Are the Alphas worlds better than an '04?

[bullsnake]

I apologize for the question up front, and am curious to hear from those of you who have had experience with both of them. My question is this: from a day to day standpoint, is the Alpha worth the $30-40,000.00 premium that one pays over the '04 with the new interior? I just recently became the owner of an '96 through a series of unfortunate/fortunate events, and we love it so much we are thinking about adding a second H1 to the fleet and getting rid of our work truck and Suburban. We have been browsing the H1 ads online, but notice that the '04's also have the improved interior and switchgear. I am sure that the Duramax/allison combination is awesome, and that may still be the way that we go. I am just wondering if it is WORLDS better, or if we should save the $40,000.00 and use it to outfit the '04 to our needs. The '04 will see a lot of highway miles, but it will also be offroaded regularly in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa. We usually take other family with us so we will probably caravan both Hummers when we go out camping and hiking. Once again, like the '96, it will not be a daily driver, but it will be driven regularly.

Thanks for your opinions!

[Hummer Aficionado_VT]

I'd go with the '04, then use some of the $40k you save to outfit it with what you'd like. The Alpha's nice, and so are its creature comforts, but $40k can buy a lot of after-market creature comforts!:D

That said the 6.6 with Allison trans is nice too... :)

[Hummer Aficionado_VT]

http://www.lynchhummer.com/invpages2/p862.html

Love.:D :D :D

[bullish]

Here is the add for my 04, give me a call if you have any questions 630-669-5853 http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31149

[ssgharkness020147]

As great of a truck as it is, I'm not a huge fan of the Alpha. Too many owners have had alot of problems, with that being said others have had great luck. But, with the redesigned drive line there are going to be bugs. I dont know whether or not HUMMER is going to sort through those problems and redesign the parts. IMO, its not really worth their wild to R&D new parts for a truck that is no longer made. So on that level I would be concerned, FYI extended warranties are no longer available for the H1.

I dont have alot to say about the 04, there isn't much too say. The 04 is a great truck, the only thing that keeps it from going the whole 10 yard is not having the power of the Alpha, other then that its cats ass. But, for mainly highway miles the Alpha would be a better choice, if you can stomach the extra 40K. Along with thousands of dollars in repairs after warranty is up.

[HUMTECH]

Think of it like this, last time i checked an injector for a duramax was approx 800.00 cad each. 6400.00 for all 8 not to mention the labor of changing them. 6400.00 will easily buy you a reman 6.5l diesel engine. Just one small comparison on repair costs on the duramax when its off warranty. Also the geared hubs in the 06 have helical cut gears, not as strong (but quieter) than the straight cut gears in every other year. One model year equals less availability and increased cost of parts. Geared fan drive, leakers, never seen a geared fan drive that didnt leak, again limited to an 06 with the dmax. Ill stop here, not a fan of the throw together alpha h-1.

[bullsnake]

Thanks for the cost comparison Humtech-you just made up my mind:D
Anyone know of a good 2004 wagon for sale?

On a sad note, I was driving my '96 last night and noticed that when I put it in reverse the transmission is making a loud growling noise-still goes into reverse, and runs through all of the forward gears fine, but it sure sounds expensive. :crying:

I drop it off at the dealer on Monday...

[bullish]

Not a wagon but hell of a NICE soft top

Take a look at my white 04 in the classifieds

[bullsnake]

I LOVE the soft tops, but unfortunately the nature of my business requires a wagon. That, coupled with the kids and I need all of the room I can get under a roof!

Thanks!

[mstams]

Of course, my preference is the Alpha...

[HUMTECH]

The alpha is a great truck, just can be very costly to repair is all. To some people money dont matter and i for one wish i knew what that felt like. In that case the alpha would be the obvious model to buy strictly based on hp and torque, drivability, and a much quieter vehicle all around.

[tower]

One last note, despite the groovy Allison trannies, I have heard that the 6.6 D-max engine in the Alpha is breaking them. Post it if you buy it!

[HUMTECH]

The 6.6L could not hurt the alison 1000. I would be more worried about the fewer numbers of the 04's with the crazy catipillar ECM, half and half wiring and inteiror, go with the 06 or get a 03. HUH? I have seen so many Allison's "hurt" in the d-max pickups so to say the 6.6 cant hurt the allison is an uneducated statement in my opinion. Sure the allison is tough but nowhere near bulletproof. And yes, the hummer h-1 does run the same d-max/allison combo as the pickups. You see less failures in the alpha purely for the fact there are hundreds of pickups built to every alpha built.

[DennisAJC]

As great of a truck as it is, I'm not a huge fan of the Alpha. Too many owners have had alot of problems, with that being said others have had great luck. But, with the redesigned drive line there are going to be bugs. I dont know whether or not HUMMER is going to sort through those problems and redesign the parts. IMO, its not really worth their wild to R&D new parts for a truck that is no longer made. So on that level I would be concerned, FYI extended warranties are no longer available for the H1.

I dont have alot to say about the 04, there isn't much too say. The 04 is a great truck, the only thing that keeps it from going the whole 10 yard is not having the power of the Alpha, other then that its cats ass. But, for mainly highway miles the Alpha would be a better choice, if you can stomach the extra 40K. Along with thousands of dollars in repairs after warranty is up.


The only Apha owner I respect is a woman(And H2Rocks has a lot of wheelin hours to her name). The rest are wannabe James Bond newbies who think they'll get wheelin creds. NOT! :clapping:

[ssgharkness020147]

Well... At least this thread didnt get cut down at all. :lame: 007 should just start a god damn alpha forum on his own, leave the Elcova H1 haven alone. Do you hear me you fukking twit???:raar:

[ssgharkness020147]

The rest are wannabe James Bond newbies who think they'll get wheelin creds. NOT! :clapping:

Werd. :jump: