I got my H3 when they first came out (although I've noted three others here have lower VIN numbers) and have driven it from the Midwest to the Rockies and back, and up to the most northern reaches of the Yukon and back .... geez I loved that trip and could do it every year..... I'm one of the highest mileage H3 owners you will meet and have had ZERO problems. You're going to get a dashboard message now and then but they've always resolved themselves. This is a vehicle that is fun to drive every time you get in it! The H3 has offroad manners that for a vehicle that rides as well on the highway as this does is unheard of. I have owned numerous 4 x 4s because I live in the hills of the Ozarks and offroad 3 miles to my front door everyday in mud, snow, gravel, up hills and through a dry creek, and with over 25,000 miles have not had one single problem. I'm very pleased with the 17 mpg I've been averaging this month, the power is more than adequate, the interior is VERY COMFORTABLE, and you're right, those with problems scream the loudest! I've had my H3 since June and it still attracts a lot of attenetion wherever we go.
What would I change?
Move the brake pedal a little farther away from the accelerator.
Move the window lift switches forward.
Make it easier to change your own oil - maybe a hinged skid plate to just drop down for us people that love to do things ourselves.
Maybe a thicker paint on the rear fenders to keep them from getting pitted by rocks, but all these are really minor.
I'm happy with the engine and wouldn't change it, I also would make the Monsoon standard - it's great!
The people at Lynch Hummer are great and VERY HUMMER knowledgeable and have handled my questions over the phone very courteously and promptly. Although FStop is in a class by himself
and we owe a lot to his expertise!