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....

[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....

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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!)

[H3 Hummer]

It's simple -

Find any other SUV with as much as the H3 for under $35,000.

Try to find any other SUV with as much (overall) as the H3 under $55,000.

I think it was Motor-Trend who ranked it second out of 6 top of the line SUV's. Like Tourag, Jeep, Toyota, etc. It was second to the Land Rover LR3 only because of less power.

With a roof rack you will have plenty of room for anything you need. With Auto you can tow another H3.

And I agree about the door controls (very dorky posistion in my opinion).

[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...

[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.

[H3OwnerDiz]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SteveRH:
...using my right hand as a cross over for the window and lock switches works fairly well... </div></BLOCKQUOTE> Yes, I've adapted to using my right hand as well.
As for being slow off the line, I got a stick so I would have more control over that. But now that I'm addicted to this site, I want to go crawlin' and wish I had gotten the adventure package and auto trans. For some reason, I'm more interested in getting into the world of off-road than hubby is.

[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.

[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!

[DWPC]

H3 is not for you. The H3 is more what SUVs started as 20 years ago; rugged, moderate power, serious offroad capability, with reasonable comfort. The closest thing to the H3 I can think of is a Jeep Cherokee which, like all the other "real" SUVs, has been "luxurified" out of existance.

Its clear that auto climate control is more important to you than risk of high-centering. This isn't a slam; everyone has their own needs. You'll hate an H3 'cuz it doesn't do what you need and it doesn't have the luxuries you want. Go look at a GC, a new Commander or a 4Runner.

[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.

[HummerNewbie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
[quote]Originally posted by H3Shopper:
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. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Ken, I just hurled

Now you have all those pic rotating in your avatar.

[HummerNewbie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DennisAJC:
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. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That would be a great addition. Wasn't your wife trying to talk you into getting rid of the H2 recently?

BTW, though not as bad as Ken's, your new avatar just isn't the same after the pic of that girl got photochopped recently.

[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.

[H3 Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I think it was Motor-Trend who ranked it second out of 6 top of the line SUV's. Like Tourag, Jeep, Toyota, etc. It was second to the Land Rover LR3 only because of less power. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry it was actually Truck Trend Magazine.

[DennisAJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HummerNewbie:
That would be a great addition. Wasn't your wife trying to talk you into getting rid of the H2 recently?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Getting her an H3 will protect me of that.

Strangers, friends, enemies, wives,....They're all just jealous.

[HummerNewbie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DennisAJC:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HummerNewbie:
That would be a great addition. Wasn't your wife trying to talk you into getting rid of the H2 recently?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Getting her an H3 will protect me of that.

Strangers, friends, enemies, wives,....They're all just jealous. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL, you have a point there