1997 Oldsmobile Bravada review from North America

Transmission died at 80,000. Replaced with a Jasper, rebuilt at 130,000.

Engine replaced with a rebuild at 100,000.

Lots of little problems.

Drivers side door hinge pins need replaced.

I spend more in repairs in a year on this than I spent on my 1986 Honda in its entire lifetime.

Something is always going wrong with it. Always making new noises.

On the other hand, it is long paid off and the repairs are far cheaper than car payments.

On the positive side. It never ever ever gets stuck - alright there was that once when I drove it into a deep snow bank and managed to get all four wheels off the ground. I have used it to unstick all kinds of other vehicles - cars, tractors. I once used it to pull a skidsteer out of the mud.

Did I mention - never gets stuck!

Also tows really really really good. This does not appear to be true of all Bravada's. I have borrowed newer ones from two friends. Everything seems to be the same but the model year, but theirs do not tow nearly as well. I have towed at least double its rated capacity - probably a lot more without difficulty.

Not dinky little 5x8 garden tractor trailers - but trailers with pintle hitches and capacities rated in tons. Have more trouble towing long things than heavy things.

When it dies, there is no chance I will buy another.

At the same time, I am willing to pay a couple of thousand a year to keep it working because I will miss it when it is gone.