2008 Hummer H3 review
19 Dec, 2007
94 Comments 
Hummer H3 Gallery (City)
- Hummer H3 Review City
- Hummer H3 Review Off-road
- Hummer H3 Gallery (City)
- Hummer H3 Gallery (Off-road)
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (59 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (28 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (38 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (51 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (40 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (8 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (12 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (37 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (55 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (42 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (2 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (53 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (19 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (20 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (25 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (54 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (9 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (14 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (39 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (26 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (10 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (45 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (43 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (18 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (13 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (24 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (6 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (63 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (33 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (29 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (58 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (22 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (49 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (61 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (1 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (32 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (27 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (56 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (36 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (17 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (57 of 63).jpg")
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (31 of 63).jpg")
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Location: Home / Hummer, Behind the Wheel / ...
Rate Post: 
(23 votes, average: 3.39 out of 5)
Loading ...
-
Print it:
December 19th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I can’t believe you coped abuse for driving an Aston and Lambo, people are just being jealous a-holes. The Aston has a smaller engine than the Commodore V8, it’s not like it is a big car either, some people!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Great article and awesome pics!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Agree with Casey but I don’t think I would pimp my pride and get one.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I wanted one of these after I read the last review here, went to go put my order in and was told I’d have to wait another 2 months! No thanks.
Good thing I waited too, I want the V8!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Love it in yellow. Black looks good too.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
The reason WHY THIS Hummer isn’t that bad environmentally is that it trades off poor environmental credentials for SLUG LIKE performance.
A Pajero would outrun it anyday, as far as I can tell.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
I’d rather be seen in this than a Pajero anyday.
I bet the fools that egged the car were driving an 80s Nissan pulsar that put out 10x as much poluttion because they hadn’t serviced it in 2 years.
Was it reported to the police? I can’t stand people egging cars.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I pick up my H3 on friday and yes it will be my day to day car.
I have a HR licence so i dont think i will have any trouble with it at all.
But if idiots are throwing eggs and being wankers destroying other peoples property i will be very careful where i take it.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Abuse for driving an Aston? Just shoot them.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I just don’t know how you could hand over $50K for something that has leaf suspension.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Andrew did you read that out of the November edition WHEELS Mag. And saying you are wrong, your right.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
I meant to say that the H3 hummer does have leaf suspension
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
lol nice pics at uq :P
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
But can anybody can tell me a better production made 4×4 on the market under 70k.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
An all time review! You guys are the road test kings!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Yep Duck…..
Take your pick……..
Discovery
Landcruiser
Patrol
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Hey Duck ……of course it has leaf springs,it comes from the land of leaf springs!!!hahaha
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
BM,
The Lancruiser
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Andrew, (no im not talking to myself)
i dont know how people could go for such a ute/load carrying vehicle without leafs.
Cough(commy ute)Cough
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Hey Bavarrian Missile,
Take your pick put in order for favourite(1st) to (least favourite)5th……..
Lexus LX470
Range Rover Sport
Mercedes-Benz GL Class
Porsche Cayenne
Volkswagen Toureg
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
You went to a uni to take pictures? No wonder you got egged :P
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Can’t stand these. Huge glitzy chrome grille, boxy no-brainer styling, tonnes of cheap black plastic everywhere and technologically inferior to it’s rivals.
It’s the bling factor that sells this car. I didn’t mind the H2, but this? Yuck.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Yep…….Landcruiser…….! Have had 2 …..brilliant 4×4s.
But lets not start that argument again!
MMM……Favorite from that list?? Wheres the X5s/X6s, BMW they are better than the Mercs off road!
Range Rover
VW
More expensive VW
Expensive Toyota
Merc
Only if I had to pick…….an expensive off roader!
Have you seen the GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY Duck????
No no no no……..not the one with a 57 magnum in it ,Top Gear in America. Clarkson tests some USA heavy 4×4s against the Range Rover……very funny to watch! Sure its on You tube if you look!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
OK, BMW X5 or the VW Toureg
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Correct me people if i am wrong!
Best to worst 4WD
1. Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series
2. LandRover Discovery 3
3. Nissan Patrol
4. Mitsu Pajero
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
It might be cheap and stuffed full of equipment, but the quality isn’t too hot, the ergonomics are pretty terrible, you’ll get tons of hate and worse still the vehicle can’t move at any reasonable pace…
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
What a BIG lump of crap, clogging up the roads, isn’t there enough semi trucks driving around the highways and streets..
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
VW…..Duck
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Photos were taken at UQ on the weekend, the yellow car was not the one egged, it was the grey luxury variant (photos currently being added to gallery)
As for the criticism of this car, let me tell you guys I was just like you! I was not a big fan of the hummer, if you read some of the earlier posts on the car I bagged it pretty hard, but once u get in it and drive it around for a bit you get the point of it.
Sure its got half the sophistication of its fellow SUVs, but as I said, go take one for a test drive, its sheer coolness will amaze you. It truly is a great headturner and thats what you’re buying! And if Karl’s off-road review and Anthony’s first-steer doesn’t convince you this thing is an off-road king, nothing will!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Greg - you’re not listening mate. Its smaller than LandCruiser!! You seem to be bashing the Hummer because you probably don’t like Bush.
Can I ask what you drive - and please answer truthfully
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
MMMMM,interesting Alborz,I guess they still have a lot to prove though! Time will tell!
If they can make their range as good as this one maybe the mining companies in Australia may look at them again as a trial run against the ever reliable Cruiser!That would be a big ask though!! Off road king…..lets see !
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
*moderated* - no personal insults! First and final warning
BAVARIAN MISSILE,
There is nothing wrong with the H3 its emissions are standard across the board,and don’t go giving Alborz crap he’s drivin one of these things HAVE YOU????.
He’s giving his opinion like all australians are allowed to do,so let him do that.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Bavarian, I have no idea if it will be reliable, you can never tell when you road test a new car, and Hummer have just come here so its hard to say.
We are planning a proper 4WD test next year with the Hummer included against the likes of the LandCruiser etc. That should be fun!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Matto …….mate! I guess no I haven’t but yes as I know and respect Alborzs and the rest of the team on this site unlike you ………..I am able to voice my PERSONAL opinion too,maybe you may want to think about that the next time you come on insulting people!
I could be stronger but I have a higher IQ than room temperature!
You have had a warning remember!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Cheers Alborz……..we will look forward to the test!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
As I said, the Hummer is one of those hate it or love it cars, there are plenty of people that love it and plenty that hate it, and these are the sort of cars I like :)
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I don’t think there is anything wrong with the H3. And it’s not that big, it’s the H2 that’s the giant.
Hope that 4WD test is going to have alot of cars in it and a rough test to show how good a 4WD should be off road!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
I drive a real 4X4 a Suzuki Grand Vitara with an actual low range gear shift, I love the bush and have tackled some steep undulating country, places where the Hummer would have to shy away, I have posted in past about how clumzy and impractical the hummer is and trying to compare a proper 4×4 against a city SUV wannabe, bling king, ego tripping, lump of junk, which has no moral standing or claim to fame but loser status.
The Hummer is not much smaller than a Landcruiser, so don’t talk it up too much, stop eating macdonalds because the Hummer will have a super size me effect whether you like it or not, did I mention American transmitted ego…
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Greg, the Hummer also has an actual low range gear shift too, the Adventure model comes with a fully locking electronic rear differential and heavy duty two-speed transfer case with a super low range ratio of 4.03:1.
Trust me, I have also driven the grand vitara - it is a great car in all respects, but the Hummer is the better off-roader!
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
I hate the arrogance that is associated with the Hummer.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Alborz, you said that the hummer is a bit low on hieght and may need modifying with a lift kit, I can assure you from professional set up I have had my suzuki fully loaded with gear and still tackled some very steep hills with deep ruts and gullys just looking at the photos of your 4WD test shows me you encounted only medium terrain. (did you fully load up the hummer with gear)
I can understand in standard showroom condition the hummer would have a slight upperhand, as for my suzuki it needed a lift, but like I said a professional set up and the size comparison may hinder the likes of a hummer in real tight bush, can you agree. I live near the high country and have been to some fantastic places including craigs hut which was burnt down last year hopefully rebuilt next year, anyway to sum in a modified world, I would prefer a shorter wheel base for many reasons and the Hummer is just a little large for serious 4 Wheel Driving and also the reliability department will tell in time.
(Report)
December 19th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
I hate the arrogance of the Hummer critics. The Hummer is a car, it has no emotion. Fortunately we still have freedom of choice in this country, at least in regard to what vehicle we buy. If someone wants to buy a 200 series juggernaut and drive around the suburbs, it’s nobody’s business to criticise. You don’t hear 4wd drivers criticising people who buy a Smart or a Micra, do you.
So for those of you that want to tell me what I can and can’t buy, shut the hell up and go hug your trees or whatever gives you your jollies..
The H3 is definately a polariser, which really shows up ignorant people’s ignorance. The critics blast its size, when it is not big at all, they blast its origin, when that is irrelevant, and some say the Grand Vitara is a better off-roader than the H3 - now I like the Vitara, but to suggest that it’s somehow better off road shows absolute ignorance.
The only reason I don’t rush out and buy the adventure pack today is because for me the product offering is flawed -
1) It has an engine that drinks like a sailor on shore leave when you press on a bit.
2) It has only a 4 speed auto, which is a bullet proof one, but 4 ratios is inadequate for a moderate weight vehicle with no torque to speak of below 4000 rpm. Who the hell wants to run their engine at those revs to get mobile?
3) There’s no diesel. I know, I know, the Yanks don’t buy diesels due to their early bad experiences with them, but they have to grow up and use them.
So, we wait for the US product to mature to the level required for International markets. Give it to the boys at Holden to tweak it over - after all, 5 or 6 years ago they stuffed the V8 into the Jackaroo and raced it in Aust Safari with great results :)
(Report)
December 20th, 2007 at 12:02 am
I think this car is cool, I mean, it’s so unique. I don’t want to drive one of so many Ford SUVs on the streets..they are boring!
Yeah true it drinks fuel, but anyone rich enough to spend money on this sort of car shouldn’t be worried too much about the fuel bills right? I mean, some people still drive V8 Commodores…which are just as thirsty.
(Report)
December 20th, 2007 at 8:41 am
looks tough!! but could i own one no!! to impractical and thirsty, give me new 3.6l tribeca anyday, better built,safer,lighter with more power,better on fuel,more practical with a seven seat option and a lot less likely to get egged lol,especially with better design 2008 front!
(Report)
December 20th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Not my cup of tea, but I have seen Glenn McGrath driving around “The Shire” in one.
This car’s main claim to fame is image. It doesn’t matter what it can do on or off the road, it’s about the macho’esque image.
(Report)
December 20th, 2007 at 10:15 am
What a tacky, cheap, mediocre piece of rubbish. Overpriced, overweight, Shit interior, trashy wheels, ancient engines, and washy dunamics. Where, for instance, is the diesel? Typical American piece of junk that is completely irrelevant when there are BMW X3s, LandRover Freelanders and Volvo XC90 V8’s around. The only people who would buy this are either wankers, or loosers incredibly desperate for attention, no matter how they achieve it…
(Report)
December 20th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
pfttt i want this!!!
those who critize it are usually only fuddy duddys who are sickened by the fact that a rapper can make more money in a day than they make in a life time!!!
haha- yes it looks wannabe, and it does not have the standard essentials a car of this price doesnt have but you dont buy a sports to tour with a family of 5 or a beetle to go off-roading!
this jeep has one purpose- to be extremly pimpish for a lack of a better word. The brand has always associated with over the top design and sheer arrogance and i LOVE IT!
am going to wait a year to see if the V8 model is going to come out!
(Report)
December 21st, 2007 at 6:07 am
Hey cool it fans. Its just another yanky gas guzzler. My money is with the LR3. sensible size, decent diesel, and good performance. Reliability could be a problem.
(Report)
December 21st, 2007 at 6:37 am
Got it in spades Luke Its overpriced, underpowered, poorly built, it acts like a startled dear every time it comes across a corner & ………..she sucks juice like jenna jamieson.
It looks good…….if your a 10 year old kid.
but the worst thing about it is not the car. Its the people who buy them.
(Report)
December 21st, 2007 at 8:22 am
Good wite up, esp. the 4×4 portion.
Amazing what traction control has done off-road!
Bit like stability controm on-road i suppose
Needs a high-tech diesel engine though.
Still rather a Tdi Prado Grande with its bog stock 1800km range and advanced traction off road control.
Cheers
F-0
(Report)
December 21st, 2007 at 8:41 am
Drove one of these babies last night. Was quite suprised at how easy it was to drive. This a a large car i would be quite happy to live with day to day.
(Report)
December 21st, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Wow! The vitriol and hatred some people can conjure up over a car…unbelievable. I used to be pretty disparaging about sports car drivers - needing the extension for their tiny pinkies. These days I’m more about each to their own.
I wonder also whether any of the most vocal critics here actually READ the above review (or just looked at the pictures). It was a fantastic balanced review, the best one so far, pointing out good points and bad, and certainly dispelled most of the myths about size and fuel consumption (comparatively anyway).
Of course it will have its shortcomings! What car doesn’t? There simply isn’t a car in existence that is all things to all people. It comes down to needs and preferences.
Comparing fit out and features to luxury euro cars like BMW and volvo, VW, Disco 3 is ridiculus. These cars cost $20-50K more.
And anybody who thinks they can buy a brand new Land Cruiser 200, Nissan Patrol, or Mitsu Pajero for under $70K clearly hasn’t been down to the dealer to talk real turkey. Prado and Pathfinders are comparable but still more exy. Even the base models, once you add on stamp duty, dealer delivery, registration etc, the price heads north. Go up and model or start adding some fruit and phew, it really starts to hurt the hip pocket.
I ordered an auto base model H3 in October (Feb delivery), with roof racks, side-steps and towbar. So from a low advertised price of $51K I ended up shelling out $64 K driveaway. And I’ll probably go straight down to West Side Audio to install a decent touch screen Ipod compatible, DVD playing stereo system with Reversing camera/sensors (an extra $2K).
Poser, W**ker, Morally bankrupt, Egotistical, environmental philistine, celebrity pretender?? I don’t regards myself as any of those things (maybe the w**ker - I am married after all). I’ve driven very modestly over the years and it’s time for a treat. I just wanted a car with a bit of bold character if I was to spend $60K. I don’t reckon that’s too much to ask of life.
I don’t really give a rats about what some armchair wowsers on a blog write about me, but certainly it is a concern in hindsight that there are so many petty minded ignorant people that would be prepared to egg or scratch the Hummer in the carpark because of such entrenched stupid mindsets.
Time will tell I suppose. Certainly February can’t come soon enough.
(Report)
December 21st, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Steph
64k for a 54k car I smell wood duck. or is that turkey?
(Report)
December 21st, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Stef. you forget that Japan 4WD’s are proof they are better quality especially for Australian roads, maybe over time the hummer may keep up with pajeros, landcruisers, etc, most mindsets commenting in this forum have common sense and wouldn’t venture down American Hummer ego way of thinking.. if you can afford to pay $60,000 drive away surely you can spend an extra $10,000 for a kitted out pagero with way more user friendly ergonomics and technology included..
(Report)
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
If I was looking for a serious Off Roader; and Not a Toorak Tractor..
I’d go for either a Bowler [as seen on Top Gear] or a Bush Ranger. Both are based on a Range Rover with an enhanced V8 and independent suspension and both have very little overhang; which means less chance of getting stuck in a narrow ravine or gully with all 4 wheels in mid air
(Report)
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Top review Karl!
(Report)
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Slummer Hummer fits Holden’s brand image just like throw away Daewoos. While rebadge king GMHoldenDaewoo has low resale, unsafe, unreliable and cheap, this Hummer H3 is big, thirsty, poorly built, inefficient, and American……… 1 star rating
(Report)
December 24th, 2007 at 12:31 am
This cars is simply fantastic.
Head turner at 55k, unbelievable .
(Report)
December 24th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
You would have to pay me to own that !
..for the all the future maintenance, break-downs and part replacements post warranty time - I can just imagine the quality.
I wont say what the “yanks can do” with whis one, but its got something to do with blocking the sun out …
(Report)
December 26th, 2007 at 5:43 am
BMW X5 cannot be compared to the Hummer.
The Hummer is a reasonably decent off-road vehicle. The X5 is not.
However, the Hummer is easily beaten by the less showy 4WDs like Discovery, Landcruiser, or Patrol.
But let’s not consider the “softroaders” like the X5, CRV, or RAV4!
(Report)
December 26th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Im with you John!
(Report)
December 26th, 2007 at 10:25 am
JOHN…spot on
(Report)
December 30th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I really don’t have a problem with it as long as it stays out of the city (same goes for anything else that is big, slow, can’t corner and has door handles the same height as my car’s roof). Really though if you want a boxy 4WD with a bit of bling that is more than decent off road, then surely a Mercedes AMG G55 would be the way to go?
493hp @ 6,100 rpm
516 lb-ft @ 2,800 – 4,500 rpm
(Report)
December 30th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Great review, pity about some of the comments - says more about the writers than the vehicle…. I’ve put over 50,000Km on my 2006 H3 (an aussie living in the Mid East), and I’d have to say it’s one of the best all round 4wds I’ve ever driven. The build quality, reliability etc is = to the Tojo’s / mazda’s /Pajeros etc I’ve owned / driven, and the handling is far superior (on and off road). Yep - the lack of power is a pain in the butt, but hey - you have to learn to drive it smart. I do approx 60% highway / town (at a comfortable >120 km/hr) no problems and the rest in Dunes / wadis. In short I hated it at first sight (cast off from my wife) but love it now. Never missed a beat, never got me stuck and like Karl says, learn to trust it offroad and it won’t see you wrong.
Now - i won’t bore you with the disasterous experiences I’ve had with Discos / RR - suffice to say that cheap as they are here, and as much as I love them - I’ll never own another one due to reliability. The misses replaced the H3 with the 2007 5.7 Jeep Commander - nice engine pity about everything else….
(Report)
December 30th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Interesting Nic……I guess with more reports on the reliability side like yours we may show a little more respect for it! Its just a pity it lacks in looks! Its the whole American thing that puts many off I think!They need to grow up!
(Report)
January 1st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
hi all happy new year wher can u get a hummer h3 2008 for $51k please help. putt123@hotmail.com
(Report)
January 1st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Nic,
Now that’s what I call great constructive comments! Certainly amongst some of the negative drivel floating around here. Along with the review it makes stopping here worthwhile.
Really encouraging for me as a purchaser who wants to go on and off road. Thanks.
Re the lack of power, I’ve driven heaps of Tojos (Diesel and Petrol) on mine sites and they don’t exactly set the road on fire either. But I’ve heard the new 200 Series V8 diesel is sensational - 680 Nm at 2000rpm. Perhaps when I’ve grown up I’ll get one of them eh…they say it’s a real missile.
David,
Given the demand, you’ll probably have to wait till July for your 2008 H3. They just haven’t got the inventory in country yet. So there’s not much room for negotiating as a result.
Go to the HummerAustralia.com.au site to find a dealer. There’s is only one here in Perth, but probably a couple in the bigger capitals.
Like I said above, the $51K is a real furphy. Once you add dealer delivery, stamp duty and registration you’ll be heading towards $60K. Add any extras and you might need another 4 or 5K. Good luck.
(Report)
January 1st, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Thanks Gents - one advantage of this part of the world is cheap cars and cheap petrol. you can own anything (mostly) that you can dream about. I toyed with (and drove) the X5 (rejected for absurd cost of service), Merc M55 (nice but too many potholes here), G Wagen (too expensive, but ultimately brilliant), and the plethora of other yank tanks. The Hummer was chosen by the misses on looks alone (I know that’s not a good ad), and I was very skeptical. Having said that at AUD49,000 on road (fully optioned - the only option you get here) - it was acceptable, plus I get good service from the Dealer. We have insane 5000km service intervals here (hence importance of Dealer relationships), but given the conditions, it may be warranted (as a money making venture)
I’m now hanging out for the H3 Alpha - I think that will put to rest the power problems…. For those concerned about the lack of power in a H3 - there’s a good range of aftermarket performance bits - but the hit in fuel consumption may hurt!
For those calling H3 drivers ‘posers’etc - I have to say that for me, the grin factor as an owner driver is far better than your average Tojo - 18months on and I’m still grinning like a kid at xmas!
(Report)
January 1st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
thanks you stef as long as the 4×4 is worth it monny comes and gows..
(Report)
January 9th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I have stated it on all the other blogs sites about the Hummer - I cant see what all the negative fuss is about. Ive had mine since October and love it. I havent found it underpowered at all, and while its never going to drag a sedan off the at the lights, it is perfectly adequate for normal city driving and as Nic stated, cruises on the highway at 120 comfortably.
I have had mine off road quite a few times and it has proven itself extremely competent. Just this week I was out with a new turbo Nissan Patrol and an older Landcruiser and both floundered on ascents the Hummer cruised up first time.
As for all the pinkos and greenies out there complaining about the environment and the fuel costs - when they start to carry on about gas guzzling 6.0 litre commodore utes and things like the AMG merc or the Aston in the same way the have been going on about the Hummer, I’ll think about getting a smart car.
The biggest disappointment about the vehicle so far has been the incompetence of Hummer Australia (not the dealers) their customer service and general attitude has been appallling and they know that demand has outstripped supply for the next year so they treat you like dirt.
For those of you waiting - hang in there - its worth it!!
(Report)
January 17th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I will be ordering mine ASAP. My local dealer has let me drive around in his a couple of times now and i love it!I definately like the looks of the H3 but thats not the only reason im buying one.Im on the beach in my 06 SR5 hilux most weekendsand and im not one of these guys thats affraid to take an expensive car offroad.My H3 will be out there ripping up the dunes.(I’ll probably be towing out vitara’s and pajero’s and the like)Its super smooth to drive and it handles the corners great.The interior is a great mix of the original hummer feel and plenty of modern accesories.The sound system is great,the seats are unbelievably comfortable and being elictric adjust and heated is also handy.Im resonably tall so vision is not a problem.The H3 steers perfectly and with ease. As for power,everyone keeps saying how underpowered it is and on paper it may be but to drive it feels no different in power to my 4L V6 hilux and for such a large car I am very impressed by that.There are a heap of aftermarket bits you can get to increase power if you need it but these things are fine how they are.I will be ordering the adventure model as I do a lot of dune driving and the electronic locking rear diff may come in handy.I watched a guy in his H3 pull out several other 4×4s that just couldnt move through the sand like the H3(maybe the H3s width was better for sand driving)I think all you critics should stop commenting on something you havnt even experienced yet.The people bagging the H3 probably havnt even driven one yet.I say if you havnt driven one,dont be bagging it.In my family we have had a Landrover discovery,Jeep Cheroke,Mitsubishi Pajero,Toyota 4Runner,Nissan Patrol,Landcruiser Sahara and Hilux SR5.The only ones that even come close to the hummers quality and ability are the Landcruiser Sahara and the Hilux SR5.
(Report)
January 18th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Stef,
clearly you havent looked at the price list for anything other than the hummer and the 200 series. most of the others can be had for far less than 70K!!!
Dealers in NSW were recently advertising pathfinders for under 50K drive away.
somehow i think your just trying to justify a very emotional decision with a poorly constructed argument.
(Report)
January 29th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
My mum over in Doha is apparantly going to get a H3. In red for some reason, lol, but a H3 none the less. Need big beefy SUVs over there apparantly because the roads aren’t a relatively save place like they are in Aus.
Good review, eggers should have their bottoms peeled with cheese graters and then add salt.
(Report)
February 5th, 2008 at 10:14 am
My partner and I ordered our H3 Adventure model a few weeks ago, picking it up on the 16th of this month. There are some good deals around - our final price ended up being $65,400 drive away for a manual Adventure with chrome tubular side steps, chrome cross bars, storm shield seat covers (we plan on getting it dirty), rubber cargo mat, tow pack and sunroof.
We took one on a 6 hour test drive and yes, although it lacks a bit in the power department, we were incredibly impressed with its handling ability. As we live in out South Aus outback, we’ll be plowing through a lot of sand, so the Adventure model immediately appealed to us.
As for the fuel consumption, my partner currently drives a VY SS ute that drinks far more than the Hummer did!
(Report)
February 16th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Hi Guys,
Yoohoo! Less than a fortnight to go! My H3 is on Aussie soil so the dealer tells me.
Thanks Big Pete, Danny, Lee_Bee and Adam for some more positive comments. We might even be gaining some ground on the whinging wowsers.
To Dlr1: Who said there weren’t cars available under 70K? Not me, I said Patherfinders were comparably priced to the Hummer together with Prados. And I do clearly remember all the Saturday mornings at the dealers talking prices. The brochures quote them in black and white.
Indeed, entry level ST petrol Pathies were advertised here in Perth for around $50K drive away. I test drove the ST-L Diesel(drive away book price $59K). A really excellent car that suited my needs. Logically I should’ve bought one. But after exhaustively deliberating, weighing and discussing excellently constructed arguments both logical and emotional from many sources,as you so noted, I ended up going H3 emotional on the advice of a good mate. It was the “grin factor” as Nic put it. Plus the better 4wd performance, which we need to get across the dunes to our favorite windsurfing spots.
But you’re right, no justifications required, poorly constructed or otherwise, I’m sticking with the emotions, like happiness, at my H3 purchase. Yeah!