Considering an H3

[Broxn]

Hello all,

I have been reading quite a bit of your postings here and have enjoyed them.

I am considering purchasing a 2008 H3 and was hoping you all could let me in on your experiences,opinions and general thoughts of owning this vehicle.



Thanks in advance all!



Cheers,

Greg

[lasallejai]

Hi Greg,





I have owned my H3 since December 2009, and it has been all good so far. I have the 5 speed standard version, and I love driving it like a Mazda RX7(just pulling your leg). The turning circle is just fantastic, and the mileage is so so in the winter time, but pretty good in the warmer months. I come from a background of owning a few mid size Japanese sports cars, and this is the very first SUV I have ever owned. I like it a lot so far, but when going on long haul trips luggage space is lacking by a great margin when compared to our second car, a Mazda 6. Nevertheless, I have driven our H3 to Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Mont Tremblant, and Detroit a few times. I enjoyed all the trips a lot, except when we were in Pittsburgh at Mount Lebanon starting on a lot of steep hills without the assist of a hand brake like I used to have with all my previous cars. Passenger space is not a lot for the back seats and I would not go on a long distance trip with 5 persons on board---4 is comfortable, but defiitely not 5. The OEM tires were quite lousy so be prepared to spend some pennies on a set of good all terrain tires. That is all I have for you, and hopefully some day we will see you at our club events.





Alexander

[JL]

I drove a 2008 H3 for about a year, great vehicle! I did sell it but only to get into a H2, nothing wrong with the H3 though I LOVED that vehicle and I do miss it, but ultimately for me I had to choose the H2 just more my thing!!



But my 08 was awesome, I had some bigger tires on it a set of 35" Toyo mud terrain and that thing did great on the trails. Only downside to the big tires was it killed the fuel economy pretty bad, my H2 is getting similar and often better mileage!! Average of about 12 mpg for both vehicles so it does cost a few $$$ at the pump, but mileage was actually not too bad with the stock, smaller tires. Bigger tires are a good investment for off roading but not completely necessary at all, just a personal choice what you'd prefer as it's a tradeoff between mileage and a bit more clearance off road.



I took my H3 everywhere though and never had any troubles with it, very comfortable and had a nice stereo to boot. Heated seats were awesome... vehicle looked great and really I have no complaints about it! The only irritating thing I found is that the back seats don't fold down completely flat when you need extra space, when they're down they're just not flat with the floor. I dunno, to be totally rational about it and honest you can definitely get a similar sized vehicle that probably has more space, more gizmos, better economy... but lemme just say... if you have to have a Hummer nothing else will do!! Life's too short not to enjoy yourself so I say if you gotta have one... go for it!!

[Broxn]

Thank you both very much for the responses!

Very helpful!

If you both don't mind I'll PM you each to ask questions.



Cheers,

Greg

[Archngel]

Had H3 since 2006, trade it in for an 09 and changed it this time for a 2010 Alpha.



the l5 starting 08 has the 3.7 was pretty good, almost same gas consomption as the 3.5. Depending if you want manual tranny or automatic driving will be different.

for more versatility, adventure package is recommended. I loved my 06 and 09, now enjoying my 2010 alpha.



If you have any question, feel free to ask..



Marc

[lasallejai]

[quote name='Archngel' timestamp='1308579147' post='28332']

Had H3 since 2006, trade it in for an 09 and changed it this time for a 2010 Alpha.



the l5 starting 08 has the 3.7 was pretty good, almost same gas consomption as the 3.5. Depending if you want manual tranny or automatic driving will be different.

for more versatility, adventure package is recommended. I loved my 06 and 09, now enjoying my 2010 alpha.



If you have any question, feel free to ask..



Marc

[/quote]







Marc,







I did not know you got an Alpha, and one of the the last batch they made also being a 2010 model. Good for you, and I truly envy you. I guess I will get to see your new ride on Thursday at the trails, if not Wednesday at the hotel.







Alexander

[Archngel]

[quote name='lasallejai' timestamp='1308582227' post='28334']

Marc,







I did not know you got an Alpha, and one of the the last batch they made also being a 2010 model. Good for you, and I truly envy you. I guess I will get to see your new ride on Thursday at the trails, if not Wednesday at the hotel.







Alexander

[/quote]





yep.. adventure too and apparently One of the last 50 made on top of that. they're few left where this one is coming from, since there were none made for canada. I got it from US.

[lasallejai]

[quote name='Archngel' timestamp='1308588362' post='28335']

yep.. adventure too and apparently One of the last 50 made on top of that. they're few left where this one is coming from, since there were none made for canada. I got it from US.

[/quote]





That is just great, Marc, and I am very jealous now. Alpha with the adventure package, what more could you ask for?<img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... #>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='???' />??



Are you going down with the convoy tomorrow, or you three musketeers from Quebec will go down by yourselves in different time frame?<img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... #>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='???' />

[Broxn]

Hey all.. wondering what size rime and rubber you would recommend (for summer)

Cheers,

Greg

[Archngel]

[quote name='Broxn' timestamp='1309532690' post='28539']

Hey all.. wondering what size rime and rubber you would recommend (for summer)

Cheers,

Greg

[/quote]



I have the stock rims 16 and tires 285/75/16. and yokohama same size for winter on its own set of hummer rims.