2002 Oldsmobile Bravada - Don't buy one
The 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, what can I say. As far as looks and appeal Oldsmobile knocked it out of the park in it's final years of producing this SUV. Stylish exterior which even today (2015) people think it is no more than a few years old. The interior, plush leather with automatics seats (heated) automatic mirrors, lumbar support and sunroof. A powerful BOSE 6 CD changer stereo system. Unfortunately, when I bought this vehicle at 120,000 miles on the Odom. It became apparent I may have made a serious mistake purchasing this vehicle.
The 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, what can I say. As far as looks and appeal Oldsmobile knocked it out of the park in it's final years of producing this SUV. Stylish exterior which even today (2015) people think it is no more than a few years old. The interior, plush leather with automatics seats (heated) automatic mirrors, lumbar support and sunroof. A powerful BOSE 6 CD changer stereo system. Unfortunately, when I bought this vehicle at 120,000 miles on the Odom. It became apparent I may have made a serious mistake purchasing this vehicle.
Ok I thought this was more funny than fun. My kids would probably beg to differ. While driving them to school in the dead of winter the Air Ride System failed four mile from their school. We had just had a bad storm of ice and sleet the day before and the plows couldn't scrape most of the frozen ice from the roads. The body of the vehicle laid down on the frame and it was like driving a 5000 l... (more)
Ok I thought this was more funny than fun. My kids would probably beg to differ. While driving them to school in the dead of winter the Air Ride System failed four mile from their school. We had just had a bad storm of ice and sleet the day before and the plows couldn't scrape most of the frozen ice from the roads. The body of the vehicle laid down on the frame and it was like driving a 5000 lb go cart four miles, I looked in the rear view mirror to see the kids in the back bouncing all over the place with every natural ice speed bump heads hitting the headliner with some of them, I couldn't help but laugh.
Like I said previously, the Bravada was years ahead of everyone else in 2002 when it came to looks inside and out. At approx. 32,000 Purchase price it was worth it when it came to all of the bells and whistles. The engine, a 4.2 L inline six had enough power to me, more than most similar vehicles of the day. The ride was superior with rear air ride suspension which I was able to enjoy for a short while.
Like I said previously, the Bravada was years ahead of everyone else in 2002 when it came to looks inside and out. At approx. 32,000 Purchase price it was worth it when it came to all of the bells and whistles. The engine, a 4.2 L inline six had enough power to me, more than most similar vehicles of the day. The ride was superior with rear air ride suspension which I was able to enjoy for a short while.
So here we go, cons. Where do I start? At 120000 thousand miles on the odometer the vehicle still looked really nice to me, whoever owned it took very good care of it. Unfortunately as they say, "you can't judge a book by it's cover." After driving this vehicle for a month or so for no more than a thousand miles, the encoder motor which supplies power to the transfer case which in turn engages the AWL ( all wheel drive) went bad. No biggy, stuff happens all the time when you buy a used vehicle, $400 repair, acceptable. Then the Air Ride system went bad a couple months later, there goes ano... (more)
So here we go, cons. Where do I start? At 120000 thousand miles on the odometer the vehicle still looked really nice to me, whoever owned it took very good care of it. Unfortunately as they say, "you can't judge a book by it's cover." After driving this vehicle for a month or so for no more than a thousand miles, the encoder motor which supplies power to the transfer case which in turn engages the AWL ( all wheel drive) went bad. No biggy, stuff happens all the time when you buy a used vehicle, $400 repair, acceptable. Then the Air Ride system went bad a couple months later, there goes another $1,400 bux. It was as if after that happened, everything regarding the suspension system started going bad, literally every month something needed to be replaced. Upper control arms, lower control arms, ball joints, sway bar bushings, sway bar links, cv joints etc etc etc you get the picture. By the time it was all said and done I pretty much rebuilt the entire suspension and that's on top of all the normal preventative maintenance stuff that needs to be done. Oh, don't let me get into the electrical system, lets just say it has a mind of it's own. Anyway to make a long story short, between labor and parts over a 4 year period I could have bought a brand new Bravada back in 2002.
2002 Oldsmobile Bravada - Perfect vehicle.
I am 55 years old and this is by far the absolute best vehicle I have ever had. I do not like cars, they sit too low, having been injured at a young age in a big station wagon, I have maintained a fear of being too low to the ground in case of accident and or needing to have good visual of the road ahead. The Oldsmobile Bravado is perfect for this scenario. It sits high like a full bed truck. It drives like a dream. Smooth and steady. It is a all wheel drive which at first concerned me regarding gas, however it is decent on gas. The traction and firm footing on the road alleviates any apprehension one might have on a busy highway. It also has the feature on star, and heated seats, as well as the air suspension in the back where the truck lifts and lowers itself according to the weight.
I am 55 years old and this is by far the absolute best vehicle I have ever had. I do not like cars, they sit too low, having been injured at a young age in a big station wagon, I have maintained a fear of being too low to the ground in case of accident and or needing to have good visual of the road ahead. The Oldsmobile Bravado is perfect for this scenario. It sits high like a full bed truck. It drives like a dream. Smooth and steady. It is a all wheel drive which at first concerned me regarding gas, however it is decent on gas. The traction and firm footing on the road alleviates any apprehension one might have on a busy highway. It also has the feature on star, and heated seats, as well as the air suspension in the back where the truck lifts and lowers itself according to the weight.
I recently took my grandchildren to Lego Land. An hour ride one way is not always the best experience when traveling with 4 over excited children all under the age of 7. We sang along with the radio all the way. They sat comfortably, with ample air conditioning in the back for them. All of our days accommodations were in the far back, with ample room for the cooler, the umbrellas, cooler and p... (more)
I recently took my grandchildren to Lego Land. An hour ride one way is not always the best experience when traveling with 4 over excited children all under the age of 7. We sang along with the radio all the way. They sat comfortably, with ample air conditioning in the back for them. All of our days accommodations were in the far back, with ample room for the cooler, the umbrellas, cooler and picnic basket. It was a great day, and I contribute much of that to the fact I was able to comfortably, safely, confidently transport us in the best vehicle I've ever had, my Oldsmobile Bravada.
I like to sit up higher than cars, this is perfect for that. I like the strong safe feel of a truck, however having 4 grandchildren, a truck is not practical. My Oldsmobile Bravada has it all. It sits high, it has enough seating for comfortable seating for all 4 of the grandkids at the same time. Back seat air conditioning is great for the kids here in Florida. It has a sunroof which the kids love. It is strong, steady and safe, which I love. It has all star option on it, and even a neat little recorder built in for reminders or messages to be played in vehicle. I like that it has 2 driver... (more)
I like to sit up higher than cars, this is perfect for that. I like the strong safe feel of a truck, however having 4 grandchildren, a truck is not practical. My Oldsmobile Bravada has it all. It sits high, it has enough seating for comfortable seating for all 4 of the grandkids at the same time. Back seat air conditioning is great for the kids here in Florida. It has a sunroof which the kids love. It is strong, steady and safe, which I love. It has all star option on it, and even a neat little recorder built in for reminders or messages to be played in vehicle. I like that it has 2 driver settings option, I have 1 set for me and the number 2 for my son who frequently borrows my Oldsmobile Bravada to haul his bass boat. Yes, he says my Oldsmobile Bravada tows his bass boat better than his truck! There is not a single thing I would change about my Oldsmobile, other than for it to be a new one, however I have heard they no longer make them.
The only problem I have had with the Oldsmobile Bravada is, the rear differential thing. I have had to have it replaced twice. My son claims it's because of my personal style of driving, and turning the wheel extreme all the time. Other than this, I have no complaints. I would like to accommodate this survey by fulfilling this part in more depth, however, there are no cons I can be state and remain truthful.
The only problem I have had with the Oldsmobile Bravada is, the rear differential thing. I have had to have it replaced twice. My son claims it's because of my personal style of driving, and turning the wheel extreme all the time. Other than this, I have no complaints. I would like to accommodate this survey by fulfilling this part in more depth, however, there are no cons I can be state and remain truthful.
2000 Oldsmobile Bravada -
This car has been a reliable treasure. It runs and all we've had to do is replace parts that normally wear out. We have over 385,000 miles on the car and have no reason to believe that it is not capable of another 100,000 miles. The body is still like the new SUVs on the road, and the ride is smooth and comfortable for a utility vehicle. The storage load space is amazing, we've move two children through college and the car keeps on running. The leather interior is still as good as when we got the car in 2003. All of the power assist function properly, power seats, heated seats, sunroof, rear wiper, fold down seats, power seats, and air conditioning.
This car has been a reliable treasure. It runs and all we've had to do is replace parts that normally wear out. We have over 385,000 miles on the car and have no reason to believe that it is not capable of another 100,000 miles. The body is still like the new SUVs on the road, and the ride is smooth and comfortable for a utility vehicle. The storage load space is amazing, we've move two children through college and the car keeps on running. The leather interior is still as good as when we got the car in 2003. All of the power assist function properly, power seats, heated seats, sunroof, rear wiper, fold down seats, power seats, and air conditioning.
Cargo capacity is amazing. Car has been great for travel, very comfortable ride. Not tired from travel when we you arrive at your destination. Gas economy on trips has been phenomenal for the size of the vehicle. The car cleans up very well. Looks like new every time it is washed. The style is such that you can take it to the beach or an opera. Whenever it snows, the car's four-wheel traction ... (more)
Cargo capacity is amazing. Car has been great for travel, very comfortable ride. Not tired from travel when we you arrive at your destination. Gas economy on trips has been phenomenal for the size of the vehicle. The car cleans up very well. Looks like new every time it is washed. The style is such that you can take it to the beach or an opera. Whenever it snows, the car's four-wheel traction is reliable and smooth to carry us through safely.
Our favorite feature is reliability. We've had to replace the battery and as soon as replaced we have been on the road again.
Our favorite feature is reliability. We've had to replace the battery and as soon as replaced we have been on the road again.
I guess road noise can be an issue at times. Could be a function of the long life 386,000 miles.
I guess road noise can be an issue at times. Could be a function of the long life 386,000 miles.
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