93toNV Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I was looking at some SUVs for the winter and came across a pretty nice 97 Oldsmobile Bravada. I know they have the same 4.3 shared in the Jimmys Blazers and S10s. So I was thinking of buying it. It has basically every option you can think of, it looks like a freakin Lincoln or Caddy inside. A couple people told me to stay away from it because anyone they knew that owned one had nothing but problems with it, is that true? Anyone here have any opinions or experience with them that could help steer me in the right direction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 haven't heard much bad about them. used to sell them and that version has a great AWD systems. Viscous Clutch system. Just have it check out by a reputable shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93toNV Posted December 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Awesome. Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmuckingham Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Do not tow a trailer with a GN on the back from Toledo to Ashland, rod bearings dont like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93toNV Posted December 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 LOL. Ok Thanks for the advice! It does have a hitch reciever on the back of it. Is that stock or did someone add that? If its an addon, then some has been pulling with it and I need to get the tranny checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 all trak can be flaky and the hub bearings are stupid expensive ($350 or $400 a piece) from what I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wease Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 A buddy I play hockey with had nothing but problems with his. I'd have to ask specificially what those were, but I know he hated it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Hitch was standard if memory serves. LOL. Ok Thanks for the advice! It does have a hitch reciever on the back of it. Is that stock or did someone add that? If its an addon, then some has been pulling with it and I need to get the tranny checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TA In Progress Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 For whatever it's worth, my dad has a '97 Jimmy. He's had it for quite sometime now and it's got almost 200k on it. The only thing out the ordinary I've done to it is put a fuel pump and oil cooler lines (very common to leak) on it. He regularly pulls a trailer with it as well. It's been a great vehicle. I also had a Blazer that I sold to a buddy when it had 235k on it, and he's still driving it everyday and pulling his boat with it. I'd definitely check out the oil cooler lines if I were you, and change them before they let go with disastrous results. BTW, front hub bearings are less than $150 each, I just changed one on a Blazer not too long ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 For whatever it's worth, my dad has a '97 Jimmy. He's had it for quite sometime now and it's got almost 200k on it. The only thing out the ordinary I've done to it is put a fuel pump and oil cooler lines (very common to leak) on it. He regularly pulls a trailer with it as well. It's been a great vehicle. I also had a Blazer that I sold to a buddy when it had 235k on it, and he's still driving it everyday and pulling his boat with it. I'd definitely check out the oil cooler lines if I were you, and change them before they let go with disastrous results. BTW, front hub bearings are less than $150 each, I just changed one on a Blazer not too long ago. ok they are cheaper now then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93toNV Posted December 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Well I went and test drove it today, and guess what! Runs very good, feels really tight and handles excellent. You hit the nail on the head though! Guess what leaks!? The oil cooler lines. Im assuming thats what they are. I can see them when I open the little plastic flap where you change the oil filter at. You also called another one right on. When I was done driving it I smelled fuel on the drivers side. Could this be a leaky fuel pump/line? FWIW it has 121xxx on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 is it at a dealership or private seller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 It's got all the same normal problems as a Blazer or S10. The AWD transfer case is the same as the ones on the Astro Vans, no clue how tough that unit is. It will be a "maintenance" pig, but probably won't have anything huge go wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93toNV Posted December 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 is it at a dealership or private seller. Its at a dealership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Total Sign Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 120K, be ready for the lower intake manifold gasket to start leaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1647545494 Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 its basically a blazer or a jimmy locked in 4wd high you can even pop off the little tab on the dash thats says awd and replace it with the 4wd selector switch from a blazer and use the low range in the transfer case oil cooler lines balljoints and hub bearings need replaced all the time but other than that fairly reliable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1quikta Posted December 26, 2007 Report Share Posted December 26, 2007 We have a 2002 with the inline 6 and AWD. Very nice SUV for the money. Runs great, but if I were to tow I would opt for the switchable 2WD/4WD system. Ours will never see a trailer because of that. I know you are asking about a different body style, but sometimes you can strike a deal on one of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHaze Posted December 26, 2007 Report Share Posted December 26, 2007 A friend of mine has one. It always has some sort of small problem with it, whether it's electronics going out or coolant lines crumbling. Despite that, he loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckeyeGT Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 ive heard something about fires and explosions. (no joke) id look into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpfiend Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Dont get the tbi engine- the vortec W code-CPI engine is stout- we liked the one in ours so much we put one in a porsche 924. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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