So, I'm new here, and I am planning on buying my first Hummer in the near future. Very excited. Ever since I can remember, when i first saw a Hummer, I instantly fell in love, but I'd have to say my personal favorite is the H2. Now I'm only 16, just got my driver's license back in December, but I have always wanted a Hummer H2! I currently drive a Dodge Dakota, which I've had for about a year, with a sort-of wimpy V6. It has the extended, 2-door crew cab, the automatic trans, and 4 wheel drive. Its always been a small vehicle for me, and having no power anything except brakes and steering. I'm 6 foot 5 inches for god sakes, and husky too.. So a truck without even a tilt wheel isn't really working out for me, or my friends who are just as big as me. I've been constantly dumping money into this truck, from repairing a transmission, fixing fuel senders and gauge, hoses for the transmission, power steering, and cooling/radiator system, bodywork, water pump etc. Its a mess, and more than I ever imagined on putting into my first car. I figure why pay an arm and a leg into a vehicle I don't even like that much, while I could be putting it into a car I love. Then paying for things wouldn't seem so bad. So I've been on the hunt for a new vehicle, that's reliable!

I came up with the idea of looking into a hummer a couple of months ago, but could never go through with it due to not having a job. I finally found a job about a month ago, and I make pretty decent money, and decided that I'm going to go through with my dream of owning a legendary Hummer. I can afford buying a new car, while paying for things like cell phone bills, eating out, etc.., and have kind of worked out my price range; $12,000-19,000. Most likely having anywhere from 70K to 100K miles on it. I figured I'll be able to swing for the gas as well with my monthly income.. ha. I am obsessed with these vehicles, especially the H2. I have my RC racing cars with hummer bodies on them, I've drawn pictures of them, i have models, and even wear a blank key from a 2003 Hummer H2 key around my neck which I've always said I've been saving for my Hummer I will get some day... Haha.

I have always researched the H2 extensively due to my love for it, and have started looking around, going to used car dealerships, searching online, calling places etc. since i can finally afford my dream.

Pretty much, I'm looking for a 2003 Hummer H2, most likely a base package (cheaper), with hopefully a sunroof. I know a lot about them and what they come with standard, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions, concerns, ideas of what i should look for.

Is there anything i should keep a close eye out for when looking/buying one, or any problems from that particular model year that i should watch out for. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

I'll be using the vehicle for the following uses as well:

Towing family boat/RV
Driving in snow (sometimes heavy due to where I live)
Slight off roading
Travel to Work and School


Also, if anyone has any suggestions or ideas I could use to persuade my one stubborn parent (At least one is on board) in my pursuit of owning my dream SUV.


Thanks for all the input towards me following my dream, and i hope to post pictures of my someday Hummer in the near future!

 

Looks like you want to get laid and need a chick magnet

 

An interesting assumption.. I've always liked these cars for their looks and capabilities, so that would just come as an extra.. haha.

 

Well the first thing i always tell people is "This is not no luxury vehicle".

 

Go for it. You'll love the H2. I never thought I would own one unitl a salesmen put me into one to drive. Never looked back after.

I have a 2006 with 85k on the odo. Bought it a little over 3 years ago with 40k on it.

Only issues I had were the exhaust manifold bolts popping off and front right wheel bearing. I r n r'd the manifolds with stainless headers. Cost me approx $400. Replaced the front wheel bearing, approx $100.

Have someone do the normal mechanical checkout on it for you. Pull the oil cap off the motor and make sure there's no sludge in there. Smell the tranny fluid to make sure its not burnt. Check the 4x4 functions and make sure it works. Look for leaking front axle seals. Those are common failures.

When i got mine, i put synthetic oil in the motor, front and rear diff, transfer case, and changed the filter on the tranny.

 

Just be patient... The more patient you are, the better deal you will get...

 

Thanks redlx50. I'll be sure to watch out for those things.. My father works on cars, and I'm kind of following in his footsteps by going to a secondary school for automotive technology so we should be able to take care of any of those things should they arise. I just went to a 2 local dealerships today and found a silver 2005 model.. A bit pricey for what I'm looking for cause it had low miles, but I loved the look and stance of it and being up high in the drivers seat. It's like a foot taller than my trucks seat it seems like.. Ha. I'll be talking to my insurance agent soon on how to tackle paying for the insurance as well as the car payment at the same time without draining my monthly income. Hopefully It'll work out and I'll find a suitable model for me! Thanks for the input!

 

True, but I just don't know how long my current vehicle is going to last me without having to dump more money into it, so I've been looking around quite a bit.

 

So, any opinions from anyone on buying and h2, probably a 2003-04, with around 100K-130K miles? Is it too much and the vehicle would be prone to more problems? It's just that accepting a vehicle with a bit more miles than I was originally plannning opens up my options much more.. What's the usual last on these vehice when taken regular care of any ways?

 

Someone had told me to stay away from buying and H2 with the air suspension.. I guess that was an available option that some got. I'm told it will just turn out troublesome for me later. Is this true, and if so, is the ride like a lot worse with normal suspension?