I have been thinking about grabbing another vehicle. I recently sold off both by 5th wheel and my GM2500HD Duramax. The 2500HD lessened the use of my H2 which was a good thing but in all honesty I greatly disliked the length of the Silverado. Kinda like the Queen Mary of the road. Yes the fuel economy of the Diesel was fantastic but regens, DEF and all the other EPA crap sucked.

Anyway down to the topic. I am considering either trying to find a low mileage H3 with 5.3 or buying a few year old Jeep JLU Rubicon (4 door). I had a Jeep some time back as a toad for my larger Class A and found it acceptable but nothing special. And yes its no H2 and it doesn't profess to. But a 4 door Jeep I would think would be on the same level as an H3.

Comments and suggestions. I know it will be difficult to find a nice clean H3 and Jeep's don't seem to have great engines in them anymore (unless you buy a 392 Jeep but thats not in the cards)

And I don't want another project but at least I know the H3 down the road should hold its value then the Jeep but the question, is it worth the extra effort over the Jeep, their a dime a dozen and everywhere? I must say it would be a hoot having the H2's little brother in the garage next to it.

 

I don't know that you stated why you are buying a Jeep or H3...what will you use it to do? You get rid of two big brutes...and I can only guess that you intend to have a "driver"...not towing or off road.
So, you are in a quandary without telling us your goals. I'm not certain that anyone can help you with your situation until you share more details.

 

I don't consider an H3 or Jeep 4 door a big brute. My 2500HD was a big brute.

Perhaps I wasn't clear, my intention is to get another vehicle to keep from racking up the mileage on the H2 and to have something that's a little easier to get in and out of the garage for the wife to use also. The 2500HD was almost impossible to get into the garage because of both the length, towing mirrors and so on.

Jeeps are skinny and so is the H3. So, bottom line its either stick with GM and a older H3 (if I can find one in great condition) or to just grab a few year old Rubicon which are a dime a dozen. Never having owned an H3 I was hoping someone on the forum has owned both and could share their thought.

This will be a daily driver (and will not replace the H2) of which I think either would be a good choice. Hopefully that clears things up...

 

Pick yourself up a 4xe Jeep.
id skip both choices and pick up a Toyota Prius...j/k
Actually a Toyota Tacoma or 4 runner would be nice.
Never owned a xterra or Nissan truck either. But I know people who do and they luv em.

 

A clean, somewhat low mileage (under 100k miles) 2008-2010 Alpha will vary between $15000-22000, depending on options (like OffRoad, leather, sunroof, etc.).

A few year old (2019?) Rubicon is what...$25000-35000? Won't have a V8 unless you get a 392, which I think came out in 2020, and are probably more like $40k+.

So it depends on your budget and personal preference.

Haven't ridden a RUbicon so I can't say what the ride/comfort level is, but I hear the steering isn't all that great (straigh axle ya know), but anything 2018+ fill feel way more updated (even a Jeep) than a 2008-2010 SUV (that came out in 2006 and not much updated since).

 

Teahead, your just about right on with the prices. I had an opportunity to drive a 2018 Rubi and also an 07 H3 today. The H3 is very respectable and actually rode and drove truer then the Jeep with half the miles. In a performance comparison the Jeep had a 3.6l with an 8 speed trans and 411 gears, it would easily dust the H3 but then again the H3 did not have the V8. This just re-enforced my thoughts that if I go with an H3 it must have a V8.

What I find amazing is that the H3 will hold its own again a vehicle 11 years newer. So far no H3's under 100k with a V8 locally. I did find one in Florida with low mileage but they want 32k for it. Seems like there trying to get what they purchased it for back in 08 lol and thats just about the a 18-20 Rubi will cost. I am going to add a 4Runner to the lineup, price wise its in the ball park to and are well built.

One of the things I wonder which one comes out on top down the road? Jeeps do very well on resale if kept in pristine condition, I have no idea about the H3 but considering what the owner wants for the 08. I can get one of those Jeep 4xe's really cheap, the dealerships can't even give them away but I have no want for anything I must park outside because it can bust into flames on its own lol.

 

I5 H3s with reasonable miles are significantly less, even with the Adventure/Off Road package since many do not even know what that is.

All the Jeep 4 doors seem to be overpriced in the Detroit area, people way overpay for those around here. Then they get to fixing the chit that goes wrong with them. My friend's middle daughter, brakes like three times in 6 months.... leaky roof etc...

 

4Runners are nice, but very expensive both used and new bc everyone wants one.

I'm sure they are nice and somewhat bulletproof, but you gotta pay to play.

A $20k Hummer Alpha equivalent 4Runner is probably at least $30k.

Also, a $20k Hummer, budget for increased maintenance (bc it's older) for things like transmission/radiator.

One thing that irks me the most about my H3 is the rear seat doesn't fold down flat. Ridiculous! Also, lack of steering wheel radio controls, but I plan on installing soon.

And the cruise control stick...that's like a 35 year old design!.

 

Somewhat low mileage alpha in SoCal (yes, you're going to have to travel or have it inspected there locally where it's at):

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/...698439948.html

 

https://greenville.craigslist.org/ct...693484665.html