H3 shopping - what to look for?
#1
09-01-2010, 07:19 PM
H3 shopping - what to look for?
I'm looking to possibly purchase an H3 and getting rid of my Jeep WJ. What are some thing to look for and stay away from? I've heard of some early '06's having engine problems. True? Thanks guys...
#2
09-01-2010, 07:29 PM
I would also avoid an 06. Even if the cyl. head has been repaired, its 5 models years old already and no telling where its been and who flogged it. if you can swing an 07 but not sure, save and get an 08 or 09. plenty of 08's will be turned in off of leases. try and get an Adventure pkg. and pref. an 09 with the cast iron front differential (just my opinion)
#4
09-01-2010, 11:33 PM
Just purchase an 07 Lux rig last week. There are a lot of things to consider when buying an H3
1. What package are you looking for ?
a. Luxury package -- leather, sunroof, Monsoon audio system, Navigation etc.
b. Standard H3 -- Cloth seats, Wheels, cross over to lux with amenities
c. Adventure package -- can be harder than you think to find ? Has 4:1 transfer case, std 285/75R/16 tires, Rear locking diff. etc. etc. etc. -- do you off-road or really need this ?
d. Some H3's with luxury packages vary with options --- be aware of this !
There is a real probability that "Adventure Package" H3's may have hard use and beat more due to the very nature of the package use.
2. Miles on used H3 ---- does this matter to you ? search gets harder if you limit the total mileage you will accept before buying
3. Motor ? --- I purposely stuck to the 07's and up due to the larger 3.7 I5 motor. If I was driving the "Non V8" hummer, I wanted the newer motor.
4. Price ? --- How much are you willing to pay ?
Bottom line ---- It's harder than you think to find "ALL" the qualities that your looking for in a H3. Make a mental or written list of the most important things your looking for and work down your list.
I chose an 07 H3 luxury (black) with only 24,000 miles (just off lease) with all the bells (moonroof, leather, heated seats, Navigation) and even though I would have never have bought a Black car in the past, this one had everything I wanted in a low mileage H3 for the price ($ 21,600). I even like the black color now (go figure)
1. What package are you looking for ?
a. Luxury package -- leather, sunroof, Monsoon audio system, Navigation etc.
b. Standard H3 -- Cloth seats, Wheels, cross over to lux with amenities
c. Adventure package -- can be harder than you think to find ? Has 4:1 transfer case, std 285/75R/16 tires, Rear locking diff. etc. etc. etc. -- do you off-road or really need this ?
d. Some H3's with luxury packages vary with options --- be aware of this !
There is a real probability that "Adventure Package" H3's may have hard use and beat more due to the very nature of the package use.
2. Miles on used H3 ---- does this matter to you ? search gets harder if you limit the total mileage you will accept before buying
3. Motor ? --- I purposely stuck to the 07's and up due to the larger 3.7 I5 motor. If I was driving the "Non V8" hummer, I wanted the newer motor.
4. Price ? --- How much are you willing to pay ?
Bottom line ---- It's harder than you think to find "ALL" the qualities that your looking for in a H3. Make a mental or written list of the most important things your looking for and work down your list.
I chose an 07 H3 luxury (black) with only 24,000 miles (just off lease) with all the bells (moonroof, leather, heated seats, Navigation) and even though I would have never have bought a Black car in the past, this one had everything I wanted in a low mileage H3 for the price ($ 21,600). I even like the black color now (go figure)
#5
09-02-2010, 06:38 AM
I chose an 07 H3 luxury (black) with only 24,000 miles (just off lease) with all the bells (moonroof, leather, heated seats, Navigation) and even though I would have never have bought a Black car in the past, this one had everything I wanted in a low mileage H3 for the price ($ 21,600). I even like the black color now (go figure)
I'm test driving this weekend and hoping my Jeep sells.
#6
09-02-2010, 09:27 AM
07's with 25K miles are listed at $22-23K around here. You should be able to talk them down a bit.
#7
09-02-2010, 12:41 PM
I wanna add to this, I'm also looking at buying an H3. I'm having a hard time figuring out what I'm looking at sometimes. The dealer puts Adventure package but then no locker, or it says Luxury but has the locker. Are they marked somewhere so that I know exactly which I'm getting? Like codes printed somewhere. And do some models like the luxury have options like a locker but without the Adventure package?
#8
09-02-2010, 09:46 PM
I wanna add to this, I'm also looking at buying an H3. I'm having a hard time figuring out what I'm looking at sometimes. The dealer puts Adventure package but then no locker, or it says Luxury but has the locker. Are they marked somewhere so that I know exactly which I'm getting? Like codes printed somewhere. And do some models like the luxury have options like a locker but without the Adventure package?
Just look at them; thats the easiest way..
If it has buttons to lock the lockers, it IS an adventure package.
If it has leather, it IS the luxury package.
If it has chrome, it IS the chrome package.
If it has a v8, it IS the alpha package.
Any one of these combo's can be had. Just because its a luxury h3, doesn't mean it cant also have the alpha package.
TO the original poster, try trading in your jeep to the dealership with the HUMMER?
There really isn't a whole lot to look for. I'd be weary of an '06; too many head issues. Other than that, there isn't really a weakspot on these that you need to keep an eye open for. Just check out the vehicle overall, and make a command decision. Most 06 or 07+ HUMMER's still have factory warranty, so most issues were prolly fixed as they came along
#9
09-02-2010, 11:13 PM
Just look at them; thats the easiest way..
If it has buttons to lock the lockers, it IS an adventure package.
If it has leather, it IS the luxury package.
If it has chrome, it IS the chrome package.
If it has a v8, it IS the alpha package.
Any one of these combo's can be had. Just because its a luxury h3, doesn't mean it cant also have the alpha package.
TO the original poster, try trading in your jeep to the dealership with the HUMMER?
There really isn't a whole lot to look for. I'd be weary of an '06; too many head issues. Other than that, there isn't really a weakspot on these that you need to keep an eye open for. Just check out the vehicle overall, and make a command decision. Most 06 or 07+ HUMMER's still have factory warranty, so most issues were prolly fixed as they came along
If it has buttons to lock the lockers, it IS an adventure package.
If it has leather, it IS the luxury package.
If it has chrome, it IS the chrome package.
If it has a v8, it IS the alpha package.
Any one of these combo's can be had. Just because its a luxury h3, doesn't mean it cant also have the alpha package.
TO the original poster, try trading in your jeep to the dealership with the HUMMER?
There really isn't a whole lot to look for. I'd be weary of an '06; too many head issues. Other than that, there isn't really a weakspot on these that you need to keep an eye open for. Just check out the vehicle overall, and make a command decision. Most 06 or 07+ HUMMER's still have factory warranty, so most issues were prolly fixed as they came along
2006 H3
Base Engine 3.5L I5 (some had head issues I have the vin #s if you need them)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents
Lux-Leather/Chrome
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure
2007 H3
Base Engine 3.7L I5
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Lux-Leather/Chrome
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure
2008 H3
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Lux-Leather/Chrome
H3X-Leather/Chrome/18" wheels/Monsoon
Alpha-Leather/Chrome/Monsoon radio/Cast Iron Front Diff
OffRoad(only on Alpha) -4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad
2009 H3 & H3T
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure- Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker//Cast Iron Front Diff
Lux-Leather/Chrome
H3X-Leather/Chrome/18" wheels/Monsoon
Alpha-Cloth (Leather optional)/ Black Accents (Chrome optional)/Monsoon radio/Cast Iron Front Diff
OffRoad(only on Alpha)-4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad
2010 H3 & H3T
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 Flex Fuel (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base- Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure- Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker/ /Cast Iron Front Diff
Lux- Leather/Chrome
Alpha-Cloth (Leather optional)/ Black Accents (Chrome optional)/Monsoon radio
OffRoad(only on Alpha) -4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad
Last edited by TAINTER; 09-04-2010 at 01:49 AM.
#10
09-03-2010, 04:54 PM
Interesting.. I see you saying I'm very wrong.. yet I dont see any corrections? Perhaps you misread the title and point of this thread; "what are some things to look for and stay away from"
No offense, but I'm pretty sure he's not worried about axle ratio and crawl ratio. He wants to know if the frame cracks; if trannies go like crazy; do the motors burn down; is there electrical nightmares etc. And you didn't write anything about that. I told him to watch out for the '06 and very early '07 head issues.
No offense, but I'm pretty sure he's not worried about axle ratio and crawl ratio. He wants to know if the frame cracks; if trannies go like crazy; do the motors burn down; is there electrical nightmares etc. And you didn't write anything about that. I told him to watch out for the '06 and very early '07 head issues.