H3 Misconceptions - What people don't know (makes them sound like a fool)

I'm new to the forums, and wanted to find out if others get the same reactions I do. These reactions being the following:

"We all know you have the money because you drive the Hummer"

"Why would you drive to work every day? Don't you get like 8 miles per gallon?"

"Hey, YOU are the one driving around the $60,000 car, YOU pay for lunch!"

"Stick? Why would you buy a stick?"

"That's not a real Hummer (which technically it isn't), It's just a toy"

"You're just helping the middle-east get richer"

"Why would you want something that rough to drive every day?"

or my personal favorite (because of various mods my wife wanted me to buy)

"Why don't you just have your entire H3 dipped in Chrome?"

Most of the people that critisize the price are the same ones that drive, let's see, a Lexus SC400, a fully-loaded Acura MDX, a Olds Alero, etc.

Most of these people completely changed their mind once they rode in my H3. It gets comparable gas mileage to most of the vehicles listed above, is definitely cheaper, and smoother. I drove my Sis-in-law's Merc 400/430 SUV ( I think that is the one ) and what a rough ride. They also have a brand new Pathfinder SE fully loaded, and that is rough also compared to the H3.

The big reason I think people are so afraid of the H3 is because they make false assumptions about the performance and price. You really do get a great vehicle for a great price, that is definitely the best in the price range for off-roading. If GM was SMART (dare I say) they would emphasize the price/value a little more and not just market the vehicle as a cool lookin SUV. I must have given a speech a dozen times about how much more "your" car is then mine, and how my H3 handles the road like you are driving a pillow compared to some of these upper-class cars. Give me a break.

My friend has a Ford Expedition. He thinks he can take it off-roading. I have nothing against those SUV's, and actually like his, BUT, there is such low ground clearance that I seriously doubt it would get very far in an extreme situation. He also thinks that his 40K expedition is less expensive then my H3. HA to him I say :)

Anyway, I am curious as to how many of these reactions other people have received. I have yet to go off-roading, but that is because there sure isn't many places in Chicago to do that, but there is one in Indiana (an off-road park) that I may visit in a couple of weeks. Hopefully after that, I will still have a reason to be here :)

I get these reactions often. I live in an upper middle class city; so these types are vehicles are fairly common. I get my share of negatives, but find now that most are positive. People ask me how I like it and if it is a rough ride. It is definetly rougher than my previous Jeep Grand Cherokee. Coil springs are more comfortable than leaf springs.

As for the 40K Expedition, you are driving a comparable vehicle. I paid 42K for my H3 (although it is loaded). I am not ashamed to be driving a nice car, nor will I make any excuses for it. I work hard and did not steal it. I put my time in getting educating and working the crap jobs to get to where I am today. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and screw anyone who comes across as jealous. I guarantee you, you have worked harder for your Hummer than they did for their Camaro.

That concludes my sermon for today.

Dawg19

quote:

I put my time in getting educating and working the crap jobs to get to....

Grammar was not one of the subjects?

Just kidding, just kidding..I thought that looked funny considering the subject

I completely agree...People with less will always envy people with more, without considering how you got to that high point of success in your life...Screw those narrow minded idiots...Most of them standing in welfare lines anyway.

I agree with you 100%. That is the point I was trying to make actually. Very well-worded my friend :)

I is a college graduate--lol. Considering the subject, that was a hilarious screw-up. Oh well, even educated people make mistakes. Thanks for pointing out my blunder.

Well, I grew up on welfare and food stamps even when my single mother worked full-time, but actually made something of myself and broke that cycle. Don't worry though, I won't take offense to that ;-) I know what you mean.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

Well, I grew up on welfare and food stamps even when my single mother worked full-time, but actually made something of myself and broke that cycle. Don't worry though, I won't take offense to that ;-) I know what you mean.

You and me both. Except it was my Dad and I living in the back of a pickup for a while, before we moved into a travel trailer. I am the first in my family to go to college, and even though I have had several oppertunities to have higher paying jobs doing what I do now, I have passed them up to stay in school because the road lined with easy money is filled with bottemless pot holes the size of semis.

Hummerguy,

I certainly meant no offense by my comments. I was commenting on people that make rude remarks about the H3 and the people who drive them. I know that there are a lot of hard working people out there who have come into unfortunate circustances.

It is true though that most of the people that make rude comments are just jealous not only of your H3, but your station in life.

Dawg19

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

Well, I grew up on welfare and food stamps even when my single mother worked full-time, but actually made something of myself and broke that cycle. Don't worry though, I won't take offense to that ;-) I know what you mean.

You're right, I surely meant no offense..I'm no stranger to the life of hard knocks either, so I know what struggling is all about..

But I'll be willing to bet that neither one of you guys or your families ever flipped off a person in a big-a$$ Cadillac, or GMC Suburban or Chevy Travel-all (Monster SUVs of your guys days of hard times I estimate)....Me? it was huge Buicks and Oldsmobiles that looked a block long...Not once, did I ever flip off one of those people just because they owned it...I said to myself, "Self..You're gonna be able to own one of those big shiney Cadillacs one day yourself"...That's more my point..The dead beats that won't get out of soup line because it's easier to blame others for their failures or lack of drive to better them selves.

HummerGuy, I know what you mean. I've been flipped off, cut off, looked at crooked, you name it. At gas stations, it usually turns into talking to someone about the H3 because they immediatley think you're rich and you drive a gas guzzling rig. For those that flip you off or whatever while driving, just wave and smile. I've tried to get GM to add a machine gun to the hood but until then, wave a smile. That REALLY burns them up! For those that you talk to, give them the truth about the H3. It's a mid-size Hummer, very affordable and gets around 20 mpg's. That's usually enough to stop them in their tracks and say, "you get better mileage than my trailblazer". :)

That's my 2 cents on the subject.

I took NO offense to anything you guys said. Don't even worry about it. I'm one of the most laid-back friendly people there is out there. I actually like seeing people that are able to say "I made it" even though the odds were always against you. It makes you a better person when you get older and gives you a better perspective into what people have to go through in life.

I was actually trying to be sarcastic in a funny way, even though I'm telling the truth. I have had about 11 cars in my 30 years of life (yes I know that's crazy) and this is, by far, my favorite. I am also the first one in my family to go to college, but my sister (who is a leutenant in the Navy) was the first to beat me to graduation. I switched majors, literally, 4 or 5 times until I decided what I wanted to do.

Anyway, please don't think I took offense to anything. I truely didn't. I was just trying to be funny, in my not-so-intelligent way. I do that sometimes!

You are right. I correct everybody at work, especially my friend who paid 45k for his fully-loaded MDX and says my $27k H3 (thank you GM discount) is more money. Too bad he pays about twice as much insurance as I do. What a shame....

About Insurance..Strange enough, my Insurance went down $80.00/year for the H3, even after the Land Rover I had for 4 years, same coverage....

While I was visiting my wife in the hopital and wearing my Hummer T-shirt a nurse actually said you don't want to know what I think of those vehicles! I calmly said what do you think? She said she is fearfull of getting hit by one and made a sarcastic remark; How do you like the gas prices?! My wife and I were taken back by this. I just said "Well sorry to here about that because both my wife and I are members of American RedCross' HOPE program and that we bring Drs. and RNs. to hospitals in times of need."
Let's just say that's one nurse who had a change of heart about the Hummer.

That is awsome. My wife and I are going to join the Illiana Hummer Club in Illinois/Indiana. They do so much for kids with handicaps and dissabilities, plus I think are part of the HOPE program which I think I'm going to look into. I understand people are afraid of being hit by those, but how often do you see a Hummer in a crash? I have yet to see ANY Hummer vehicle in a crash and I live in Chicago where there are alot of accidents every day. People that drive Hummer's know how to drive them.

I think you handled that quite well.

Our new home is being built in a place nicknamed "Tornado Alley" in Illinois, which is a town called Plainfield, which was all but wiped out in the late 80's from a major tornado, and still gets very violent weather. Anyway, when we get settled in, I'm really thinking about joining.

I wish people would just stop stereotyping everybody and realize there are people out there that don't just want attention by having one, even though it definitely is an attention grabber. I love when the kids see it. They always wave at me.

I always love it when the anti-SUV\Truck crowd uses the "their more dangerous in a crash" arguement against us. Is a big truck or SUV safer for its driver in a wreck. Hell yeah, that's part of the reason I drive one. Are they more dangerous for someone in a little tiny car. Hell yeah. But why should I be made more dangerous because someone else can't be safer? That's like saying everyone should be forced to live in a trailer home because they are dealier in a tornado. Next thing you know, we'll all have to wear the same grey clothes and wave a big old red flag every where we go. No thanks.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

That is awsome. My wife and I are going to join the Illiana Hummer Club in Illinois/Indiana. They do so much for kids with handicaps and dissabilities, plus I think are part of the HOPE program which I think I'm going to look into. I understand people are afraid of being hit by those, but how often do you see a Hummer in a crash? I have yet to see ANY Hummer vehicle in a crash and I live in Chicago where there are alot of accidents every day. People that drive Hummer's know how to drive them.

I think you handled that quite well.

Our new home is being built in a place nicknamed "Tornado Alley" in Illinois, which is a town called Plainfield, which was all but wiped out in the late 80's from a major tornado, and still gets very violent weather. Anyway, when we get settled in, I'm really thinking about joining.

I wish people would just stop stereotyping everybody and realize there are people out there that don't just want attention by having one, even though it definitely is an attention grabber. I love when the kids see it. They always wave at me.

Thanks HummerGuy. After my wife was released from the hospital I did leave our info with them in case they needed our services. I think it would help people's perception of the vehicle if GM/Hummer did more TV ads showing the HOPE program.

Two things.

1) My insurance actually went up $14 a quarter compared to the 2004 Chevy Avalanche I replaced with the H3. Something about being stolen more.

2) Where can I get more info on the HOPE program? That definately sounds like something I'm interested in.

You are right. That would be a great idea. I'm glad to hear your wife is ok. I had to take my wife to the ER on Friday. Her's was a pulled muscle though.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

You are right. That would be a great idea. I'm glad to hear your wife is ok. I had to take my wife to the ER on Friday. Her's was a pulled muscle though.

My wife had a breast reduction and got a blood clot in her lung as a result of the surgery. Glad to here your wife is ok. Mine is going to be on blood thinners for the next 6 months and weekly blood test. It's just amazing that here my wife was in the ICUnit and the nurse was complaing about HUMMMERS. Can't please everyone, but I did change her mind or atleast like to think I did.

I hope everything turns out OK for you. Did the nurse even realize why you were there, or was she just someone that was casually passing by?

Someone above posted that advertising may be working against us H3 owners and it just may be doing so.

2 of the tv commericials currently airing for the H3 show people (one features a male and the other a female) deciding to purchase an H3 AFTER each is disrespected in some way. The man decides to purchase the H3 after he is looked at with a smirk because he is purchasing vegan food instead of beef and meat at a supermarket. The woman has a mother and child jump ahead of her with her son at a playground while they are waiting to use a sliding board.

So those commercials kind of lead people to DRAW certain conclusions about the type of person who would purchase a hummer and of course that doesn't lead to any understanding of the actual price or mpg.

Not to minimize the horrible after affects, but would you like a moment of silence for the reduction? My girlfriend wants to get one. I can see her point knowing how it kills her back and shoulders. At the same time, I'm really going to miss those DDDs.

Again, not trying to make light of your wife's situation. Hopefully everything with her will work out fine.

quote:

ORIGINAL: auria

Someone above posted that advertising may be working against us H3 owners and it just may be doing so.

2 of the tv commericials currently airing for the H3 show people (one features a male and the other a female) deciding to purchase an H3 AFTER each is disrespected in some way. The man decides to purchase the H3 after he is looked at with a smirk because he is purchasing vegan food instead of beef and meat at a supermarket. The woman has a mother and child jump ahead of her with her son at a playground while they are waiting to use a sliding board.

So those commercials kind of lead people to DRAW certain conclusions about the type of person who would purchase a hummer and of course that doesn't lead to any understanding of the actual price or mpg.

My take on those is HUMMER is offering people something to step out of their boring mundane life.

That is just bad marketting. They are trying to appeal the younger 20's crowd whereas the older crowds probably have more means to purchase one. Instead of concetrating on the Hummer roots and exploiting it's ruggidness, they are saying "You will look cool in a Hummer driving it around the city on flat pavement"

If you have kids, you should probably invest that 30K in a mini-van. I probably would, but that's just me. If you market them as a family vehicle, that is all fine and dandy, but you are basically saying that buying a H3 will make you look cool if you are married and have kids, and maybe you can get some attention you are lacking at home because your spouse is spending too much time in front of the TV watching commercials for H3's

Just kidding.