Questions from a potential buyer..

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Originally Posted by BEST 4x4xFAR

~> What make and model is the manual transmission?
Manual tranny is the Aisin AR5

~> I?m gathering that real world fuel mileage doesn?t exactly match the EPA numbers, they seem awfully optimistic given the H3?s weight, small engine or not?
The mpg numbers are real on the base model with manual tranny, a light foot, no passengers and no vehicle options, after the engine has broken in ... yeah, it's optimistic, but no more than other vehicles.

~> And just how lacking In power is the H3? I read a magazine review that said 5th gear was unusable on anything but dead level highway travel?
Others may know better from owning one, but based on my 5-spd test drive on I-70 west of Denver, 5th gear was ok in the foothills because of all the low end torque. But to keep up with traffic on the steeper grades, I liked 4th better, and needed 3rd on Floyd Hill. No big surprise there. It does as well as my 5spd Blazer ZR2 (4.3L V6 - 190 HP, 250 Tq, NP233 tranny).

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[humma_H3]

Go test drive, let the wife drive- "insta-sale" My wife is now commenting on wanting to upgrade to an H2 for our next car.... i'll stick with the 3.

matt
cincy oh

[phantom2]

If your looking for a comfortable "everday" driver, you should definitely try a different vehicle.I myself would not recommend an H3 for long trips.I recently took mine on a 2600 mile trip and I found the seats to be very uncomfortable and the engine lacking in power for safe highway driving.Acceleration on highway on ramps and passing another vehicle is a true adventure and requires planning in advance.As far as luggage space is concerned,there is very little for the size of this vehicle.The H3 is an "outstanding" off road vehicle and that is it's strength.I can also say that the H3 has been absolutely trouble free from the day I bought it,it's just not the vehicle for me.

[f5fstop]

T/cases are two-speed full time 4WD, with a 40F/60R split in 4HI unlocked mode. The front and rear shafts are constantly driven. A plantary differential splits the torque between front and rear during unlock mode. When locked in either hi or lo, a lockup collar bypasses the planatary assembly, and locks the mainshaft to the drive sprocket and the output shaft. Rear and front are now driven by equal rpm.

I have an auto and I do not feel it lacks power, until you get up around 70 mph. It is not a Vette off the line, but it is not a VW diesel either. You can pass on an interstate, but on two-lane roads, as someone else said you have to plan ahead. (Actually, when driving a Vette you need to plan ahead too). Do not agree that it is unsafe, and if someone thinks so, it is time to sell, if they feel that way. You cannot power your way onto the freeway like I do in a vette, you have to scare the oncoming vehicles with the size of the vehicle. So far, no problems merging on any freeway, and that includes MI, where it is like a game to allow someone to merge.

I can only speak for the leather seating, but it is comfortable in a 11 hour drive from MI to middle TN. I had absolutly no problems, but I cannot speak for the cloth seats.

My mileage around town is the summer is 15, winter is 13.5-14; and this is solid stop and go, with NO interstate. It is basically drive a mile, stop for a red (sometimes two reds at the same intersection), then go again.
Highway last year with only 2K on the engine was 18.9 average for the trip. From MI to TN, basically half flat, half rolling hills. A/C on, no cruise, and average speed through KY and TN was 80 mph.

I know quite a few woman who love the H3, so let the wife drive and make the decision.

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by phantom2

If your looking for a comfortable "everday" driver, you should definitely try a different vehicle.I myself would not recommend an H3 for long trips.I recently took mine on a 2600 mile trip and I found the seats to be very uncomfortable and the engine lacking in power for safe highway driving.Acceleration on highway on ramps and passing another vehicle is a true adventure and requires planning in advance.As far as luggage space is concerned,there is very little for the size of this vehicle.The H3 is an "outstanding" off road vehicle and that is it's strength.I can also say that the H3 has been absolutely trouble free from the day I bought it,it's just not the vehicle for me.

You're obviously entitled to your opinion, but I'm gonna have to disagree with almost everything you said.

My H3 is my DD (17K+ miles) and it is great on the highway, in traffic, and around town. I've also done some 1000+ mile trips and have been quite comfortable. And I don't even have the leather seats. I wouldn't mind having more cargo space but I've been able to use what is available quite effectively.

Not trying to bash you, but it sounds like you should have been in the market for a different type of vehicle. Everything you complained about should have been evident on the first test drive.

[nafs]

i'll chime in on the car seat.

i have a britax marathon, which is huge and you can place it at any of the three positions. currently I have it in the middle. The britax will not fit side by side with another britax (will fit on both ends) but i have fitted a britax with a booster seat side by side.

The H3 is definately not a minivan, thankfully.

[NM H3]

Originally Posted by nafs

i'll chime in on the car seat.

i have a britax marathon, which is huge and you can place it at any of the three positions. currently I have it in the middle. The britax will not fit side by side with another britax (will fit on both ends) but i have fitted a britax with a booster seat side by side.

The H3 is definately not a minivan, thankfully.

Are you using the LATCH hooks in the center? My marathon should be here Wednesday, and was wondering about this too.
Is yours rear facing?

[evldave]

My 2 cents:

Now at 12k miles, it's my DD. Coming from a 325i and before that a Cherokee (plus I have a suburban for extended expeditions). I've had it on 4 long weekends (~1000k miles). , It's an auto and cloth seats. I live in the NW, which means anywhere you go, you are climbing a mountain.

That said, it's easily the best balance between being able to drive there in comfort and drive offroad in security in stock form (and it's not hard to make it even better on the cheap). My whole family is GM now (after being Ford for a few decades) and it's much better build quality than either a Tahoe or 1500/2500 pickup. It suffers on the interior storage, but get a roof rack and you've got enough space for 4 people, 2 dogs, and all the camping equipment you need.

As far as power, I don't think it's even underpowered on the freeway. Sure, compared to a vette or a BMW it's a dog, but I cruise @ 80 on the freeway and have no problem with power. It will downshift to speed up, and the cruise control sucks (it appears to be an on-off, instead of incremental, which means when you go up a hill, it floors the throttle and drops down a gear every time).

You can crank the torsion bars to get more clearance. Add 35's (they will fit in stock trim) and you'll get another 1". On road manners won't be an issue, and it's better offroad.

And one thing you didn't ask about. You'll likely get exceptional service. Hummer dealers bend over backwards for their customers, and the brand prides itself on setting a higher standard (regular hummer happenings, etc). Get it through a 5 star dealer and you'll have the best customer service you can get anywhere (including German or Japanese brands). The build quality on a 1st year vehicle seems great, so that's another benefit.

[deserth3]

My previous vehicle was a 2 door Chevy Blazer (I've owned 3 over the years). I find after driving the H3 I don't miss the Blazer.

When I went to test drive one I was leary because of all the negative comments. Personally I find them not true. You are pushing almost 5000 lb down the road and the 3.5 liter does it's job well. I can get up to 75 by the end of the on ramp if no one is in front of me. So far that's the only drawback I've had. Other drivers. Nothing like merging with traffic going 75 when doing 45.

The H3 excells in parking lots. Turn the wheel and it goes straight in.

I haven't had a chance to take a long road trip but I would not hesitate to do so. I've done 5 to 6 hour offroad trips and findit very comfortable.

Drive one yourself.

[CLAYDOG]

Originally Posted by evldave

My 2 cents:

Now at 12k miles, it's my DD. Coming from a 325i and before that a Cherokee (plus I have a suburban for extended expeditions). I've had it on 4 long weekends (~1000k miles). , It's an auto and cloth seats. I live in the NW, which means anywhere you go, you are climbing a mountain.

That said, it's easily the best balance between being able to drive there in comfort and drive offroad in security in stock form (and it's not hard to make it even better on the cheap). My whole family is GM now (after being Ford for a few decades) and it's much better build quality than either a Tahoe or 1500/2500 pickup. It suffers on the interior storage, but get a roof rack and you've got enough space for 4 people, 2 dogs, and all the camping equipment you need.

As far as power, I don't think it's even underpowered on the freeway. Sure, compared to a vette or a BMW it's a dog, but I cruise @ 80 on the freeway and have no problem with power. It will downshift to speed up, and the cruise control sucks (it appears to be an on-off, instead of incremental, which means when you go up a hill, it floors the throttle and drops down a gear every time).

You can crank the torsion bars to get more clearance. Add 35's (they will fit in stock trim) and you'll get another 1". On road manners won't be an issue, and it's better offroad.

And one thing you didn't ask about. You'll likely get exceptional service. Hummer dealers bend over backwards for their customers, and the brand prides itself on setting a higher standard (regular hummer happenings, etc). Get it through a 5 star dealer and you'll have the best customer service you can get anywhere (including German or Japanese brands). The build quality on a 1st year vehicle seems great, so that's another benefit.

Not sure if this is what your talking about, but the cruise is incremental. A single tap on the set button slows 1mph, a tap on the on/off/resume switch 1mph faster.