Mac,
your pictures are killing me. I want, I want, I want, I want, I want.
My experience when I drove one for 24hours, was initial shock, not unlike what you voiced previously. Noisy,rattled,etc. etc., and my thoughts were why would anyone pay such a premium for this, I certainly wouldn't. I got back into my H2 the next day, and it literally felt like a Cadillac, compared to the H1. About a week went by, and something about the spartan ruggedness, not to mention the strengh and durability really started appealing to me, and I realized that is what you pay for. A vehicle if properly maintained that will last a very long time. There is also something very comforting about staring out through a split windshield over a tennis court sized hood.
You don't mention if the vehicles you are looking at are wagons (HMCS), the 4 door hardtop trucks (HMC4)or open tops(HMCO). Mine is an open top - - and I think I'm really going to like it. Let me get through my first spring and summer, I may have a different opinion.
Keep us posted
John
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'02 HMCO