Alpha ?
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
RE: Alpha ?
ORIGINAL: jman_in_minnesota
i'm probably going to trade mine in for an Alpha or an H2 (if the thing will have clearance in my condo garage)
Just a little tired of having to plan ahead in my mind when I pass on the highway.
We'll see how the test drives go on Monday.
i'm probably going to trade mine in for an Alpha or an H2 (if the thing will have clearance in my condo garage)
Just a little tired of having to plan ahead in my mind when I pass on the highway.
We'll see how the test drives go on Monday.
You will definitely find it more driveable, but not necessarily a lot faster. The 0-60 time is only a second less with the Alpha. Is it worth the extra cost? I didn't think so. The H2 is not a great option if speed is what you are after. The regular H3 is the fastest Hummer despite its 3.5. Now, if you put an H2 drivetrain in an H3, then we're talkin'
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 66
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RE: Alpha ?
ORIGINAL: silicone boy
New poster here. I test drove an Alpha the other day, and while it was a little more responsive than the I5, it was not a whole lot more powerful, certainly not worth the extra money. It needs about 30-40 horsepower. In other words it need a 6.0 liter or a supercharger. Personally, I will be ripping out my inline 5 and putting an H2 drivetrain in. It will cost me a lot less and I'll be happier. BTW, as a motorhead, I am impressed with the I5. Lots of torque for its size and decent fuel economy. The main problem is the tranny, which likes to shift at the wrong time. Definitely set up for fuel economy. I never feel that there is shortage of power incity driving. Driving up to the mountains is another matter because of the stupid shift points on the tranny. That can be changed though.
New poster here. I test drove an Alpha the other day, and while it was a little more responsive than the I5, it was not a whole lot more powerful, certainly not worth the extra money. It needs about 30-40 horsepower. In other words it need a 6.0 liter or a supercharger. Personally, I will be ripping out my inline 5 and putting an H2 drivetrain in. It will cost me a lot less and I'll be happier. BTW, as a motorhead, I am impressed with the I5. Lots of torque for its size and decent fuel economy. The main problem is the tranny, which likes to shift at the wrong time. Definitely set up for fuel economy. I never feel that there is shortage of power incity driving. Driving up to the mountains is another matter because of the stupid shift points on the tranny. That can be changed though.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 500
From:
RE: Alpha ?
ORIGINAL: CCMDoc
Yes the Alpha is a bit quicker, butsome of the "feeling" of power is from the sound of the V8 vs. that of the I5.
ORIGINAL: jbb6811
Really thinking of trading mine for new Alpha. Anyone here thats had both and can tell
what they like or dislike from one to the other.
whats the new upgrades? other than the V8.......mpg? safety locks? controls(radios etc.)
only thing i've seen i don't like is i can't get it in superior blue like my 06.
thanks Brandon
Really thinking of trading mine for new Alpha. Anyone here thats had both and can tell
what they like or dislike from one to the other.
whats the new upgrades? other than the V8.......mpg? safety locks? controls(radios etc.)
only thing i've seen i don't like is i can't get it in superior blue like my 06.
thanks Brandon
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 500
From:
RE: Alpha ?
ORIGINAL: Doc Olds
mfish; have you done the PCMforless tune??? That will grow some ***** on your truck.
W/ your CAT back system, you be set up!!!
mfish; have you done the PCMforless tune??? That will grow some ***** on your truck.
W/ your CAT back system, you be set up!!!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1
From:
RE: Alpha ?
ORIGINAL: NJTEX
Theproblem with theI5 is not theI5 but the fact that there was no V8 option whenH3 launchedwith '06.
ORIGINAL: Doc Olds
The Alpha and its V8 is better, but costs a hellava lot more. My I5 can hold its own and I do not trailer anything heavyfor very far.
We have a search feature for the forums Check out this RE: Alpha vs. I5 and bunches more.
The Alpha and its V8 is better, but costs a hellava lot more. My I5 can hold its own and I do not trailer anything heavyfor very far.
We have a search feature for the forums
Check out this RE: Alpha vs. I5 and bunches more.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 211
From:
RE: Alpha ?
I have not had the opportunity to drivean I5 H3 but I have had my Alpha for a couple of weeks now. I'm still in the 500 mile break-in period so I haven't done any WOT or high speed driving yet. However, in my daily commute, I cover several miles if highway and have had the need to pass other cars. Just a touch of the throttle, mindful of the break-in, and I can squirt past cars effortlessly. I don't think there are any issues with power/torque on the Alpha after spending 2 weeks with it. I actually was not considering the H3 until I found out GM was dropping a V8 in it. Really glad I went for a test drive.
I sold my daily driver '03 Mustang GT a few months ago and started driving Mrs. Patches' '02PT Cruiser to work and, believe me, that thing couldn't get out of its own way, much less keep up with the Alpha. I finally sold it last night. I replaced Mrs. Patches' PT with a low-miles '02 auto Corvette coupe very much like mine, although mine is pushing 500 crank hp. So I'm accustomed to fast cars and the Alpha is fine power-wise. I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. In fact, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 was on my short list when I was making my final decision but I crossed it off when I realized you can't take it offroad or even tow with it.I looked at and drove the FJ Cruiser and TrailBlazer SS and both had flaws I was not willing to put up with as well. The TB SS is fast and you can use it as a 4-wheeler to a degree but the trannies are gaining a reputation for failure. The FJ seemed like a kid's SUV appearance-wise and had zero room in the back seat. I considered several others as well but, IMHO, none had a big enough helping of all the factors that the H3 Alpha does including capability, quality, looks and value.
One other factor I considered was that I tune the PCM in my Corvettes with dedicated hardware and software and those software packages can read and edit the H3 PCM so I figured I can add certain mods and tune for them as they become available.
Also, the gas mileage on th Alpha is surprisingly good - folks are pleasantly surprised when I tell them how it's rated. Plus the vehicle is so damn cool - everyone wants to talk to me about it. [sm=smiley16.gif]
I sold my daily driver '03 Mustang GT a few months ago and started driving Mrs. Patches' '02PT Cruiser to work and, believe me, that thing couldn't get out of its own way, much less keep up with the Alpha. I finally sold it last night. I replaced Mrs. Patches' PT with a low-miles '02 auto Corvette coupe very much like mine, although mine is pushing 500 crank hp. So I'm accustomed to fast cars and the Alpha is fine power-wise. I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. In fact, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 was on my short list when I was making my final decision but I crossed it off when I realized you can't take it offroad or even tow with it.I looked at and drove the FJ Cruiser and TrailBlazer SS and both had flaws I was not willing to put up with as well. The TB SS is fast and you can use it as a 4-wheeler to a degree but the trannies are gaining a reputation for failure. The FJ seemed like a kid's SUV appearance-wise and had zero room in the back seat. I considered several others as well but, IMHO, none had a big enough helping of all the factors that the H3 Alpha does including capability, quality, looks and value.
One other factor I considered was that I tune the PCM in my Corvettes with dedicated hardware and software and those software packages can read and edit the H3 PCM so I figured I can add certain mods and tune for them as they become available.
Also, the gas mileage on th Alpha is surprisingly good - folks are pleasantly surprised when I tell them how it's rated. Plus the vehicle is so damn cool - everyone wants to talk to me about it. [sm=smiley16.gif]
RE: Alpha ?
Test drove a 2007 H2 and an H3 Alpha today...thinking i'm going to go with the Alpha. I like the H2 but it didn't pack as much realized punch as the Alpha (coming from a 3.5L I5). I guess after thinking about it for awhile I really didn't want to give up the H3, just wanted more power, and that is exactly what I can get. It was nice to compare to another model in the fleet. H2s do look damn cool tho hehe
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