Upgrade 06 H3 to 08 H3 Alpha

[Hunner]

Some of that sounds about normal! lol It's a used truck.
But if they would not come down after pointing all that out they may have it awhile.

 

[Best4x4]

I personally don't like low mileage rigs. To me they've either been towed behind an RV, been in the shop due to breakdowns, and dealers treat em like gold, when they're anything but! I prefer rigs with normal mileage for the age year and I can tell ASAP if it's been well kept or not. Both my H3's were in great shape. The little 06 Adventure I found down the road with the kinda rare black/orange leather is an awesome rig and I'd have bought it ASAP if I had the $$$ for a third H3.

You'll find a good one soon just keep looking!

 

[Bigunit]

I personally don't like low mileage rigs. To me they've either been towed behind an RV, been in the shop due to breakdowns, and dealers treat em like gold, when they're anything but! I prefer rigs with normal mileage for the age year and I can tell ASAP if it's been well kept or not. Both my H3's were in great shape.

Best4x4, not always the case. I know of one pristine, all original 09 H3 CE (V8, front and rear lockers, CI front diff, 4:1 transfer case with 8k original miles). Never been towed behind a RV and never been in the shop due to breakdowns that will be driven in a local HUMMER Christmas toy drive tomorrow. The owners are HUMMER enthusiasts who want to preserve this specimen for years to come.

 

[Best4x4]

There are exceptions especially car collectors, but the typical low mileage rides at most car lots have some kind of history if you dig deep enough especially a rig with more than 3 owners or if it's been registered in several different states.

What I guess I'm really saying is just because it has low miles doesn't mean it's better than a higher mileage rig that's been well maintained. It also depends on city vs highway miles. I live in TX so it's normal to see a two year old rig with 50K or more. In a state like Rhode Island that wouldn't be a good thing lol.

 

[Bigunit]

I definitely agree with you.

 

[LagunaH1]

I get nostalgic when I see & read about H3 Alphas. They are great trucks.

 

[06PullUouT]

Chrome removal is just a can of plasti-dip away! [emoji106]

 

[amrg]

I got my 06 back in late 08, had exactly 1K miles on it! Took it to 2 certified mechanics + the dealer, they all told me to buy it.
Now I have 80K on it and with the exception of the radiator, Nothing other than normal maintenance!

 

[H3Ray]

No major complaints with my 09 Alpha - 2nd owner - 75k miles.
Just dropped $1,000.00 at Dealer: AC, Sun Roof Leak, New Battery. (Dealer screwed me over).
Located in Florida / 100% stock / Sun Roof / Leather
Radio and passenger speaker busted from water leak.
I removed all the badges.
No engine Cover, was lost by 1st owner.
Might sell because I don't have the time, know how, or feel like spending the extra cash to get the Rig the way I want it.
My Toyota is my DD.
I live part of the year in Brazil so I can't justify ownership and I never go off road.
If I decide to sell I think $20k is fair price.
I am undecided to sell or keep it.
Only complaint I have is parts are expensive and hard to locate. One example the engine cover is $250 at Dealer. It's just a piece of plastic with the word Hummer on it. Also, I hate my local Chevy Dealer. My Toyota Dealer on the other hand is great.
The Alpha has plenty of power.

 

[H3Ray]

Question:

How do you guys pay for parts when a side passenger mirror cost $245.00?
Even on ebay, the lowest I found was $235.00 ...
Because I would like replace my mirror and buy the engine cover but both pieces cost around $230.

Unreal. :roll:

 

[Bigunit]

Ray, what side do you need the mirror for? Maybe I can help find you one.

 

[H3Ray]

Passenger side mirror and the big plastic engine cover, mine is missing, I don't know why. I love my Alpha H3 but it's hard to justify ownership when parts are expensive and hard to find. The mirror was shattered by a drunken vandal at a local shopping mall.

Thanks.

 

[Bigunit]

Are your mirrors chrome or black?

 

[Woodtick]

You sure it wasn't a cop with a 4d cell mag light?

 

[H3Ray]

They are chrome but I want to paint them black. Probably Lowes spray bottle them. rough em up with sand paper.

 

[H3Ray]

How do you guys replace parts when parts are so expensive?
GM obviously does not care about their customers jacking up prices.
Not to mention all Hummers are gas guzzlers.
For me it's hard to justify ownership, but then again I never go off road.
What I do like about the Hummer, is people get out of my way in traffic, and this might be the only reason to possibly keep it.

 

[Best4x4]

Hummer's are much cheaper to own/operate vs a Jeep or Land Rover.

First my Jeep was always having issues and my Auto Zone rewards were always nice, however it got old having to baby something so much in fear of it dying on ya. Both my 05 Wranglers were nothing like their Trail Rated badges... Brake Caliper's seemed to love locking up at any given time, transmission PCM liked limp home mode, blower resistors went out whenever they wanted to, and the flexplate might as well have been made out of an aluminum pie pan.... Now my 04 Grand Cherokee was bullet proof, but parts weren't all that cheap for it if they did go out. Land Rover's aren't great on gas with worse than H3 ratings and they require 93 Octane fuel, not to mention parts are hard to find unless you go to the dealer or thru an online Rover Retailer.

I've owned my Alpha for 2 years, and my Adventure for almost a year. During that time I've only had to replace small items that didn't cost me an arm and a leg. The 3.7L gets much better MPG that my lifted WJ or Wranglers. My Alpha is about on par with my lifted Wranglers on MPG, but it's miles ahead in comfort, ride, and quality.

I've been able to cross-reference a lot of H3 Parts onto other GM vehicles, and the parts are much cheaper vs Jeep or Rover. A TJ/LJ non powered mirror from the dealer was 175.00 each, and JK powered mirrors are 200.00 each easy. It just depends on the part, but most H3 parts you can either find used online or cheaper from online retailers vs the dealership. That's about true with any car company and buying parts.

 

[H3Ray]

The difference is most of you guys like to wrench on your vehicles and you have the space like a big garage, and you off road out in BFE. Also, I bet most of ya are married with kids. I'm single, I live the Condo life in South Florida and half the year I'm on a Beach on Brasil conversing up multiple insanely beautiful women. Try living in the best areas of So. Florida and maintain a Hummer ... I bet most of you would move to Iowa. COL where I live and space is a problem but I choose to live here because it's about as close as I can get to the Bahamas but with all the 1st world conveniences. A Hummer is toy to me and a lot of factors come in to play why we own one. But for me, it's hard to justify. If I had the space with mechanic like skills and I enjoyed mudding out in the swamps, yes I would own a 4x4, but I don't like that stuff.

Anyone looking for a nice stock low mileage 09 Alpha - Inbox me.

 

[poncho1965]

If you don't love your '3, it's a good choice to sell. Gotta have your priorities!


Mike

 

[H3Ray]

Mike: I love my H3 Alpha but space is a problem. I envy you guys with garages and the know how to wrench on your Rigs. I'm not selling but holding off on the mods.

But to the OP, the H3 Alpha is great ... :thumbs:

 

[amrg]

I wheel with modern-ish jeeps every week, the oldest is an '02 model and the newest is a '13, every other week one of them is having some sort of issue. We go out probably 30 times a year and I am YET to have a single issue!
From my point of view, the H3 is an extremely good value for money truck! It has downfalls, but its a really good truck.
My friend has a toyota, and after a few wheeling trips with us he had to replace shocks. Every 12k miles he changes brake pads while I do it every 30K!

 

[4speedfunk]

Boo Hoo. That sounds like a really tough life you got there. Island travel. Brazilian snatch. Living in the best condos. Sorry...no sympathy from me.

Sell it and buy something more practical. I hear Brazilian hotties really go for Honda Accords.

 

[derian06]

I'm 16 have a one car 7ft garage, started with no tools but the jack my 3 came with. Theres alot of excuses in your posts. Parts aren't that expensive, i'm pretty sure the main difference is most of us don't mind not having a passenger mirror that works. All you have to do is just get out and adjust it.

If you don't know how to work on it, then learn. If you don't want to work on it then don't complain about not having the space to do so.

It sounds like you want to sell your hummer, because you don't have a plastic engine cap and your mirror doesn't work. It's pretty ridiculous.

Then another thing I don't understand is that you complained about a 235$ part and gas mileage when... you need to take a moment and make sure your head is on straight man. If it's just a daily driver and a ego booster You should sell it and get something more practical.

 

[H3Ray]

Just a little jealous maybe?

 

[Best4x4]

Don't think anyone is jealous.... If the H3 doesn't suit your needs, trade it in, and get a Prius. Super cool rig with Toyota build quality with Leonardo Decaprio Hollywood status. Sure the next owner will like the H3 for what it is.