Will Be On The Market Soon

[abot]

[quote name='mylesp' date='15 August 2010 - 08:46 AM' timestamp='1281876414' post='20237']

Hey all, my name is Myles I live in wasaga beach ontario. Im getting married in April and after that I will be looking into the purchace of an H1. Right now I'm going to try and found as much as I can about them, trying to find out what to look for when purchacing one, if there is a certain year to watch out for or defects ect. Anyways I just wanted to say hello. All the best. -Myles

[/quote]



Hi Myles,



There are a few things you should know about an H1.

-Its a noisy truck, and having one certainly isn't like driving a luxury sedan

-Be aware that you will have to keep it well-maintained. Most of these trucks are now 10-15 years old, and have the usual issues with vehicles of this age.

-You really can't just leave it parked in the garage for most of the year. Preferably, you should run the truck at least twice a month to keep everything OK.

-Being large (both weight-wise, and in terms of width), make sure you have a place to park it - preferably inside

-AC usually isn't the best, especially on the early models



As for what type, it all really depends on what you want to do with it. If you want it as a daily driver (which I don't recommend) you're probably better off with one of the Alpha trucks or the post-2001 models. For offroad, usually an HMCO (4 man soft top) or open-top Humvee is the best (lighter weight, won't sink into sand or mud). Pre-1997 trucks were made without turbo-diesels, so if travelling at highway-speeds is important to you, go with a 97+ model. The list goes on. There are quite a few good H1 sites on the web, and I highly recommend reading through them. At the top of the list are humvee.net and flashoffroad.com



Some information on buying an H1:

-Don't get sucked in by sellers that advertise all the "hundreds of thousands of dollars" worth of extras that they put into it who are asking well above what a stock truck would go for (ex: "1998 H1 for sale, asking $85000. $140,000 of extras. A real bargain!"). Generally, no matter how much you put in, it won't increase the value of the truck by that much. In my opinion, you are much better off with a well-maintained stock truck, and then you can do your own modifications from there if you're interested.

-Before shopping, figure out exactly what you want. IE: HMCO (4-man soft top), HMC4 (4-man hard top) or a H1 Wagon (H1 with the roof extended all the way to the rear bumper).

-Good places to buy an H1 include ebay and hummermarketplace.com

-Always look for one that is well maintained, with LOW miles. You could get scammed into buying a truck with 150,000 miles and spend tens of thousands getting it fixed up.



Finally, once you have your truck, Phil (Phil's Mobil Mechanix) is the best H1 mechanic in the GTA. Both of my trucks go to him whenever they need servicing. His advertisement usually appears above the forum.



Alan

[Brian]

Hi Mylesp i to live in the beach i probly. Tagged you with a card!!!! anyway congrats on getting married and good luck.My wife and i celebrated 25 years this july.Alan said what i would have said i really recommend shopping around,i have been shopping now for 7 months but when i do buy it will be exactly what i want for a fair price.some folks get so excited about pulling the trigger on a h1 that thier judgement becomes almost impaired.So my advice is to take along time to research the brand and the particular vehicle.Now i am not a mec.but my best buddy is owns a busy garage in barrie and if you are going to look we would be happy to come and be helpful.You have to whatch for kit car h1's but it's easy to tell them from the real deal.If you want to p.m. me and i will give you my phone no. and we can chat.Thanks The Bear

[dwaxman1]

great writeup Alan, one correction, 96 trucks also came with a turbo diesel..it is pre 96, not pre 97..



here is a great link on Lynch Hummer to describe the changes over the model years...



Lynch Hummer



other then that....you have it on the mark...as well my trucks go to Phil...if someone is in the Market for a Truck, Phil usually knows when one is for sale and it is a great place to check first before you trust auto trader or somewhere else.



Also members will list some on here too.. make sure you check out the "for sale" section of this site and ASK LOTS of QUESTIONS!!!

[abot]

[quote name='dwaxman1' date='16 August 2010 - 03:53 AM' timestamp='1281945229' post='20249']

great writeup Alan, one correction, 96 trucks also came with a turbo diesel..it is pre 96, not pre 97..



here is a great link on Lynch Hummer to describe the changes over the model years...



Lynch Hummer

[/quote]



That's correct. My mistake. The 96 trucks were offered with turbo, non-turbo and (I think) gas engines; so 1997 is the first year with a 6.5 turbo diesel standard. The 97 engine was an upgraded turbo engine (I think you gained an extra 5-10 HP) compared to the 1996. But, you are right by saying it is the pre-96 trucks without turbos.



Anyway, Myles, this just proves there's A LOT of stuff to read up on! <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... e_wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Alan

[dwaxman1]

you also want to make sure you get the 98 and up HVAC system... it was a big upgrade I believe on the 97.7 year but I may be mistaken.. it may have just been in 98 and forward...it is an very expensive upgrade, over 2500$ in parts alone, then the labour it get it installed but it will greatly improve your heating and cooling..I am having issues with mine and current do not have cooling, I am looking at doing the upgrade but have a "few" other things to do first... CTIS compressor for one ;-)

[Kurt]

I'd buy from the US, be prepared to spend a few thousand dollars in repairs on the onset. Don't take it just anywhere for service. If that means you have to drive to Toronto to Mississauga to get big stuff done, do that, I heard there is a very good AM general tech who has an independent shop [he's known down here in the US]. I think that's Phil? The last thing you want to do is take it to a shop, pay them big money to "learn" on your truck and mess it up, only to cause more issues.



Have a paid inspection done to the truck. Be prepared for expensive yearly maintenance [ie. 2000-3000/year] for wear and tear and maintenance items.



I'd consider getting a street queen, stock 2001 or higher truck. I'd consider an older truck if the diesel engine has the newer style block [96-00 are "at risk" years for the #8 cylinder crack]. I'd go as far as having a compression test done on older trucks.



Another option is to get an older basic truck, say a 1995 NA, and keep it simple, roll up windows, minimal electrics, or get a older truck with a clean frame, and drop it down to predator motorsports in Vista, CA [Near San Diego] and have them drop in a lift kit and a Turbo Diesel Cummins motor with inter cooler for 15,000$.



The main thing is to take your time and shop around, don't rush into buying a H1.

[dwaxman1]

Phil is the man for sure Kurt... he has over 100 H1s that he regularly services.. he is in Caledon, ON... well worth the drive...get CAA, it is worth the extra bit of cash if you ever break down!!!

[pobegin]

My only advise : be patient... I waited 3 years to find a very good deal... and when the deal comes, it goes away pretty fast... within 24 hours... but don't get scam by "too good to be true deal"... 12,500$ for a H1 is definitely an Africa scam! (they always put that price anyway)...



I saw the same truck than mine (same mileage, color, options, model, year, etc) 20k US more... ok, the Hummer had girls step bars and leather heated seats... not worth 20k more!



Have fun looking around.



Some H1 in quebec :

http://www.lespacs.com

- 2002 10th anniversary 60k in Quebec City... Click here for a Picture

- 2006 alpha for 150k since > 1 year

- a fake green H1

http://www.autohebdo.net/

- 98 open top 35k$

[dwaxman1]

good luck and please do not rush it.....