Used 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada SUV Consumer Reviews
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Missing My Bravada!
My Bravada was a 1999. I bought it in 2003 and just sold it with only 125,000 miles on it. Now, I wish I would've held onto it. But, we have two other vehicles to drive, and one had to be sold. My 1999 Bravada was the best. I must have loaded over 1,000 bags of groceries, and 800 bags of soil and mulch over the years. Transported furniture and plants, and never had one problem. Loved the heated seats and AWD, especially here in Minnesota with our rough winters. When I bought the car it only had 27,000 miles on it. Loved the sunroof and leather seats. Great car. Wish they still made them. Miss "Oldsmobile".
1999 Olds Bravada.... Still love it!
I bought this vehicle back in 2004. I have 110,000 miles on it. Heated seats, sunroof, leather interior, all the upgrades imaginable. I have never gotten tired of that beautiful burgundy color., stereo... the works! It is the most comfortable vehicle our family has ever owned. Still drives great. Very minimal problems compared to cars of the past. One of the best purchases we've ever made. This was my first SUV. I could never go back to driving a regular sedan. We're seniors now. We like it better than our new Mazda 3.
- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,5001,377 mi away
99 Bravada
I look forward to going anywhere in my Olds. It has decent pickup on the freeway. Ride is smooth for a SUV. Fuel economy is okay (it helps to look at my overhead computer, ie, instant gas mileage) if I keep my foot light. Styling is one of a kind. I have every option available. Perfect!
Bought new now at 158,000
The leather seats are luxurious and the stereo just plain rocks! The V6 and auto with overdrive deliver plenty of get up and go, the automatic AWD is great since we live in the mountains and winter always delivers ice and snow. The handling is rock solid. The ABS system has saved at least one life, an idiot had spun out and was walking in the oncoming traffic lane in a blind curve, I couldn't have missed him, I sounded my horn and he froze like a deer in the headlights, the ABS stopped 15 feet short of [violative content deleted].
I Love my Bravada
I bought my Bravada in 2004 with about 84000 miles and now she has 158,000 on the clock. Over the past 5 years I have had to put some money into her but nothing that I would consider outside the ordinary maintenance. Luckily I have a personnel mechanic that has made many repairs to the vehicle at @ 40% less than what it would cost at a dealer. Every time I want to trade her in the vehicle gives me this soulful look and I give in and hang on to her a little bit longer. I am very attached to this car but I know some day we will have to part ways. I would like to hold on to her until she reaches her 200K birthday.
I would buy again
Very comfortable, good all around, one thing though is the acceleration, could be better but is pretty great. Whatever radiator fluid GM put into the radiator though sediments settle to the bottom and casue the heat not to work, easy fix, just hook a hose up and blow it out. I can't complain, it's been good to me, has no rust even in upstate NY winters. The other wierd thing is that the all wheel drive. Something happened that it burned up the fluid and was always in 4WD. Another easy fix. Even putting a full tank of bad gas in it didn't kill it but boy it seemed it might. Only getting about 14/17 mileage-wise but oh well. Great car to own
Bravada
I haven't had a chance to try it out on the ice and snow but so far performance is good. Engine seems strong and the power is there when you need it.
great
Our Bravada has been great! Sunroof, heated seats have been an asset. Power seats, you can personalize the settings. Has been the best vehicle.
BANG FOR YOR BUCK
A++++++++ QUALITY OFF ROAD A DREAM. i HAVE 70 PLUS AND NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM
GARBAGE
Leased in 99 went way over miles. Rotors defective from the factory at 39,000/ water pump at 60,000/ transmission at 65,000/ battery at 2+ years. Amazingly nothing was warrantied when it went. All wheel drive chatters on corners and reverse and is underpowered.
SUV delight
I believe this is one of the best deals around. You get the best of everything. I was impressed from the day I purchased it. Runs great, tracks tight - HOT
A Dream!
Handles wonderfully in snow and on ice - - I love the SmartTrack system! Could be a bit larger inside, but overall a great auto to own!
I would buy it again!
Bought my Oldsmobile Bravada used about 6 months ago and haven't had a single problem yet. I'm a truck and SUV man with experience in various makes and models. I like the Expeditions more, but the Bravadas rank right up there with them. It's a small SUV with a smaller engine but plenty of power and great fuel economy (for an SUV - 19mpg). Excellent smooth quiet ride and good handling. Luxury interior with all the extras and no rattles, solid. Nothing bad to say. Looks like a Blazer but it is nothing like it, its much better.
Nickle 'n Dimer
I bought my 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada off-lease with an extended warranty. I made out like a bandit - with the warranty. the warranty company is not happy. The only items that I have NOT had replaced, at 80,000 miles, are the main engine and transmission. Everything else has broken...and it's had two women drivers and no off-road abuse during it's life. I wish I'd bought it new, I would have turned it in under the Lemon Law.
Unstoppable
My 99 Baravada has had zero problems since new. We have kept up maintanance on this vehicle, twice we have had the brakes done (we live in the mountains, and brakes get used hard), this engine is over 115,000, and still delivers 23+mpg in the flats, and 17-19 in mountains. Keep your air filter changed out! Don't put too heavy of oil in this vehicle. Change to autotrak11 transfer case lube, it's blue, and solves some issues with tight turns (which I never experienced).
!@#$%^&*
This has been a TOTAL LEMON since day one. DON'T BUY ONE. Thank God I bought the extended warranty. That has paid over $7000 in work in 2 years. Now I am buying a camry, 'cause I want a reliable car.
Great SUV
This has been a great vehicle! I bought it with 24,000 miles on it, and 3 1/2 years and 20,000 miles later, it has been an absolute joy to drive and own. I bought an extended warranty on it when I bought the vehicle, and haven't had to use it much at all. The heated seats and driver memory are both very nice features. I love the sunroof. There's plenty of room inside, and the Bravada is quite functional for hauling things. Its gas mileage isn't too great. But you can't beat the power from the Vortec V6 engine and who expects "good" gas mileage from an SUV anyway? Overall, I am very very satisfied.
Excellent vehicle
I purchased my '99 Bravada a little over four years ago. In that four years I have only had to replace the brakes and a wheel bearing. Regular maintenace, inside and out has kept this vehicle looking great! The ride is wonderful and all of the bells and whistles make it a favorite for trips.
a winner
owned four years and have only replaced a battery (under warranty.) routine service at Vacaville CA dealership has been excellent and at nominal cost. Olds has seemed to really value its customers. The Bravada looks as good as when it came off the showroom. Mechanically sound, good performance in all weather inc snow. Ride is very good for a truck and is quiet. Tows well to about 4500 lbs. Would highly recommend.
Reliability of Bravada QUESTIONABLE?
Overall my impression of my Bravda is that it is comforatable and My biggest problems have been maintenance. There is a known shudder problem with the steering. A dealer can drain and refil the transfer case for $200.00 to remedy this reacurring problem. The breaks wear out premeaturly. I have replaced all of the rotars twice now. I have replaced the wheel bearings twice. I replaced the climate control computer for $400.00 and the fuel pump for $700.00. I must add that I currently have over 130,000 miles. Some of these items are wear and tear but I would say the Bravada has above average maintanance costs.
99 Trouble~
I also had trouble with the AWD chatter..fortunately the dealer replaced the fluid for free (KMX). The brakes and rotors wore prematurely and the shocks are inadequate. Very comfortable inside though. Tows my boat nicely. Would like to see Big Three's quality improve. Next SUV will be a QX4...I've learned my lesson!
SUV of your Dreams!
I loved my '93 so much that I went out and traded it in for a newer one. This truck has it all: leather, console shift, DEPENDABLE SmartTrack system (57,000 and not a problem yet), awesome sound system, wood trim, the list goes on.
Little Trouble Up Front
I have had a little trouble with the Bravada, but overall it's been a nice ride and has taken me from Kentucky to Alaska and back. I had to replace the ball joints and both front wheel bearings about 5,000 miles ago and now am having the same problems that led me to replace them in the first place (a bumping sort of motion when cutting the wheels and backing up). I read a lot about the GMC Jimmy (nearly the same build) having this problem regularly as well. The engine runs strong, has lots of torque, and its gas mileage is good as far as an SUV goes. It does great on the snow and ice. The heat seems to always be on, that is just annoying though. I guess Olds was figuring anyone in this car would be using the AC.
Nice
I just bought a 1999 Bravada wholesale from a dealer to use as a 3rd vehicle for hauling stuff on weekends or camping. It has 103,000 miles on it so I knew for the price it had some stuff wrong with it. I paid $600 to have the wheel bearing replaced and now it's a perfect car! It is bad that this had to be done on a car with 100,000 miles on it. I had an Xterra with 160k and only replaced brakes and tires once! Still for the price it drives awesome much better than the Xterra. It has great get up and go and plenty of features such as heated seats and Bose stereo.
Do not buy one
Problems from begining dealership was worthless bought w/ 43,000 miles. Ignition and transmission went out no help from anyone. 4,000 mile out of original warrantee trans went out no help from Olds or dealer cost over $4,000. Brakes and rotors were defective ,shimmer and shake when turning and taking off
Good running vehicle
Cost a lot for replacement of heater core
- Safety
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whats with that trans
i have had my Bravada for about two year..i bought it used. It now has 150,000 miles. Now my service engine light is on, and the car shops are saying my transmision is going out. It has been a great car, i love it and don't want to get rid of it, but the cost to replace the tranny is way to high for the value of the car. and it also leaks oil like crazy, inbetween oil changes i have to put in a quart or two just to keep the oil level at normal.and the cup holders are bad..my cups are always sticking to the rupper and are hard to get out and they are in a really bad place when you want to put your car in park..just saying...oh and for some reason my 4wd doesnt work?
What a mistake
This vehicle represents the worst decision of my life. The Bravada rides bone-jarringly stiff, and can't handle rural Illinois roads. I thought it was just bad shocks, so I put on expensive ones. No improvement. Tried replacing bushings, ball joints, tires - nothing. The Bravada is just plain dangerous on bumpy, crowned rural highways. On a smooth, level highway, it tracked funny, hunting from side to side. Several mechanics claimed that the vehicle was fine... After three months of white knuckle driving, hanging on to the wheel for dear life at 40 mph, I gave up and sold the thing. Good riddance. A full size 4x4 gets the same horrible MPG, but can actually hold the road and tow something!
DO NOT BUY!!!!
I got this vehicle used with 105,000 miles on it because I needed a vehicle that was AWD or 4WD. The first time I drove it in bad weather the AWD Smarttrack system wouldn't work so the vehicle was basically a RWD vehicle. About 3 weeks later I went out to start the vehicle and the vehicle was dead and I had to have it toed to a garage and fixed. I have only had this vehicle for about 1,500 miles and have already had 2 major problems with it. I would not suggest buying this vehicle, you will put way to much money into it and not get much out of it. Spend the extra money and buy a Honda, Ford, or Toyota that will last you forever.