Newbie-Type Question

[Cookie]

Hey all, Im new here and while I don't actually *have* a Hummer yet, an H3 is in the cards after two years of deliberation between the myriad of capable 4x4 offerings out there (note sarcasm lol).



So, to my questions. I need to know wht sets apart the model variants. I know that When the time comes to shell out my hard-earned $$$, it'll be either for a Base or Adventure model (my dogs will murder the leather of a Lux and I cant afford an Alpha). But What's the difference between the two? I think I read somewhere that the adv. pkg. has slightly bigger tires (285's to the Base 265's), but is that all that separates the two?

[duncanpa]

[quote name='Cookie' date='03 August 2010 - 05:44 PM' timestamp='1280875482' post='19920']

Hey all, Im new here and while I don't actually *have* a Hummer yet, an H3 is in the cards after two years of deliberation between the myriad of capable 4x4 offerings out there (note sarcasm lol).



So, to my questions. I need to know wht sets apart the model variants. I know that When the time comes to shell out my hard-earned $$$, it'll be either for a Base or Adventure model (my dogs will murder the leather of a Lux and I cant afford an Alpha). But What's the difference between the two? I think I read somewhere that the adv. pkg. has slightly bigger tires (285's to the Base 265's), but is that all that separates the two?

[/quote]



Welcome to the site and hope you learn a lot about Hummers before your purchase. Unfortunately, I'm an H2 guy and don't know much about the H3's, but someone on here will let you know...just be patient...many people away on holidays and off-roading....they'll check in soon!!!

[Cookie]

Thanks Duncan, and thanks for the welcome!

[JL]

I just bought a 2008 H3 last January and man... love it!



I opted for the Lux but no Adventure package, and the base 3.7L motor. For me, I wanted to take the H3 offroading but knew that it'd be a great vehicle on the highway as well, so I thought that with with my budget I'd take the heated leather seats, nice stereo, sat radio, etc. over the rear locking diff and bigger tires.



I've since bought some bigger tires anyway (35" tires are a great upgrade if you want to offroad), and even without the locking diff I have a ton of fun off road and never really encountered an obstacle that I absolutely needed the locker to get through. The lockers help though, no doubt about it, but don't think that they're a necessity if you want to have some fun off road!



The GM undercarriage protection is another good upgrade if you want to off road in an H3.



If you're not keen on the leather seats then a base with Adventure package has gotta be the way to go! They come stock with 33" tires and the rear locker, in 2009 the Adventure package also included a front locker in addition to the rear, but this is 2009 equipment only, previous years are rear locker only.



All I can say is I really enjoy the H3. Once you have your heart set on one nothing else will do!

[Cookie]

Thanks JL, I'll look into it.

If I put on larger tires, I know my speedo reading will be affected. Can I take my truck to my local GM dealer and have them change the tire size in the computer? I'm a technician at a Mazda dealer and know that I can do that on certain Mazda veicles, as well as on my Focus, which I'll be retiring when I find the right truck.

I'm not worried about how much it'll cost to have the computer changed, as the dealership I work for happens to be part of an automotive "family" that happens to include both a Toyota and a GM store. If it can be done through the dealership computer, they'll do it internally for me. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... rgreen.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':mrgreen:' /> <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... rgreen.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':mrgreen:' />

[Sugarphreak]

A PCM tune will correct for whatever size tires you want, I also believe there are some options out there now for the V8 models to make the speedometer calibration.



Nothing really yet for the 5cyl, I might be beta testing a Hyperchip one if they ever release it to us.



Go for a newer model of H3 if you can, it has the slightly more powerful 5cyl engine, beefed up tie rods and a few other goodies. The 2009 and up adventure models also have the front locker as an OEM option. This is highly desireable!



Actually if you can find any with the adventure pacakge even on older models they give you better shocks, a rear locker, and the 4:1 transfer case. They also come with larger tires.



Best of luck in your search,



what kind of price range are you looking at btw?

[Cookie]

I'd be looking at something in the 08-10 range. As for price range, I'm hoping not to spend more than $25k, taxes in. Being a technician, I'm also looking at "salvage" title vehicles. I have no problem with rebuiling a mashed up truck to save a couple grand!

[JL]

I once heard that the GM PCM tool could only calibrate the speedo up to the 285/75R16 that are stock on an Adventure package H3, bigger than that and the dealer couldn't help... No idea if this is true or not!!



I use a digital speedo in mine that I calibrated for the bigger tires, it's just a digital gauge that pulls anything that an OBD2 computer reports and takes a correction value for tires or gears and adjusts the reported speed, so I've been happy with that. Sugarphreak is right that you can get a hand-held programmer for the V8 but not the I5, so with the smaller motor I guess you'd have to get the dealer to help or go with an auxiliary speedo that is adjustable!



Just be careful trying to rebuild a salvage as parts for these are $$$$$ since you're stuck with OEM parts, aftermarket doesn't seem to have picked up on these yet . Definitely price out what you need for repairs before buying a salvage...



Good luck with the hunt!

[Khamul]

I can give my input as I first bought an 07 H3 and then upgraded to an 08 Alpha, and finally I am in an 08 H2



Now - I beg forgiveness from my fellow offroaders but I would go with the Alpha by far! I simply could not take the 3.7 (bear in mind that I am a rather aggressive driver so keep that in mind to as there is absolutely nothing wrong with the 3.7 engine) but I was insanely happy with my Alpha - But I needed better towing capacity and more room for 3 kids which led to the H2.



Now the Alpha is only marginally higher in gas consumption and a small price to pay for the passing power, off the line, and general enjoyment of teh vehicle. The operating components are also beefed up to handle the increase in Power and the 08 and newer H3's have the better tie rods. The prices have come down quite a bit since they stopped making them as consumers are scared so you should be able to find a deal. My Alpha is still sitting at the dealer that bought it and I would still reccomend it and she always brought me home! The Alpha is a bit tougher than the 3.7 H3's and the reason I say that is I put that baby through hell and it always brought me home. Nose first into a boulder on a winter run and Sugar will remember and I only needed an alignment! I mean hard to the point that my back end left the ground coming to a stop and I actually pushed the frozen boulder out of the ground!!! Broke NOTHING!!! But it does come down to the beefed up components and a bit different drivetrain.



So really alot comes down to how you drive as well! Laughingly enough JL had to haul my fat arss back into the bush to repair and drive out my H2 because of one friggin bolt (but that is another story) and his H3 has done very well for him! But I would say the adventure is a must if you will be going off road as locking the diff comes in very handle but it also comes with all the body armour as standard.



I love my H2 - But I would put an Alpha up to it anyday and I would actually prefer that on the trails as I'm getting sick of scrathing the sides!

[JL]

All I can recommend is trying to get a test drive of the 3.7 vs the 5.3 and see what you like best. There's no denying the 3.7 is a slug and with big tires it only gets slower, but it all depends on your expectations, you know? I've got my summer car so my need for speed is satisfied, I save the H3 for weekend trips in the bush and camping so I'm perfectly happy with the smaller motor. Like I say it's all about expectations and for some the 3.7 is fine and for others they need more power, whatever works!



Back when I was looking the least expensive H3 Alpha was in the neighborhood of $40k, now you can get a low mile for around $30k so the price difference for the V8 definitely isn't what it used to be. 30K is more what I would expect as 40 will get someone into a mint H2, 25-30K seems to be ballpark for the H3s in Calgary at the moment depending on mileage and year but the Alpha is a rare commodity in the used market so get ready for a hunt... (or buy Khamul's H3! H3 For Sale)



Bottom line... whatever you do... get yourself a HUMMER!