Hi guys,
I just joined your group because I have spent the past 2 weeks car hunting for an H3. I wanted the Alpha but they are going for more then I can afford. The ones I can afford have way too many miles on them.
I'm going straight from work today to look at an 08 H3 with 60,000 miles on her. She has everything I think I will want except for the V8.
Leather, NAV., Backup camera, and side step bars. All black.

I have read again and again that the I5 is a good motor but under powered for this size vehicle. I would love to hear your thoughts on that.

I have always like the H3s and now my car which I have had for the last 14 years is getting tired. I don't have the great paying job I used to have so my funds are limited but I should do ok as long as I stay away from the Alpha.

I had a line on a 31,000 mile Alpha but the wife freaked out when I told her how much for a 6 year old vehicle!

So now I'm looking at the inline 5 cylinder H3 and I'm wondering if they are good motors for the long haul? I'm (short of a winning lottery ticket) going to need this for a long time!

Also I found out they have hands free calling features but only through OnStar. Has anyone figured out how to change that or update it without it costing $300??

Thanks for having me!
Bill

 

Yes, the I5 is a good engine overall. It is a bit underwhelming, but perfectly adequate for most people. If you put on 35" tires and do a lot of mountain highway driving then the I5 starts to feel under powered. There is the PCM4Less tune which supposedly really helps a ton. I was going to do that, but ended up trading vehicles.

As for the OnStar bit - my '09 H3t had blutooth that worked with OnStar, no need for anything. Not sure about '08 though. If the '08 doesn't have that, the only two options I know of are the Galaxy1000 and CoStar - both are in the $250-$300 range which is probably what you were referring to. Lots of other ways to get blutooth into a car if you don't need it to go through or replace OnStar.

Depending on budget and what's available to you, you could always get one without the Nav/backup camera and replace the head unit. You can get a new Head Unit that supports a backup camera, blutooth, and for Nav either built-in or displays your smart phone's navigation on screen. If you can save a grand or two by getting an H3 with just a stereo, you can save money overall by getting the aftermarket head unit and end up with a better setup.

 

An 08 would have the 3.7L I5. That gives you a bump in HP and torque over the 3.5L. You will enjoy the 08 H3.

 

Thanks guys.
The 09 I saw last night was great until my wife shot me down.
The tires were more aggressive then I need heading into summer. Could have used them a few weeks ago!
Other then a few plastic interior pieces that needed replacing it looked like a well kept vehicle. I'm so bummed I wanted that one!

 

So my hunt continues. Would any of you say there was a year I should stay away from?? I read somewhere someone said either the 07 or 06 was wrought with issues. Any truth in that?
Thanks

 

I don't believe in Summer/Winter tires. No one NEEDS aggressive tires 100% of the time but they look so damn good.