what other vehicles did you look at buying before..

[Jamo]

With 2 kids (one is 3 years-old and the other is 4 months-old), a vehicle with 4 doors is a necessity, and since we live out in the country and in an area of the U.S. “blessed” with floods, tornadoes, and the occasional ice storm, we really want a 4WD vehicle to help prevent us from being stranded should we need to travel during adverse conditions. The first thing that came to our minds was: “HUMMER!”

We’ve always loved the H2, but couldn’t afford one, being a new family. Now that the H3 is out and more within our budget, we considered one. We love the Hummer pedigree, history, and the H3’s ability to go (almost) anywhere and do (almost) anything.

Now that I've found out that I'd have to take my H3 to a Hummer dealer to have it serviced instead of any GM/GMC dealer (nearest Hummer dealer is 100 miles away), I guess I'll be looking for a vehicle that can be serviced in-town.

We’ve recently researched the newly redesigned Nissan Pathfinder. With exterior dimensions within a few inches (plus or minus) of the H3, more horsepower, more torque, seating for 7 (versus 5 in the H3) and identical size tires, 4WD (with a “4LO” setting), similar price, AND being able to have it serviced in-town, it MAY be our best alternative to a H3. Admittedly the H3 has a locking differential and slightly better approach and departure angles, but I doubt we’ll be climbing boulders anytime soon – or ever. We need something that will traverse our farmland, flooded roads, and other slightly less “Moab-like” obstacles. Pathfinders and H3s are in the same ballpark ($35K - $38K) and there’s no wait to get a Pathfinder (and actually rebates on them occasionally).


Here’s a brief rundown on the 2 vehicles’ specs:


H3: 3.5L I-5 engine
Pathfinder: 4.0L V-6 engine

H3 HP: 220 HP
Pathfinder HP: 270 HP

H3 Torque: 225 lb-ft.
Pathfinder Torque: 291 lb-ft.

H3 maximum towing capacity: 4700 lbs
Pathfinder maximum towing capacity: 6000 lbs.

H3 cargo capacity (behind front seats): 55.7 cubic feet
Pathfinder cargo capacity (behind front seats): 79.2 cubic feet

H3 fuel tank capacity: 23 gallons
Pathfinder fuel tank capacity: 21.1 gallons

H3 standard tires: P265/65R17 (without 33” tires added)
Pathfinder standard tires: P265/65R17

H3 length: 186.7”
Pathfinder length: 187.6”

H3 width: 74.7”
Pathfinder width: 72.8”

H3 height: 73.7”
Pathfinder height: 72.8”

H3 wheelbase: 111.9”
Pathfinder wheelbase: 112.2”

H3 curb weight: 4700 lb.
Pathfinder curb weight: 4697 lb.

H3 ground clearance: 8.5” (without 33” tires added)
Pathfinder ground clearance: 8.6”

H3 breakover angle: 23.5 degrees (without 33” tires added)
Pathfinder breakover angle: 22.3 degrees

H3 approach angle: 37.5 degrees (without 33: tires added)
Pathfinder approach angle: 30.7 degrees

H3 departure angle: 35.5 degrees (without 33” tires added)
Pathfinder departure angle: 22.4 degrees