First impressions.
I picked up two of these last Thrusday, 9/17/15. Both of them are '05s, both are base models with no frills. No power windows, no power locks, no nav, no carpet, no nothing. The only option they got was the 3.5 I5 instead of the 4cyl.
I've put 260 miles on mine since Thursday and first impressions are:
What a great little truck!!.
Even with 10 years and 128K miles on it, the steering is tight, the transmission is smooth, and the handling is very good for a truck.
The interior is decent, it is a work truck so it's pretty spartan. I'm sure the reviews complain about hard plastics but since I don't fondle the dash much, I really don't care what it feels like. Let's call it durable, at 10 years and 128K miles it still looks pretty good and there aren't any broken bits to deal with. Everything works and that's worth a lot these days.
The controls are well placed, the seat is pretty comfortable, and the dash is laid out well. I do wish it had a oil pressure and voltage gauges.
Considering the lack of carpet or sound deadening, it's surprisingly quiet.
The factory base radio sucks. Bad. Way too boomy. I don't listen to the radio much so it will probably be staying.
The amazing thing is the engine. Look at the torque curve, or maybe I should say torque line, because it doesn't curve much.
200+ lb-ft from about 1200 rpms all the way to well over 5K rpms. It pulls like a dream in all the gears and will accelerate with authority in OD from 45mph. Mash it to the mat and this little thing will go like stink. I'm betting it's at least as quick as my BB Ford, maybe quicker, and it will knock down 23 mpg at cruise. I love this engine. Torque for days and economy to boot. What's not to love...
Well, the not to love part is the engine sounds like ass at anything above 3500 rpms. Kind of a cross between a vacuum and a leaf blower. Yes, it's really that bad. I thought it might be just my truck, but they both sound the same. Thank the Lord for low end torque, it doesn't need to cross 3K much in regular driving. I'd almost consider the 4cyl just to avoid that noise, but the torque is worth it.
All in, it's a great little truck. I'll report back in a couple of months just to make sure this isn't just the newness of it. We'll see if I still like it then.
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My dad's '05 H3 had the 3.5 in it too. The 4.0L in my '98 Cherokee felt a lot snappier (both automatic). I'm guessing the H3 weighs way more than a stripper work truck.
