Any you guys ever owned an H1? What can you tell me? I have an itch for one and don't know if I can shake it or not. If I can't, I'll probably go for it. (No need telling me I don't need it. I already know that.)
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I loved my H1. The only drawback, aside from the obvious lack of creature comforts, was general maintenance.
What I would recommend is a S/C gas motor or N/A 6.5 Diesel (basically stay away from the 6.5 turbo diesel), and try to avoid the CTIS (the geared hubs become pressurized with the CTIS which causes the seals to blow on a regular basis and is a pain in the ass).
Go with the gas motor, pull it and replace it with a 502. :thumb: Or at least that's what I'm thinking. I've got a killer deal on one to be used as a SEMA vehicle so I might pick it up. Main issue with the turbo diesels is the #8 cylinder cracking.
Bottom line is they were designed to be regularly serviced by a fully stocked motor pool and the attendant staff. We had Hummer 502 (the relatively successful "Off-Road America" Baja racing team) here in Jax, and they serviced most of the H1's in FL and GA for quite a few years. I spent a long time talking to the guy, and like Rockstar says, maintenance is the bitch of owning one, and the reason I decided against it.
They're big, slow, powerful, and capable (if you offroad a lot), but they have many expensive parts, and they are designed with less-expensive parts which intentionally break early to protect the expensive parts. If you do the service completely by the book, every 30,000 miles you're tearing it down almost to the rolling chassis and inspecting everything.
I was ready to purchase one myself last fall but the quality and upkeep kept me from making a purchase. I still want one though. Rockstars 2 door is exactly what I wanted too. a 4 door open top is my second choice. a wagon is cool but i hear they have lots of rust problems.
Finding a good used one with low miles is tough too. Trying to resell is a nightmare as well.
If you do want one...have it inspected top to bottom by a tech who knows H1's
Maybe make a trip over to Camargo Cadillac in Kenwood and talk to them as well.
Also, if you find one local and you want a second pair of eyes to look it over...let me know.
here are some links to my threads on this topic...
Give him a call I'm sure he can answer all your questions as well as find whatever you are looking for at thousands less than most dealers I saw when I was researching.
I have a '95 gas powered wagon that I've owned since 1996. I've presently got about 115,000 miles on it. The truck requires a different mindset as it is not comfortable and not quick. Comfort in a vehicle has never been an issue for me and weighing 7400 pounds everyone seems to be able to excuse it's lack of quickness (0 to 60 in about 20 seconds).
Over the years it has required a few repairs but many parts are standard GM parts so they are cheap. You need to be able to do the work yourself or be well to do as folks seem to add a "Hummer Tax" when it comes to working on them.
Things I can recall going wrong with it
1. Needed a tranfer case replaced at about 80,000 miles. This underscores an important rul for ownership: if you drive it faster than 65 mph for any length of time you need to replace the transfer case oil as the heat generated will cook the oil an destroy the case. Since I was about 500 miles away from home I had a shop do it for me; I believe parts and labor was about $3000.
2. Starter motor died at a time I could not repair it (around 90,000 miles). Comically the repair shop sent a flatbed to pick it up: loading the Hummer on the truck caused the truck to lift it's fron tires into the air. Pulling the Hummer forward brought the front tires down but with very little weight on them the driver wisely chose not to drive it. Had to call in a Semi Wrecker Flatbed from a nearby town to haul it off. 14 mile tow about $150; actual starter change with labor $300.
3. Small radiator leak for which I opted to replace the radiator (around 60,000 miles). I actually worked with the repair shop employee for about 6 hours to do it right and cut labor costs. I think that total was about $600.
4. Fuel pump died at about 60,000 miles. Replaced that myself for about $30 in parts.
5. replaced the rear brake pads 4 times (Hummers eat up rear pads for unknown reasons) and two rear rotors (chewed up but worn down brake pads). Have replaced the front pads only twice. Can remember the costs (not expensive) but no labor.
6. Ball joints replaced once (parts and labor about $600).
7. Ignition coil went bad: about $40 to replace.
8. "Hummer" emblems stolen from sides of truck (a not uncommon problem). Left off for now.
9. Leaky heater core. Replaced by me with a new updated unit about $4500 in parts (ouchers).
10. Front differential driveshaft input seal. Replaced by me: about $12 in parts.
11. Cracked windsheilds replaced by me and I cant even begin to remember what they cost.
12. air filters cost $111 (ouchers) each and there are two of them (double ouchers) and I've replaced them at least five times.
13. Tires are expensive but at least on my truck last about 60,000 miles. I hear from other Hummer owners that that is a remarkable feat.
14. Car would not pas smog. Dealership took $2000 and eventually welded new cats in without actually fixing it. It failed again two years later. AMG had no clue. I bought some books, learned all about EFI and smog systems and found out that the O2 sensor was mounted too far back. Welded a new bung in as close to the exhaust manifold as I could and moved the O2 sensor and it works. I'm bitterly dissappointed that the folks at AMG are unaware of this and didn't have the collective brains to figure it out.
Furthermore the AC never worked well and I can't keep it (the AC) running for more than one summer at a time (vibrations seem to cause new leaks in the rifrigerant system yearly).
I love my truck. Much bigger gawk factor than my Viper. For three years it was the family car but the wife never felt comfortable in it. I have no problems driving it. It goes everywhere off road and is long enough for me to sleep in the back. I really have no desire to buy any other 4 wheel drive though this one is due for some major refurbishing.
A major downside is that the enviro whackos occasionally try to confront you (it helps to be 6' 2" and 235 pounds) and others will leave disparaging stickers on your truck (no overt vandalism from that crowd so far). Hopefully it does not end up as Hummer flambe.
Do you live on a ranch, or have some mega need for an offroad (not a rock climber) vehicle? If not, then step away. There is ZERO point to driving one on the street IMHO.
Big, heavy, hard to drive in traffic... they're designed to be capable transport across rough terrain for the military. Not for you to get groceries in.
But, to each his own. There are many things more capable than a hummer off road, depending on what you wish to do with it.
That's just it - I have zero NEED. But then, I don't have much need for my Viper what with a wife and kids. But I want it.
I'll probably be tired of it in six months.
What's wrong with me? Why can't I just buy a car and be done with it? My GTS is for sale so I can buy a new Viper. (I'll pay anyone three bills for a buyer!)
So many cars - so little time....
Carrot,
I've had 57 or 58 cars. I can catagorically state that I've never bought from a dealer that I didn't think I was getting screwed. (You should hear the asinine car ads here in 'Nati. Unbelievable. "We'll pay off your car no matter how much you owe. Biggest sale EVER. No payment until 2005." Give me a break. Is the public really that stupid?)
I bought most of my last several from individuals.
Viper, Corvette, XK8, BMW 740, Mitsu Eclipse, Camaro, Jeep, VW Cabrio, 4X4 Tacoma, Classic Plymouth, Classic Buick, Classic Roadrunner, etc.
Dealers have so much overhead they HAVE to make more on each unit that I'm willing to pay. I understand that and seldom bring it up. But it is fact.
I'm looking for a Hummer owner who needs out.
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