Hello,

I am looking at a local H3T. It is a one owner with detailed service records (local trade in at a chevy dealer). Mileage is just below about 80K and it is a 3.7 "base" package. So cloth seats, manual seats basic radio and no other options that I can see. Price started at about $22K but I have been watching price alerts drop to $19.5K.

Anyone regret purchasing a base package H3T? versus waiting on finding a more optioned model. Others I am finding online have multiple owners or higher mileage but with more options.

Appreciate the input - thanks - Bob

 

We have owned 7 H3/H3Ts ( 4 H3s / 3 H3Ts) since 2007. That being said, I know a little bit about them.

I'll list our preferences in order of importance for any H3/H3T purchase.
1- Alpha (V8) one word VS I5: LONGEVITY, the 5.3L chevy small block LS motor is proven to last if maintained.
2-Overall condition -undercarriage rust, rear doors rust, back door rust!!! maintenance records are nice but visible parts that have been replaced with NEW AC DELCO parts is way better to us. I'm a shade tree mechanic and can tell you the date and manufacturer on all replaced parts on any of ours.
TIE for the next 2 items
3-Mileage & Options YOU want (no reason to be unhappy with a purchase you just made because it didn't have leather / heated seats / sunroof / chrome / lockers / V8 / etc.) We would rather buy a 150,000 mile Alpha than a 90,000 mile I5 that has been maintained the same way.
4-

If you plan to wheel it find one with the Adventure(I5) or OffRoad(Alpha V8) package. It is extremely difficult to find a complete Eaton Elocker for the front cast iron diff right now.

Story: Our most recent "T" purchase had everything we wanted except heated leather seating. Alpha, OffRoad package, sunroof, NAV, chrome, miles, etc. I searched and found the unicorn of a leather H3T interior in ebony and swapped out the cloth seats. Had to wire both seat heaters and power to the passenger seat. But we now have exactly what we want.

Hope this helps.

 

@TAINTER thanks for the response. Your experience is very helpful as I continue my search.

I will take a look at the 3.7 base model, but I will likely wait since one of the key items that drew me to the Hummer was the Alpha option. The context you provided helps me with how I would use the truck. My main use would be as an alternative tow vehicle to haul around a small early 1980's boat (about 3000 pounds to tow - 16' i/o mercruiser) and hauling basic items where the convenience of a 5 foot bed would work perfectly. I have had 2004 double cab tacoma that I sold for the FJ cruiser which was nice but under powered for my needs and I had to repair frame rot.

I have a 2010 FJ cruiser that I would share daily driving duties with the H3T. I am in Wisconsin so no hardcore off roading. So I will pay attention to packages, though the Adventure or an offroad package be very nice. I am surprised how often I use the rear locker in the FJ for non-hardcore traction cases I have been in with "snow" and "mud".

The HT3 appeals to me far more than the double cab tacomas (current versions or last generation) and with the Alpha option it has the right balance of what I want. The only other truck I would consider is a 1st gen Tundra with the 4.7V8 but they have their issues with frame rot in our midwestern states and dealing with that on the tacoma I don't want to deal with again.

Thanks for sharing your advice with so many vehicles you have had.

 

the i5 is a bit under powered when towing so if that will be your main use then really look into an alpha and probably better cooling for the transmission and radiator.

 

rmorit01 - for towing the Alpha is better. If you find a good one, watch out you may become addicted to the HUMMER brand like a lot of us.

Tip: Might want to bypass the entire transmission cooler in the lower portion of the radiator and put an Automotive Plate and Fin style cooler in front of the condenser.
The H3/H3Ts have an issue where the radiator separates between the trans cooler and the engine cooler meet and mixes the 2 fluids rendering your transmission useless.

Alphas 2009 you can get a handheld tuner, 2010 you must program/remap the ECM/TCM.

As far as the H3T Alpha Offlroad package, they will be costly and go very quick because they are sought after and are RARE (like an orange & purple hermaphrodite Rhino-Hippo)!
H3T Alpha OffRoad package: Front and rear locker, 4.03:1 Transfer case, etc.
You can always add a rear locker to a non-Offroad package Alpha too. All depends on your needs/wants.

 

This is the inline 5 that is close to me that I will take a look at. Right now, the only alphas seem to be 300-500 miles away from where I am in Madison, WI.

Note this one has become a recent "managers" special. 2009 H3T Managers Special

 

They started @$25k, to high considering original invoice was $33,122.
Current trade in around $15k
Carfax shows 1 owner & inadequate maintenance.
IMO, go @ that manager's special with an offer of $17k max.

 

Keep up your search. That is WAY to high for what it is!

Our most recent purchase (Aug 2019) 2009 H3T Alpha OffRoad with 115,000 miles was a few grand less than that.
Sometimes it will take months to almost a year to find the perfect H3T for you. DON'T buy the first thing you see!
They are RARE, so they won't be around every corner. You may have to drive quite a bit or fly to get the right one.
I have had to have some of ours delivered from AZ, GA and CO.

 

i spent 6-8 months searching for my h3t. ended up driving to chicago from columbus ohio to get it. i didnt even get an alpha and i still think it was worth the extra effort. like tainter said, take your time and get the right one for you.

 

Thanks - I will be patient and I will also try to find an Alpha H3 to compare to the I5 since the 5.3 is what really makes these trucks attractive to me.