First trip in the Alpha
 

The wife and I and three pups took a trip to Atlanta in the Alpha over the holidays to visit family.

What an awesome travel vehicle it turned out to be. Ultra smooth andquiet,with passing power in abundance. On empty stretches of 4-lane I tipped the throttle in to see where the brick-aerodynamics would start to strain the motor butthere was no drama, even atnear-triple-digit speeds. There was still lots of throttle travel left and it seemedeager for more, but discretion is the better part of valor on the open road. In fact, atno time during the trip did I have to mash the go pedal to the floor to merge, pass or maneuver the truck - just asmall tip-in and the response was satisfying and effective.

The Alpha proved itself an excellent highway warrior. Mrs. Patches loved it and the pups slept all the way there and back. Family and friends were very impressed with the H3 and thoroughly enjoyed rides in it - even our Prius-driving friend who did comment her lesser half had read negatives about the H3 was impressed. (Course, they also have a souped-up, no-catted, sb '67 Camaro in the garage among other vehicles so . . . ) Anyway, no time for that sort of tedious debate - after all, we were on vacation!

We got lots of looks and comments the whole time as well, although, there seem to be quite a few H3's around my folks' house. Guess it shouldn't have been a surprise considering the Hummer dealership right down the street. We did pass a blinged '08 Solar Flare MetallicH3 headed our direction on the road on the way home and waved enthusiastically at him but got a total ignore from him - not quite the response I usually get in the vette, but, oh well. Guess the Hummer wave needs a little work.

We also had quite a haul of cargo to bring back with us as Mrs. Patches took the opportunity to hit the local Crate & Barrel for some massive sconces and a huge picture. All were boxed in bulky carriers so it tested my hard-years-won skills as an expert vehicle-packer to the max to fit everything in to an already almost full cargo bay. I was successful, though and who needs to see out that already tiny rear window anyway.

So, overall, we give the the Alpha a resounding thumbs-up as a fun and capable hauler. It made the trip truly comfortable, safe and enjoyable. It's definitely a keeper. [sm=icon_rock.gif]

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

Cool! What kind of MPG's did you average? I just bought my first Hummer on Saturday and love it!! It is an '06 auto with the Lux and Adv packages. Looks just like yours. I do wish it had more power, and I am already saving/scheming to get a V8 powered H3 in the future.

I know what ya mean about the 'Vette wave vs. the "I am a stuck upHUMMER pilot and I am too cool to wave". None of them wave around here.Every one of the 'Vette guys do.

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

Glad you are enjoying the trip in the H3. I love highway cruising in mine, even with the 3.7. I've done almost 9000 road trip highway miles since I got this in May [/align]

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

That's cool about your road trip. We took our 3.5 from Ohio to VA a couple of times and it was very comfortable, the only place that strained the motor a little was the WV Mountains (imagine the Alpha would be better for that).

I actually got an H2 to flash his headlights back the day before yesterday. Keep trying, it will catch on :D

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

Mileage figures were a bit unusual. On the way down to Atlanta, I was very conservative on the throttle to see what I could squeeze out of the V8, best case. I kept it at 70 mph or less with the Mrs. raising an eyebrow to my unusual restraint. I got 14.2 mpg. Hmm . . .

So, I decidied to look at worst case on the way back from Atlanta and "let the dogs out" (Chihuahuas were safely in their carriers - I let the other "dogs" out). 17.5 mpg. Uhmm . . .what? Not like I had a head wind down there and atail wind on the way back. Weather was calm and clear other than a bit of rain on the trip starting back.

Go figure - maybe the Alpha likes to be thrashed. Course, with only 2500 miles on the drivetrain, it's still in break-in mode so I expect a bit of inconsistency in mileage as it loosens up.

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

I'm new also.. They are so cool... I'm 56 but feel like a kid again with a big toy. I've owned many cars, Vettes, 68 Charger RT, 63 356B, VW Things,, this one is a keeper too. Enjoy.

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

I think the H3 rides like a caddy.You are lucky to be in such a refined on and offroad machine.

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

I bet you already washed it today didn't you?

:D

Glad your trip went well...

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

Nope - it's been blustery outside so I was fulfilling some of the Honey-do list. Back to work tomorrow. [:'(]

RE: First trip in the Alpha
 

So you basically get the same mileage as a 3.5/3.7 liter except you have way more power? Son of a.......Why did GM not put the trailblazer 4.2 in this thing?? A much better motor than the 3.5/3.7, in my opinion.