find “the one” first. Just got to thinking that I’m on the back half of my 20s and sliding close to 30 so I might as well get myself a selfish vehicle before those family times arise. I’ve never owned a RWD vehicle and whichever I get won’t be my daily. Just looking for something fun to drive and also has an “eligible bachelor” look to it. But no matter how hard I try the sleeper effect of the breadvan creeps in. Also with the LSD it’s apparently a great handling FWD vehicle.

shop-teacher > SlickMcRick 12/05/2016 at 00:05

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You’re not the Stig. Whatever bit faster the Cobalt may be won’t matter. Your butt-dyno won’t be able to tell the difference. Just get the one you want.

SlickMcRick > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 12/05/2016 at 00:08

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Drove one before at a used car dealer. Only for 5 minutes or so, need a longer ride to get a decent feel of it. Forgot you had the Cobalt. These are both underappreciated cars for some reason. The HHR just appeals to my sleeper nature and I would love passing a few surprised faces as I pass them.

SlickMcRick > plak424 12/05/2016 at 00:10

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Tis’ true. Those who purchased the HHR really wanted it and loved it for the most part. Also insurance should be cheaper.

Chuckles > SlickMcRick 12/05/2016 at 00:24

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I totally get it. I was 29 years old and realized that every car I owned was because it was the only car I could afford at the time, or a family member was selling it, or my car died and I needed one right away. I had never really chosen my own car, and I felt like it was time. So I went out and found my 94 Miata, and I’m so glad that I did. Since you mentioned that you haven’t found “the one” yet, I would say don’t let that get in the way of your choice. You can’t plan for when that sort of stuff happens. Get the car that makes you the happiest, and the rest will just sort of fall into place. Besides, if that person really is “the one”, won’t they support your car buying habits anyway? I’m not sure what qualifies as an “eligible bachelor” car, but I’d say that any of the ones you mentioned should be fine.

SlickMcRick > Chuckles 12/05/2016 at 00:55

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A bachelor car is pretty much a coupe. Advertises that I have no family responsibilities back home. Probably will end up with the HHR since it’s one of those weird cravings we tend to have here on Oppo. Also I would love to own an NB Miata one day with a Honda J35 swap.

Chuckles > SlickMcRick 12/05/2016 at 01:13

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A Honda V6 in a Miata would be a blast, but I’m happy with my 1.8L 4-banger. It’s not the fastest car, but it handles like a go-kart and the amount of speed you can carry through a corner makes it fun on twisty roads. And personally, I wouldn’t concern myself too much with getting a bachelor’s car to appeal to potential partners. As long as you aren’t driving a van that says “free candy” or a unicycle, they probably won’t care too much about what you drive. And if they look down on you for driving a 4 door bread van, they can go pound sand.

Maxima Speed >  V8 Rustler 12/05/2016 at 06:15

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My first vehicle. Suspension is VERY strong considering what I put it throughout. Can confirm will jump :) I did goon it but the weight up high doesn’t inspire confidence. You know I just remembered something. The steering in those things was incredible, relatively light feel, but lots of road feel and feedback, and turning radius was as good as an small city car.