Hummer H3
- Thread starter Thai
- Start date
I'm in the market for a new vehicle now and the H3 is in my possibility list. After being out since late 05, the aftermarket and has grown considerably for the H3 and GM has added more power for the 07 year. Still in the works is the H3T and possibly an H4.
Resale value is what's holding me back though and making me think about a 4R.
Resale value is what's holding me back though and making me think about a 4R.
Thai
Elite Member
What is it?
2008 Hummer H3 Alpha
What's special about it?
We're not sure exactly who at General Motors thought an inline five-cylinder engine was a good choice for the small-only-by-Hummer-standards H3. But we're pretty sure if he entered the Iditarod dog sled race, you'd see him trailside, whipping the snot out of a small team of Lhasa Apsos.
Finally, Hummer has done the sensible thing and dropped a V8 into the 2008 Hummer H3. It will be called the H3 Alpha and it goes on sale this summer.
The lump in question is a 5.3-liter, small-block V8 making 295 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The H3 Alpha, which comes with a four-speed automatic transmission and a short 4.10 rear axle ratio, should get to 60 mph from a standstill in about 8 seconds. That's a 3 full seconds quicker than a standard H3. It's hard to imagine fuel economy for the Alpha could be much worse than that of the base H3, which went a scant 13.3 miles per gallon during its stay with us. For now, Hummer says it doesn't have any fuel economy estimates for the new model.
All Alphas come standard with a higher level of standard luxury features and have many bits of chrome trim and wheels along with "Alpha" badging.
Head curtain side airbags, which were previously optional, are now standard, as are traction and stability control. Like the 2008 Hummer H2, all H3s will have silver-painted lower front bumpers. Hummer has not set a price yet, but considering a well-equipped standard H3 is up in the mid-$30,000 range, we'd say the Alpha will easily top $40,000.
2008 Hummer H3 Alpha
What's special about it?
We're not sure exactly who at General Motors thought an inline five-cylinder engine was a good choice for the small-only-by-Hummer-standards H3. But we're pretty sure if he entered the Iditarod dog sled race, you'd see him trailside, whipping the snot out of a small team of Lhasa Apsos.
Finally, Hummer has done the sensible thing and dropped a V8 into the 2008 Hummer H3. It will be called the H3 Alpha and it goes on sale this summer.
The lump in question is a 5.3-liter, small-block V8 making 295 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The H3 Alpha, which comes with a four-speed automatic transmission and a short 4.10 rear axle ratio, should get to 60 mph from a standstill in about 8 seconds. That's a 3 full seconds quicker than a standard H3. It's hard to imagine fuel economy for the Alpha could be much worse than that of the base H3, which went a scant 13.3 miles per gallon during its stay with us. For now, Hummer says it doesn't have any fuel economy estimates for the new model.
All Alphas come standard with a higher level of standard luxury features and have many bits of chrome trim and wheels along with "Alpha" badging.
Head curtain side airbags, which were previously optional, are now standard, as are traction and stability control. Like the 2008 Hummer H2, all H3s will have silver-painted lower front bumpers. Hummer has not set a price yet, but considering a well-equipped standard H3 is up in the mid-$30,000 range, we'd say the Alpha will easily top $40,000.
Camprunner
New member
I was thinking this may take sales away fron the H2 ? You would think they would drop in a large V6 so it would not take the sales away but then I thought does GM even have a large V6?
Solice
New member
You'd think they could have squeezed a bit more hp and torque from that 5.3 too. A guy I work with has an H3 with the adventure package and I love the thing, other then the lack of power and the side windows (too many blind spots). We've tested it many times offroad and it's a beast. I just don't think you get your money's worth with the H3.
Camprunner
New member
My sister has an "06" H3 and she lets me take it to the car wash now and then ............ It's not a bad rig I don't like the ride much and the other day this guy was on his 10 speed bike and I swear he beat me off the line 
but you do feal safe in it. It's a little hard to see backing up though.
There are many people on one of the Hummer forum's who have had head problems with the I-5 mtr.
Im thinking when she is done with it I may pick it up cheep and use it for an off road rig (maybe 4 or 5 years from now)
"06" V6 4runner sport.
but you do feal safe in it. It's a little hard to see backing up though. There are many people on one of the Hummer forum's who have had head problems with the I-5 mtr.
Im thinking when she is done with it I may pick it up cheep and use it for an off road rig (maybe 4 or 5 years from now)
"06" V6 4runner sport.
Thai
Elite Member
Well, IMHO, the H3 Alpha is a very tempting vehicle. The Alpha fixes two major weaknesses of the H3...weak engine and weak front differential. This may put the H3 Alpha above Jeep Wrangler Rubicon in my book. Hopefully, if Jeep puts in a diesel, then i will be back in Jeep's camp.
I think it's pretty cool.
I would have bought an H3 if it was not for the 5cyl. I think the front axle was a crapshoot , some had issues some didn't , but always room for improvement.
Be interesting to see the cost and how it sells with gas prices sky rocketing in the near future.
I would have bought an H3 if it was not for the 5cyl. I think the front axle was a crapshoot , some had issues some didn't , but always room for improvement.
Be interesting to see the cost and how it sells with gas prices sky rocketing in the near future.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Ok,finally got to take a spin in my mom's neighbor's H3 and really wasn't impressed. Really had to wind it out just to maintain 70mph and going up the mountain really was a strain on the engine but they will be putting in a V8 with the new ones so that'll fix that problem.
Any kind of speed through corners made me nervous as it felt really top heavy and leaned over more than I thought it should but it does have shocks designed with off roading in mind more than cornering hard but I still prefer my Runner on road handling since it doesn't get as scary over rough pavement.
Any kind of speed through corners made me nervous as it felt really top heavy and leaned over more than I thought it should but it does have shocks designed with off roading in mind more than cornering hard but I still prefer my Runner on road handling since it doesn't get as scary over rough pavement.
toytrukn78
New member
I saw a brand new H3 at our office today, didn't even have plates and the tailight already didn't work. Shocker.
Just my opinion , although I'm a V8 type of guy I think they might be better off putting the high HP V6 in it.
With gas jumping in price it might not sell as good as they expect. It really does not get exactly great gas milage with the 5cyl. working it's ass off to get that thing moving.
With gas jumping in price it might not sell as good as they expect. It really does not get exactly great gas milage with the 5cyl. working it's ass off to get that thing moving.
Camprunner
New member
I would think adding the V8 would hurt H3 sales?
When jeep came out with the Commander it just took sales away from the Grand Cheorkee and jeeps overall sales did not change. This is the reason the Commander is getting the axe in "09". I sort of wonder if the same will take place for Hummer?
When jeep came out with the Commander it just took sales away from the Grand Cheorkee and jeeps overall sales did not change. This is the reason the Commander is getting the axe in "09". I sort of wonder if the same will take place for Hummer?
