We just started towing an HHR as our toad. Yes, they stopped manufacturing after 2011. There are a lot of them out there. We picked up a 2011 HHR that had been a rental car with only 37,000 miles and in great shape. Worked with a small town Chevy dealer and found it at a dealership in metro area. Small town dealer checked it all out and we are very pleased.
Don't get the SS model. This model doesn't accept the towing mods because of front end.
Works great for us because we needed something close to 3,000 lbs. And also wanted something with versatility - able to haul packages and people when not being towed.