One step closer to an all electric.

So I sorta reunited with a couple that I have known for years that are so fascinating in March after a few years of not seeing one another. I mentioned at one point, while talking about what we drive in the many hours that we talked, about my 2002 Olds Bravada is scaring me a bit. Being it my only ride and getting old and maybe having not a one day fix in its future, well I wanted a cheap Toyota or Subaru for a back up. Turns out they were looking to sell their 2008 Prius cause the girls were gone and they had the 2018 Camry Hybrid. I said sure, sounds interesting. They said take it for a week or two. Ok yeah right but I sorta forgot about it with all the Covid and such. Well they called and left a message to asked if I still might be interested a week ago. I kinda blew them off for a few days but promised myself to text on Friday. I did and set 10a to check it out at their place about 35 mins away the next day. Really enjoyed the ride in the Bravada on the way out too meet the Prius. I have spent tons on this truck through the years and I finally had it sorted out that a second car wasn't as urgent now. I know, why spend so much on a Bravada, well it's a longish story and simply boring and really I'm here to talk the Prius experience to this point. I have always wondered about the hybrid car and it is tech is very cool. My first look around it I do see some rust getting concerning between the rear door and the wheel but fixable if done like now or very soon, the A/C doesn't work and it has 230000 miles but drives great. Feels and sounds tight. They only ever took it to the dealer for service except when the husband serviced the water pump twice and the brakes once. He is very intelligent and a real live blacksmith. I also knew that it would be worth at least 3 grand and I only wanted to spend two. They said take it for a ride and after some giggling at the weird way to make it go I was off. Ok I was stunned. It isn't as quick as my Bravada but was totally fine and quicker than my preconceived notions. So back at their place when we started talking turkey he said he wanted $2400 and I countered two G's knowing I would go to $2200 if pushed but he said cool but still insisted that I take it for a week or two if I wanted and my Bravada can sit in their garage while I make up my mind. Wow, it really only took the trip back. I gave it a wash as it was a bit dirty and I vacuumed it out but honestly that only took 15 mins. It has minor cosmetic issues but hey who cares. I am buying it barring any underneath stuff being a mess but I doubt that as it was just in to get an oil change in June at the dealership and they saw nothing alarming other than the tires are about half way or so. I really like driving it and it seem comfortable enough to go for a day drive to get out of the house. Any thoughts? Things I should look out for? Should I not buy it for some reason? Let me know.

 

Hello everyone. I had a chance to take it to my mechanic and neighbor. He has a legit auto repair business and he has taken care of almost everything I have done on the Bravada so I trust him. He was impressed after getting a look. Underneath was rusty in places but better than expected for 12 Wisconsin winters. Not one leak from any seal anywhere. I can't believe it's possible but I saw it with my own eyes. Mind you I have only owned GM vehicles, so for the most part, if it doesn't leak oil after 100,000 mile it's because you forgot to add more. The air conditioning is dead because the condenser took a big hit from a rock (I assume) and let all the magic cooling gas escape. Ordered a new one of those minutes ago from Rock Auto for $75. I'll install it myself and have the mechanic charge it up and I should be good to go. barring another leak we discover later. The only other thing is the heat shield above the muffler is loose, but a fender washer will fix that. So, thank you all for commenting. Seems like this is the place to ask questions in the future if I need some help.

 

The reason I have had the Bravada so long and spent probably more than I should is because I was always an Oldsmobile guy and I just really like the last gen of them. The first time I saw one and I knew I wanted a dark green with a tan interior and all the bells and whistles, but I was poorish and well not going to happen. However, it did 4 years later and I got a great deal on it and I really like driving it. I know it inside and out. I usually have the mechanic fix it but I do my own work on it too. So that's why I still drive it. You certainly have one thing right, I will only by a Toyota from now on after looking this Prius over top to bottom. The Bravada is the last GM I will ever own.

Thank you, your encouragement means a lot but I haven't run across people complaining about a brake accumulator. Can you give me some more details? Did I miss something? I am only 5 days into this.Is it a replacement for a vacuum boost that an ICE can give to the brakes?