The more I see them on the road the more I get to like them. I even ventured up to Manchester the other day to test drive one. It’s got a bigger cockpit than my Avalanche .
My wife asked how difficult it would be getting a baby seat in the back…And lo-and-behold the salesman went inside and came out with a woman who got hers out of her car and gave it to us to try (the guy was really fishing for us to get it)
Surprisingly it was really easy. They are larger than they appear… I climbed in the back, then my wife climbed in, then the salesman climbed in…I was amazed at the space in the back…The one we looked at was called the H2 SUT, comes out in late spring yet can be preordered now.
Best part of this machine was the driving…it creaks and groans but you can tell it feels indestructable. The salesman brought my wife and I to a place about a mile from the dealership…we were going roughly 55mph along a small ravine, when he cut the wheel and he barreled right into it! No kidding didn’t even hit the breaks…the HUMVEE slid onto the ravine and glided down…amazing how the suspension system works. Had I done that in my Avalanche I would have broken something I’m sure…
So what do you think about hummers when you see them? Nasty beasts or kind of interesting?
The H2 is little more than a glorified SUV. The original Hummer was much better. We can thank Gov. Arnold for the civilian version. He drove one in a movie, and decided that he wanted one.
I’m certain the OP is about to be bombarded with the usual anti-SUV, Hummers are all that is wrong with the world crowd any moment so I’ll get my two cents in now.
I really like the exterior and “look” of them. I finally got a chance to sit in one at an auto-show and was incredibly disappointed. The interior just seemed very cheap and poorly put together. Lots of wobbly knobs, trim pieces, etc. Could be that it was just that one vehicle but it put a bad taste in my mouth towards them ever since.
To SUV non-enthusiasts:
Phlosphr’s first car…a Pinto
Phlosphr’s second car a ford tempo
Third: 76’ Fiat Spider 2000
fourth: don’t remember
I drove a 68’ beater baracuda through college. I vowed when I got out I wanted the largest beasts I could find…I was tired of small cars. I’ve earned the right to have whatever car I want. If I lived in AZ yes, I’d be on the list to have the clean air act help install a modefied propane system to my car…and I’d be better off on the efficiency and pollution…but I live in CT…
The Hummer is enormously safe. I’d feel good transporting my family…as for the interior, the one we sat in was really nice. Not too many bells and whistles.
H1 or H2? The H1 MSRP’s for over 100k, according to edmunds.com, so I assume you are talking about the more attainable H2? I don’t like em at all. I don’t like SUV’s as a rule, but I would feel confident wagering that the Hummer and Hummer 2 are absurdly more vehicle than will ever be used by 99% of their owners.
Are you planning on ever leaving the pavement? If so, will a smaller SUV or truck get the job done just as well? Do you need 14 inches of ground clearance for dirt roads, or even two-track roads? Are you okay with getting 10 miles per gallon? (Motor Trend test) (Note that because the H2 weighs over 8,500 lbs, it does not have to meet federal fuel effeciency standards, nor do they have to display this information on the MSRP sticker.)
I think they’re silly, not just because they’re huge SUV’s though. If you plan on using the vehicle’s abilites for fun, go for it. But it’s like most people who buy a Ferarri. Why bother if you’re never going to take it to a track? Why bother with a Hummer if you’re not going to use it for serious off roading?
The funniest thing about Hummers to me, is when I am next to one at a stop light. I drive a Mazda Miata. The tires of the Hummer are taller than the roof of my Miata. I could almost drive under it.
phatlewt - I am an active outdoors type person. The vehicle would get it’s share of workouts off road…I’m also one who likes doing projects, and require a large enough vehicle to tow my utility trailer, and boat. I currently have a chevy Avalanche. It’s big enough - I like riding in it…and we really just went to test drive the humvee to see how it drove and learn a little more about it.
As the owner of a capable and even comfortable SUV, I find the Hummers detestable. They take up too much of the road, will kill the occupants of most any car they get in a serious collision with, get despicable gas mileage and are nothing more than Hummer styling on a Suburban frame.
Outdoors is one thing. Hummer outdoors is another. Does your Avalanche struggle with towing, or the terrain on which you currently use it?
I won’t criticize a guy who buys a big SUV because he just likes having a big car. It may be irresponsible consumerism, but for me to rip on that is definately a bit pot calling the kettle black.
If you like the Hummer, then you like it. I drive an impractical car, because I think it’s fun to drive around a little, agile car. As long as you understand that if you buy a Hummer, you will also drive an impractical vehicle, because you think it’s fun to drive around a big, tall vehicle. But don’t kid yourself about “needing” it.
I don’t really care what other people drive. I myself don’t think the Hummer is really worth it. If I recall, Its just a different body on a Tahoe frame. I may be wrong.
Anyway, I am like you, lots of projects (putting an addition on my house now).
Also, I must have 4x4 and 4x4 low. Good ground clearance. Towing ability. Cargo room. Those things are simply non-negotiable.
I also like that my SUV sits higher, it makes it easy for me to get in and out of. And it works very well for hauling around a large dog.
If you’re getting a H2, you’re paying a lot of money for the name, and a good amount of standard parts that you could get cheaper on a better-priced SUV. Be prepared to have a tough time parking a H2 or Hummer, as they’re wider than normal - or to suffer the glares/scratches/etc. that might be inflicted as people see you crowding out parking spaces.
Have you tried other SUVs’ capabilities out, besides your current car and the H2 you took for a test drive? My husband once drove his brother-in-law’s Land Rover across a field that had nearly rock-hard furrows in it, and said it rode as smooth as glass. Perhaps you could find a better deal on a vehicle that has better gas mileage and isn’t as broad.
Well I’m glad people are honest. As far as ridiculous consumerism, I must agree and this would certainly keep me from buying it. I am very happy I got to drive one, they are really neat vehicles…but as par as practicality, I know you all are right. They are about as practical as cleaning the windows of the sears tower with individual bottles of windex.
Yes, I actually really like the range rover’s I like the Discovery much more than that land rover. However, for price I really like the Toyota Land Cruiser. Lot’s of power.
This is what I’ve got in an upscale package. It’s extremely capable for work in mud, snow or steep grades and still serves the family well, getting them there safely and comfortably.
If it was a Spider 2000, the earliest it was was a '79
And, if you want my opinion on the Hummer thing, I’d continue to drive my 1979 Fiat for the rest of my life before I would so much as open the door of one of those monstrosities.
