I may become a Bravada member soon

[noack40]

Hello all:

My name is Scott and I may become a 98 Bravada owner soon. There - they say admitting the problem is half the battle. After a shocking search, I know I cant afford a new Toyota or Honda and wont pay $10,000 for a 100,000 mile vehicle.

Hence a search for used suv.
I have come across a 98 loaded to the gills Bravada with 47,000 miles on it -- yes you read right - single mom has had it sitting for six months her mechanic thinks it needs a fuel pump at $1,000. My mechanic knows it needs an ignition switch instead - a possible $600 savings.
Anyway, she doesnt want to fix it and that may work in my favor - I hope to get it for $6,000 max. as is.

I have read this forum front to back and this purchase scares the hell out of me. It is a shame that we are almost forced to purchase vehicles like this because of the nature of the industry. Well anyway - here is the list of things to do if purchase goes through.

* drain driveline - transfer case - tranny - motor - and replace with synthetics
* drain radiator and flush if it still has orange crap and replace with green
* pray a lot
* buy fire extinguisher for seat fires - LOL
* check dipsticks for rust and replace
* door hinge pin already has surface rust - try to contain
* passenger seat adjuster already broken - fix somehow
* pray a lot
* find flood insurance for sloshing - LOL
* find a/c compressor - ball joints - and rear wiper motor and store until needed
* become an automotive electrical wiring engineer
* keep an eye out for a great buy on a tranny and store until needed
* pray a lot
* check all lines for leakage
*make doctor appointment and get ulcer medication - store until needed

Have I covered everything ???
Any advice or suggestions ??

You guys might become my new best friend / psychiatrist

Thanks again
Scott

[ericn1300]

welcome to the forum, we need more neurotics here.

only 47K? i've never bought a vehicle with less than 130K, my 92 had over 170K when i got it.

sounds like a good deal, hope you get it, but you might want to shop around for a more reasonable mechanic. a thousand bucks for a fuel pump??? $400 for an ignition switch? And i thought my old mechanic, $250 Bob, was high. a whole steering column with an ignition switch costs $85 from the wrecking yard and takes maybe an hour to swap out.

[Chris Stewart]

I'd hold out for a '92,'93 or '94 to avoid the 20 wire transmission and nearly all the other problems you mentioned.

[noack40]

Yes the earlier years are more reliable from what I've read but then you start getting up into the 120,000 mile range and I dont know if that helps reliability either.
Tough choice
Will keep you posted

[Chris Stewart]

www.autotrader.com

The '98 & newer Bravadas have an electromagnetic clutch to engage the front wheels in the event of any wheel slippage. The same electro/magnetic clutch take sticking spells which is hard on the chain and sprockets in the transfer case.
The '97 & older has a device in the transfer case called a viscous clutch which has slotted discs encased in a sealed housing full of silicone grease which resists shear for continuous AWD at all times. I don't know of any viscous clutch failures yet.

Solid colors seem to hold up better than metallics.

[ctesla]

scott,
welcome, and remember there is not ANYTHING that can't be overcome with "prayer"
....ohh, I meant money. that's why we're all here on the free site!
saving the cash for the gas.
although I've never owned the Bravada, GM did do many things right with this one (especially the older ones), and I would own one (if she would just let me have as many vehicles as she had shoes, HAHA- anyway-
the SmarTrak is one of the fore-runners, as far as trucks go, and the 4.3 is a widely popular GM engine, so parts will be relatively inexpensive.
plus you have all these tech savvy Bravada people on this great site, that have already brain-stormed, wrenched, and swore through everything before you. it's easy now.
the price and mileage is GREAT.
but eric is right; I'd find a $250 Bob to swap ignitions.

as far as the rest of your post; being an electrical engineer isn't necessary, just run wires from the battery to whatever you want operating at that time (20-30 ft should be enough)

-seriously. the price sounds decent, mileage EXCELLENT, and it is probably a one owner, so ask about other receipts, check into a GM extended warranty (which might be worth nothing, or everything if a local dealer will honor the engine/drivetrain clause, a good security blanket), know that once you get it road worthy, you can do ALL your maintenance mentions: in stride. piece meal; oil/trans and gear box fluids one weekend, flush and fill radiator next month, etc.

need any assist; post these well knowledge rounded socialites on AF;---
and---
keep some Rolaids in the glove box.

good luck,
chris
nrt racing

[noack40]

Thanks for your input. I will be hearing more in the next day or so ---- might be hard to pass up all things considered ---- I can only hope that I can catch a bit of luck from the car gods if purchased