Buyer's Regret?

[thoner7]

why don’t you buy from a reputable seller? I mean someone who knows the trucks?
not some guy on FB or CL thats selling...
I tell all my perspective customers, come to the shop, look, listen and test drive the truck...i do it a few times a week.
the feedback Is 100%, “thank you, you were totally right, I needed to see it and drive it”.
It‘s like pulling hens teeth sometimes.

What companies would you recommend? Eastern surplus seems to have a bunch for sale but those are stripped down.

I'm on the east coast.

 

[01GRANDER]

What companies would you recommend? Eastern surplus seems to have a bunch for sale but those are stripped down.

I'm on the east coast.

Just buy one from someone that actually knows what they are talking about and no, it doesn’t need to be a company.

Mine ended up being from someone that bought it from an auction and I just made sure it was mechanically good. Luckily the guy who owned mine was a manager at a parts store.

Just make sure to get a 4 speed, I’m looking to get a newer version now and swap all of my accessories, it’s my main regret

 

[01GRANDER]

What companies would you recommend? Eastern surplus seems to have a bunch for sale but those are stripped down.

I'm on the east coast.

What area are you? NC or Virginia?

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

What companies would you recommend? Eastern surplus seems to have a bunch for sale but those are stripped down.

I'm on the east coast.

American Humvee, Blackdog customs , Retired war horses “Shameless plug”. I wouldn’t get concerned with where the trucks located, just factor in transportation costs into your price, it’s more important to get a mechanically sound truck not someones weekend project. If you can do your own work, than that’s a plus…

 

[01GRANDER]

American Humvee, Blackdog customs , Retired war horses “Shameless plug”. I wouldn’t get concerned with where the trucks located, just factor in transportation costs into your price, it’s more important to get a mechanically sound truck not someones weekend project. If you can do your own work, than that’s a plus…

Will agree to you and blackdog. Hoffman is another thing altogether.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Just buy one from someone that actually knows what they are talking about and no, it doesn’t need to be a company.

Mine ended up being from someone that bought it from an auction and I just made sure it was mechanically good. Luckily the guy who owned mine was a manager at a parts store.

Just make sure to get a 4 speed, I’m looking to get a newer version now and swap all of my accessories, it’s my main regret

How do you know if this person knows what he’s talking about? 90% or more HMMWV owners never drove one before they bought it, never spent time in the service, never drove one in the service.

 

[01GRANDER]

How do you know if this person knows what he’s talking about? 90% or more HMMWV owners never drove one before they bought it, never spent time in the service, never drove one in the service.

Humvees aren’t made out of unobtainium, I’m not going to steer someone away from using an expert if they aren’t mechanically inclined but 80-90% can easily be done by people if they have enough common sense and look at the Tm’s.

I’m looking at my hubs right now, you have to be careful but by now, tons of videos exist as well.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Humvees aren’t made out of unobtainium, I’m not going to steer someone away from using an expert if they aren’t mechanically inclined but 80-90% can easily be done by people if they have enough common sense and look at the Tm’s.

I’m looking at my hubs right now, you have to be careful but by now, tons of videos exist as well.

Common sense isn’t common and I know your just joking about looking in the TM’s, you can’t even tell a person on this forum to look it up in the TM without getting flamed or a violation…
I was only offering up my opinion, but sounds like you got it covered pretty well.

 

[dmetalmiki]

Has anyone ever regretted buying their Hmmwv? Just curious, I see tons for sale on Facebook, cars.com, eBay and craigslist. My assumption is some are speculators that bought off GP and then are just reselling but I was just curious.

I am looking at one in GA and I’d just be curious if there are any members that might actually prefer something else or if everyone is quite happy with their purchase.

Thanks

Well it's the old old addage..If YOU like it..And YOU desire it..then that's all you should go by... enjoy

 

[01GRANDER]

Common sense isn’t common and I know your just joking about looking in the TM’s, you can’t even tell a person on this forum to look it up in the TM without getting flamed or a violation…
I was only offering up my opinion, but sounds like you got it covered pretty well.

Steven, people need to learn how to work on these themselves. The average person can’t afford to send them to you or vaden, I get there are people that can afford it but plenty of others that just need to learn how to do thing themselves.

 

[01GRANDER]

Well it's the old old addage..If YOU like it..And YOU desire it..then that's all you should go by... enjoy

So far I haven’t regretted buying it, I’ve regretted not having money anymore.

 

[Milcommoguy]

Bought mine off EPAY. Think seller was in over his head with the needed maintenance to get it road worthy and the cool factor wore off real quick.

Made contact, worked a deal off line (sorry epay win some, lost this one haha) took it down, cut the check. Next PITA shipping right coast to left. Finally, after getting screwed ALL around for a weeeek by "fly by night" transport brokers. (don't believe what you see on TV)

Got other "OH YEA" we can do that BS. Call you right back. Ten minutes later phone rings. This is Jerry... Got my GUY a day away if you can wait... Hell yea! Been screwing around with five others with no time line, prices all over the board. What a JOKE.

The GUY now calls me. I am going to get it. I'll call at pick up. Ten hours later "GOT IT" and sending me pictures of the night time load up. WOW and NICE. Calls every day... two more time crossing the country. Nice guy fills me in with how it going with weather reports LOL. Next call 30 minutes out. HOLLY SMOKES! I got a get my shoes on.

Hearing the rummble throught the house it was here. I see it... I SEE IT (as in the plane ,the plane) Right up front, on top. That was the day.

From a quality broker not screwing around on the cheap, fixed price, made it happen. That car hauler's rig was the USS Enterprise. A million dollar Humv moving machine. He and is boy travel damm near non-stop, all over the country. Living the life. Beautiful truck... mine too, Not a bug on it, spot less, polished, living /sleeping quarters, satellite TV, internet, like a real land yacht.

Another 2000 dollars and ten minutes later the HumV as landed, CAMO

The GUY spoke broken English. Was from a eastern block country I think. SUPER GUY.
Check the door out. lol

 

[Gamble]

Nice!

 

[T9000]

Thanks for the info,


Thanks for the info, I just don’t know where I’d take it on that many road trips. The nearby lake is 40 minutes away but it’s backroads. I may eventually take it other places but at some point I’d like to get a wrecked Chevy and put a duramax but that would be well into the future. Someone has a relatively clean 6.2/3 for $11,800, I might see if he’d take $11,000. Might not but might be worth it to ask.

Has anyone been able to get a loan for a Hmmwv? I have the cash but I have been putting it away for a down payment on a house and I’d rather have it available to avoid pmi.

Do the house first. I don't think there are many banks/ CUs that would do a loan on it with a good rate, however if you do the house first, then you can get a HELOC (some run 2.9%) and use that if you are low on liquidity, plus getting the house it's the right thing to do in this increasing inflation where your cash depreciates the longer you sit on it.

As far as the HMMWV, it depends on ones expectations and abilities and here is the shorter version

If you expect higher driveability, then you should consider getting the 4 speed transmission.
Doing the Duramax it's a big project unless you did it before and also have an appropriate tool arsenal.
You could take that Duramax money and get a better truck upfront (i,e, 6.5L NA or Turbo with 4 speed transmission), which you will enjoy a lot sooner than waiting to do the Duramax upgrade (if you will ever get to it, which is another variable) and you will get more of your money back if you ever sell it, as the originals will hold more of their value over time IMO.

 

[T9000]

Steven, people need to learn how to work on these themselves. The average person can’t afford to send them to you or vaden, I get there are people that can afford it but plenty of others that just need to learn how to do thing themselves.

It's not so much about affording it, but more about getting to know and understand the truck. Part of getting this truck or other MV, is learning as much as you can about it and do as much as you can yourself. For me, working on the truck and driving it, it's an escape

 

[FlameRed]

In Michigan we are having problems with titles. For whatever reason, our genius legislators and Secretary of State view the HMMWV differently than other HMVs. I worry that they will start applying the same irrational restrictions on all HMVs.
As it stands, HMMWVS are titled for off road use only. It’s hard to talk sense to an uninformed politician. They say the HMMWV is not safe on our highways. Then they allow people to drive old cars they call classics anywhere folks want to drive them. On that point I agree. A law abiding citizen ought to be able to drive anything he or she wants to as long as the vehicle doesn’t create a safety risk for other drivers. Now ask these politicians what they would rather be rear ended in, a HMMWV or a 67 Ford Falcon. I know how I would vote.
Like Tobash said, these are used vehicles. If you are looking for something you don’t have to work on from time to time, this my not be the hobby for you. On the other hand if you want drive something that will put you in close contact with veteran hero’s and some of the most sharing folks you will ever meet, buy that thing and welcome to the sickness.... I mean hobby, that’ Right it’s a hobby. I keep forgetting.

Same here but in Florida. I kind of knew what I was in for, but the arrogance and deception of the bureaucrats here were just disgusting. Here, it was not an act of law but a DMV "ruling" by unelected bureaucrats. They marked my out-of-state title as "invalid". I got a multi-page thread on this fiasco.

Yet here in Florida the "special" folks will get into a car accidents and just run away from the scene even if they have leave the car. And don't get me started about all the construction folks that drop their step ladders across 2 lanes of interstate and kill a bunch of people and are never found. And all the gardeners who have their trailer wheels fly off and dump their tree stumps and debris in the middle of the interstate. That is perfectly fine - but a HUMVEE is a big danger!

 

[williamh]

Same here but in Florida. I kind of knew what I was in for, but the arrogance and deception of the bureaucrats here were just disgusting. Here, it was not an act of law but a DMV "ruling" by unelected bureaucrats. They marked my out-of-state title as "invalid". I got a multi-page thread on this fiasco.

Yet here in Florida the "special" folks will get into a car accidents and just run away from the scene even if they have leave the car. And don't get me started about all the construction folks that drop their step ladders across 2 lanes of interstate and kill a bunch of people and are never found. And all the gardeners who have their trailer wheels fly off and dump their tree stumps and debris in the middle of the interstate. That is perfectly fine - but a HUMVEE is a big danger!

I sense a little anger issue

 

[Bill Nutting]

We can’t expect rational decisions from politicians or bureaucrats. I fear where all this power grabbing is headed…

 

[dhaumann69166]

Do you want to have a conversation at normal volume with your passengers? Don’t get a Humvee. Do you ever need to hurry or speed to get someplace that you are late to? Don’t get a Humvee. Do you like being told by mechanics and parts shops they can’t help you or it will cost a TON? Don’t buy a Humvee. Do you like turning wrenches in tight, hard to access places with extremely heavy parts or chasing wires that are ALL black? Don’t buy a Humvee.
You mentioned a Duramax conversion and I saw the word cheap near it. Duramax conversions are the most expensive thing you can do to a Humvee the cheap part is getting the donor pickup with motor, tranny and wiring. LOTS of work and money have to go into the Humvee to make it accept and operate a Dmax. Not trying to steer you away from a Humvee just pointing out that they are time and money consuming vehicles. HMMWV (High Maintenance Money Wasting Vehicle). I love mine but it has a lot of time and work put into it!

 

[01GRANDER]

Do you want to have a conversation at normal volume with your passengers? Don’t get a Humvee. Do you ever need to hurry or speed to get someplace that you are late to? Don’t get a Humvee. Do you like being told by mechanics and parts shops they can’t help you or it will cost a TON? Don’t buy a Humvee. Do you like turning wrenches in tight, hard to access places with extremely heavy parts or chasing wires that are ALL black? Don’t buy a Humvee.
You mentioned a Duramax conversion and I saw the word cheap near it. Duramax conversions are the most expensive thing you can do to a Humvee the cheap part is getting the donor pickup with motor, tranny and wiring. LOTS of work and money have to go into the Humvee to make it accept and operate a Dmax. Not trying to steer you away from a Humvee just pointing out that they are time and money consuming vehicles. HMMWV (High Maintenance Money Wasting Vehicle). I love mine but it has a lot of time and work put into it!

I actually have had my M998 for almost 2 years now. I’m about to buy a m1152 and swap over my goodies. I want a 4spd and a turbo.

Having helped a friend with an LS swap, I think the prices charged for the dmax swap are crazy. I get it’s not cheap but you’re not going to convince me that it can’t be done for $30k even at a shop. I’m not talking about a rebuilt engine, TC and tranny, just a donor one.