So, sell me on the H3....

[H3Shopper]

Maybe not a great header, but I would like to hear some thoughts on what I consider to be minor drawbacks with the H3.

It is time to retire my 1999 Grand Cherokee, and I'm looking for a luxury ride that is capable of towing my boat to the mountains, and able to reach those remote camping spots I've grown accustomed to with the GC. I don't really like the interior of the new GC's so the H3 is an obvious candidate.

But, after my test drive, I'm a bit hesitant to pull the trigger....

I won't say the H3 is underpowered -- it is slow of the line but once it gets up to speed it performs fine. However, such a small engine should get better gas mileage. This engine is less powerful than my GC, AND it gets worse mileage?? Granted, the H3 weighs about 500 pounds more, but this doesn't sound like good tradeoff.

The cargo area is disappoiniing, but acceptable for my needs.

The driver's door controls are in exactly the wrong spot. Hard to reach with your fingers, and uncomfortable when you try to rest your elbow.

It doesn't have dual climate control? Or even single climate control? WTF, this thing costs $35,000. Its been so long since I've seen manual AC controls, I'm not even sure I know how they work!

Okay, obviously some of these complaints are nit-picky, but I hate to "settle" for a vehicle that is less than it should be, just because I can't find anything better. The Grand Cherokee was perfect, before they reconfigured it to please the soccer moms, and now I'm really stuck.

Perhaps I should wait until the H3 gets some upgrades in 2007 or 08? Problem is, the current ride probably won't last that long....

[KenP]

There's nothing sexually arousing in those pics. Well, for most of us. No close up, tight, thong butt shots. No close up, wet, tight, bikini shots. No see through tops or bottoms. No chicks kissing each other. No camel toe. No nip-slips. No models. No reason to complain.

Yea and the brakes have good sized rotors too.

Even sports car types (like me) should be impressed by some of the hardware on this truck (H3). Even the I5 motor is sophisticed for a truck (DOHC-4 values per, var. exhaust value timing, alum. block and head, balance shafts) As I said before GM/Hummer put some engineering into this rig. You can tell after you drive it for a while.

Of course there are tradeoffs such as power/economy, interior space/off road suspension and clearance, etc. Not a minivan-substitute SUV with 3rd row seating.

For those shopping for the most practical SUV, there are plenty of other choices. I consider it like an affordable Land Rover LR3 (premium SUV with serious offroad capabilities).

Steve

[993]

If you compare the H3 vs the GC, get the GC. Look at the 2005 GC, you can get discounts on a 2005 even after the employee purchase program. I think you can get up to 8k off sticker. Better yet the 2005 comes with a 7yr 70,000 mile warranty. It is a no brainer in terms of value and I think the GC ride is very nice. I personally like the interior and had a great test drive. That being said, I bought the H3 because it is cool as sh!t. The car is awesome and a blast to drive. Mine is black with bling bling chrome and getting more bling as we speak (no spinners in the near future). Driving a hummer is a great feeling. I do not regret not getting the GC for one minute. If I did get the Cherokee I would regret it every time I saw an H3. Value goes to GC, eternal bliss goes to H3.

[H3 Hummer]

Like Nothing Else!

[KenP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Shopper:
and able to reach those remote camping spots I've grown accustomed to with the GC. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I bet you'll find even better places with the H3.

But it doesn't sound like the vehicle for you. While it is an awesome rig, you'll be complaining about it all the time. Come on, you're already complaining about the location of switches.

[DennisAJC]

The H3 is an AWESOME rig.

That is all you need to know.

YOU GO BUY NOW!

Don't hold your breath for too many future upgrades. Aftermarket stuff will get it to where you want.

[Don Flan]

If the 1999 GC is the "perfect" truck for you then why not fix it up or get another one in better condition? They're all over the place, ebay has two pages of them, on has under 30k miles on it. Even if you have to drop in a new Engine or Tranny in a higher milage one, it's still a lot cheaper than a new h3, and you get the "perfect" truck for you. For me the perfect rig is an early 70's Bronco. I have two of them, (actually 2 1/2) My 72' is set up for off roading, my 74 is more my daily driver, and the other one's for parts. In a couple of years, when prices come down a bit more, I'd like to add an H2 into the mix. I also have a 64 FJ40 that I dropped a 350 Chevy engine in!!! Thing's hot!!! Now I can get through narrower trails!!! Don't settle man, life's too short - DF

[H3OwnerDiz]

Wow, Dennis I didn't realize you were so fond of the H3! Lots of pro-H3 posts from you today. That's cool.

[SteveRH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3 Hummer:
And I agree about the door controls (very dorky posistion in my opinion). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I drive with my left hand at about 10 o'clock... That being said, using my right hand as a cross over for the window and lock switches works fairly well...

[HIHUMMER]

Don't buy the H3 if it's only going to be "acceptable" to your needs.
Buy it b/c you love it. There are things on the H3 that we would all like to change, but the petty problems with the H3 are severely overcome just by the simple pleasure of owning such a bad a$$, head turning vehicle!

[H3 Hummer]

If a picture is worth a thousand words than this video is worth a million.



Very nicely done.
H3Video

[HumbleAg]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ipedog:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I think it's like when Luis Armstrong was asked to define Jazz Music: "If you have to ask, you'll never know" </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

x2 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Luis Armstrong? Is that the long-lost hispanic half-brother of Louie?

[PCBeach]

Traded in my 2004 Grand Cherokee. Really like my H3.
My GC was not fulltime 4 wheel...All H3s are.
My GC had floor 4X4 shift..H3=electronic button.
My GC tiny front seats..H3 big & comfortable.
My GC a small SUV....H3 a large midsize truck.
My GC good view..H3 great driving view.
My GC stiff rough ride..H3 softer and smoother.
My GC 6 cyl noisy...H3 very very quiet.
Wife says the GC was smaller and easier to drive but loves the H3 ride and comfort.

[crotch_rocket_pilot]

1) Tree huggers hate it
2)Smaller but can still offroad like a mofo
3)Turns heads
4)Chicks dig it
5)Tree huggers hate it

(I called my dad and told him I bought an H3 hummer, he and my step-mom are hard core democrats...my dad could care less, but he said my step-mom was going to go ballistic on me next time we talked....Cant wait!)

[f5fstop]

come on guys, are the window controls really that bad? for the past two-weeks i have been driving with just a left hand, while my right hand is in a cast halfway up my arm. i can steer. operate the windows, put it in gear, turn the ign sw on/off, etc. only thing i do with my right is to switch radio stations with one of my fingers sticking out of the cast.

as for the h3, as my chrysler buddy told me the day after he retired, if he didn't get great prices on jeeps, he would head to new mexico in a h3.

(typing w/one hand is more of a pain in the arse then working those window switches

[H3Shopper]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kacyk:
Go to Budget and rent an H3 for a day. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

BEST advice in the thread!! I think I'll rent one for a week, and if the little things bug me too much, then I'll know to look elsewhere!

[YellowH3]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 993:
If you compare the H3 vs the GC, get the GC. Look at the 2005 GC, you can get discounts on a 2005 even after the employee purchase program. I think you can get up to 8k off sticker. Better yet the 2005 comes with a 7yr 70,000 mile warranty. It is a no brainer in terms of value and I think the GC ride is very nice. I personally like the interior and had a great test drive. That being said, I bought the H3 because it is cool as sh!t. The car is awesome and a blast to drive. Mine is black with bling bling chrome and getting more bling as we speak (no spinners in the near future). Driving a hummer is a great feeling. I do not regret not getting the GC for one minute. If I did get the Cherokee I would regret it every time I saw an H3. Value goes to GC, eternal bliss goes to H3. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Here Here! I love my H3. I looked at everything. The GC and the new X-Terra are nice but, they are no HUMMER!

[DennisAJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3OwnerDiz:
Wow, Dennis I didn't realize you were so fond of the H3! Lots of pro-H3 posts from you today. That's cool. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We've been watching the H3 for some time. Looking to replace wifey's(Ex Range Rover, Ex RAV4) vehicle in the next few.

It'll be a formitable addition to the family.

[Don Flan]

Oh yeah, my GF just got a H3, they seem pretty capable, but it's so new, and she doesn't want to get it dirty/scratched. Blablabla.... So I haven't gotten to see how it does off road. The only thing is the towing, I know that you can tow with it, but I don't know if you'll be taxing the motor too much??? Lets just say that that I could think of better rigs to tow with.