I'm looking at joining the Hummer nation. I have the opportunity to purchase a 2006 H3 for 9K. It's an AT with the luxury and adventure package plus it has a sunroof and the chrome package. The vehicle does have 165,000 miles on it. It is a 3rd owner vehicle. I've seen pictures and it appears to be in excellent physical condition in regards to paint and interior. I guess my question is in regards to should I be scared about the millage and are there specific things to look for when purchasing an 06 H3. The guy has only owned it 6 months and is in need of some cash for medical expenses. the previous two owners were women so I don't have too much maintenance history on it. I'm looking at it because it seems like a good deal for what it is. the 165k miles worries me. I relocated to Spokane, WA and t want a good safe and reliable vehicle for this climate. The icy conditions worry me and I've been told that these handle really well. I do a lot of driving thru-out WA and Idaho for work and I have a 97 Wrangler which I love but it handles like crap in these conditions. It's just too small and light. Any thoughts on what to look for or how long these things go before they start having certain issues would be greatly appreciated.
- I've heard that there is a major issue with blown head gaskets and its like a 4K repair. Any insight on this would be helpful
- I've read that these are full time 4WD. does that act like AWD or is the information incorrect.

 

Welcome.

2007+ would be better is the short answer.

There is no "head gasket" issue. The problem was, early Atlas motors, all of them (I4, I5, and I6) had valve seats that were too soft and wore unevenly causing a premature loss of compression. With that many miles, it would have already had the issue by now. Easy check, look at the Vin#, the S/Ns affected is any 2006 H3 lower than 287591 .... the first one started with 100,001, the truck build date will be Nov. 06 or earlier. Not all have the problem, but some could. Look up its warranty history through a dealership.

H3s are FT 4X4, when in Hi the T Case splits the load like AWD: 60 rear 40 front. Switch to lock and it is traditional 50/50 4X4. They are like that to be idiot proof, in the conditions you are concerned with, you just drive, no need to mess with the T Case buttons. Off road or in deep snow on road, you can use Hi Lock. Read the manual for other off road conditions.

 

If you get it I would recommend changing EVERY fluid in it. Both diffs, tcase, trans, power steering, coolant, brake, etc.

Especially since you don't know the maintenance history.

 

"Look at the Vin#, the S/Ns affected is any 2006 H3 lower than 287591"
OK, I have the VIN# am I looking at the last 6#'s. it starts out 5****136268288633 (* represents a letter)

I went to a shop that pulled up a car fax history for me. All routine stuff. .nothing major, no thermostat replacement, no engine/head work just fluids, plugs. Recently it had the water pump and serpentine belt changed. Tranny service was down with 15k of eachother but that was between owners.

 

carfax will not show ALL of the dealer warranty work or complete history. Hit up a chevy or any GM dealer with the VIN #.

 

after nearly a year of research, I finally bought a 2009 Hummer H3. It was in perfect condition and with only 80,000 miles. All records and manuals attached. I kept noticing that a lot of 2006 and 2007 H3's were coming up for sale, which throws up red flags for me anyway. The 2008 and 2009 were hard to find, and from what I have researched, saw that the last two years are the better H3s. Bottom line, high mileage, no real maintenance records. The paint may look good, but I smell problems. When you do find one you like, they drive fantastic, and are worth the money. You will never go back to a Jeep so the saying is true, there is nothing else like it. Good Luck.

 

can you say the price?

 

Something like this would be much better. it's newer, fully loaded and a lot less miles. You could probably have it shipped to WA for about $800.


https://www.hummerforums.com/forum/p...1-500-a-39446/

 

Red flags ..... did you ever consider production numbers???

GM built a zillion 06/07s. As the economy tanked, so did production,

Per GM Media on line, total H3 US units is a tad under 157K.
About 5500 are 2010s which included the fleet order of 849 sold to Avis (that fleet order was almost 50/50 split with H3Ts, so let's say 420 H3s roughly went to Avis.)
2009 make up less than 21000, and 2008s 44000.

Math:
2010 - 5,500
2009 - 21,000
2008 - 44,000
Total = 70,500

157 total units less 70,000 (08/09 & 10s) = 86,500 06 and 07s.

10s are hard to find. 06/07s there were a lot more of them.