Brand New to the Hummer Forum
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Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 10:11:16 AM
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Peej Willys
Posts: 10
Joined: 4/17/2008
Status: offline
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Hi all,
Subject text says it all. In my 40 years of driving experience, I have never owned or driven a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Because I always traveled for a living, my choice of vehicles has been small Econoboxes like the Datsun F-10, Honda Civic, dodge Colt, etc. I'm pretty much retired now. Work only when I want to (accountant). I'd like to get a bad weather vehicle. Up to about a month ago, I was pretty sure about getting a Grand Cherokee. My son, however, works for a Chevy/Hummer dealership and told me to check out the Hummer H2. I did. I test drove the Ultra Marine H2 and fell in love with it. I don't drive enough whereby fuel costs would be a problem. The local dealer has an off-road course. My son drove it and loved it. Me, on the other hand, was too chicken. Let's just say that when I'm going uphill and can't see anything but sky or traveling on an aggressive side slope and wondering if the vehicle is gonna fall over, I get nervous. My son, who has an 6 inch lifted Avalanche just loves those off-road type courses. Anyway, I'm not wanting 4WD for off-road (although, maybe, I can get to like it). I want 4WD for bad weather.
Since I've been researching the H2, I have never realized what a hated vehicle it is. Certain groups out there hate it for it's size and weight. It does bother me, but I like it for it's size and weight. For years, John Q Public went through his fads or phases....large pickup trucks, mini vans and SUVs. Here I am, in my small econoboxes, having to deal with these larger vehicles. Couldn't complain, though, because family, friends, or neighbors would say 'TOUGH'. Well now that I'm in the market for an SUV, I'm thinking 'BIG'. And here I am looking at H2s. Maybe all you Hummer owners can answer some questions for me.
1. Models like the Ultra Marine come equipped with 20 inch wheels. Is this a plus? Do these 20 inch wheels provide additional ground clearance? How much additional clearance?
2. Is the 4WD system better than what you find on the General's other SUVs and trucks. Or are the drive systems the same.
3. The H2 looks like it's built like a brick outhouse. Compared to the General's other SUVs and trucks is the build quality really that much better. I'm trying to decide if the upscale price
is worth it. H2 opponents like to say it's a modified Tahoe. I'd like to think there's more to an H2 than that.
I have additional questions but will wait for some other time . Thanks to all .
John
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 10:36:03 AM
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Lampooner
Posts: 41
Joined: 1/20/2008
Status: offline
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Hi and Welcome,
You should also post in the "New Members Area" forum. That way eveyone will get to know you and you will get to know at least the very active members.
Glad you like the H2. I have had mine for several months now, LOVE IT!! In the 70's I lived in AZ and had a Toyota Landcruiser. Did a lot of off-roading or at least very rugged trails back then. I am also now retired.
The H2 is indeed built like a brick outhouse. They weigh-in around 6500 pounds. The H3 is built on a Tahoe chassis I believe. The H2 is supposedly built on a truck 2500HD chassis.
From what I have seen posted lately the Dealers are giving some hefty discounts. You should be able to get a good deal especially with your son working for Hummer.
I wanted a Yellow one so I had to go with a used one as yellow is no longer available.
Remember you are only young once, but you can be immature forever. Go for it buy the Hummer and enjoy! Don't wait, hell I don't even buy green bannas anymore!
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 11:36:03 AM
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Gunz
Posts: 140
Joined: 11/12/2007
From: Havelock NC
Status: offline
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Welcome to the forum and I have an H3 and love it. Came from and still own two Land Rovers and no regrets what so ever. Sorry I cannot answer all your questions about he H2 as I do believe I know but I will leave it for the experts here to answer about their own breed! Sounds to me you think like I do and you are ready to buy the H2. Lots of hate like you said but probably more misunderstanding as the public needs someone to bash or something to hate. As I said I own a H3 and love it as I never liked the H2's but since then I do like them now so I hope you get one and good luck,Mike
_____________________________
"Freedom isn't Free"
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 11:37:10 AM
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shortbus
Posts: 3602
Joined: 6/27/2005
Status: offline
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this whole "tahoe", "suburban", "colorado" crap is old. the H2 and H3 are all built using stock GM parts, but it's not like they just took a frame from one vehicle and slapped a new body on it, they're modified for strength and approach/departure angles. while i'm no expert in exactly what those changes are, i could really give a hoot what frame it is, i know what it can do and can say it works fine. it's funny with a login name that pretty much says "jeep willys" that you've never been offroading or don't already have a preconceived notion of hummers. anyway, if mileage isn't a concern and bad weather driving are your concerns, i think either an H3 or H2 would fit what you say you're looking for. good luck on whatever choice you make.
a 20 inch wheel isn't going to change the height at all, it all depends on the tire size. you'll just spend more per tire than you would with a stock 17" wheel.
the 4wd system is full time, not sure what other GM vehicles have that. i would assume the tranny, transfer case and diffs are standard GM fare. if you hit unexpected road conditions the full time 4wd is definitely a benefit imo.
it's a GM vehicle, and from my experience is standard GM quality.
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 12:11:46 PM
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Peej Willys
Posts: 10
Joined: 4/17/2008
Status: offline
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My kids have been into 4wd. My daughter has a Willys. I have no idea what year it is. It looks like an old Wrangler but has an 8 cylinder in it. I didn't know they had ever put 8s in their small vehicles. You have to admit, whether you're talking about Hummers or jeeps, they all come from the Willys/Overland heritage. My wanting either a Hummer or Jeep stems from the fact that I would like to buy American. Again, I've never owned or driven 4WD. But now that I have grandchildren that accompany me on local trips and errands, I think it's a plus that a vehicle can offer safety and security in the event of an accident.
I didn't realize that tire sizes offer no additional ground clearance. What then is the advantage of having 20 inch tires. If 20 inch tires have no advantage, I could save myself approximately $4,000 by not selecting the limited edition ULTRA MARINE pkg. I think every other item on the Ultra Marine pkg can be had on the regular H2 with the luxury pkg.
Don't let the login name mislead you. I have respect for both model lines. I have never owned a Jeep product but did own 3 Chevys.
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 1:58:49 PM
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Trey124
Posts: 4592
Joined: 7/20/2006
Status: offline
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There is no such thing as a Ultra Marine Hummer Pkg. from Hummer, that's a dealer made up add-on to raise the sticker price. The only pkgs. that Hummer offer are Adv. Pkg. or Lux. Pkg. everything else is to make you pay more.
Only buy a Hummer if you plan on driving it off road at some point in time, otherwise you'll be complaing about high gas prices and those people you say hate the Hummer. We all love our trucks and we don't mind paying the costs to have them.
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Slate Blue H3 Owner, THCI member and Driving Academy Grad.
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 5:45:23 PM
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HummBob
Posts: 15769
Joined: 5/6/2006
Status: offline
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HOLY CRAP Peej, those are some HUMMERGUY sized posts!! 
Welcome to the NUTHOUSE!!!!
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2004 Black Hummer H2
2007 Black Escalade
 
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 5:58:51 PM
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dwaxman1
Posts: 1216
Joined: 3/22/2008
From: Toronto, Ontario
Status: online
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welcome aboard!!!!
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 7:19:37 PM
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3hummers
Posts: 11731
Joined: 9/23/2007
Status: offline
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Welcome. Been in two wrecks in my H2. No damage to me and destroyed the other two cars. Best offroad/onraod combo vehicle in the world. You will love it if you get it.
_____________________________
2006 H1 Alpha wagon
2000 H1 Slantback
1997 H1 wagon
2008 H3 Alpha
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/17/2008 8:21:09 PM
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dizzy
Posts: 271
Joined: 9/26/2006
Status: offline
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Hi. There. Get yourself the 2. You,ll never regret it.
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/18/2008 4:51:11 AM
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Gunz
Posts: 140
Joined: 11/12/2007
From: Havelock NC
Status: offline
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As 3 Hummers says, Best off road/on road combination in the world! Plus its a Hummers forum what do you expect? Buy it and have fun. Get what you want but know whats available and what it is your getting. If you like 20's get them but dont get bling wheels and tires for off roading. Like dont get heated seats for gas mileage! Search, ask questions, and know your product then buy what it is that fits that need. Grand Pappys Hummer is cool though.
_____________________________
"Freedom isn't Free"
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/18/2008 6:43:21 AM
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HummerGuy
Posts: 6669
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HummBob
HOLY CRAP Peej, those are some HUMMERGUY sized posts!!
Welcome to the NUTHOUSE!!!!
I saw that 
Welcome to the forum!
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/18/2008 7:02:19 AM
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Doc Olds
Posts: 3520
Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Boat Town USA (Michigan 48045)
Status: offline
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Peej............where ya from brud? Are you sure, I mean really sure, you never owned a Jeep? ....Peej?
How bout a Diesel???? Just wondering.
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RE: Brand New to the Hummer Forum - 4/18/2008 7:33:55 AM
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Peej Willys
Posts: 10
Joined: 4/17/2008
Status: offline
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The other day, weather was bad and I had to use my son's lifted Avalanche. Yeah, 20 inch wheels and a 6 inch lift look nice, but the ride seemed very unstable to me. Even at low speed, any quick turn of the steering wheel provided a boat-like back and forth motion. Plus the bumps were felt a lot harder. I called it to his attention and he confirmed my description of the cons regarding the lifted truck. He said it's all about the looks. A co-worker of his has an H2 with 22 inch wheels and a 6 inch lift. Again, it's all about the looks. I'd like to think that the H2's larger wheel accessory pkg does not degrade the ride at all since it's OEM. That Ultra Marine limited edition model (sorry about using the word package in a previous post) really caught my eye and in test driving it, it felt stable as hell. I really liked it. I'm waiting now to see what kind of discounts are in the pipeline from the General. Some of you posted that you have experience with Land Cruisers and Land Rovers. Brand new, these are some very expensive toys. Fully loaded, they make the H2 seem like a bargain.
As mentioned before, I probably could get into off-roading as long as it's not a rough trail. To me, the H2 seems to be the epitome of safety and security. That's what it means to me!
Bad mileage, yeah, I can live with that. Getting in and out of the H2 is sort of a challenge to me. I've had 2 back operations, and my mobility isn't what it used to be. The salesman I deal with knows me from a previous purchase (Chevrolet) and said I can get a power step put on the H2. I hope that doesn't look too tacky. It sure would make going in and out a lot easier. Plus when not in use, the step hides under the vehicle. By the way,I can get an employee discount through my son.
I found a British automobile channel that does a great job in bashing Hummers. The host really believes that the sun rises and sets on the Land Rover vehicles. Sure, they're nice, but according to Forbe's magazine (I think), the Land Rover vehicles are over priced. And I think their quality is questionable given their MSRP (I spoke with some mechanics who have worked on these vehicles).
Any idea when the current H2 model year ends? Is it 2011? Will they be redesigning a new platform or will they just drop the H2 from their line-up? Any additional changes for the 2009 model besides Blue Tooth and heated steering wheel? Time is on my side right now. I'm just waiting to see about upcoming incentives. I missed the last one where the General was offering 0% interest for 5 years. That's a nice one. Anyway, if there are 4WD experts out there who can describe the 4WD system on the H2, I would appreciate it. You know, sales people aren't necessarily experts.
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