H2 - Shopping...need some advice (noob)

[ChipGall]

<div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Hi Everyone,


I'm shopping for my first H2 (noob!) for purchase in September. There is a pretty good selection in my area (Southern Ontario Canada) from 03's through 07's. Km's and prices range from about $14,000 up to $20,000 and 140,000km's to 222,000km's.


My budget is about $20,000 and I am hoping you good folks could give me some advice with regards to what to look for while shopping/test driving (potential problems and good stuff etc...) and what are reasonable KM's for an asking price.


Any help is sincerely appreciated and I look forward to my new H2 ride!


Cheers Chip</div>
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[BioHazard]

Hey Chip,
 
Friend of mine is selling his '08 H2 with 180,000km, certified and e-tested for $30,000 (willing to negotiate). He's the first and original owner of it. He's located in Fenwick (between St. Catharines and Welland).
 
Phone Number is 905-892-0936 and he's encouraging you to come take a look if it's not too far of a drive.

[normsadler]

If you can afford the 2008, I would recommend getting it as it is the last model year and has the 6.2L 6-speed.  If your looking at the earlier years, they are mostly the same as far as features.  Price should be consistent with year and mileage and use/maintenance. 

[ChipGall]

Thanks for the reply...an 08 would be great but probably out of my price range ( unfortunately) I don't want to waste your friends time but it may be worth having a look. I won't be in a position to buy until early September. Stupid question but what kind of km's can I expect to rack up on a well maintained H2 engine before it nears its demise? I hear nothing but good things about the engine in these beasts. I'm just worried about overpaying for an H2 with over 170,000 km and walking into major engine rebuilds etc.

[Autumn Walker]

The 6.0L might as well be bomb proof... the go for hundreds of thousands of kilometers before they need any real love.
 
Watch out for the adventure model with the rear air bags - they tend to dry rot and pop. The fix is relatively simple - swapping over to the coils from the non-adventure series, or replacing the bags, but I avoided the adventure when I picked up mine.
 
I am having a lot of issues with dry rot / corrosion on mine - I have replaced the PS cooler, driver's inner axle seal, PS inner shaft seal, and the passenger inner axle seal is now gone as well. All my chrome is pealing (which is fine because I'm pulling it all off) - so look for that as well.
 
Otherwise the truck is solid and I absolutely love it. It is a tank in the woods and a pleasure to drive down the highway - even with my 38" Michelin XML tires on it

[Autumn Walker]

Also - if you want to swing out east you can have your pick - the market arse has fallen out of the market here for H2's - low KM for $14k.

[BioHazard]

I'd give him a call, Chip. They're super nice people if you make a legitimate offer to them, I'd be surprised if they didn't take it.

[normsadler]

I have over 230,000km my 2004 and it still isn't using oil between changes.  I've replaced the spark plugs and wires, the oil dip stick (cheap replacement if you do it BEFORE you break it!), replaced the ticking stock exhaust manifolds with headers and replaced the anti-knock sensors twice.  The engines are great.
 
I'd still do some shopping around to find a street princess that has been babied by its owner, they are out there!

[ChipGall]

Thanks so much for the information everyone...your reply's definately give me some things to consider. Most of the "Dealer" inquires I have made thus far the sellers don't have maitenance records however are selling "certified" and claim any certifation repairs will be taken care of before delivery. I will definatley make a call to your contacts Biohazard...but I do want to keep my budget to $20,000 tops. It sounds like as long as I'm careful I can find a good H2 out there...I'm not looking to off road with it just local and highway driving. Thank you for being so helpful...I will let you know how I make out and post some of my considrations for your comment and opinions once I narrow it down.

[BioHazard]

You do know that we'll have to change you into an avid off roader, right? We've converted many street queens! ;-)