I need some advice on the H3

[Crashtest]

I am close to purchasing an H3, but I still have some minor concerns. I am looking at one around $37,000, with the Luxury Package and a few extra options.

The main other vehicle I am looking at is the Toyota Highlander limited 2006. They are the same price, and the Highlander performs slightly better. (Better MPG and a V6 instead of the H3's V5). Having said that, the Highlander is very run of the mill and boring! At least the H3 is very exotic.

Here are some of my concerns: I know what the MPG EPA rating is for the H3, but how are you guys that own it doing with real world estimates? Is it manageble?

I've test driven one, but not extensively. Is it difficult to park due to the visibility not being as great? I know it is only a V5, but how is accelaration on the highway? For example, if you have to get out of a traffic laden lane and accelerate to a faster one?

Lastly, and this is only speculation- but how prone to vandalism is the H3? I live in a good area, but I may be bringing it up to the Univeristy and college kids can get out of hand. This car seems like a target, because although it is smaller than an H2, it is still a hummer.

[Crashtest]

I am close to purchasing an H3, but I still have some minor concerns. I am looking at one around $37,000, with the Luxury Package and a few extra options.

The main other vehicle I am looking at is the Toyota Highlander limited 2006. They are the same price, and the Highlander performs slightly better. (Better MPG and a V6 instead of the H3's V5). Having said that, the Highlander is very run of the mill and boring! At least the H3 is very exotic.

Here are some of my concerns: I know what the MPG EPA rating is for the H3, but how are you guys that own it doing with real world estimates? Is it manageble?

I've test driven one, but not extensively. Is it difficult to park due to the visibility not being as great? I know it is only a V5, but how is accelaration on the highway? For example, if you have to get out of a traffic laden lane and accelerate to a faster one?

Lastly, and this is only speculation- but how prone to vandalism is the H3? I live in a good area, but I may be bringing it up to the Univeristy and college kids can get out of hand. This car seems like a target, because although it is smaller than an H2, it is still a hummer.

[Crashtest]

And most importantly, how reliable has it been for you? I'd hate to have minor mechanical problems showing up with a new car!

[H3OwnerDiz]

Well, I've only tracked the MPG once so far, but I've only had it for 2 months too. It got exactly 16mpg city the first week I owned it, it's a 5 speed.

It's not difficult to park, it has a great turning radius so it tucks in and out of parking spaces fairly easily. As for visibility, the mirrors have pretty good coverage. I went from a pick-up truck where I could see the entire back end, to the H3 so I do get a little freaked out by not being able to see straight out the back anymore, but I'm adjusting to it, the mirrors get me through it.

As for the acceleration on the highway... I only test drove an automatic and I was not happy with the pickup, I was used to a stick and the control over that so I immediately knew I wanted a manual if I was going with the H3. I have no problems with pickup and getting onto the highway, I've even wheeled out from a complete stop when pulling out aggresively into traffic. But if you're planning on taking it off-road, you may want automatic. (I'll leave the off-road experts here to comment on that)

No vandalism here, but I do want to get the locking gas cap just in case, I'm a little paranoid about vandalism too, but I think the H1 and H2's take the brunt of that mess right now.

Reliability - I have 2100 miles on it and have no complaints except for the roof marker light vibrations. It's a known problem with the H3, search the forum on that and you'll see info about it. It doesn't happen to me often, but I have heard it so I'll probably have that looked at when I take it in for it's first service.

Hope this helps! Oh and you're right, you'll get a lot more attention in the H3 that you would in the Highlander, if that's your bag... it's a real head-turner! male and female, even.

Good Luck!

[Crashtest]

Thanks. It isn't necessarily that I want attention, as that is a silly reason to get a car. I just want something that will perform well while being unique and justify the money I am spending on it.

[trebor]

I have an auto and average about 14.5 with a heavy foot. Run the highway in the hi 70's with the ac on all the time.

[IronMedic]

my reasons for wanting an H3

1. i just divorced!
2. i want to be unique
3. i have always wanted a Hummer
4. i am in the military and i see them alot
5. these things are just plain awesome!

i used to own an expedition so parking should be about the same with me when i am in a hummer. i dont expect any different. i do park away from everyone all the time. one thing i hate is when i park far away, everyone has to park next to me for some dumb reason. i dont really care for acceleration. if i did, i would stick with my WRX or something else. my area is safe from car break-ins. seems like it doesnt happen much, if any. luckily, my neighborhood is gated, CCTV-ed, and i have alot of cops that live here.

[Crashtest]

Do cars have a refund type deal like with merchanside? (i.e 30 day money back?)

Also, if I lease for 36 or 48 months, and I want to trade in the Hummer after only 24 months or so, can I? Am I limited to just GMC cars or can I go elsewhere if I want to trade?

[Crashtest]

Also, for those who got the H3 over a more practical car (Like a Toyota Highlander or even a Lexus RX330), was it worth it?

I know something like a Highlander will perform slightly better and may be more practical, but I like the other benefits of the Hummer as well.

What makes the decision harder is that the Hummer is really such a beautiful car, from the H1 down to the H3. And for me, I may feel remorse about buying a bland SUV knowing I could of gotten an H3 for the same price..

[Johan]

Hi Crashtest. I've had Toyota vehicles in the past (Celica, 4 by 4 Pickup, 4 Runner) and have been extremely pleased with their reliability and excellent resale particularly. I drove the RX330 and was pretty sure it was going to be in my driveway, until I tried the H3. It's a fun mode of transportation with some "attitude". To be honest only time will tell for me if I did the right thing. My buying experience was below par and I'm a little disappointed at the seeming cheap quality of some parts thus far. (Oh yeah, forgot about the week in the dealership fixing the differential) Reviews like those found in Consumer Reports will undoubtely give the H3 a luke warm review, at best. I accepted that when I bought mine, hope I'm wrong. It's a new model so I think you run some risks going with something unproven. Hope I didn't offend anyone; but stating the obvious I think.

[H3ProspectKy]

Just want to add that I am an owner of the H3 since 08/18 and I have NOT had one single problem (knock wood) and have enjoyed every minute of driving it. I also had a great buying experience with Lynch Hummer.

If you have purchased a vehicle before, I'm sure you are aware that dealerships don't have a "30 day money-back refund policy, like there is with merchandise". Only YOU can decide what is best for you and what you will be happy driving.

[Crashtest]

Buying the H3 is riskier of course, but I think it will be well worth it. Well, all I can do is buy it and see through experience!

Does anyone know if most dealer sell the spare tire cover or if I have to order that directly from Hummer? How much is it?

Also, what colors do you guys like? Personally, I love the Boulder Grey and Victory Red. I may go with the former, as it is a bit more toned down, but the red is nice as well. Black is very classy looking, but I've heard that dirt shows up a lot more.

[NorCal_H3]

Hey man, first off, we’ve owned an H3 for less than a week, so take it as you may… You really are comparing apples to oranges here with H3 vs. Highlander. Last year we’ve sold a 3yr old RX300 (your Highlander sibling), which was an excellent car: smooth, super quiet, etc. It performed and handled like a car, having a unibody construction with independent suspension all around. I believe it’s actually based on the Camry/ES300 platform. H3 is a truck and with body-on-frame, with rigid axle in the rear it will handle like one. I’ll admit that it is much more pleasant cruiser than I expected, though.

Thing of it is, we didn’t buy H3 just for the couple necessary practical reasons (AWD / convenient cargo area), but also for the unique style… you know, love it/hate it kind of a thing? Doubt that Highlander is capable of educing any kind of emotion worth mentioning. That, plus, with some good rubber and some of the bling removed, H3 will go places few other trucks can follow.

V5 http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Crashtest]

NorCal_H3,

Your sentiments are close to mine. The H3 style really is the biggest selling point for me, it really makes me smile from ear to ear when I see one. The off-road capabilities are nice as well, of course.

Logically, something like the Toyota Highlander is better in certain regards. Perhaps in MPG, size, etc. But like you said, it really stirs up no emotions. I want something that makes me proud to drive it. Now, that is not being superficial- it is merely human nature.

So is there really a big difference between your old RX300 and the H3 besides the truck feel? Did you get used to it nicely?

[trading13]

On the 30-day question when I was 19 and living in Hawaii, I had bought a used celica, the salesguy had told me they would fix something on it (can't remember what) anyway few days after the story changed. So I took it back put the keys on his desk and left. He called me a couple days later at work and told me they weren't Sears LOL. Anyway never heard anything else about it. Probably wouldn't try it on a new car though.

[kacyk]

Crashtest,

It's all about passion buddy. If you're okay with bland then go for a Highlander. As for reliability? I had two H2's, both 2003 models. Consumer Reports indicated that they were unreliable but that was not my experience. They were just as reliable as my Toyota Land Cruiser.

We only have 600 miles on our H3 but it's been bulletproof so far. You do knwo that you can get a 2003 H2 with 20K miles for under $40K, don't you?

[Crashtest]

Yeah, I've seen a few H2's go for around that much. But right now, I really rather have the H3 due to it being a bit cheaper and better on gas. In the future though, I could see myself going up to the H2 or even H1 if I feel daring enough! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[kacyk]

Our biggest gripe with the H2 was trying to find adequate parking. It's wide...very wide. Living and working in downtown Seattle makes it pretty darn hard.

BTW - not to steer you away but have you checked out the coming Toyota FJ? Wow!

[Steve - SanJose]

In early July I traded-in my 2002 Toyota Highlander for an H3. The Toyota had given 3 flawless years of service and had decent trade-in value. But it was boring, and I think I knew it the first week that I had it. (The dealer still has the car on its used car lot after 3 months.)

My MPG for the 2 vehicles (which are comparable under similar conditions):

Higlander 18 city/mixed and 21 highway on premium (as recommended in manual).
H3 15 city/mixed and 18 highway on regular.

I did the math and the cost difference per month was only about $25 more for H3 (taking into account premium costs more than regular). So fuel cost difference is insignificant. Insurance is up $90/year, probably due to the H3 being newer, again not significant.

The Highlander is a more practical vehicle, faster, easier to park, more space in back seat and cargo area. The H3 has real offroad capability, attitude/style, equivalent decent cornering and braking on the street. Both my wife and I like the H3 more than the Highlander.

That's my opinion and experience with the H3 for 3 months so far.

S.
H3/white/lux pkg./chrome pkg./chrome wheels/XM/sunroof/mudflaps/locking gas cap, etc.

[TorontoJeff]

My dad has an RX300, and he says that its the best car he's ever owned, but he'll never get one again. He finds it boring to drive with little attitude.

I havent regretted the H3 at all (well maybe when gas was at post-Katrina pricing)

Easy decision from where I sit...

[azsidewinder]

My H3 gets right between 16-22 depends what type of driving im doing, on cruise for long distance I see higher numbers, in town depending how much I want to push the gas determines the lower numbers. Personally it is very managable. With gas in Phoenix, Az and Super Unleaded at 2.49 or 2.50. That is excellent as far as Im concerned, if I would have known gas was going down I might have gone for the H2, it was the one I took as the 48 hr test vehicle, just averaging 12 miles to the gallon didnt seem like a smart idea, gas will go up theres no doubt, they dropped the prices because American were screaming "WHY ARE THE OIL COMPANIES MAKING RECORD PROFITS AND GAS WAS AT THAT TIME 3.50+ IN SOME INSTANCES - WELL AT LEAST IN PHOENIX! SOME STATES WERE HIGHER.

Got to admit, if you worry about gas mileage better shop for a vehicle made to get high miles, a Hummer is a Hummer and its never been know as an economy car, but at least theres no gas guzzler tax on the H3! Not to mention it will go about anywhere easily! The 4800 LBS helps keep it solid, but eats the motor up reducing power.