Upgrade to Alpha.... to adventure package or no?

[SuperBuickGuy]

In any event, the general point is still valid. The price per mile difference for fuel is somewhere in the neighborhood of a dime or less meaning it will take 10,000+ miles to make up each $1k difference in purchase price.

it is - which is why there was a humorous avatar at the end of that statement.... I was commenting more about how you cause me grief with my wife than about the cost difference.

the H2 and H3 are different vehicles who perform differently - it'd be like running Johnson Valley in a H2 and a Georgia mud bog in a rock buggy... you can do it, but the experience will be tempered by using a less-than-perfect tool. Seriously, the H2 cannot haul as much as a greyhound bus - but they do get about the same mpgs....

One more comment.

I noticed that once I dropped to 13mpg...it seemed to stay there. No matter what. I'm now running 6"+ of lift, 37" tires, 5.13 gears, bumpers, full-time solid front axle, etc....and it STILL gets 13mpg. That's only slightly less than it got with the Rancho, 4.56s, and 35"s. So I guess you could call that a plateau...however awful it might seem. I have not checked but, it also probably gets the same mileage with my small trailer in tow.

I honestly think it's more a function of the fuel (alcohol in it) than it is about the vehicle. I get nearly 15 mpg when I run non-alcohol fuel, and high 11s when I'm running winter blends.

 

[skeptic]

Definitely a difference between winter blends and summer, 2-3 mpg and perhaps just placebo effect but it just feels smoother and a touch better throttle response with summer gas. However, tires can have a huge impact as well. My wife drives a Legacy, 45 mile commute each way. She has essentially stock tires for summer, and Blizzaks for winter which feel so much softer she calls them her marshmallow tires. Just switching between them is about 8 mpg difference.

 

[3rdH3]

After all of the replies, Airborne has even more options to consider. Whatever he decides he is at least getting a bunch of opinions. I would love to see someone who appreciates it grab up that gem of a CE he found. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hummer-H3-SU...t_19224wt_1068 Good Luck.

 

[skeptic]

I'm not about to trade in my H2 this quickly, nor would I buy a vehicle without seeing it in person and test driving it, but I want that CE!

 

[skeptic]

Ahem... Right around the corner. No mention if it has the offroad package and online photos don't show where the switches are, but since you seem open to adding the t-case and lockers later anyway:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...mmt=[AMGEN[H3[]][]]&listingId=369532099&Log=0

This has to be the cheapest Alpha I've ever seen locally, and low miles as well.

 

[Airborne]

Ahem... Right around the corner. No mention if it has the offroad package and online photos don't show where the switches are, but since you seem open to adding the t-case and lockers later anyway:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=84015&endYear=2015&modelCode1=H3&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2008&makeCode1=AMGEN&engineCodes=8CLDR&engineCode=8CLDR&searchRadius=50&mmt=%5BAMGEN%5BH3%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=369532099&Log=0

This has to be the cheapest Alpha I've ever seen locally, and low miles as well.

Jack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are the man! Lmao! I am literally 2 mins from there right now. Going to look at it tonight after work.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

After all of the replies, Airborne has even more options to consider. Whatever he decides he is at least getting a bunch of opinions. I would love to see someone who appreciates it grab up that gem of a CE he found. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hummer-H3-SU...t_19224wt_1068 Good Luck.

that would be the one I'd choose....


I like that cheapest ever... I paid $17,999 for my 08 Alpha with 86k miles 2 years ago.

 

[Airborne]

that would be the one I'd choose....


I like that cheapest ever... I paid $17,999 for my 08 Alpha with 86k miles 2 years ago.

Me too except it's out of state and $26k at a dealer. I wouldn't be total cost with travel and the dealer crap out the door for less that $28k. I just don't have the funds to swing that.
That would be my dream starter rig though. Any rich patriots want to make a dream for a Vet come true?!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Me too except it's out of state and $26k at a dealer. I wouldn't be total cost with travel and the dealer crap out the door for less that $28k. I just don't have the funds to swing that.
That would be my dream starter rig though. Any rich patriots want to make a dream for a Vet come true?!

I shipped at BMW 325xi wagon from North Carolina to Washington - cost $1100; had a dealer in NC inspect it ($100). Honestly, I'd rather buy from a dealer, it's more likely they're not going to lie like a Craigslist seller.

With that said, you never know - email them and see where they're at with the price and how much to get a 3rd party inspection... they might support our troops too.

 

[Bigunit]

Similar story. I bought our 09 H3 CE sight unseen from a dealer in PA $1,100 to ship to AZ. $100 for another dealer to inspect it. Wired the money. It arrived in mint condition, as advertised. Easiest car purchase to date.

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[Airborne]

Gentlemen I appreciate all the replies, knowledge, and support. I will be contacting them today. I tried yesterday but the sales staff wasn't in yet. If they are willing to wiggle on the price I will have to find some way to make this happen.

 

[Bigunit]

Good luck!

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[3Hummers]

Odds are if a Cadillac dealership didn't wholesale it off it is a nice vehicle.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Gentlemen I appreciate all the replies, knowledge, and support. I will be contacting them today. I tried yesterday but the sales staff wasn't in yet. If they are willing to wiggle on the price I will have to find some way to make this happen.

then you will be a lucky bastard and I'll have to snub you for a bit just to get even with you....

 

[Best4x4]

I can't believe how H3 prices keep climbing. I grabbed my Alpha with new tires, brakes, ARB Bumper, Warn Winch for 17.9K in darn near mint condition. Grabbed my 07 H3 with Adventure Package for 16.2K (took a while to hunt down one with red/black cloth seats and a sunroof), and now I see Alpha's from 22K to 29K and Adventure Package H3's from 18.9Kto 23K...

Glad I got mine when I did!!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I can't believe how H3 prices keep climbing. I grabbed my Alpha with new tires, brakes, ARB Bumper, Warn Winch for 17.9K in darn near mint condition. Grabbed my 07 H3 with Adventure Package for 16.2K (took a while to hunt down one with red/black cloth seats and a sunroof), and now I see Alpha's from 22K to 29K and Adventure Package H3's from 18.9Kto 23K...

Glad I got mine when I did!!

Irrational fear and media hype eventually dies

 

[Best4x4]

When gas was $$$ they were 14-15k all day long, then everyone finally figured out their minivan gets about the same MPG or something lol

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

When gas was $$$ they were 14-15k all day long, then everyone finally figured out their minivan gets about the same MPG or something lol

I call it taking their balls back from out of their wife's purse.

 

[Airborne]

So I am going to ask a question here... I have test driven a couple Alphas now. They have all been stock. Same amount of miles between 60-90k. My I5 will easily pull on them. Am I crazy or something?

There is a definite power increase from an Alpha over a stock I5, except maybe an I5 with an adventure package. My dad's drives great with the 4:10 gears and feels closer to an Alpha than a 4:56 geared I5 does. Am I missing something? Granted the I5 I have has every single bolt on you can do with them but I was hoping for more with the Alpha. I'm not naive and understand that the 5.3L with an intake, efan, exhaust, tune etc and similar bolt ons will have an increase in driveability and some hp gains. Is there any one else out there that might have both? I guess in short I was expecting a night and day difference and it's just not there, wondering if there are similar experiences...

 

[Bigunit]

I have both and would have to say there is a big power difference between the 2. Notice it most when you punch the gas and the Alpha responds and moves a lot quicker than the I5, IMO.


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[SuperBuickGuy]

I owned a I5 07 and now an Alpha - I agree with your viewpoint. Let's do math. the 4.10 gear is 10% (10.11% for those who are persnickety) higher than the 4.56 gear of the I5; the difference between the 5 and the 8 in hp is 242 to 300 hp. knock 10% off the 300 and you're at 270 hp.... barely an 18 hp difference between the two... but the I5 will do better off idle because it has a longer stroke... the problem with the 5 is once you're off idle, the v8 will run away from you - add a trailer and the only time you'll see him is the first gas stop (they get the same mpg towing, just the V8 is faster).

with that said, I'd love to compare a I5 with a turbo to the V8, I suspect it'd be faster (there's more to that because I have a friend who sets records with a turbo'd I5 in a 49 Chevy pickup at Bonneville)

of course, the problem with turboing the I5 is you'd have to change pistons and lower the compression along with put a more robust piston inside.... unlike the 5.3 which is a turbo away from hero and a head-swap away from OMG.

 

[3rdH3]

What SuperBuickGuy said. I have owned a stock 3.5, a tuned 3.7 and now a stock 5.3. In daily driving, there is little difference between the TUNED 3.7 and the 5.3. The difference is when you put them under stress. The 3.7 had a pcmofnc tune, AirDoc Intake, Magnaflow Catback with a K&N Filter and an Alpha Airbox intake tube. For my style of driving, I didn't have a problem with the performance of any of the three.

 

[Best4x4]

I have an 07 H3 with the 3.7L and an 08 Alpha with the 5.3L. While I truly enjoy driving them both, I find myself always smiling more when I'm driving the Alpha. It idles smoother, sounds better, and I think it works better with the 4L60E transmission. Not to mention it now runs cooler than my 3.7L with a 190 thermostat.

They're both good setup's but I prefer the V8 to the 3.7L. Thats why I drive the Alpha and my wife has an Adventure with the 3.7L.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I have an 07 H3 with the 3.7L and an 08 Alpha with the 5.3L. While I truly enjoy driving them both, I find myself always smiling more when I'm driving the Alpha. It idles smoother, sounds better, and I think it works better with the 4L60E transmission. Not to mention it now runs cooler than my 3.7L with a 190 thermostat.

They're both good setup's but I prefer the V8 to the 3.7L. Thats why I drive the Alpha and my wife has an Adventure with the 3.7L.

And you're the first guy to give his wife the lower-powered car.... rrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhttttttttttttttttttttt

 

[Airborne]

What SuperBuickGuy said. I have owned a stock 3.5, a tuned 3.7 and now a stock 5.3. In daily driving, there is little difference between the TUNED 3.7 and the 5.3. The difference is when you put them under stress. The 3.7 had a pcmofnc tune, AirDoc Intake, Magnaflow Catback with a K&N Filter and an Alpha Airbox intake tube. For my style of driving, I didn't have a problem with the performance of any of the three.

Ok those both make sense. I have yet to place the I5 under serious load after tuning. Towed once stock 3.7L and wanted to throw up after I tried going up a hill. There is no doubt more torque being output by the 5.3 so under load that will shine more than the tuned 3.7. I just wanted to compare notes with everyone to make sure I wasn't crazy. But the end goal is still the same: Nice DD/off road rig weighed down by armor, larger tires, and a higher stance that will still be able to tow. Which=V8 no question about it. Now a tuned and modified V8. Now we are talking!!!