Why Are Most H2 Owners So Ridiculously Defensive?

AMGoff · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 04:32 PM

Disclaimer: If anyone on here happens to own an H2, I'll extend my apologies now... I know everyone isn't the same and I'm just commenting on repeated experiences with several other H2 owners.

But seriously... can someone shed some light on this phenomena? Is it because many buy them to compensate for this, that, or some other... so subsequently they feel an "attack" on their H2 is a purposeful attack on their insecurities? Who knows... but it's just weird that they get so completely outraged and defensive when someone questions its capabilities.

I honestly think though, that an H2 is one of the ultimate "poseur" vehicles. This is a rare occasion where I can say that I truly respect those who buy one merely for its "show-off" factor... but I can't understand how some believe that they are top-notch off-road vehicles that share more in common with a real "H1" Hummer than its GM stablemates. I constantly hear from those with that point of view that an H2 more than belongs in the same league as a Range Rover and will then also usually put down a Jeep.

I really don't get it at all. How can someone make the claim that an H2 shares more in common with an H1, than it does with a Tahoe? Can someone please explain this... because unless I'm totally missing something, H2s are built on the old GMT800 platform, correct? And while they'll then counter with it being a "highly modified" version of the GMT800... as far as I can tell... any of the modifications come straight out of the GM parts-bin... with the biggest difference being that it uses a Chevy/GMC 2500 front end with a 1500 rear-end... however, the engines are standard GM fare... the transmissions are standard GM 4-speed autos (I think the brand new ones finally got a 6-speed). Even the (not so)"heavy" modifications are counterproductive for an offroad vehicle... the 2500 front end is too bulky and cumbersome for off-road use and the 1500 rear offers nothing special over a normal Tahoe/Suburban... and all of it adds up to entirely too much weight for offroad performance... I've never met any serious off-roader who would find such mass to be beneficial.

I firmly believe that the Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban is an excellent vehicle that's big, comfortable, decent in inclement weather, and can literally haul tons of stuff... but I wouldn't call them bona fide trail-monsters. Because of which... it seems to me that an H2 is still nothing more than a slightly modified Tahoe with a heavy modification in marketing. Beyond that, they don't even appear to be all that "rugged." I'm sure many of you have seen the video of the H2 throwing a tie-rod while attempting to tackle some relatively small rocks... hell, I've even heard of a few doing such while just trying to negotiate a big speed bump.

So in all honesty... am I the only one who doesn't see it? Am I the only one who thinks it's ridiculous to put a GMT800 vehicle amongst vehicles such as a Land Rover? I can't even see how they would adequately stack up against most 4WD Jeeps.

I guess my bottom line is that it's perfectly acceptable to own one for the sake of making some sort of varied statement... there are a lot of cars that do the same... But as a serious offroader and a "true" Hummer? That's just a bit delusional IMO.

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 04:40 PM

At work yesterday, to simulate proper H2 ownership, I knowingly parked a black H2 across two parking spots, one of them being handicapped.

**Playdrv4me** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 04:45 PM

Hey! Did I see a Range Rover jab in there?

**Jesda** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 04:47 PM

I like the H2. It pisses off people I usually don't like. Otherwise, TLDR.

**Playdrv4me** · #5 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 04:48 PM

Oh btw Adam, if you read my H2 review when I bought mine, I gave the thing absolutely no passes. It is just as ostentatious and pointless as you described... and for all that, its a hell of alot of fun.

AMGoff · #6 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

Hey! Did I see a Range Rover jab in there?

Not at all... while their reliability has come into question throughout various points in their existence, I truly believe that Range Rovers are top-tier, purpose built off-road monsters... even if most of them will never see anything other than pavement, the capability is still there. I just find it amazing that some people would put an H2 in that league...