03 Compared to 05

[89vette]

Since I have about 1200 miles on the 05, I thought I would post my thoughts on the differences.

Improvements:
Ebony Interior
More leather surfaces
Black trim finish nicer on pieces that were painted silver
Gauges are clearer
Express open and close sunroof (finally)
Middle seat shoulder strap (good for kids)
XM radio
Fit and finish on interior marginally better
Side step bar seems less prone to rusting like the black painted ones do
Not speed limited to 92 mph
We have clothes hooks!
Door sills have a nice protective plate on them

Disappointments
Still has the slip yoke thump when starting from a stop (this really bugs the crap out of me)
Many functions on the trip computer are gone such as the ability to record MPG on a trip.
Key in seat recall is gone (this may have left in 04)
05's use a cheap Bose amp. Hummers used to have the Cadillac systems now they have the Tahoe/Suburban systems. There is a noticeable difference between the two.
Wipers still suck in the snow
Frame still has rapid corrosion

I have not taken it wheeling yet. I did pull a Suburban that my brother drove over a hill in snow if that counts.

All in all I like the 05 better than the 03 but wish there were more improvements on the quality of the interior materials. WTF is so hard about it? Aside from some cheap looking bumpers, the fit and finish (alignment of panels, etc.) of the H2's is excellent IMO. The biggest drawback is the crappy interior pieces. My suggestion is newly designed door panels, as I feel this is where most of the problems lie, and a shifter make from real aluminum that has a positive and quality feel to it. Go drive a BMW, Benz or even a new Cadillac for that matter and you will see what I mean.

Maybe they will get it right when I get the 07.