A car is a car and they’re meant to be fun. The H3 looks like fun to me. I don’t care what the Greenies think about it, anyway, their cannabis addled brains are too affected with their ‘end of the world’ paranoia to be taken seriously.

I think I’ll buy a yellow one.

Marty

I also agree the L3 and the Wrangler Rubicon are both excellent off road vehicles but the L3 is too expensive and the Rubicon too basic with rotten on road ability. There isnt another Jeep available in Aust that will come close to the H3. There have been many reviews of the H3 both on-line and in some local 4WD publications that acknowledge its capabilities. Again your arguement that modified vehicles would eat it for breakfast is flawed – Im sure they could/would. The facts are in its standard form, it is extremely capable – supported by both review and personal experience. I see no arrogance in stating what I have witness first hand. I have taken my H3 places where we have had to recover a Landcruiser and a Patrol from the same party, all driven by experience people. I have also taken it places where cowboy yobs have there vehicle buried and look on in amazement but then I often suspect thats operator error and half the time a granny in a RAV4 could negotiate the obstacle.

For the record, I have no bling on mine!

Back to military vehicles, as you have failed to mention the Bushmaster, a far superior transport than Hummer for our troops including manufactured in Australia for tough conditions anywhere on the planet, pity not road registered for the public but I would love to crush an American Hummer with this beast, so lets look at some Bushmaster specs shall we…

Crew comfort and safety
Carrying capacity of up to ten fully equipped military personnel including commander and driver
Ample floor to roof height and generous cabin space accommodating 95th percentile males
Excellent visibility for driver and crew
Outstanding levels of integrated ballistic and mine blast protection for the crew
Advanced seating and safety harness designs
Passenger amenities include airconditioning and cooled water storage facilities.

High Manoeuvrability
Excellent cross-country mobility and handling characteristics
The Bushmaster was designed for the most daunting Australian terrains but is equally suitable in a range of environments and conditions such as highway, mud/snow and sand and emergency conditions.

Arvin Meritor all wheel drive independent suspension
Coil springs, wishbones and double acting hydraulic shock absorbers complete the suspension package with differential locks front, centre and rear.

Caterpillar six cylinder, turbocharged electronically controlled emission compliant diesel engine providing up to 330 hp (240 kW) and exceptional torque at low speeds
Choice of ZF or Allison automatic transmissions
A high cruising speed of more than 110 kph (66 mph)
Extended on road cruise range capacity – only requiring refuelling every 1000 kms (600 miles)
An optional central tyre inflation system that allows the driver to adjust tyre pressures in transit
An optional self recovery winch
Maximum ease of repair and maintenance with modular power pack
Variants of the Bushmaster include:
Troop transporter (standard variant)
Command and control
Ambulance
Direct fire support weapon
Combat engineer
Mortar.

Pete and Hummer H3 can eat my dust, Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi……

While the first generation “soft skin” military varient HMMWV did not offer the same protection against IEDs and mine attack that say an M113 might, survivability was still rated higher than an open jeep which they replaced in 1985. The later variants have been “up armoured” in response to the changes in modern warfare, to the point where they offer remote firing roof mounted 5.56 machine guns so the gunner stays in the vehilce. They have also been retro fitted with various armour packages decrease cabin penetration and improve survivability from IED attack , to the point where many lives have been saved by the vehicle.

As an ex serving member of the ADF my experience and first hand knowledge of these vehicles and the praise the US forces give them, coupled with the increasing supply to both the US military and the Allied nations of the world, suggest the HMMWV will be one of the most successful vehicle in military history. Harldly useless as you suggest.

In response to your suggestion the vehicle lacks credentials, I assume you mean off road ability. Again I ask – on what do you base your assumtion?? I researched the H3 thoroughly before purchasing one and fouynd they had been specifically designed with moderate to extreme off roading in mind – without sacrificing too much on road ability or comfort. They are rated capable of climbing 60 degrees, traversing 45 degrees, have the best apprach, departure and ramp over angles in their class, have the best water fording capabilities in their class as well as one of the best ground clearances and an engine designed to deliver low down torgue as required, coupled to one of the most up to date electronic transfer cases available.

I have been off road in mine many times since I bought it and have yet to find terain to trouble it. As I have previously stated, I have taken my H3 places where landcruisers and young tools in the jacked up Hi-Luxes have floundered. It out performed a brand new Nissan Patrol Turdo deisel just last week – all this in the base model!

Next time, do us all a favour and do a bit of research before making stupid statements designed to inflame an already unrealisticly overheated debate about what is nothing more than a very capable mid sized 4WD.