Automotive

Try It Before You Buy It

My wife's sage advice!

If only we could do that on all purchases, perhaps we wouldn't make such foolish choices. Buyer's remorse could strike before it was fatal. Here's an example:

I have had multiple off-road vehicles, of various degrees of competence and commitment. Some customized, others standard. All fairly capable of going where no man should go

Anyway, wanting to push the limits I proposed buying a Hummer. Later known as the H1 to distinguish it from the watered down H2 and successors...

My wife objected. We compromised because I found an exploration company that would rent one to me for a weekend... not cheap, but certainly a very small fraction of the acquisition and operational costs if I bought one.

The first thing I noticed was how BIG the darn thing was! Wheelbase 130 inches (3300mm), length 185 inches (4700 mm) width 87 inches (2200mm), height 79 inches (2000 mm). Weight 8100 lbs ~ 3700 kg

GM diesel 5.7L hidden well back behind front axle. Tires enormous as well and heavier than I could lift. This is NOT a DIY vehicle.

Cockpit somewhat crowded and quite loud.

But boy was it capable. This is before all the middle east conflicts when Hummers became so well known...

And it left an enormous mess of mud in the drive as my friend Chris and I washed it off prior to returning it to the rental company (TOO BIG for a car wash).