Oldsmobile Aurora

[RaiseUp]

I saw one of these yesterday, a black one with chrome rims it looked sharp. DOes anyone here have an aurora? Anyone here have one? Is it a nice ride?

 

[kalster]

gm shutdown oldsmobile ? really a mobile for the senior folks

 

[BatmanNate]

It's no 7 series with spinners.

 

[Emrys]

The aurora is far from an old persons car, it is actually quite quick. If I am not mistaken the engine that the "new shelbys" used was a modified version of it. Anyhow, quick car, fairly nice, but I don't know much about its reliablity.

 

[TheAudit]

It was not a bad car although I do remember one C&D comparison where it did finish last.
250 hp in the V-8 version.

Quick specs

 

[dud]

The Aurora was Olds' top-of-the-line sedan before they closed down the division. Their product line was (from least to most expensive): Alero then Intrigue followed by the Aurora. My father owned an Intrigue before he passed. It was a fine car with a powerfull V6. I love it when people talk about the Olds cars being for old people. I remember lots of times having probs getting on the expressway (people would not allow me on) so I would push gently on the gas. A few seconds later the car was smoothly up to 95 and the rude idiots were long gone behind me. The stock Intrigue had more power then most ricers AFTER they were modified. I believe the Aurora had eith a V6 or V8 making it a VERY powerfull car. My Dad owned his car for 4 years and NEVER had any probs with it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My cousin bought one new and it's got around 165k miles on it now. He's ready for something new, but doesn't want to give up his car.

I recommend not buying one though....but that's just because there's no more Oldsmobile. I'm sure GM will continue to support them, but parts are going to start getting scarce soon. If you buy one, don't plan to keep it long.

 

[Vette73]

There were 2 Gens of Auroras. the first one came V8 only and the 2nd and last came V6 standard and option of a V8.

The Pontiac Bonnivelle now uses the same platform as the old Aurora, so that is what toke its place.

 

[3chordcharlie]

yeah the last-gen aurora was a pretty sweet ride - but GM only has to supply parts for 10 years after manufacture, and it's been at least a couple already. Even if they have parts while you own the car, that will hurt resale; most active models the major companies provide parts for beyond the 10-year minimum.

 

[Mr N8]

You mean this car?

Aurora 1
Aurora 2

Its my baby, and I love it. Its definitely not a old person's car, and with the Borla exhaust system on it, it sounds quite beautiful. Its a fast car, but it won't beat the Subaru's and Mazda's, if that's what you are looking for. It does have great acceleration at any speed, though. Hitting 90 from 70 is effortless.

I've looked into different rims for it, but I don't like chrome, so I'm looking for a gunmetal or black rim that looks nice on it. As far as reliability goes, its not the best I've had, but the parts can be had easily and fairly inexpensively. The only major problems I've had to fix is the A/C went out at ~100K miles and the master cylinder is having some problems, now at ~135K miles.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
yeah the last-gen aurora was a pretty sweet ride - but GM only has to supply parts for 10 years after manufacture, and it's been at least a couple already. Even if they have parts while you own the car, that will hurt resale; most active models the major companies provide parts for beyond the 10-year minimum.

The Aurora used a Northstar version motor and all the other parts, for the most part, are still being made and used in other GM cars. That and the after market is always there for american cars.

The Aurora is a great car as its resale price has dropped so getting a used one in great condition for a low price is easy.

 

[Mr N8]

You can find a nice '99 for $7k-$10k. The '01 / '02 2nd gen will start around $12k, but more for the 4.0 (which I would definitely get).

 

[3chordcharlie]

oops! I forgot about it being a northstar! Yeah in that case there's not likely to be a major parts shortage anytime soon..

and it's still a nice car

 

[ThePresence]

One of the only modern american cars that I would actually own.

 

[RaiseUp]

MogulMonster,

That Looks nice.

I tell you, those cars are pretty good looking , and they kinda of remind me of the Riviaras (SP)?

 

[Jzero]

My fiancee's father has one and his sister as well.
I think they are too "spacy" looking, but they seem to be nice cars in terms of power, luxury and value.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: RaiseUp
MogulMonster,

That Looks nice.

I tell you, those cars are pretty good looking , and they kinda of remind me of the Riviaras (SP)?

Yeah, they are on the same platform as the Buick Riviera. In fact, the GM repair manual that I have is for the Aurora / Riviera. They have different engines, but structurally, they are the same, otherwise. The Riviera has the GM 3.8 (supercharged optional), and the Aurora got the 4.0 Northstar.

 

[PlatinumGold]

I still drive my 6 yr old Olds Intrigue. NO problems with this vehicle after 110k miles. it's a pretty sweet ride and the Aurora is one step better than mine.

i seriously considered trading my Intrigue in for an Olds Aurora at one point.

MogulMonster, yours is the slightly older Aurora. i liked both iterations of the Auroral, i think i liked the later one just a little bit tho.

 

[Grey]

My mother has an 00 Alero, I love that car it has awesome pickup and the modified muffler (previous owner) sounds sweet. The car has a lot of gadgets in it, not something I expect from a US car.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: Grey
My mother has an 00 Alero, I love that car it has awesome pickup and the modified muffler (previous owner) sounds sweet. The car has a lot of gadgets in it, not something I expect from a US car.

You must have the version with the 6 cyl then. I had a Alero as a rental for a while with a loud a$$ 4 banger. It ran like a cement factory. The car was way to small inside too.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

We have both the 2002 Intrigue and a 2001 Prelude.

Most noticeable difference is of course the low end torque of the Intrigue. Great pickup. The Prelude is no match for it. Being a 4-banger, all it ever does off the line is rev like crazy with little action.

The Oldsmobile Intrigue/Alero/Aurora are definitely not made for old folks. Admittedly the Aurora is targeting the more mature audience.

 

[StageLeft]

It's crap compared to a BMW with spinners, you poseur!

 

[GreenGhost]

Aurora's were a great buy when they announced the closure of Olds. GM was also giving 3,000 off for Olds owners. The guy from Autoweek once said dealers were getting them for around 26k in special auctions, at the time.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My Mother-In-Law had one. She got rid of it with 36k miles because it was constantly in the shop. My best friend's Dad has one and he had to have a new engine put in at 60k miles.

 

[Wag]

I'm pretty sure the law says a manufacturer must keep making parts for discontinued models for up to 10yrs.

That said, I own a '95 Achieva with only 40k miles, and it has a ton of problems. I put almost $2000 into it this year, and I hardly drive it-

I had to replace the struts, new brakes, manifold gasket (big process there), electrical problem, horn just broke (in the shop now).

What a drag.