I don't have one topic worthy of a full Talk Back Tuesday post, but I do have a few mini topics from the past week that, when added up, almost equate to one worthy discussion...hopefully. Here goes:

In the spirit of "perfect timing" comes a new Hummer H2 book: Yes, just as oil passes $100-a-barrel and gas hits $4-a-gallon we get a new book that, according to the press release:

"With unfolded centerfold the book reaches a width of 237 cm (94.5 inches), wider than the subject of the book, the HUMMER H2, itself. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is the biggest and most exclusive car book in the world and is published in a limited edition of just 999 sequentially numbered and signed copies. On 200 gloss-laminated pages German automobile journalist Hans-Jürgen Tücherer tells a great many entertaining and amusing stories that surround this spectacular American SUV. More than 270 fascinating pictures up to 43 x 237 centimeters (17 x 94.5 inches) in size depict the HUMMER H2 in all its glorious details and from many highly unusual perspectives. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is available for 999 Euros. The German edition is on sale now. The English version will be available online at www.h2book.com starting in April 2008."

Yes, for a mere $1,500 you too can pay proper homage to your H2 with a book as obnoxious as the vehicle itself! Better reserve your copy today!!

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The good news regarding the Hummer H3 Alpha relates to the SUV's geneology. Starting with the same platform as the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon is reason enough to give me pause. Our long-term GMC Canyon was underpowered, unrefined and unappealing in almost every way. But this version of the GMT355 platform (called the GMT345 for Hummer use) is surprisingly adequate in terms of ride quality, handling and front-seat comfort (none of which could be said of the pickup trucks). And with the 5.3-liter V8 in the "Alpha" version, it's actually relatively quick, too (for a serious off-road machine anyway).

But that's about where the accolades end. The list of de-merits is pretty long, particularly for a $43,000 SUV. Most competitors (Toyota FJ Cruiser, Nissan Xterra, Jeep Wrangler) are considerably cheaper while being about as quick in a straight line and just as competent off road. And they don't swill pretrol like this beast, either (13/18 mpg vs. 16/20 for the FJ).

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I don't have much passion (positive or negative) for the Hummer H3, but I know plenty of people do. It's generally a "love it or hate it" car because of the emotions it evokes. I used to dislike it, but with the proper engine finally available it does what it's supposed to do quite capably.

If you read Mark Tapscott's review of the H3 you don't learn how good or bad the H3 is, but why it should be offered to the buying public at all. His articulation of why people must be allowed to buy the car they want is as good as I've read (and that's high praise when you consider that I've written on this topic several times...).

If you have an intrinsic sense of why people need to retain freedom of choice in the marketplace you should read this and gain total clarity.

If you have no sense of why people need to retain freedom of choice in the marketplace, you must read this -- you fascist pig!

This is old news, but 2006 is the last year for the Hummer H1. The vehicle represented the ultimate Sierra Club atrocity, and in a world of $3-a-gallon gasoline I don't expect too many tears to fall -- GM only sold 374 last year. While I, like others, felt the H1 was a bit ridiculous as a civilian vehicle, I do find something troubling about the existence of the H2 and H3 (and rumored H4) without the H1 around. The H1 defined the brand for years, and only recently did "other" Hummer models exist. Now the basis for the entire Hummer image is going away (unless you're an enlisted man) but the "knock off's" are still available. Plus, many people felt the "Alpha" upgrades (added for 2006) really improved the vehicle. Of course that means it's time for GM to kill it, right? The H2 and H3 are basically Silverados and Colorados with different shells, so I guess it's a smart business and marketing move. The H2 and H3 are obviously much stronger profit centers because they are cheaper to build and appeal to a wider audience. But I guess part of me feels like the H2 and H3 are the "After MASH" versions of the H1, and, well, hopefully the H2 and H3 will fare better than that show...