Buyer Beware.....

[4speedfunk]

SHOPPING FOR AN H3? THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW...

Most of us regulars on here know that about 80% of the ads you see online are completely false and misleading. Salesmen have no clue what an Adventure Pak is...what locking differentials are...and even basic knowledge of the H3. I often see them advertised as having a V6! To make matters worse, I also know several owners that thought they were driving around (for years) with lockers and off-road goodies...when in reality, they have zero off-road options. The look on their faces is priceless when I inform them of this.

Anyway, I ran across this ad and thought I would post it up as an example. Link to the full ad here>>>>http://www.dreamcarchicago.com/deta...on_-used-14303257.html?popup_photoviewer=true


Options & Packages

OEM Code
Description

MSRP​

SEAT TYPE
AR9
SEATS, FRONT BUCKET,

$0.00​

driver manual lumbar controls
adjustable outboard head restraints and map pockets on seatbacks (STD)

​

WHEELS
P31
WHEELS, 18" X 7.5" (45.6 CM X 19.1 CM) CHROME ALUMINUM H3X

$0.00​

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
P17
SPARE TIRE COVER, BODY-COLOR

$0.00​

NR6
TRANSFER CASE, 4:1, 2-SPEED, BUTTON-ACTUATED FULL-TIME 4WD

$0.00​

UG1
UNIVERSAL HOME REMOTE,

$175.00​

garage door opener
3-channel programmable
and driver and front passenger illuminated visors vanity mirrors.

​

ND1
REGULAR PRODUCTION ACCESSORY, FUEL FILLER DOOR, CHROME

$185.00​

R6J
OWNERS PUBLICATION

$0.00​

R8Q
ILLINOIS COST SURCHARGE

$0.00​

Notice the dealer took the time to actually list the option codes....none of which apply to this particular H3.

• It does NOT have P31 (H3x 18" chrome wheels)
• It does NOT have NR6 (Adv. Pak).
• It does NOT have ND1 (***goty chrome gas cap)
• It does NOT have P17 (equally ***goty hard spare cover).
• It does NOT have the premium sound system.

Also, the listed prices of these options are completely wrong....$185 for a chrome gas cap??? But the $3000 Adv. Pak option is $0??? Clearly this is a lame attempt to pump up a base model as something it is not. This is an absolute bare-bones, strip-model H3...the cheapest one you could get. No tow package, no sub-woofer, no sun-roof...it doesn't even have an automatic trans! I'm actually interested in one like this...but, pa-lease! Cut the b.s. So if you are shopping...DO YOUR RESEARCH. Don't pay for options that don't exist. This is an $8500 H3...not a penny more.

Also, I'm pretty sure option NR6 automatically includes the tow package and Monsoon stereo. If someone can verify this, sound off.

After all...whats "adventure" without blaring music and a trailer?

 

[3Hummers]

Unreal

 

[Zach]

Thing has sat for a long time. It had the transfer case replaced at 122k on 10/20/14

 

[CaseyS]

The corollary to this is if you were to drive your custom rig with SAS and plenty of hang on goodies like brush guard, rock rails etc to this same dealer, you would be lucky to get an offer of trade in book value.

 

[4speedfunk]

The corollary to this is if you were to drive your custom rig with SAS and plenty of hang on goodies like brush guard, rock rails etc to this same dealer, you would be lucky to get an offer of trade in book value.

Not likely they would even notice the difference.

 

[f5moab]

On my 2008 sticker it lists an Off Road Package, but it does NOT include the tow package or the monsoon. However, I had the luxury package and the monsoon was part of the lux package. The tow/hitch was separate.
Need someone with a base model to see how they were listed.

 

[Kurt]

Is there a guaranteed way to ID an adventure series? I guess hope for a picture of the locker control panel and see if it has front and rear lockers?

 

[chaos254]

I usually look for the locker switch and tire size to determine if its an adventure

 

[alrock]

I usually look for the locker switch and tire size to determine if its an adventure

Ditto. That's about all that you can do when looking at an ad.

 

[f5moab]

For 2008 and prior, only a rear locker switch on an adventure model or with the off road package. Adventure was primarily a model with the off-road package. If it was a luxury package, an off-road package could be added.
By dealer photos, the switch is usually the best way, people do switch tires. On 08 and later, there was a way to identify an adventure via a VIN number position, but it would not identify a luxury that had the off-road package. And was not used prior to 08.

However, with a full VIN number, if you know someone at a dealer, they can run the entire build sheet that lists everything on the vehicle. When I worked at GM I used to run them all the time for people I knew.