Sign of the times -- Hummer dealer closes

haven

Expedition Leader
I suppose it's no surprise to read that a Hummer dealership has thrown in the towel, and is closing its doors. What is interesting in this case is that the dealership in question is Towbin Hummer, one of the largest Hummer dealers in the country, and the only Hummer outlet in Las Vegas.

Take it from me, I live here: Las Vegas has more conspicuous consumption and wretched excess per capita than any city in the country. I must see 50 Hummers, outfitted with oversize rims and "Pimp My Ride" style A/V systems, every time I drive to the Strip. I see more Bentleys and Lamborghinis here than in Beverley Hills. When the temperature falls below 90 degrees (about the end of September), there's a rush to get fur coats out of cold storage. There's more "ice" on the prize fight attendees than in all the highball glasses in Omaha.

So if Hummer can't make it in Las Vegas, the brand is doomed.

Now the only question is, Do people drive 235 miles to Ontario CA or 295 miles to Phoenix for their Hummer warranty service?

Chip Haven
 

4Rescue

Expedition Leader
haven said:
Now the only question is, Do people drive 235 miles to Ontario CA or 295 miles to Phoenix for their Hummer warranty service?

Chip Haven
Will they have fix up depots along the way cause I don't think those "trucks" will make it that far HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave
 

madizell

Explorer
I wouldn't drive all the way to California to get a Hummer fixed. Cheaper to tow it up into the Great Basin. You could park it there a half mile off the road and no one would ever find it.
 

TCM

Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0006
I, like many others, am not a great proponent of Hummers, but in all seriousness the H1 was not that bad. It makes a fine expedition rig for areas where tight trails are not an issue. There is plenty of space and it is built like a tank. Yes it is big but no one here on the forum makes fun of Unimogs and they are twice the size at least. Okay the H2 is ridiculous no matter how you look at it. But the H3 could also be made into a very trail worthy ride. I think the the brand became the subject of such great animosity because the the typical buyer had them for all the wrong reasons as is so wonderfully described by Chip in the first post.
 

DBS311

Adventurer
Maybe regular GM dealerships will open their doors to Hummer owners. Not sure if they are set up for it, but it may come down to it.

After all, if they can service a Tahoe, they can service an H2:shakin:
 

spencyg

This Space For Rent
The H2 is just a GMT820...ala Escalade/Tahoe/Yukon. The only reason a GM dealership wouldn't service an H2 might be due to the lack of "acknowledgment" most Hummer owners fess up to that they're basically drive soccer mom mobiles or a Donk rollin on 28's....Hummer represents everything backwards with the automotive consumerism of the late 90's/early '00. The fact that they are on their way out is a glimmer of hope in my opinion.

I know my 1000 mile/year vehicle is a 10000lb monster getting 14 MPG, but it is purely for recreation. It doesn't go to the store. It doesn't go out for ice cream. It doesn't pick the kids up at the pool. I don't feel hypocritical when I drive it, though I suppose it may look that way as I rumble by.

Hummer = Drill Baby Drill.

Spence
 
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Guinness44

Adventurer
Here we go AGAIN. The Anti Hummer talk on the Expo.
Get the facts straight or quit posting about this brand. Bottom line: (once again)??? Who cares what one drives. If the trails are gone, they are gone. So stick together. Period.
 

psychohawk

Observer
Such a shame with the Hummer bashing, again.

As a previous H1 owner, they are wonderful expedtion trucks and can fit in a great many places most don't realize. And the H3 can be made into a quite capable expedtion truck. The H2 is not that bad, I'd personally not own one, but this is the truck that get the most bad press and what most people think of when they think "Hummer".

It's a shame so many are appluading the downfall of an American Brand ... Especially someone driving a gasoline powered Power Wagon ... 10? 12? miles to the gallon? My H1 got about 13 - 14 and was far more capable.

Carl
 

JIMBO

Expedition Leader
:smileeek: RATs, I was looking forward to getting the HUMMER HX

Probably not much chance now

I like the H3 too

:safari-rig: :safari-rig: JIMBO
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
It's terrible when people loose jobs no matter what the scenario. Yes, they could have developed better products. (like a Wrangler competitor) You can't blame GM for giving people what they wanted when they wanted it.

And the Hummer brand isn't gone, it's just a dealership closing!!
 

IH8RDS

Explorer
haven said:
Now the only question is, Do people drive 235 miles to Ontario CA or 295 miles to Phoenix for their Hummer warranty service?

I heard they can still go to Clark County.
 

tdesanto

Expedition Leader
ujoint said:
...Yes, they could have developed better products. (like a Wrangler competitor) You can't blame GM for giving people what they wanted when they wanted it.

I think the H3 Alpha is definitely a competitor to the Wrangler Unlimited. Sure, it doesn't have the 6-speed transmission as an option, but it does have the power of the V8. It also has the 4:1 transfer case and the same gearing in the diffs. It has traction control that will also assist the front when the rear locker is engaged. And the 2009 model has added the locker to the front.

About the only main difference other than those listed would be the independent vs. solid axle in the front. But for what we do with vehicles, I don't think this matters much at all, unless you want to give the nod to the Hummer for better on-road manners getting you to and from your destination.

Now, if you meant a competitor to the shorter wheelbase Wrangler, well, that's probably a different story. But for expedition travel, I think the slightly longer vehicles are a better fit anyway.
 

evldave

Expedition Trophy Winner
tdesanto said:
I think the H3 Alpha is definitely a competitor to the Wrangler Unlimited.

I drive an H3 and my wife drives a 4 dr Wrangler (with 2 kids and a dog, 2 door was out)...there isn't any competition, the H3 gets the nod 100% of the time, around town, camping, going out on a nice night on the town, long trip to visit relatives...you name it the Wrangler doesn't stand a chance as a family-oriented do-all vehicle. About the only place it holds it's own is rock crawling, something we don't do anymore.

For all the haters, that's fine, I don't care much for the H2 either, and it certainly has soiled the brand (along with all the blingers). Just know that if I find you stuck on a trail, broken down on the side of the road, or just stuck at the mall with a dead battery, I'll stop and help you out...it's what I do because of who I am, not what I drive.
 

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