eBay HELP! Considering buying this H1

[mpower11]

I've done my research but I'm sure you guys know more then I. First time buyer interested in pulling the trigger on this local 2 door.

Test drove this H1 yesterday. Ran and drove great. Apparently hadn't been started in 3 months, started right up.

Had small cloud of white smoke on initial start up, but dissipated shortly.

Paint job is a 6 or 7 out of 10. Rear underbody is painted well but EVERYTHING(nuts and bolts) is painted.

Thoughts?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hummer-H1-1...3d1f660c1&item=291285393601&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

 

[3Hummers]

Interior looks clean. There were only 10 HMC2 trucks in 92 and only one silver if that is the original color. The rust concerns me. It was hard to tell but it looked like the A frame in one of the pictures was rusted also. It always concerns me when a Hummer has an undercarriage that is that shiny. Makes we wonder what they are covering up. I would relook at the truck and really go over the under carriage. I use a screw driver to test for serious rust. Might also try to remove a few nuts and see what you find out. Price for a 92 is a little high. 6.2L NA motor with a TH400 tranny is not the most pleasurable driving combo. I love my 92 but it is a trail truck. I have driven it to Moab numerous times but that is an exercise in patience.

 

[3Hummers]

It is also a pretty base truck as the earliest were. No winch, no rocker panel protection, no CTIS, etc. That figures into the value. I have been told that my 92 was the first with a factory winch.

 

[mpower11]

Interior looks clean. There were only 10 HMC2 trucks in 92 and only one silver if that is the original color. The rust concerns me. It was hard to tell but it looked like the A frame in one of the pictures was rusted also. It always concerns me when a Hummer has an undercarriage that is that shiny. Makes we wonder what they are covering up. I would relook at the truck and really go over the under carriage. I use a screw driver to test for serious rust. Might also try to remove a few nuts and see what you find out. Price for a 92 is a little high. 6.2L NA motor with a TH400 tranny is not the most pleasurable driving combo. I love my 92 but it is a trail truck. I have driven it to Moab numerous times but that is an exercise in patience.

This one was originally tan, was resprayed at one point.

Paint job isn't the best but it's holding up. Where do you see rust? I'm mechanically inclined but it's hard to look for faults on machinery you've never truly looked at before.

It is also a pretty base truck as the earliest were. No winch, no rocker panel protection, no CTIS, etc. That figures into the value. I have been told that my 92 was the first with a factory winch.

Let me add, I have the ability to purchase for 30k even..

 

[Hummerboy]

I would be a little cautious jumping on that truck... I bought my h3 used from Pennsylvania and man all that salt and stuff they use up there takes a toll on a rig. Mine was and still is rusted like a mother F*****. Slowly I've been able to replace a lot of the parts but when I had my shocks replaced in the front and rear they had to cut them off because they were so rusted. When I had a wheel bearing go bad it took them 8 hours of banging,heating doing everything they could to get the damn thing off. Not trying to be a prick just my personal experience with vehicles from up north. That being said I wouldn't buy another one from up north due to rust and wish I had gotten input about how bad it is. That being said I would love an H1 and good luck on finding one!

 

[mpower11]

I would be a little cautious jumping on that truck... I bought my h3 used from Pennsylvania and man all that salt and stuff they use up there takes a toll on a rig. Mine was and still is rusted like a mother F*****. Slowly I've been able to replace a lot of the parts but when I had my shocks replaced in the front and rear they had to cut them off because they were so rusted. When I had a wheel bearing go bad it took them 8 hours of banging,heating doing everything they could to get the damn thing off. Not trying to be a prick just my personal experience with vehicles from up north. That being said I wouldn't buy another one from up north due to rust and wish I had gotten input about how bad it is. That being said I would love an H1 and good luck on finding one!

Where is everyone seeing rust? I saw virtually no rust other than one door hinge.

I should've been more clear. It's not really the body that worries me, it's the 6.2L diesel. I've read a lot of negative comments about cranks cracking and heads cracking.

Anyone have experience with this motor? I have to admit, I was surprised how much power this thing had when I put my foot down. Ran like a top. Just concerned about longevity.

 

[Hummerboy]

I think the point is your not seeing the rust. It's very very possible to think they painted the under carriage on purpose to hide all rust.

 

[derian06]

I think the point is your not seeing the rust. It's very very possible to think they painted the under carriage on purpose to hide all rust.

Thats what happened with mine, looked clean as could be, but at soon as I tried to install the lift we found out. Alot of PB blaster and impacts later it all worked out.

One of my friends that worked at the offroad shop said it was the most rusted rig he's ever worked on.

 

[SolidusJ]

Just talking but I would kill to have that one... I'm into the 2 doors.

 

[3Hummers]

12th picture shows the A frame. Looks like they painted over rust. Maybe they just painted over a bunch of road crap. Inside lip of the steel wheel in the same picture has visible rust. Impossible to tell how bad it is by the pictures. That is why I suggested you relook at the truck looking for rust. That is why I hate to see the underneath of a vehicle so freshly painted. My be fine but better to be sure.The 6.2 NA is fairly bullet proof. Not a lot of power but it is a little torque monster. With the three speed, gearing, etc 55-57 is about your comfortable top speed. Inclines will sap a ton of power. The AC is marginal. They are fairly easy to work on. 30K is a much more realistic price. I love mine but I only put a couple of thousand miles a year on it.

 

[LoJac963]

I'd have to agree with everyone's comments. You can easily tell underneath where there is possible rust that was painted over. To me is doesn't even look like it was ground off but simply painted over. The biggest red flag in my book would be the condition of the engine compartment. Look at the amount of rust on the AC lines, brake lines, etc. If there is that much rust up high you can almost assured the undercarriage was rusted beyond belief and the reason why it was painted.

When my wife (girlfriend at the time) moved to AZ from OH her car was bought new and lived in OH for only 2 years. In that short time the road salt had eaten away at every piece of metal in the engine compartment after only 2 years. If I can I always stay away from older vehicles from states that have snow/road salt for that simple reason. Most everything I've bought is from CA or AZ, nice and dry!

 

[mpower11]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I have to agree that it's a good idea to check the truck for rust again before committing. It would be my first H1 purchase so it's gotta be a good one

Will keep thread updated..

 

[3Hummers]

That is all we want, for you to make an informed and good decision for yourself. Good luck with it and hope it works out.

 

[mpower11]

That is all we want, for you to make an informed and good decision for yourself. Good luck with it and hope it works out.

So, lets just SAY the H1 checks out and there's not any exponential rust with a good running 6.2.

Would you buy it for 30k if you were in the market?

 

[freeze]

I haven't been looking for a while, so I could be wrong, but I would say you could probably find a better deal than that. It is a long addictive road (at least for me). I always tell everyone the cheapest part of owning an original Hummer is the initial purchase. It may not be a bad idea to shop around a little. It doesn't look like this one has CTIS either, which I think is a must for one of these. I am in full agreement with everyone else on the black paint. Looks like something is being covered up. Even the aluminum diffs are painted?? The body mount above the exhaust pipe looks pretty crunchy. I could be wrong though.

 

[mpower11]

I haven't been looking for a while, so I could be wrong, but I would say you could probably find a better deal than that. It is a long addictive road (at least for me). I always tell everyone the cheapest part of owning an original Hummer is the initial purchase. It may not be a bad idea to shop around a little. It doesn't look like this one has CTIS either, which I think is a must for one of these. I am in full agreement with everyone else on the black paint. Looks like something is being covered up. Even the aluminum diffs are painted?? The body mount above the exhaust pipe looks pretty crunchy. I could be wrong though.

I felt 30k was a pretty decent deal. I'm looking for a 2 door primarily so my options are limited.

 

[mpower11]

Update: Went down to Brooklyn to see this H1 again. Have to pass on it.

Had heavy leaks everywhere underneath(oil pan, trans pan, transfer case) and one on the top side of motor, couldn't pinpoint it. Rust was visible but not overly excessive.

Buyer beware this truck needs a serious gasket overhaul at the very least.

 

[3Hummers]

If the truck had been decent 30k is an ok price. A lot of H1s get sold when the deferred maintenance has gotten way behind. That is ok as long as it is figured into the price. That is why it is essential to know what you are buying. Shiny makes me nervous. Harder to see leaks on fresh black paint also. When I bought my 92 I knew I was upgrading all of the suspension, front end and half shafts. I paid accordingly. Just don't want to see you overpay.

 

[Cyouincourt007]

The background says it all if I'm looking at the right listing...look at the roof of the building behind it...ceiling falling through and every single stack/vent is rusted and stained the roof....like an omen or something sheesh. They should of painted that building too to cover it up hehehe.