As you guys have seen on my posts the last few months, I'd been dealing with a wrecked Ram. After getting it back from the body shop for the 4th time I had already made up my mind I was not going to keep her. I'd had a lot of time to think about it and decided it was time to downsize for more fuel economy.

My criteria for a new vehicle was:
MPG's - 25 or higher
Cargo Room - 50-60 cu ft
Price range - under $17k new
and ample head and leg room - I'm 6'5"

After many different test drives I ended up deciding on a Chevy HHR. The Jeep Patriot was the only model in the Chrysler line-up that met the criteria, however it's engine is just way underpowered for it's size IMO.

I will miss the Ram, no doubt. But I foresee a lot of problems in it's future, and I just don't want to deal with it. Plus since being transferred and commuting 130 miles per day, economically the Ram is not a good choice.

Trade-In Day:



And my new HHR:








Thanks for all the great input this forum had provided me over the last couple of years!!! Enjoy your Rams guys!!! I know I'll miss mine..

 

Peace out cubscout. How much you get for the trade in? The gas stations will miss your business thats for sure lol

 

D@mn, that sucks man. A lot of guys are leaving. Good luck with the chevy man.

 

Sorry you had to get rid of her, I didn't figure after the wreck it would be worth the hassle and was hopin your insurance would have totalled it out. That truck was a sexy beast and it will be missed and so will you, you could always hang around like EJMO5 is. He's tradin his in for a V dub but he's still gonna b on the forums.

 

An HHR? Really?

 

He coulda got a Nitro like RH's wife and then they could have tupperware parties.

 

What are you trying to say there Shiloh? We have a Nitro and its pretty nice.

bwhite - Sorry to see you go man, hope the HHR works for you and your needs.

 

I got $13,000 for my trade. I was more than happy with that considering as soon as he typed my VIN in, a warning popped up big and bold on the top of his screen, stating my vehicle had major crash damage reported.

Yep, that's right. I wasn't looking at it to begin with, but the dealer I was working with suggested I should at least take it for a spin. The dealership I bought from had: Toyota, Scion, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Chevrolet, GMC, & Cadillac on the lot. Had a lot of cars to choose from lol. I test drove a 5-speed and actually liked it. Sits higher than a car, good gas mileage, and the seats were quite comfortable. I didn't like the color of the one I test drove or any on the lot, but just so happened the one I bought was being rolled off the truck when we started talking numbers. I ended up liking the deal, and now I have a HHR. It suits my needs for right now. I will be buying an older pickup before the Summer for my needs around the house.

 

My thoughts exactly. I would have added a "wow" though.

 

Good luck with it man.
I just picked up a Dodge Journey for my mom and she loves it. It would have met ALL your critieria in the 4 cyl model, but if you think a Patriot is underpowered, you should test drive a 3500# Journey with a 4 cyl, 4 speed in it!

The V6, 6 speed we ended up getting was loaded, everything but R/T package, was stickered at $28k, and we ended up getting it for around $22k, so it would have been a little above what you were looking to spend.