Thinking of purchasing a Hummer H3

[CajunCamper]

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

[sacrawf]

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.

CajunCamper

Well said.

[dedhed]

wooooaaahh, man I am on your side...the pissing people off comment referred to the previous posts. I drive a landcruiser with a 3

[CajunCamper]

wooooaaahh, man I am on your side...the pissing people off comment referred to the previous posts. I drive a landcruiser with a 3

[worldfamuspat]

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

[waygard33]

...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!  

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.

[sacrawf]

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.  

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

[GeneF]

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.

[brainpause]

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.

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

[wynot]

The 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.

[wynot]

Cadillac 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.

[fritz_monroe]

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.

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.

[beacher]

.....
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.



.

[waygard33]

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.

.

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.

[Jim K in PA]

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.