Hallo HF,

My question is about what to look for when buying an H2 and what year is known to be the most reliable vs the worst year. Any advice?

Also, what are some known parts to go wrong with them aside from the normal wear and tear (unless something is excessive). Is labour expensive can any mechanic work on them or do I need a special mechanic just like I need one for my Volvo currently.

Whatever information you give me I'll be appreciative of since I don't know anything about the H2 but I have the itch to get one this year. It's that time of life where it's either now or never. Give me some advice you'd give your child if he wanted to buy one and you didn't want him to suffer

On average do you think anyone could tell me how much they spend yearly to maintain this car?
I know the gas will run me 23litres per 100km(km cuz I'm in Toronto).

Thank you
If I should've searched somewhere or posted this somewhere else, forgive me and guide me to the right place.

Thanks,

Pej J

 

All years are good. You will love an H2 if you get a good one. It should be much cheaper to maintain than your Volvo. Cracked door panels, leaking exhaust manifolds, sunroof or clearance light leaking are some of the things to look for. Buy the nicest lowest mileage model you can afford. To me the closer to stock the better.

 

From what I've read, some of the structural components of the 2003 model were upgraded in 2004. For the record, I owned an 03 & had zero issues for the life of the vehicle. It was solid.

2003-2004 have the 6.0L/ 4 speed tranny at 316hp/360ft-lb
2005-2007 have the 6.0L/ 4 speed tranny at 325hp/365ft-lb
2008-2009 have the 6.2L/ 6 speed tranny at 393hp/415ft-lb

The 08/09 have a newer (nicer) interior, better fuel econemy, is noticeably faster, full back row (not the single seat), optional captains chairs in the 2nd row (09 only I believe), anti-roll over, side curtain air bags and improved AC vent location (each passenger in rear, 5, have a single ceiling vent which blows on your face & is adjustable). I think that's about it.

The downside is the cost. 2008-09 cost more since there were only about 6100 2008s sold and 600 2009s sold. Any low mileage version is doing to cost the same as they were new. If you have the money & don't mind spending it, they are nice rides.

There's nothing wrong with the 2003-2007 models. You can always buy super charger to improve the acceleration (it's honestly fine stock so long as you're not expecting to get in & feel like it's a rocket). These models are also very comfortable & built like a brick **** house.

As calif phil said, maintenance is very easy. I've owned volvos & servicing the volvo vs the GM is night & day. It's just so much easier in the H2. Basic filters & fluid changes are cake. If you get one, buy a fumoto valve to change the oil. Just PM me about it if you want more info. Most if not all of the suspension is the same as the 2500 model chevys from 2001-2010. You can basically install any duramax type of suspension onto the H2, at least part wise. There are lift kits for the H2 specifically, if you want to go that route.

If money is no object, I'd get a 2008/2009 in a heart beat. While the 2003 to 2007s are great trucks, you'll feel spoiled in the updated models. I can easily beat 14L/100km (13 liters if I have no wind & find the rpm sweet spot) on the highway. I'm getting 16 to 18 liter/100km with mixed driving & not putting my foot into it. It's flat where I live, though, so that makes a difference.

 

I echo everything above, if you can stretch, get an 08-09 they feel modern to sit in despite already being 7-8years old, and are super comfortable. Else if you can't then i would get a much cheaper one / older, and look to spend money upgrading it as a project. Whatever you aim for, airdoc and headlight upgrade are a must

 

Pretty much the same advice I'd give anyone on any used vehicle (ignoring generation changes where the new version is actually worse for some reason), buy the newest one with lowest miles you can that has the options you want. As others have said, get an '08/'09 if you can swing the hefty price increase.

Minor things to look for: door mirror arms switched from angled out to straight up and down, the new ones are more reliable. The spare originally came inside in the back but around '05 switched to a swing out on the bumper. Then of course in '08 was the interior, engine and transmission upgrades.

More year to year changes listed here: Hummer H2 model year changes and buying guide.

 

You guys have given me some very good info and advice I really appreciate it.
The maintenance on my Volvo s70 is about $1000 a year and right now with city driving I'm at about 12 litres per 100km. So theoretically I could maintain an h2 , it seems.
I appreciate the engine types , the 08/09 really must make a noticeable difference and have some minor pull.
Is tire wear excessive ?
Can you do with all seasons ?
Is the trunk on models with spare tire on it very heavy ?
Are h2 bodies known to last as in no rust ?
It looks like a tank I know but is the body really that solid brick it looks like ?
Does it run on regular gas or it needs premium gas ?
So the engines and trannies don't have any issues if maintained right ?
I'll check the links as well that we're provided.
You h2 peeps are good peeps it makes me want to get one even faster.

 

Is tire wear excessive ? H2s are heavy so more tire wear than something smaller, but in my experience it's not excessive.
Can you do with all seasons ? As long as you can get the right size and load I don't see why you couldn't get an all season. At the same time, BFG AT KO2s and other ATs can work fine for an everyday tire.
Is the trunk on models with spare tire on it very heavy ? For the spare tire on the back, it's actually a swing out mounted to the bumper.
Are h2 bodies known to last as in no rust ? I'm not aware of rust issues more than any other vehicles.
It looks like a tank I know but is the body really that solid brick it looks like ? It's big and heavy with a fully boxed heavy duty frame. It comes from the factory with sliders, the nerf bars attach to them. Tow hooks attach to the frame. Decent skid plates standard. Basically, yes.
Does it run on regular gas or it needs premium gas ? Regular
So the engines and trannies don't have any issues if maintained right ? Correct.

 

08-09 improved the engine and tranny . Also interior is different . If I werent in love with my 06 I will look for a 09

Tire wear may be excessive depending which tire you get. I got a Duratrack and the wear is kind of fast... Im sure it will not last longer than 50k maybe less ..
But a different brand may last much longer. I see reports for 75 and 80 k

About the trunk with the tire .. are you asking the model with the tire outside ... Not is not heavy at all. It swing ro the side to make room to open the trunk .

Last to rust - here it is your answer
It is a tank ... One of the main reason I have it is for my family . 90% of the drivers in my city doesnt have a clue how to drive so you are in constantly danger . Having my wife and daughter in this tank os a must .
I crash over a Mercedes and the poor sedan was totally lost while my beast had only a few scratches.

Regular gas is recommended

You will have issues as any vehicle . Mostly accessories, Alt,water pump , sensors .. Almost everything is a DIY . Or not too expesive .. Overall you will be free worry for the firs 105K miles ... Check for other posts about common H2 Issues

About the tranny . Only very recommend mod is the aftermarket cooler to avoid the issue with the radiator . But I wouldn't worry if Get a 08-09 with low miles

Good luck on the hunt

 

Slightly off topic; I test drove the new XC90s. Worst ride of any vehicle I've ever been in. I don't know of their cars & crossovers are the same, but man the ride was harsh. I fell in love w/ the seats, but everything else made me long for the older xc90s (those were great, other than the seats).

Yes, the upgrade from the previous gen to the 08/09 is noticeable. The acceleration is great, especially for a 6600 lb vehicle. In ideal conditions, I was get 23mpg at 64ish today on the highway (just no noticeable wind, so probably slightly some at my back). 17+ was easy with wind.

I have the new BFG KO2s (35/12.5r17) and they wear like iron. 16k miles & I have no noticeable wear at all. If they last as long as the original KOs, I will get 90k miles out of them. If you want a highway all season, the Michelin defender LTX MS looks to be ideal if you want to have 20" wheels. Many 2009s came with 20" wheels, it's something to take note of. The tire is 35/12.5R20. I've read nothing but good things. I will put some on my stock 20s once I wallet replenishes. Either tire is a good choice for ride comfort & wear. The KO2 has done well in the muddy conditions I've thrown at it. I'd have been stuck with other tires.

I don't really get the spare tire comment. My 17s + BFG KO2s are running around 100 lb. I have a spare on the rear tailgate. I'll probably remove it (I want the vehicle to be shorter). The 08s/09s ALL have the rear tire on the back. The rear are has 2 seats (total of 6 or 7 seats if you have captains chairs or the bench, respectively).

Since you're dealing with salt, have the under carriage sprayed with an anti corrosion paint. I can't remember the name. I'll get the name later or just PM me to remind me. Someone here might remember. That's what I'd do. All vehicles rust, unless aluminium & I don't want to ride around in a 2 lb car.

The 2003-2007 do fine with regular.
The 08/09 in my experience do not run well with regular (mine has 120k miles, bought it with 106k). I use Plus (89 octane) and can run premium, but I don't notice enough of an efficiency gain to justify the $0.20 / gal cost.

I'm currently having issues w/ my 6L80 tranny (not shifting properly now) & the 6.2L (3 pulleys shake like hell & the whole vehicle shakes). I don't know the history of the vehicle, although the suspension was shot, so I think that whoever owned it dogged the hell out of it. The inside was nice, though, lol. I've seen 2 other 6.2Ls up close and all seem to have some sort of pulley issue (I don't know why). I had zero issues with the 6.0L and 4L65e tranny in my 2003. That thing was a zero problem car, other than a fuel pump issue (common among GM trucks, as a whole). Personally, I'm converting it to a diesel. That's the only reason I bought a truck with 106k miles on it. If you can afford one around 40k or 50k & it drives like its new (and can afford it), go for it! You could also try to find a very high mileage one & dump a duramax in it, but that's looking to be $30K+ to do the work. I'm not sure if you are willing to drop that coin into it (can't blame you if you don't want to).

Take into account that my experience with the 6.2L is from a pool of 3 vehicles. That's not to say it's representative of how they are as a whole.

 

You have received a lot of good info here! My 2c: check the driver and passenger mirrors to see if they fold correctly. The button is the big square one above where the window switches are. The are expensive to replace- so that may give you some ammo in you negotiation. Check all the normal vehicle stuff. I got my 03 a few years ago when gas prices hit at 4$ in georgia. I was able to get almost 4k knocked off the price because they couldnt move the gas guzzlers. But always go for the newest model with the lowest price that you can afford. Get carfax too. I was looking at some online yesterday and i was amazed at some of the crap i saw. You wont find a perfect one but that is fine- that gives you the motivation to make it your own! Good luck and keep us posted of your adventure!