Hummer H3

Originally Posted by dl20

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Well, we both want to do some remodeling in our new home which we will do ourselves over the next several years. I'm not exactly going to haul sheets of drywall in the Z4 or her ultima so I figured id switch back to an SUV for the next few years. The biggest issue for me, as I said, is that I don't want to park the Z4 or any other performance/luxury car outside on the street and we only have 1 garage.

dl

then why don't you just fix the jeep? if you live so close to school and work you're better off doing that than dropping $30k on a g.m.

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

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then why don't you just fix the jeep? if you live so close to school and work you're better off doing that than dropping $30k on a g.m.

I suppose, but where is the fun in that? The jeep is in good condition for having 100k miles on it but its still kind of a POS. It'd be a rough transition to go from the Z4 as a daily driver back to the Jeep.

dl

Interesting that it is not a very common car in Philadelphia as the H2s and H3s are very prevalent in Phoenix and Scottsdale. I've also noticed that out here they seem to be driven mostly by females so that may be something to consider.

Also, if you're going to be using this for hauling stuff and parking it on the street, I'd suggest a used Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer instead.

We have an '03 Mountaineer with All Wheel Drive which handles well plus it easily fits sheets of drywall or plywood in the back. The tailgate isn't as high as a Hummer (or my old Grand Cherokee), so it makes it a lot easier to load stuff in the back.

Originally Posted by dl20

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I suppose, but where is the fun in that? The jeep is in good condition for having 100k miles on it but its still kind of a POS. It'd be a rough transition to go from the Z4 as a daily driver back to the Jeep.

dl

cars can be a big waste of money, regardless of what you drive. spend as little on them as necessary. your wallet will thank you, you'll have more money for home improvements, and your fiancee will think you're cool.

Originally Posted by Bradford

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Interesting that it is not a very common car in Philadelphia as the H2s and H3s are very prevalent in Phoenix and Scottsdale. I've also noticed that out here they seem to be driven mostly by females so that may be something to consider.

Also, if you're going to be using this for hauling stuff and parking it on the street, I'd suggest a used Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer instead.

We have an '03 Mountaineer with All Wheel Drive which handles well plus it easily fits sheets of drywall or plywood in the back. The tailgate isn't as high as a Hummer (or my old Grand Cherokee), so it makes it a lot easier to load stuff in the back.

Hadn't considered the Mercury; looks like a decent SUV. Ford Explorer is a bit pedestrian. Someone in another post mentioned a Toyota FJ that seems worth taking a test drive in. Thanks for the good ideas everyone, keep them coming.

dl

Originally Posted by dl20

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in the northeast its unrealistic for it to be my only car as with the rear wheel drive the rear end can get away from you in the rain and is essentially inoperable in the snow.

For snow, use snow tires. The Z4 will be as capable as anything else out there for urban and suburban areas when equipped with proper tires. For rain, make sure you have adequate tread depth, and be smoother on the gas pedal.

H3 is like poseur squared. H2 is poseur as it's a watered-down, less capable H1. H3 is a cheaper, watered-down H2. Every time I see one of those two trucks, I can't get over how inauthentic they are: nearly every rugged-looking detail on them is fake. At least with a Jeep, you have real authenticity to the purpose of the vehicle. H2 and H3 are just for show.

--Andre

Originally Posted by dl20

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I suppose, but where is the fun in that? The jeep is in good condition for having 100k miles on it but its still kind of a POS. It'd be a rough transition to go from the Z4 as a daily driver back to the Jeep. dl
The 4.0 in the cherokee sport will last forever. My brother's girlfriend has one with 280,000 miles and it runs perfectly. He had a contest going with her on who would make it to 300,000 first back when he was driving a high mileage volvo 240 as his daily driver.

Anyways, I question the reasoning behind parking the Altima in the garage. I mean... I understand wanting to give her that, but the z4 def. should get priority. Since you're not going to steal her garage space though (and her safety should always come first) and you're dead set on getting a new suv, I'd say get a Jeep Liberty with the diesel (i think it has a mercedes diesel?), or maybe the lexus hybrid suv.

Couldn't you trade in both of your cars and both of you get one... get her a bmw 330 for the garage with a trade on the z4, and trade the altima for a suv for yourself. Then you'd still have a nice driving machine at your disposal. BMW x3 might work if you want to keep the german car for yourself.

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

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For snow, use snow tires. The Z4 will be as capable as anything else out there for urban and suburban areas when equipped with proper tires. For rain, make sure you have adequate tread depth, and be smoother on the gas pedal.

H3 is like poseur squared. H2 is poseur as it's a watered-down, less capable H1. H3 is a cheaper, watered-down H2. Every time I see one of those two trucks, I can't get over how inauthentic they are: nearly every rugged-looking detail on them is fake. At least with a Jeep, you have real authenticity to the purpose of the vehicle. H2 and H3 are just for show.

--Andre

I dunno Andre, I think that even with snow tires the Z4 would be tricky as would any rear wheel drive car assuming there is even enough clearance to put them on. For the other reasons mentioned the Z4 is being let go.

I could see why people might not like the styling of the H3 (many people still hate the z4's styling). I'm not really into the rugged details available for the car. Probably the most difficult terrain I will be traversing is the post-winter pot holes around the city. It just looks like a fun car to me but im still looking into the other recs made in this thread.

dl

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

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For snow, use snow tires. The Z4 will be as capable as anything else out there for urban and suburban areas when equipped with proper tires. --Andre
This is very true. I knew a lady who drove a 2 seater Mercedes coupe with snow tires as her daily driver in Erie, Pa. So, a Z4 should easily work in Philly with appropriate tires.

Originally Posted by jkennett

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The 4.0 in the cherokee sport will last forever. My brother's girlfriend has one with 280,000 miles and it runs perfectly. He had a contest going with her on who would make it to 300,000 first back when he was driving a high mileage volvo 240 as his daily driver.

Anyways, I question the reasoning behind parking the Altima in the garage. I mean... I understand wanting to give her that, but the z4 def. should get priority. Since you're not going to steal her garage space though (and her safety should always come first) and you're dead set on getting a new suv, I'd say get a Jeep Liberty with the diesel (i think it has a mercedes diesel?), or maybe the lexus hybrid suv.

Couldn't you trade in both of your cars and both of you get one... get her a bmw 330 for the garage with a trade on the z4, and trade the altima for a suv for yourself. Then you'd still have a nice driving machine at your disposal. BMW x3 might work if you want to keep the german car for yourself.

Her Altima just became a company car (she was given a car allowance this past week) and she really likes it for some reason so I doubt she would want to trade it in. I thought about trading mine for a BMW SUV but don't think much of the X series, or the jeep liberty for that matter. didnt consider the lexus hybrid but will add it to the list of cars to take a look at.

dl

Originally Posted by dl20

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Her Altima just became a company car (she was given a car allowance this past week) and she really likes it for some reason so I doubt she would want to trade it in. I thought about trading mine for a BMW SUV but don't think much of the X series, or the jeep liberty for that matter. didnt consider the lexus hybrid but will add it to the list of cars to take a look at. dl
when you go shopping for a new kitchen faucet, and your wife insists on the one that costs $1,200, remember what mp told you about fixing the jeep.

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

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when you go shopping for a new kitchen faucet, and your wife insists on the one that costs $1,200, remember what mp told you about fixing the jeep.

haha. Will do, though I think even she would prefer I drove around in a new car versus us both sharing in the pleasure of a 1200$ faucet.

dl

Originally Posted by dl20

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haha. Will do, though I think even she would prefer I drove around in a new car versus us both sharing in the pleasure of a 1200$ faucet. dl
that's what you think now. wait till she sees that faucet.

Jeep Liberty - are you guys kidding?

Take my comments about the Hummer being a chick car and multiply it 10-fold.

dl, go try a Toyota FJ. I drove one, fun little vehicle and dirt cheap. Loaded up, around 33k.

Or if the plan is to use your next vehicle as a work horse for renovations, consider a pick up. Since you probably do not want something really huge, like a Titan or Tundra, look into a Taco or Frontier. Both have available engines that will give you good pick up and are very practical for hauling stuff.