Why not a Hummer?

[HAF]

I once owned a new H1. I now own three military Humvees. Love these trucks. The civi version is great-even the 6.5 motor. They handle well and are fun to drive. The mil versions are best off road only unless up fitted. A perfect Hummer would be an H1 with modern gas engine.

 

[Explorerinil]

I never hear of anyone bashing the H1, I personally would love to have one if they were not so damn expensive

 

[fletcher8969]

I never hear of anyone bashing the H1, I personally would love to have one if they were not so damn expensive

Yeah, they're not the most cost effective choice. The 2006 Alpha versions (last year of the H1) are super expensive - like owning an exotic sports car - but the earlier ones aren't nearly as bad. Mine is 20 years old now so I think of it that way rather then the pure miles. But I have spent a lot of money rebuilding it to get it to be reliable enough to take to remote places. In my case it has a lot of family history and I'm keeping that alive so it has some intrinsic value that I'm willing to pay for. If I didn't have it already I'd probably be building a Land Cruiser or something much more cost effective.

Here's my son getting ready to hit the trail in Moab.

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

For the price I'd get an old one and use it as a farm truck or beach buggy. Then again I've rode in those for the military and my back is thinking maybe there are other options.

 

[Buddha.]

From what I can remember they have a max speed of 55mph and you have to practically scream at your passenger to communicate at that speed. I'm 5'10 and any seat except the driver's is too cramped. Fun off road though.

 

[Regcabguy]

For the price I'd get an old one and use it as a farm truck or beach buggy. Then again I've rode in those for the military and my back is thinking maybe there are other options.

Yeah,we rode in one in Catalina for a back country ride. That thing beat us to death.

 

[fletcher8969]

From what I can remember they have a max speed of 55mph and you have to practically scream at your passenger to communicate at that speed. I'm 5'10 and any seat except the driver's is too cramped. Fun off road though.

Yeah, all true. They are not highway cruisers at all. I can get it up to 70mph but not up a grade. You get passed by semis uphill. LOL. The civilian versions have four (or 5) speed transmission so they can go a little faster than the 3 speed military versions. And yes they are very loud. I've seen a guy in an old Camel Trophy tuck that had headsets like you might use in a small plane and I've thought of getting something like that setup. The space for the driver is ok but you sit right against the door like you do in old Defender 110s. All the other seats are cramped for space. My 9 year old son doesn't mind... yet.

 

[kwill]

There is a guy in my neighborhood who buys surplus Hummers, domesticates them and sells for $30K-$40K depending on the options.

 

[fletcher8969]

There is a guy in my neighborhood who buy surplus Hummers, domesticates them and sells for $30K-$40K depending on the options.

Maybe not cheap but not crazy expensive. I bet they're fun to play with off road!

 

[plumber mike]

There is a guy in my neighborhood who buys surplus Hummers, domesticates them and sells for $30K-$40K depending on the options.

Does not seem out of line considering what clapped out used excursions are fetching.

 

[billiebob]

why not a Hummer H1

Zero interior space.
An outrageously high lift over height.
Can you carry enough fuel to get out of town.
It would be easier to service or repair a 1960 Unimog.
Nor exactly maneuverable.

Did I mention zero interior space ?
The only Hummer with any credibility for family excursions would be an H3.

But yes, an H1 driver would be great fireside company. They are cool if not practical campers.

 

[toylandcruiser]

From what I can remember they have a max speed of 55mph and you have to practically scream at your passenger to communicate at that speed. I'm 5'10 and any seat except the driver's is too cramped. Fun off road though.

I’m 6’4 and have driven them all over in the Middle East.

 

[Buddha.]

I’m 6’4 and have driven them all over in the Middle East.

Congrats

 

[Deleted member 9101]

If they were street legal in Florida (they get a "Parade use only" tag) I'd love to have a 998 with a 6.0 LS lurking under the hood. The new Ford 7.3 gasser would also be fun under the hood.

 

[fletcher8969]

Zero interior space.
An outrageously high lift over height.
Can you carry enough fuel to get out of town.
It would be easier to service or repair a 1960 Unimog.
Nor exactly maneuverable.

Did I mention zero interior space ?
The only Hummer with any credibility for family excursions would be an H3.

But yes, an H1 driver would be great fireside company. They are cool if not practical campers.

I get you're trying to make a point but most of what you wrote is hyperbole at best or completely wrong.

There is plenty of space for overlanding/camping/expedition. As much as many other choices. Much more than a two door Wrangler for example.
Lift over height - yes it's outrageously high. (But you also get 16 inches of ground clearance - stock.)
Fuel - 42 gallons (51 in Alphas) gives you ~400 miles of range. 500+ in an Alpha. (10mpg is bad, but not uncommon in a lot of overlanding vehicles.)
Service or repair - You can get them serviced at any GM service center. It's just a plain Jane Detroit diesel - nothing practicality difficult about working on a Hummer compared to many other options.
Maneuverable? - They are large - just like a lot of other full size trucks. Nothing particularly bad for what they are. But, yes, they won't turn like a short wheelbased Jeep or Jimny.

H1s are different from other options but not nearly as bad as you think. They're just more industrial and utilitarian (like old Defenders). Many other options are more creature comfort filled and have more civilized (or should I say civilian-ized) qualities but H1s can go everywhere all the other ones can go... and yes... they are just a little bit cooler if not as practical.