I have just started looking at the H3, haven't even driven one yet. Does anyone own one of these or know anyone that owns one? I'd be interrested in hearing peoples thoughts on this vehicle.
CajunCamper
I'm quite certain you don't want to hear MY thoughts on this vehicle!
Quote from: 3ontheGoI'm quite certain you don't want to hear MY thoughts on this vehicle!
No I really do want to hear your thoughts good , bad or really bad. I'm not looking for anyone to candy coat anything.
CajunCamper
The H3 gets pretty low scores from consumer reports if that means anything to you. Its more of a status symbol then functional. IMO
I've never driven one ... never really had the desire to. We do have a family friend that has a Hummer (not sure which model) and the one thing he said about it is that the blind spots are HUGE. The windows are so small and high up that it is hard to see what's in your blind spot.
Quote from: CajunCamperI have just started looking at the H3, haven't even driven one yet. Does anyone own one of these or know anyone that owns one? I'd be interrested in hearing peoples thoughts on this vehicle.
CajunCamper
Okay, I have to ask, "Why do you want one?"
I have heard that, offroad, the H2's are pretty pitiful. Have even seen some sad stuff happen to H2's that I believe my Nissan Frontier 4x4 could have handled.
That said, I can't believe the "cheaper" H3 would be any better.
Larry
OK...I found the video:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/49584/how_to_kill_a_hummer/
Doesn't look like an awful place. Its weight likely contributed to the tie rod breaking. That would be in favor of the lighter H3 (but is also proportionately lighter-made, I expect).
Larry
I have had 2 friends that have had them. Neither had any mechanical problems with them and both loved them. However, they drastically underestimated the amount of harrassment they would receive by owning it. They get weekly "things" happen to them, whether it is someone telling them stuff with hand gestures, people flashing their headlights to high beams purposely while driving at night, people cutting them off, this list gets endless. They have come to expect 3 harrassing situations a week.
One of them traded it in finally because he had enough. Funny thing, he purchased a Lincoln Navigator (he is a dentist with his own practice) and it gets worse gas milage and is bigger than his Hummer but no one does anything to him anymore.
If you park you car in the garage, you'd better take some measurements first. ;)
It's kind of funny but I think I can count on one hand the times that I have seen any type of Hummer pulling any kind of trailer.
The H3 is a sharp looking vehicle that gets a lot of attention, both good and bad. I have seen a H3 pulling a popup in an Indiana campground this summer and it made an impressive looking rig.
The main advantage of the H3 is the tough-looking military derived appearance.
It has only about 4500 pound towing capacity, and the ground clearance is about the same as a Hyundai Santa Fe. The engine (3.7 litre inline 5-cylinder) and drivetrain are the same as used in the GMC Canyon and Colorado Pickup trucks. You can get a bigger and more powerful vehicle with the Explorer V-8 (SUV or Sport Trac) or Nissan Pathfinder OffRoad Edition (which has some serious off-road goodies standard equipment), or even a Nissan X-Terra to get more SUV capability for your dollars. However, none of these have the attention-getting styling of the H3.
Or, you could just buy a crew-cab GMC Canyon or Chevrolet Colorado pickup with the offroad suspension package, getting basically the same vehicle with different sheet metal, and save a bunch of bucks, plus have a truck bed to haul your firewood, garden mulch, and dirty fishing gear.
Quote from: CajunCamperI have just started looking at the H3, haven't even driven one yet. Does anyone own one of these or know anyone that owns one? I'd be interrested in hearing peoples thoughts on this vehicle.
CajunCamper
My sister owned an H2 and she absolutely hated it! She only kept it about a year and after constant time at the dealership for repairs she traded it in on a Escalade, which she loves. She also could not stand how poorly the H2 handled and the ride was like a covered wagon.
Quote from: GeneFOkay, I have to ask, "Why do you want one?"
Like I said I just started looking at them, I don't know if I want to buy one that's why I asked for peoples opinions. Lots of folks here seem to have a few bad stories about them. I will probably also start looking at the Land Rover LR3.
CajunCamper
the hummers are like harleys...if you want one you will not be happy with anything else. are there better/worse vehicles out there?? sure, but these vehicles are about making a statement...a statement that apparently might piss some people off...
It's seems pretty childish to get pissed off at someone because of the type vehicle they drive. I have always been a bit of a rebel I quess and have never liked to do certain things or buy certain things to follow the crowd. If what the crowd is doing or buying appeals to me then I buy it or do it, but it's not because its the in thing. If I want to do things or buy things that goes against what everyone else is doing or buying, I do it not to be different, but because it happens to be the thing that makes me happy and if people think I'm odd or a rebel, so be it.
I'm 47 years old, I own my own successful business (mainly because I never have liked being told what to do), I keep my hair long and experiment regulary with how I keep my facial hair, I wear an earing, I drink the wine that taste good to me and not because of the label, and if I want to pay $50,000 to $60,000 for a vehicle to drive around in and tow my $5000 pop up, I'll do it and if people get pissed off at me, then they need to do a little soul searching and discover what they're really mad about.
If they're mad because I can afford one and they can't, then I suggest they get their butts in gear and make things happen so they can afford one.
That being said, I still haven't decided to buy one, I simply haven't done the research or driven one yet. I also like the Land Rover LR3.
CajunCamper
Quote from: CajunCamperIf they're mad because I can afford one and they can't, then I suggest they get their butts in gear and make things happen so they can afford one.
CajunCamper
Well said.
wooooaaahh, man I am on your side...the pissing people off comment referred to the previous posts. I drive a landcruiser with a 3
Quote from: dedhedwooooaaahh, man I am on your side...the pissing people off comment referred to the previous posts. I drive a landcruiser with a 3
Just information that might help you.... Choose the tow vehicle for its use. If your going to also use it for a daily driver, then yes spend the money and get something that fits your comfort needs. But if you
Quote from: CajunCamper...I'm 47 years old, I own my own successful business (mainly because I never have liked being told what to do), I keep my hair long and experiment regulary with how I keep my facial hair, I wear an earing, I drink the wine that taste good to me and not because of the label, and if I want to pay $50,000 to $60,000 for a vehicle to drive around in and tow my $5000 pop up, I'll do it and if people get pissed off at me, then they need to do a little soul searching and discover what they're really mad about...
CajunCamper
CC - You're my new favorite camper! :D
I just don't get why Hummers make some people so mad. Is it a gas guzzler? Yeah, but not the worst on the road. My Father-in-Law's V8 Tundra is no better. It's just that the Tundra is a wolf in sheep's clothing and the Hummer doesn't bother putting on the sheep suit.
Also, the Hummer has a military background and that pisses off a whole other group of people.
On a side note (actually the main note):
There is a poster from the summer who works for GM and had both an H2 and H3 (his and hers) and towed his Evolution E3 with them. I don't remember his username but maybe someone does. Dig up his info and shoot him an email. He has a website with pics of his H3, E3 and lots of mods.
Good luck with your search.
The 2007 and newer Sport Trac is a completely different vehicle from the ground up than the 2005 and prior. It has available 4.6 V8, a new frame and suspension, and up to 7,000 pound towing capacity.
Common sense and rational analytical comparison of vehicles can tell you what to purchase and what you can afford. Few actually base their final decision on rational factors. How could most people really justify with common sense financing Harleys, ATV's, snowmobiles, Corvettes, Crossfires, 54" televisions, bass boats, personal watercraft, show cars, horses, or even pop-ups? It seems to me that most people buy with emotion for their own tastes and desired lifestyles, and that often includes the image that the buyer want's to project and the lifestyle advertising for the vehicle. (You see plenty of Harley tatoos, but when was the last time you saw a Kia or Saturn tatoo?) Right or wrong, we are all judged with first impressions by our dress, our grooming, and what we drive. Entire cable TV networks tell us what not to wear, how to landscape and fix-up our homes, and entertain our guests. A Hummer, Toyota Prius, a Crown Vic, a Dodge Caravan, and a Chevrolet Aveo all project a different stereotyped image of the driver.
I respect what Cajun was saying..if you can afford it, (financially and socially) purchase whatever you want and enjoy it with nary a care about whatever image it projects.
Quote from: worldfamuspatJust information that might help you.... Choose the tow vehicle for its use. If your going to also use it for a daily driver, then yes spend the money and get something that fits your comfort needs. But if you
Cajun, if you want it, go for it.
I still want a Datsun 280Z but never got one. Got a wife, 2 kids, 5 campers and a house instead. :)
Strange looks? DW and I get plenty of those when we are driving the Scion XB. We have even had people pass us taking picturres of the car.
Milk crate, toaster and lunch box are some of the names people have called it.
Big thing is that this little car suits our needs perfectly for running around, grocery shopping and we can seat 4 or even 5 people in it. We also like the 35 to 40 mpg.
Quote from: CajunCamperIf they're mad because I can afford one and they can't, then I suggest they get their butts in gear and make things happen so they can afford one.
CajunCamper
Agree...well said.
At one time, I drove a Chevy Luv that fell apart nearly every day. But it had sentimental value. I was also po' as Job's turkey and couldn't afford any better.
I am now proud to say that last year, Holly and I purchased a brand new Starcraft hybrid,
and a 2006 full size truck with the best trim and low mileage,
and paid cash for both.We got our butts in gear....
Having said that, I don't mean to take away from people whose butts are in gear, and cannot pay cash like we did. We happened to have a little good luck along with our hard work. My lovely parents are cases in point: They have worked hard all their lives, but have had to have a car payment for most of it.
Larry
Quote from: RecumbentmanThe H3 gets pretty low scores from consumer reports if that means anything to you. Its more of a status symbol then functional. IMO
Unfortunately, considering Consumer Reports ONLY likes Japanese cars in their reviews, CR reviews probably doesn't count for much. (I do have a CR subscription btw).
That said, and being a GM person, I have not seen why I would ever want or need the H2 (Tahoe-based) or the H3 (TrailBlazer-based). The Tahoes and TrailBlazers cost less and are more fuel efficient as Chevys. Besides, personally, I find the Hummers to be horribly ugly.
Quote from: worldfamuspatCadillac Escalade is a Chevrolet Suburban. ...
Could be a Tahoe/Yukon - most are. Escalade comes with the bigger engine to pull around all the extra weight.
QuoteThe H3 is a sharp looking vehicle that gets a lot of attention, both good and bad. I have seen a H3 pulling a popup in an Indiana campground this summer and it made an impressive looking rig.
See, that's why the world is interesting, I'm completely opposite on this. I think that the H3 is one of the ugliest vehicles on the road. The H2 is ok, but by trying to make the shape of the H2 fit a much smaller vehicle just didn't work, in my opinion.
As for people getting ticked because of the car you drive, I don't get it either. Whatever you want to drive, fine.
If I was in the $50k-$60k range, I'd get the daily driver vehicle
and a tow vehicle. Maybe a commuter car and a Xterra.
Quote from: waygard33.....
On a side note (actually the main note):
There is a poster from the summer who works for GM and had both an H2 and H3 (his and hers) and towed his Evolution E3 with them. I don't remember his username but maybe someone does. Dig up his info and shoot him an email. He has a website with pics of his H3, E3 and lots of mods.
Good luck with your search.
Is it
He Ruide over on
RV.net? He has an H2 and tows an E3. I also recall the Hummer owner who painted his AirV yellow to match the PopUp.
.
Quote from: beacherIs it He Ruide over on RV.net? He has an H2 and tows an E3. I also recall the Hummer owner who painted his AirV yellow to match the PopUp.
.
It's not him. Although he did get into a few conversations with the poster I'm thinking of. Search He Ruide's posts and the link between the 2 will be found.
Cajun,
I hear ya on the doing it your way appraoch. Here is my take on the H3. Keep in mind this is coming from a Jeep guy.
With the 5 cyl, it is a pig that can barely get out of it's own way. The H3 "Alpha" is now out, and that should certainly motivate the H3. I had an '04 Envoy XL with the 5.3 until June '07 and it was a great rig (that unfortunately was unreliable).
The H3 is not suited for serious off-road adventure, despite the marketing hype. It has very limited articulation, IFS, and no front locking differential option (forget the GM rear "locking" differential - it is horrible).
Drive one and see if it has the room and power you need. It should make a decent camper hauler with the 5.3.
FWIW.
Quote from: AZsixIt's kind of funny but I think I can count on one hand the times that I have seen any type of Hummer pulling any kind of trailer.
I agree. When we're traveling, it's rare to see a Hummer that is even DIRTY, not to mention towing anything.
As already pointed out, the H3 is built using parts from other vehicles, and many of those other vehicles are much better suited as a daily driver / weekend warrior combo.
I think Hummers look cool, but I would never buy one. That's just me though. :D
Of all the Hummers, the only one that (in my opinion) is worth while is the king of them all, the original H1. This is the cousin of the military's HUMVEE, and it is quite capable, although it's overall width would actually be a detriment when off roading in the woods. Departure/approach angles, ground clearence, etc. are all geared towards use off road.
One would be better off (money wise and capability wise) with the Tahoe instead of the H2, or the Trail Blazer instead of the H3.
Have you check the gas milageon h3 they have been talking about the gas going up to 4.00 dallors a galon by may.
Quote from: WolfPackHave you check the gas milageon h3 they have been talking about the gas going up to 4.00 dallors a galon by may.
The H3's gas mileage and engine specs:
Performance:
Base Number of Cylinders - 5
Base Engine Size - 3.5 liters
Base Engine Type - Inline 5
Horsepower - 220 hp
Torque - 225 ft-lbs
Fuel Data:
EPA Mileage Estimates - 20 Highway, 16 City
That is much better mileage than my Sport Trac, and about the same as I got with a Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4.
Little late but...as the owner of an H3 I nor my wife have any complaints.
It pulls our 10.6 Jayco anywhere we ask it. Gas milage is better than the Durango with a hemi that I traded in. It fits in the garage just fine, and when the weather turns bad here in Indiana, it has yet to let us down.
I do not work for GM, nor do I have anything against any other vehicle out there on the road.
I married my wife because I loved her, I bought the truck because I liked it.
Nuff said.