Opinions on which to purchase.
#1
06-26-2018, 10:48 AM
Opinions on which to purchase.
Hello, I have been researching an H3 purchase for about 3 weeks. I have been convinced that a 2008 model is the best for me. This vehicle is mostly used for travel in Detroit on the terrible roads and bad weather. I want something big and heavy to replace my FJ cruiser. I have always been partial to Toyota but i am trying to stay under 11k for this purchase and a Toyota is not an option.
Given the carfax and maintenance has been clean which would be a better 5-6 year purchase.
2008 H3 missing the Spare tire with 146000 miles for 7k? It has aftermarket rims that look somewhat rusted on the inside. Cheap off-road Tires in good repair.
Or
2008 H3 114000 miles for 11k? Looks stick to the base model but very well maintained.
Would a a couple of years of driving around 15k per year be worth paying the extra 4K? Would anyone else here trust an H3 approaching 150 thousand miles?
Both have not not a head repaired and i do not see anything about a radiator repair.
There a few few more in my price range but these seem to be the greatest value within a 250 mile radius.
Given the carfax and maintenance has been clean which would be a better 5-6 year purchase.
2008 H3 missing the Spare tire with 146000 miles for 7k? It has aftermarket rims that look somewhat rusted on the inside. Cheap off-road Tires in good repair.
Or
2008 H3 114000 miles for 11k? Looks stick to the base model but very well maintained.
Would a a couple of years of driving around 15k per year be worth paying the extra 4K? Would anyone else here trust an H3 approaching 150 thousand miles?
Both have not not a head repaired and i do not see anything about a radiator repair.
There a few few more in my price range but these seem to be the greatest value within a 250 mile radius.
#2
06-26-2018, 12:48 PM
Welcome to HF.
Less miles would be preferred to me.
H3s are readily available in the Detroit market, be patient and look for what you want. Jump when what you see a good one.
The "head" issue was exclusively 2006 H3s w/ 3.5L motors built before 03/31/2006, that is the only year that the warranty was extended, as new hardened valve seats were used on all Atlas motors (I4; I5 and I6) since that date. Not to say that a 2008 or newer 3.7L could not have some other issue with the head or valve train, but it won't be "the" issue you may have heard about.
Radiators are cheap, when/if it goes, ain't no big deal.
Less miles would be preferred to me.
H3s are readily available in the Detroit market, be patient and look for what you want. Jump when what you see a good one.
The "head" issue was exclusively 2006 H3s w/ 3.5L motors built before 03/31/2006, that is the only year that the warranty was extended, as new hardened valve seats were used on all Atlas motors (I4; I5 and I6) since that date. Not to say that a 2008 or newer 3.7L could not have some other issue with the head or valve train, but it won't be "the" issue you may have heard about.
Radiators are cheap, when/if it goes, ain't no big deal.
#3
06-26-2018, 03:06 PM
Thanks for the advice. One more question. Would a lower mileage 07 (60-80k) be similar in dependability to a higher mileage 08 (100-140k)? I have fallen into this rabbit hole on the forums that has made me think 08-10 H3 models are head and shoulders above 06-07.
#4
06-26-2018, 03:37 PM
The differences in a nut shell: the 2008+ has the light grey front bumper cover with different front skid/splash guards; the early 2007 had the driver window/door controls in the same inconvenient location (too far back) as the 2006, but updated that; the early 2007s still had the smaller 14MM Tie Rods before moving up to the 16MM version that all the later ones have; and, the early 2007s had the plastic shift fork in the Transfer Case (not sure of the exact date that was updated to metal), but most have the new fork.
Basically, a later 07 is basically the same as an 08 without that funny light grey front bumper and front skid.
2009 & 10 added front lockers in cast iron differentials for the Adventure/Lux-Off Road.
#5
06-27-2018, 06:11 AM
The 07 made the move to the same 3.7L LLR motor in the 2008 and up I5s.
The differences in a nut shell: the 2008+ has the light grey front bumper cover with different front skid/splash guards; the early 2007 had the driver window/door controls in the same inconvenient location (too far back) as the 2006, but updated that; the early 2007s still had the smaller 14MM Tie Rods before moving up to the 16MM version that all the later ones have; and, the early 2007s had the plastic shift fork in the Transfer Case (not sure of the exact date that was updated to metal), but most have the new fork.
Basically, a later 07 is basically the same as an 08 without that funny light grey front bumper and front skid.
2009 & 10 added front lockers in cast iron differentials for the Adventure/Lux-Off Road.
The differences in a nut shell: the 2008+ has the light grey front bumper cover with different front skid/splash guards; the early 2007 had the driver window/door controls in the same inconvenient location (too far back) as the 2006, but updated that; the early 2007s still had the smaller 14MM Tie Rods before moving up to the 16MM version that all the later ones have; and, the early 2007s had the plastic shift fork in the Transfer Case (not sure of the exact date that was updated to metal), but most have the new fork.
Basically, a later 07 is basically the same as an 08 without that funny light grey front bumper and front skid.
2009 & 10 added front lockers in cast iron differentials for the Adventure/Lux-Off Road.
#6
07-02-2018, 10:32 AM
The 07 made the move to the same 3.7L LLR motor in the 2008 and up I5s.
The differences in a nut shell: the 2008+ has the light grey front bumper cover with different front skid/splash guards; the early 2007 had the driver window/door controls in the same inconvenient location (too far back) as the 2006, but updated that; the early 2007s still had the smaller 14MM Tie Rods before moving up to the 16MM version that all the later ones have; and, the early 2007s had the plastic shift fork in the Transfer Case (not sure of the exact date that was updated to metal), but most have the new fork.
Basically, a later 07 is basically the same as an 08 without that funny light grey front bumper and front skid.
2009 & 10 added front lockers in cast iron differentials for the Adventure/Lux-Off Road.
The differences in a nut shell: the 2008+ has the light grey front bumper cover with different front skid/splash guards; the early 2007 had the driver window/door controls in the same inconvenient location (too far back) as the 2006, but updated that; the early 2007s still had the smaller 14MM Tie Rods before moving up to the 16MM version that all the later ones have; and, the early 2007s had the plastic shift fork in the Transfer Case (not sure of the exact date that was updated to metal), but most have the new fork.
Basically, a later 07 is basically the same as an 08 without that funny light grey front bumper and front skid.
2009 & 10 added front lockers in cast iron differentials for the Adventure/Lux-Off Road.
any advice for a 2007 H3 with a replaced engine? It only has 11,000 on it. What would be the biggest risk factor in buying ?
#8
07-03-2018, 02:23 PM
my 2007 h3 has 144444 miles and is super reliable i bought with around 112000 miles on it and I've only done normal maintenance stuff.
One of the best vehicles iv owned. And still no rust on it.
One of the best vehicles iv owned. And still no rust on it.
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