I am going to look at an 06 h3 with 65k on it for my wife tomorrow it its the inline 5 this is the 1st i have really been around the hummers im just looking for some things to check out? any common problems? thanks in advance!
Seth

 

Drive it and make some sharp turns going forward and backwards. If the steering binds, the tires chirp and it feels like the brakes are on, there's a problem. I wouldn't buy another one without taking it for the day and driving it around and around.. a lot. Take it somewhere like a gravel parking lot or a field so you can test the hi lock and lo lock shifting too. There are some other things like the radiator cracking near the top, blown head gaskets and the common heater blower resistor connector burning up. The steering binding up is a pain though. Sometimes it takes a lot of work to get it repaired. The radiator and blown head gaskets are expensive repairs too as you can imagine. Like I said, I would drive it...a lot. They're awesome when they drive right.

 

Get down on all fours and look over the undercarriage for wheeling damage.

Make sure the keys for the roof rack crossbars and wheel locks are there.

Check maintenance records if privacy laws allow it where you live.

Turn on the radio and check the FM presets for headbanger stations.

 

Some quick things to check...the very top of the radiator for a hairline crack and leak, the coolant overflow tank might read low if it is cracked. If the LAST six numbers of the vine is less than 287565 those vehicles might have a cylinder head issue due to soft valve seats(mine falls in that range and haven't had an issue). also i would ask to see if any warranty work has been done, some of that stuff may have been fixed already. anyway good luck!

 

will do thanks every 1 for the input..what kind of miles are people getting out of the inline 5?

 

I'd avoid an '06 and opt for a newer model with the 3.7L I5. The 2006 has a few issues that were corrected in MY2007+ (head issues, weak tie rods, etc.)

With 35" MT tires on my 2008 w/ I5 I averaged around 11 MPG.

 

i had an 07 with 265 tiresmgot 20 on long trips,16-18 in town.

my 10 with 285 tires gets 18 on trip,16 +/- in town.
the 07 lux was a sweet ride,ther 10 adv,no so smooth.
heated leather is worth much more!

 

It's not in West Palm FL is it? LOL

 

no its in louisville ky like it said it has 65k on it red in color has the black heated leather pretty loaded besides a sun roof i got him to 16k as of now thats no a bad deal is it? dealers are around 20k up here.. thanks

 

I bought my 06' last DEC with 70k miles for $16k, talked down from 18k had to replace all 4 tires though for another 1.2k. I purchased my 08' this JAN with 18k miles for $22k. Both vehicles average 14 mpg on the highway driving between 70-75 mph. 06' had a cracked radiator which is common for H3's. If you're getting it from a dealer check the front axle seals for any leaking, cheap & easy fix. Other than that don't let this site scare you on Hummers, they are fun and reliable vehicles.