Hi, i'm new here and looking at maybe purchasing an H3. Almost all of them are 2006's with around 130,000-150,000 miles. The obvious first question is how reliable are they generally? I'm a believer in first year lemons.

Secondly, I currently drive a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8. It's got everything. Dual zone climate, heated leather seats, infinity premium sound and most importantly, the V8. My jeep is very powerful, it's a 7.5 second 0-60 suv.. I am very aware that the inline 5 H3 isn't exactly oozing power. But from other owner's... can the thing even get out of it's own way? If only I could afford an Alpha.

I know that some similar thread probably exists but I am too particular to take other peoples similar cases and questions to my own. I very much appreciate anyone's input.

Thanks!

 

You two forum members may want to chat.


https://www.hummerforums.com/forum/h...s-worth-37096/

 

I am new to the site. I wish to purchase an H3 for my son (his first vehicle)...


Any insight on the OP's questions is appreciated...


How reliable?
Any quirks to look out for?


Thanks in advance.

 

There seriously are a ton of threads on this same subject over the years, both here and on the other Hummer forums. I could start typing something up, but may forget a thing or two. Better to just google the question.

 

You should absolutely search other threads on this subject, but for short answers.

2006 H3's are probably no more problematic than any other vehicle of that age - providing an early head issue has been resolved (or did not apply), again you can search that issue. With the kind of mileage you are describing you may be looking at a major tranny repair in the not too distant future. Might not happen but you should budget about $3K for the possibility.

As far as power goes, the consensus is that you should get an '07 or newer for the slightly more powerful I5 engine. It still is not going to beat any 0-60 records but I find mine to be powerful enough generally. On the other hand if you are heavily loaded or pulling a trailer and going up a steep hill, you are going to slow down.

 

The specs on a GC w/ 4.7L V8 are 235HP/4800RPM & 295TQ/3200RPM with a towing capacity of 3500#.

The 06 H3 L52 3.5L I5: 220HP/5600 rpm & 225TQ/2800 rpm with a towing capacity of 4500#.

The 07 H3 LLR 3.7L: 242HP/5600 & 242TQ/4600 with the same 4500# towing capacity.

I do not see any oozing power, not the GC, and not the H3s. You may want to look at 2007s+, or wait a bit and save some $$ for a V8 H3.

Mod an 07 and it can get out of everybody's way.

Sand drag pics anyone?
Start: H3s on the left, V8 pickups on the right.


Finish: note where my 07 on 33s ends up. Did this like 5-6 times, the H3s w/ 35s (Black= 07 and White= 06) and no performance mods did not exactly get killed either.


Urban myth: I5 H3s are underpowered.

 

H3's are not underpowered, but they are full of drag. Problem being that at 50-60 they are way down in the rpm's (around 1500) and don't have enough HP at that point to accelerate smartly with traffic. Get it up above 65 and you are starting to get to some power (2200 rpm), unfortunately the amount of wind resistance goes up faster above 65 mph. The H3 has the torque to drive along and counter the wind but not the HP and weight (too much).

If you want to make the most of the engine, stay with 33" tires on stock rims. Get a PCM tune, header, e-fan and intake/exhaust. But, after you've added 35-40 hp you will still have to divide it to all 4 wheels as it's full-time 4wd so not a lot more to work with. Another option is the 06 actually makes more torque and HP between 2000-3200 rpm (but falls flat above that). I'm not sure where you usually drive, but 2200 is about the rpm's for 65 on stock tires.