Looking at a New Alpha or a JK

[Badace]

We are moving to the country and I will be commuting to work. If I work this right, I will get a H3, and by the end of the year my wife an H2. It is update our vehicle time (She has an 03 z71 Suburban and I have an 03 z71 Silverado) Anyway, I have been thinking of the Alpha but I like the removable top of the Jeep. (This is a commuter but it will have minimum 35's on it. That is as Green as I can go) I just don't like that Jeep seems to wear out (engine wise/ I have owned 2 Wranglers) after 50k miles. I love GM. After I get it Paid off, I will trade my truck in on a SUT and keep the H3 as my Commuter. Any thoughts. What do you like about your H3. I will get the V8 Alpha only. I am pretty sure the H3 is the way to go, just do not want to regret it. I do love GM Trucks/SUV's.

[3Hummer]

Dont have the Alpha but i can say that i adore my h3 nothing but great times. It offroads incredible the capabilities of a standard H3 is absolutly incredible. Along with that on the road the H3 is a really comfortable ride, and espiaclly with the Alpha you will have a lot added power. Along with that its got a nice and extremly comfortable interior and a good amount of space inside it. Its also an extremly good looking ride from the exterior. Nothing but great things to say about my H3 i love it!

[Desert Dan]

How long is your commute going to be?

The H3 would be a better daily driver (quieter, safer etc.)

The JK may get better mileage. Get the Unlimited 4-door for more space and comfort. Off road the Rubicon has some advanatages.

Ive had 2 Jeeps with the 4.0L straight six and have had no problems. One I sold with 145K and it ran fine and didn't burn any oil.

The JK has a V6 from a mini van. They may be putting in a larger V6 next year but unlikely a factory Hemi.

Either way you can't go wrong.

[tomp]

If you are serious about offroading and rock climbing, get the JK-Rubicon. Hard to beat from factory with SFA & front/rear lockers with auto-disco swaybar up front. Lots more aftermarket parts at reasonable prices too.

If you want something very offroad capable and still is well mannered on the street, plenty of power and with nice looks, then get the Alpha. The V8 is very nice! In stock form, all you need to do is tweak the front torsion bars and add some extended shocks and you then have plenty more front ground clearance - which is a benefit of IFS. I feel safer in the H3 and the later year models have more air bags than I can remember.

We have an H2 and when it was time for a second new vehicle, we chose the H3 over the JK for it's extra interior space, comfort, looks and can still go offroad with the best of them. I test drove the new 4-door JK when they came out and I was just not impressed. H3 has 100K warranty as well, and that's hard to beat.

The Jk & H3 each have their own set of Pros & Cons, so take all the input with a grain of salt and decide what's best for you.

[Badace]

Originally Posted by tomp

The Jk & H3 each have their own set of Pros & Cons, so take all the input with a grain of salt and decide what's best for you.

Yeah I agree. GM knows how to make a truck and engine. The thing that appeals about the JK over the H3 is just the top. Everything else is easily better on the h3.

I will just use it in the woods. Hunting and on the land. I believe in using my rigs. I used to be the type that did not want people getting in the boat with shoes on etc. but realized I would just get upset when something got dinged. One thing was for sure, it was going to happen sooner than later so I do not worry about any of it. Door dings included. It is a little more money for the H3 but I think that 5.3 will have more go than the jk. Thanks fellas.

[TANiK]

if the JK is the Jeep Wrangler with the removable hard-top panels my pops and I were having a similar dilema

after test driving the Jeep and then the H3 the Jeep felt like a tin toy and so we ended up with the absolutely solid H3

Peace

[KenP]

Originally Posted by Badace

Yeah I agree. GM knows how to make a truck and engine. The thing that appeals about the JK over the H3 is just the top. Everything else is easily better on the h3.

I've driven the JK and even considered purchasing one, but if you're going to use it as a commuter, you won't be nearly as happy with it.

Compared to the H3, the fit and finish suck. The ride wasn't as bad as I expected, but it's still quite a bit rougher than the H3.

The JK feels cramped inside when compared to the H3.