I-40 Thru AZ and NM?

[surf twang]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm a bit concerned about the wear-and-tear on the engine if it has to work that hard on grades/hills. I guess a question I really need to answer is how much should I let a driving situation that would occur less than 10% of time influence our decision. I've test-driven one and I think it would be fine for our every day driving. But those 17 hour drives can be killer...

[surf twang]

One more thing, do you think the 3.7L engine makes a noticeable improvement?

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Originally Posted by surf twang

One more thing, do you think the 3.7L engine makes a noticeable improvement?

Negatory. I just drove a 2007 a few days ago, and I didn't notice much difference (as many others have said). I think maybe it sounds better though, a little more meaty/mean when you're accelerating.

I'm a bit concerned about the wear-and-tear on the engine if it has to work that hard on grades/hills.

Also was my concern. Never seemed to be a problem though. My H2 revs up high quite often when passing, climbing hills, etc. I've got almost 70K, and haven't had any engine related problems from it reving so high. Engine still sounds very good.

I wouldn't worry too much though. This is why you buy an American built car: they're tough! They are designed to take abuse, run over curbs, fall into potholes, etc.

I think you should get the H3, because you will more than likely love it.

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Originally Posted by surf twang

One more thing, do you think the 3.7L engine makes a noticeable improvement?

Not a huge difference, and only then at high RPMs. Torque and HP get a boost at 4600 & 5600 RPMs respectively, so you really have to rev it when passing to notice. It's come in handy for me up I-70 tho ...

x2 with Bluehummer on the sound. 2007s sound a lot beefier, probably cause of the redesigned valves, heads and such.

[Huck BB62]

Originally Posted by surf twang

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm a bit concerned about the wear-and-tear on the engine if it has to work that hard on grades/hills. I guess a question I really need to answer is how much should I let a driving situation that would occur less than 10% of time influence our decision. I've test-driven one and I think it would be fine for our every day driving. But those 17 hour drives can be killer...

Repeating myself to some here, but you really should know. I live up in the Sierras and drive down to work in the valley every day. It's a big big change going from our Dmax truck or Denali to the H3. In this one regard, the H3 needs help and no one will argue it unless they're suffering from denial: We want more motor.

If you have patience, it's not bad. Passing in the mountains, forget it.

As far as being able to do it? Yeah. I've got 25 k on ours and it's all up and down the mountain. I shag it really hard going up hill because that's what it takes. Of those 25k, I figure that less than half of that is in overdrive. I don't redline it, but the 3500-4000 figure is pretty accurate!

But, let's look at what it takes to have a major hill climbing vehicle. It takes a big big motor, or a light light vehicle. The H3 is heavy. For it's size, it's built like nothing else on the road save a Land Rover.

The serious four wheelers are all underpowered except for the Dodge Powerwagon, and it gets 13mpg on a good day.

2008 is supposed to bring us a surprise I hope!

[crop000]

Depends on what your have gotten use to drive. I have found myself not being able to pass in shorter spaces, due to traffic or a short passing zone.
In my GMC truck(V8) I don't have that problem.

I drive my H3 90% of the time now. It's fun to drive, it's has a good ride, a good feel, it is not a V8 so you can't drive it like it is. I'm planning a road trip this coming year to the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce and the Canyon lands. If I get stuck in the slow lane, I'm sure there will be plenty of scenery to look at.
Most of the time I'm the one being passed, not because of the I-5 though.

[kma]

If I'm not mistaken, the engine in the h3 is tuned/ meant to run at higher rpm's as part of it's design. I can't remember where I read that but oh well. But I do live in hilly country and there are a lot of steep freeway climbs and the h3 does fine, it just comes out of overdrive and I am comfortable with it's performance. Go test drive one at a dealer that has a freeway with a grade on it nearby

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by kma

Go test drive one at a dealer that has a freeway with a grade on it nearby

Go to SVH in Los Gatos and take a test drive up Hwy 17. That will give you some idea how it handles grades.

[surf twang]

We would have bought one today if it wasn't for the dealer. We took one for a good test drive through the Altamont pass. The H3 wasn't a scorcher but it was acceptable. We agreed on a price with the salesman but things fell apart when we had to deal with sales manager/finance person. Suddenly, the numbers we had agreed on with the salesman had all changed, to the advantage of the dealer. We walked. We'll eventually get one but probably not in time for our next trip to Albuquerque this Wednesday.

Thanks to all who responded to my questions. You guys/gals are great.