The unspeakable..

[skeptic]

I'm seriously considering selling the T and buying an Avalanche. I really hate the idea of the step down in off road ability, but I'm being lured in by the nicer interior, better on-road manners, V8, and the fact that I can not only find one but I can get a used one for a reasonable price. Two things that just don't seem possible for an H3T Alpha.

 

[Portager]

You'll regret that decision every time you get into that Avalanche. There is a reason that they are easy to find and H3T Alpha's are hard to find.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

there's a reason that the Avalanche costs less and the T more

 

[Zach]

Whaa?

 

[Kyle]

being un bias as i can but ive sat and driven the avalanche and it just feels funny its trying to be a truck/suv imho. the inside feels fake to me too.

 

[skeptic]

Let's not be too hard on Avalanches. My T and an as identical as I can make it '09 Avalanche are valued within a couple hundred bucks according to Kelly Blue Book, an Alpha is obviously worth more. There were tons more Avalanches sold than Ts and that plays a huge role in value and availability.

It's not like I don't know anything about Avalanches, at one point I had an Avalanche and an H3 and would switch between them depending on where I was going or what I was doing. Avy > H3T onroad and H3T > Avy offroad. Realistically, between my job and other stuff I never manage to go on more than a couple wheeling trips a year that I wouldn't want to take an Avalanche on. On the other hand, as mentioned in another thread my wife and I are talking about picking up a couple 4 wheelers. Something that could replace the wheeling trips and something an Avalanche would be perfect for.


If I had an H3T Alpha I wouldn't be thinking about an Avalanche or anything else, but at this point it's becoming a serious consideration. I've always said the I5 is adequate (barely), but I don't want barely adequate any longer.

 

[f5moab]

Avalanches are nice vehicles. Considered getting one but got the Silverado instead.

Now that GM has discontinued them, their costs will probably go up.

 

[Tractordoll]

I've owned both an H3T and an avalanche, and the only place where the avalanche was nicer was the back cover and it was softer riding on the road. I still think the T is better after all this time.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Portager]

So which do you think will have better resale in a few years?

Personally, I don't plan to ever sell my T so it doesn't matter to me, but I think the difference in resale value will only increase. An H3T Alpha will tow 5,900 lbs, so it could tow quads also.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

... a point of correction, though. Unspeakable would be trading the T for a Jeep or Toyota.... this is merely trying to find the configuration that's right for you. I gave you grief, but keep in mind, I own a H3, a 4x4 lifted diesel Chevy truck, and a 75 Corvette - so rather than choose, I simply own one of each (where my 79 Fiat Spider and 50 Buick fit is a conversation for another day :giggle

 

[3Hummers]

Times and needs change. That said, I can't imagine the times or my needs changing to the point I would need or want an Avalanche. Just never been a fan. You have to make the best decision for you and what you have going on though.

 

[RamRod]

My pops has an Avy... its not a good tow vehicle, if I were to step out of the T I wouldn't be looking at that "truck" at all unless it was the 2500 edition. The 1500 has coil springs in the rear and doesn't tow worth $h!t..... my T and my dad's Avy ('06) are pretty much the same length and height...

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Times and needs change. That said, I can't imagine the times or my needs changing to the point I would need or want an Avalanche. Just never been a fan. You have to make the best decision for you and what you have going on though.

solid axle swap and 40s make them look pretty good, IMO (the 2nd gen, not the 1st plastic one)

 

[skeptic]

... a point of correction, though. Unspeakable would be trading the T for a Jeep or Toyota.... this is merely trying to find the configuration that's right for you. I gave you grief, but keep in mind, I own a H3, a 4x4 lifted diesel Chevy truck, and a 75 Corvette - so rather than choose, I simply own one of each (where my 79 Fiat Spider and 50 Buick fit is a conversation for another day :giggle

Well, I'm a Jeep fan - owned and wheeled a number of them but switched to an H3. No question, I'd rather have an H3 Alpha over any Jeep ever made. I traded a Silverado for the Avalanche, which became the wife's DD. Then traded a lifted Cherokee for an H3. When the wife changed jobs and her commute went from ~15 miles to ~90 miles round trip, she wanted to trade the Avalanche for a car - at that point I traded the H3 for an H3T as I want/need a truck. I also have a Corvette ('81) in the garage. I'm not loyal to any particular brand, but I do tend to prefer GM, Jeep, and Subaru.

The two biggest issues with me getting an H3T Alpha are:
1) I just can't find one locally. I've talked to local dealerships and have been told they just are not available, haven't seen one cross their lot in months if not longer. I'm even on an "if one ever shows up on the lot" call list. I'm just not willing to make a deal on a truck hundreds of miles away. I have a couple very specific requirements, mainly that it has the offroad package (I simply will not buy an H3 or H3T without lockers). I know I'm picky, and even without lockers it would out-wheel a rear auto-locker Avalanche, but I'm not going to spend $25k-$35k on an H3T Alpha that is ALMOST what I want.

2) For good and for bad, H3s and H3Ts hold their value well, and there seems to be a pretty big premium for the Alpha - deservedly so. I'm a bit of a cheap-skate, although I like to think of it in terms of "bang for the buck". If you want a truck that can be wheeled hard, I don't think there is a better bang for the buck than an H3T Alpha. If you don't do real wheeling and can get away with milder "any 4x4 truck or suv can make it" trails OR you are willing to build up a truck then other options start making more sense. This is where I'm finding myself lately - I don't get to do "real" wheeling very often, the people I normally hang out with are the "let's go camping and rent 4-wheelers" types not "let's climb some rocks in our truck/suv" type. Even my wife who likes to go camping and occasionally goes wheeling with me has let it be known that she would prefer ATV/UTV trips to wheeling.


I'm completely not worried about towing a couple 4-wheelers behind an Avalanche. I believe the lowest tow rating out of all the various Avy years and options is 7k lbs. A trailer with a couple 4-wheelers is what 2,000 lbs? I know the comment was based on the design, not the rated towing capacity, but for what I might eventually tow it's not a concern to me.

I will not be doing a SAS and throwing on 40" tires. At least not right now. :giggle: When you get into that kind of modding, it almost wouldn't make a difference between starting with an H3T or Avalanche. Offroad capability is whatever you build into it.

Don't get me wrong, all else being equal I'd rather have an H3T Alpha. It's just that everything else isn't equal and now I'm weighing the pros and cons. About all I've decided on is I want a v8.

 

[Portager]

Sounds to me like an H3T Alpha will meet all you're requirements, you'll just have to pay a little more,wait longer and drive a little further to get it. If it were me, I'd wait until I found what I really wanted even if I had to drive a 1,000 miles to get it. Besides, I'd be looking for one in the sun belt where they don't salt the roads. Here in So Cal rust is very uncommon unless you live within 5 miles of the beach.

 

[skeptic]

Sounds to me like an H3T Alpha will meet all you're requirements, you'll just have to pay a little more,wait longer and drive a little further to get it. If it were me, I'd wait until I found what I really wanted even if I had to drive a 1,000 miles to get it. Besides, I'd be looking for one in the sun belt where they don't salt the roads. Here in So Cal rust is very uncommon unless you live within 5 miles of the beach.

Agreed, an H3T would meet my requirements. My wife greatly prefers Avalanches, both as a passenger and when she occasionally has to drive my truck, but that's only a minor factor in my decision making. I prefer the H3T, but I also like the Avalanche and wouldn't be unhappy in one. Between work and other things, my schedule makes it very difficult to get out of town to buy a car. I might be able to work something out within a couple hundred miles if I could get there and back on a weekend, but even then I only have one or two weekends free a month. Ultimately I'd rather have an Alpha T, but price and availability make the Avalanche seem the more practical option. I'm more undecided now than when I first started thinking about it all.

You guys are all making good valid arguments, it helps.

 

[skeptic]

After much going back and forth, pondering, what some could describe as soul searching, I have decided to expand my search criteria. I have not ruled out an Avalanche, but instead I added the H3 Alpha to the list of possibilities. I'm a bit torn on the idea of losing a truck bed. It means I'll be paying for delivery of stuff from time to time and/or borrowing a truck from a friend. Upside is I'd again have an SUV in-cabin cargo area and get to stick with the H3/H3T line. I may even be ok with an '08 - lose the front locker, but I'd save a few bucks and Alphas are hard enough to come by as it is.

As strange as it may sound, deciding to include H3 Alpha is a bit of a relief. Once I got past the set-in-stone requirement for a truck bed, an H3 Alpha is quickly becoming my first choice.

 

[f5moab]

Well, if you ever decide on a NEW GM vehicle, let me know. I can get you a supplier's discount price that might, in some cases, knock off a few thousand.

 

[Happy Hummer]

I guess the search continues...no rush! Taking time to meditate on which situation is right for a person is a great choice.I've been doing some soul searching and wondering if it might be time to get a 2500/3500 style 4x4. I was at the Labor day car show in Ktown again this year and saw some nice old M37's form the 50's-60's.Bucky and I talked it over and there just to old to rely for the biz...lol!Chris

 

[Hans3T]

I thought about trading the Hummer in on a newer Jeep and walking away with cash, but I just couldn't do it. Hummer really is part of my DNA now. I'm just bummed I'll never be able to walk into a quonset hut and but an Hx...that is worst part about loyalty to a discontinued brand.

Good luck in your hunt!

Sent with Tapacrack

 

[Portager]

I share your grief over the demise of the H4. I would have loved to pull up along side a Heep in an H4.

I'm glad you decided to stay in a Hummer. Maybe it wouldn't bother you, but every time I climbed into an Avalanche it would remind me that I settled for less that I wanted and it would bug me. I own a 2006 Civic GX that runs on CNG. I bought it to be my daily driver. It is very cheap to operate (34 mpg and $2 per equivalent gallon "gas") and I get to take the HOV lane which saves me time, but I hate driving that car. My other cars are a Cadillac SRX and a Hummer H3T but I drive the Civic every day because $12 to $16 per day on gas. I like saving the money but I hate driving that Civic.

 

[skeptic]

I share your grief over the demise of the H4. I would have loved to pull up along side a Heep in an H4.

I'm glad you decided to stay in a Hummer. Maybe it wouldn't bother you, but every time I climbed into an Avalanche it would remind me that I settled for less that I wanted and it would bug me. I own a 2006 Civic GX that runs on CNG. I bought it to be my daily driver. It is very cheap to operate (34 mpg and $2 per equivalent gallon "gas") and I get to take the HOV lane which saves me time, but I hate driving that car. My other cars are a Cadillac SRX and a Hummer H3T but I drive the Civic every day because $12 to $16 per day on gas. I like saving the money but I hate driving that Civic.

I know what you are saying, but here is the thing. I really like Avalanches, we used to have one. They are nicer to drive around town and much nicer for long trips. What they lack is the offroad ability of a Hummer and an un-quantifiable personality and feel of an H3/H3T. Probably the biggest draw to the Avalanche is the wide array of options. Get something new or almost new in the $30k-$40k range, or save a ton of money and pick up an '03-'06 for under $15k, or something in-between. I have not completely ruled out an Avalanche, but it's now on the back-burner.

For now I'm going to concentrate on finding an H3 Alpha w/offroad package. I may "settle" for not exactly what I want by going with an '08 if I find the right one before an '09/'10. I'd like the front locker, and occasionally use mine, but I'm ok with rear locker only.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I know what you are saying, but here is the thing. I really like Avalanches, we used to have one. They are nicer to drive around town and much nicer for long trips. What they lack is the offroad ability of a Hummer and an un-quantifiable personality and feel of an H3/H3T. Probably the biggest draw to the Avalanche is the wide array of options. Get something new or almost new in the $30k-$40k range, or save a ton of money and pick up an '03-'06 for under $15k, or something in-between. I have not completely ruled out an Avalanche, but it's now on the back-burner.

For now I'm going to concentrate on finding an H3 Alpha w/offroad package. I may "settle" for not exactly what I want by going with an '08 if I find the right one before an '09/'10. I'd like the front locker, and occasionally use mine, but I'm ok with rear locker only.

I've said it before - and this is simply my opinion - I'm on my 2nd Adventure package H3; when I buy my next one (yes, I love them), I'll find a luxury package Alpha one with the biggest hoops I can find. Then I'll remove the bling, put a 4:1 case in (probably an atlas), put a detroit or similar rear locker, and ARB air front locker and the rest of my normal modifications... seriously, when I retire this one, it'll look awesome; but it will be used up because I use (not abuse) my 4x4s as 4x4s... and offroad is tough on cars - check out a subbie that's been wheeled for verification of what happens
Best part, is you'll save money over an alpha.... I was just floored, out of curiosity I looked at a few Alphas; they started at 28,000 and ran to nearly 40k (for a perfect, 10k mile one)... the Lux package H3s, were easily 10k less money - and for that savings your could up-armor and up-locker a lux and have a better (IMO) package...

plus, you'd take another Hummer from the ballers - and that would be a noble-peace-prize good thing.

 

[skeptic]

I've said it before - and this is simply my opinion - I'm on my 2nd Adventure package H3; when I buy my next one (yes, I love them), I'll find a luxury package Alpha one with the biggest hoops I can find. Then I'll remove the bling, put a 4:1 case in (probably an atlas), put a detroit or similar rear locker, and ARB air front locker and the rest of my normal modifications... seriously, when I retire this one, it'll look awesome; but it will be used up because I use (not abuse) my 4x4s as 4x4s... and offroad is tough on cars - check out a subbie that's been wheeled for verification of what happens
Best part, is you'll save money over an alpha.... I was just floored, out of curiosity I looked at a few Alphas; they started at 28,000 and ran to nearly 40k (for a perfect, 10k mile one)... the Lux package H3s, were easily 10k less money - and for that savings your could up-armor and up-locker a lux and have a better (IMO) package...

plus, you'd take another Hummer from the ballers - and that would be a noble-peace-prize good thing.

I'm confused.. Did you say Alpha when you meant offroad package (Adventure package in non-Alpha terms) a couple times? For sure, no question, if I get another H3/H3T it will be an Alpha for the V8. I also want the lockers and 4:1 TC, but I suppose that could be added later if I just can't find an Alpha+offroad package. The rest of the bling, leather, etc. I don't really care about and in fact I strongly prefer NOT to have the in-dash nav system.

 

[f5moab]

I'm confused.. Did you say Alpha when you meant offroad package (Adventure package in non-Alpha terms) a couple times? For sure, no question, if I get another H3/H3T it will be an Alpha for the V8. I also want the lockers and 4:1 TC, but I suppose that could be added later if I just can't find an Alpha+offroad package. The rest of the bling, leather, etc. I don't really care about and in fact I strongly prefer NOT to have the in-dash nav system.

You aren't the only one who is confused. :giggle: