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Well, I went and got myself deeper into this illness known as "Hummer ownership"... It took me a couple other cars coming and going to realize what I should have just done from the start: I should get an H2.
I've always loved the H2, but really could not justify having a 3 and a 2. Then I got to thinking about it more and more and realized that the only person I have to justify it to is myself (and my wife!). To be honest, I was worried what people would think of me owning two "expensive luxury SUVs". We live in a modest townhome in a modest area of town. Most people still think all Hummers cost $60k+ (I had a neighbor cite that exact number). But this is the United States, and we're all endowed with freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Why should any kind of social stigma stop me?
Once I came to terms with that, I began searching pretty seriously in February/March for a clean H2 in my price range (not a ton around, as I'm sure many of you are aware). I was initially set on finding as clean and as low-mile as possible, but it seemed like you could only have one or the other. If you wanted both, you were $30k plus and that well-exceeded my budget.
Start here for medium-long story or skip to short story below this text:
About a month ago, I was ready to pull the trigger on a maroon '04 with 65k on it that was slightly above my self-imposed budget. I drove 3.5 hours to go see it, I get there, and the truck smells like a barn. I mean, it was rank. I was incredibly ticked off. We took it for a test drive and the saleswoman said she couldn't notice it. :roll::no: My wife and I almost gagged. Then they wouldn't come off their price a penny even thought the saleswoman told me before I left my city that they would do X price. I'm sure you would all be shocked if I told you the truck was at a Jeep dealer. I walked and had a long drive home....with the windows down to drown out the stink my clothes absorbed.
Then about 3 weeks ago, I found a "just listed" ad on Autotrader at a dealer about an hour from me. It was a white '03 with 121k, one owner, great service history, etc. They had it advertised for a very fair price -- but no photos -- just a generic stock image. I called them and spoke with the internet manager. She was very friendly, sent me photos of the truck, and I was sold. I didn't even barter (hard). I said if you do it for your advertised price, out the door, I'll come pick it up this weekend. She countered that by saying the vehicle was not actually for sale yet, as they had just gotten it in and it "was not in their inventory yet". I half jested and said something to the extent of "then why it listed for sale". She didn't have any kind of real response to that and said that they would be running it through their shop within a couple days to make sure it was mechanically sound. I told her that was fine, I would wait. 2 days later the Autotrader ad is revised, still no photos, but the asking price is $4k higher. I called the internet manager again, told her I was disappointed in their business tactics and that I wouldn't be pursuing that truck any longer. As far as I know, it is still for sale because the priced themselves out of the market. I'm sure it's a nice lot-ornament for them.
That same week, I came across an eBay listing for an '03 sage green metallic with the adventure package. One owner, 151k, but very clean. (No odors either! :wink: ) The truck had belonged to a surgeon who just traded it for a Range Rover. The only hindrance was that this H2 was halfway across the country, but was priced about as low as I've seen a running H2 -- let alone a clean one-owner. I called the guy (small higher-end neighborhood dealer) and he was no-BS. We settled on a deal sight unseen. The last two weeks have been a ballet of shipping companies lying to me. I was supposed to have the truck delivered before the event I had planned for June 7 here in town. Nobody was going to be able to even pick up until end of next week. So, impatient of waiting, I nabbed some cheap last minute plane tickets to Memphis and the truck was a short drive from the airport. My wife and I drove it back (with zero issues) through seven states this weekend. Saved a good deal over shipping and had a pretty good time to boot.
Short story:
Here's the stats: 2003 H2 Adventure, now has about 152k on it. Bone stock. Wheat interior. OEM black trim. Yes, the air suspension (currently) works. The sunroof gets stuck and requires some upward pressure to slide forward (I'll be searching/asking for help on that at some point). It has basically new BFG A/Ts on it. The interior is in 8/10 shape. Leather is not too bad. The painted plastic trim is flaking a bit here and there. Exterior is also about 8/10. One small dent in rear passenger door. A couple scratches and paint chips here and there. Small surface rust spot on front bumper.
All in all, I'm thrilled to be a multi-Hummer owner. My only regret is not doing it sooner. :thumbs: Not that my wife visits this forum, but a big shout out and thanks to her for supporting this obsession and for flying into Memphis with me with about 2 hours of notice on Friday. I was thrilled that she even drove the H2 for a short while and she enjoyed it! She won't drive my T because there's such limited rear visibility. .....I'm a little afraid she might ditch her Beetle and steal my H2!
I was surprised to see Barney is taller than the Deuce! I haven't parked next to an H2 since the Kumhos went on. Guess it'll be 37s on the Deuce eventually! :wink:
Well, I went and got myself deeper into this illness known as "Hummer ownership"... It took me a couple other cars coming and going to realize what I should have just done from the start: I should get an H2.
I've always loved the H2, but really could not justify having a 3 and a 2. Then I got to thinking about it more and more and realized that the only person I have to justify it to is myself (and my wife!). To be honest, I was worried what people would think of me owning two "expensive luxury SUVs". We live in a modest townhome in a modest area of town. Most people still think all Hummers cost $60k+ (I had a neighbor cite that exact number). But this is the United States, and we're all endowed with freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Why should any kind of social stigma stop me?
Once I came to terms with that, I began searching pretty seriously in February/March for a clean H2 in my price range (not a ton around, as I'm sure many of you are aware). I was initially set on finding as clean and as low-mile as possible, but it seemed like you could only have one or the other. If you wanted both, you were $30k plus and that well-exceeded my budget.
Start here for medium-long story or skip to short story below this text:
About a month ago, I was ready to pull the trigger on a maroon '04 with 65k on it that was slightly above my self-imposed budget. I drove 3.5 hours to go see it, I get there, and the truck smells like a barn. I mean, it was rank. I was incredibly ticked off. We took it for a test drive and the saleswoman said she couldn't notice it. :roll::no: My wife and I almost gagged. Then they wouldn't come off their price a penny even thought the saleswoman told me before I left my city that they would do X price. I'm sure you would all be shocked if I told you the truck was at a Jeep dealer. I walked and had a long drive home....with the windows down to drown out the stink my clothes absorbed.
Then about 3 weeks ago, I found a "just listed" ad on Autotrader at a dealer about an hour from me. It was a white '03 with 121k, one owner, great service history, etc. They had it advertised for a very fair price -- but no photos -- just a generic stock image. I called them and spoke with the internet manager. She was very friendly, sent me photos of the truck, and I was sold. I didn't even barter (hard). I said if you do it for your advertised price, out the door, I'll come pick it up this weekend. She countered that by saying the vehicle was not actually for sale yet, as they had just gotten it in and it "was not in their inventory yet". I half jested and said something to the extent of "then why it listed for sale". She didn't have any kind of real response to that and said that they would be running it through their shop within a couple days to make sure it was mechanically sound. I told her that was fine, I would wait. 2 days later the Autotrader ad is revised, still no photos, but the asking price is $4k higher. I called the internet manager again, told her I was disappointed in their business tactics and that I wouldn't be pursuing that truck any longer. As far as I know, it is still for sale because the priced themselves out of the market. I'm sure it's a nice lot-ornament for them.
That same week, I came across an eBay listing for an '03 sage green metallic with the adventure package. One owner, 151k, but very clean. (No odors either! :wink: ) The truck had belonged to a surgeon who just traded it for a Range Rover. The only hindrance was that this H2 was halfway across the country, but was priced about as low as I've seen a running H2 -- let alone a clean one-owner. I called the guy (small higher-end neighborhood dealer) and he was no-BS. We settled on a deal sight unseen. The last two weeks have been a ballet of shipping companies lying to me. I was supposed to have the truck delivered before the event I had planned for June 7 here in town. Nobody was going to be able to even pick up until end of next week. So, impatient of waiting, I nabbed some cheap last minute plane tickets to Memphis and the truck was a short drive from the airport. My wife and I drove it back (with zero issues) through seven states this weekend. Saved a good deal over shipping and had a pretty good time to boot.
Short story:
Here's the stats: 2003 H2 Adventure, now has about 152k on it. Bone stock. Wheat interior. OEM black trim. Yes, the air suspension (currently) works. The sunroof gets stuck and requires some upward pressure to slide forward (I'll be searching/asking for help on that at some point). It has basically new BFG A/Ts on it. The interior is in 8/10 shape. Leather is not too bad. The painted plastic trim is flaking a bit here and there. Exterior is also about 8/10. One small dent in rear passenger door. A couple scratches and paint chips here and there. Small surface rust spot on front bumper.
All in all, I'm thrilled to be a multi-Hummer owner. My only regret is not doing it sooner. :thumbs: Not that my wife visits this forum, but a big shout out and thanks to her for supporting this obsession and for flying into Memphis with me with about 2 hours of notice on Friday. I was thrilled that she even drove the H2 for a short while and she enjoyed it! She won't drive my T because there's such limited rear visibility. .....I'm a little afraid she might ditch her Beetle and steal my H2!
I was surprised to see Barney is taller than the Deuce! I haven't parked next to an H2 since the Kumhos went on. Guess it'll be 37s on the Deuce eventually! :wink:
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