Hummer H1s

[nickt]

So I've started looking around for my next expedition vehicle. While I'm keeping both the Camel 110 and the NAS D90 (just got back from the dunes in the Altar desert - V8 good, milage bad...), I'm looking at having a vehicle based in the US. After looking at vehicles like the Ford F series pickups (nice big diesel engines, bad approch/departure angles without a propreitary jacked-up suspension system), I thought I'd take a look at the H1.

And I was quite impressed. The only cons to it as far as I can see are:

It's almost a foot wider than my 110. Fits in a container with 4 inches to spare.
It's expensive (though 3 year old models are selling for 50-60k USD, half the new retail price). Expensive CDP too.
If it breaks, it's hard to get parts.
It looks expensive/military and may attract the wrong sort of attention at borders and in towns. In fact, in Mexico they wouldn't let them in a few years ago as they'd classed them as military (so the rumour goes anyway).

And that's about it. The engine is a 6.5l V8 diesel 190+hp with 430 ft lbs, there's a load of space for stuff, it's low and stable and basically has lots of things going for it. Even has a Central Tyre Inflation System (which I've heard bad things about!).

However, there's little information out there about expedition use. The closest I could find was a Baja racing team, but that ain't the same thing. I'm wondering if you guys have ever seen one out there (I haven't) and what you think of the idea.

I also looked at the H2, which won't work well as an expedition vehicle. The finish isn't great, the door handles would last a week, it's a great big petrol engine and the chassis is a GMC pickup chassis drilled out and lacks torsional rigidity. Nice for picking the kids up though...

Anyway, something to think about.
Cheers,
Nick.

------------------
www.nickt.com
96 BMW F650
96 Defender 90 300TDi
97 NAS D90
98 Camel Trophy 110