Jamesbo

Zo I woke up this morning thinking. Why not buy a Bravada?

I have had several 2500 Suburbans and I have never been w/o a white Cheby Truck. But I've never owned, riden in a Bravada.

Could anyone share any plus/minus of the Olds AWD cars or what to look fer?

rocketraider

I think the box Bravadas were better than 95-later versions. I own a 97 that ran pretty good till it hit 150k miles and then needed more in repairs than it is worth. And there were always little niggling things that had to be attended to even before it reached that point, and I'm not a fussbudget over daily drivers.

95-later have all the typical S-10-based Blazer issues with the added complexity of AWD. Like S-10 Blazers, they are fairly maintenance-intensive vehicles and expensive to repair.

They're nicely appointed vehicles and great in snow.

Would I own another? No. I don't want any part of any S-truck based vehicle ever again. I won't say it was the biggest POS I've ever owned, but considering what I paid for it and what it cost me per mile to drive it, it was right up near the top.

Jamesbo

Tanks,

That's all I needed to know. No wonder GM is broke.

I read the other day that GM worker's medical plan spend 17 million a year on Viagra alone.

Geeze Louise

93Code86GN

Jim,

I didn't know you were a Suburban guy. I've had a few, nine I think since '88.

I had a Bravada for one year in '91. Thought I'd try it between Suburbans for a change. Turned out to be too small for my needs. As I recall I only put about 30,000 miles on it (my usual annual miles). Never had any issues and loved it. Like Rocketraider said, "Great in the snow". I used it to carry around test equipment and small tools for transmitter servicing at tower sites. Oh, I almost forgot, towed a 21' foot boat with a 350 Mercruiser, no problem, even with the v-6.

Back to Suburbans. My favorite was a '96, which I see as the last true Utility Suburban that I Owned. I kept it for four years, not wanting to let it go. Next was a 2000, 2002, 2005, then the worst Suburban I ever owned a 2007 from a Utility/towing perspective. From 2000 on they "morphed" the king of true utility vehicles into a "mall cruising, grocery getting, soccer mom's 4 wheel drive maxi van". Last year I traded the 2007 for a 2005 Diesel Excursion. I love it. I tow a 9000 lbs. trailer. With the '07 Suburban you were taking your life into your hands (poor handling at speed). The Excursion, doesn't even know it's behind it. Old school 4 wheel drive, Leaf springs, solid axles, etc. No sway whatsoever. Of course the Excursion model is gone from Fords lineup. A victim of bad press, exageration and outright lies. Don't know what I'll do longterm.

Oldskeeper

I have a 2002 Bravada (wifes daily driver) we have had it for a couple of years now.The only major issue we have had with it is the smart track transfer case,it is the weak link in the system.Would I buy another one? Yeah I would but check the transfer case and make sure the tires are all worn evenly,the circumferance of the tires has to be the same or the transfer case clutch plates burn up and you find out when the idiot light on the dash comes on.If they made a seven passenger one I would have that instead of my suburban.

Jamesbo

Thanks guys,

I think I'll jes keep the 2500 Suburban.Sounds like the Bravada has too many bells and whistles that may cause problems.It's got a few miles on it but a few years back, I hauled a 22 ft trailer with 2 pallets of concrete blocks, a pallet of mortor mix and a pile of sand through a wet pasture. No problemo.

I regularly haul "Das Boot" [18' Boston Whaler w/ 90 Honda] through muddy places and out of the water w/ no boat ramps.

Oldsguy

Speaking of Suburbans, when I was recruiting for the Navy in middle Wisconsin our office had one. This was about 1986 or so. It was a really good vehicle, much better than the alternative which were two K- cars by Chrysler. That thing could go anywhere.

Boldsmobile

Hi, new to this site.

Just sold my 98 Bravada recently. It had 245,000 miles. Now that gas is cheap i wish i still had it.

Biggest issues:

Front end - seems like i was always doing ball joints, wheel bearings or tie rod ends. The Bravadas and Blazers are known to have poor front end geometry.

Heat AC Control - Actuator motor behind glove box. They all crack a gear sooner or later.

4wd Actuator - Known to bind up.

Not saying dont get one, just be ready and willing to do maintenance.