03Aleroj
New member
I know of someone that has over 400
davedbusman
New member
jarial
New member
Take your money and run! I own a '95 and it is nothing but a money pit. I bought this car in 2000 for $10,000 and have spent about that much keeping it repaired.
The only reason I'm still driving it is because I'm in debt for more than the car is worth.
The only reason I'm still driving it is because I'm in debt for more than the car is worth.erraserhead
New member
Gotta add my two sense..
Just wanted to say that although I am doing some "wrenching" myself, replacing basic parts and learning more than I ever knew about GM cars I absolutely LOVE my '98 Aurora. I purchased her last year (2006) and was surprised and pleased to find that I obtained a $35,000+ (when new) luxury car, with the Autobahn option, in fine condition with just over 100,000K miles for about $5K. These cars are not for the casual driver with no mechanical knowledge and no wish to change their own oil, check their own engines and so on. I have found parts easy to obtain and install, and the overall Aurora series to be a brilliantly engineered piece of American automotive history. From my research I think that the first ones to come out had some normal manufacturing flaws and over the next few years those were refined and over-engineered to improve what was already a fantastic luxury car. The second generation was restyled to compete with other luxury imports and cars in the same price range (BMW, Lexus, etc) and some of the unique shaping that made the Aurora such a collectible was lost. IMHO.
Long winded opinion but my summary is that if you want a car that you can drive forever and never have to open the hood, then buy Japanese. But with a little knowledge and research you can own one of these amazing vehicles for a fraction of what they cost new and keep it in fine running condition well over 200,000 miles. The performance, comfort, style and sex-on-wheels driving thrill is well worth it.
Just wanted to say that although I am doing some "wrenching" myself, replacing basic parts and learning more than I ever knew about GM cars I absolutely LOVE my '98 Aurora. I purchased her last year (2006) and was surprised and pleased to find that I obtained a $35,000+ (when new) luxury car, with the Autobahn option, in fine condition with just over 100,000K miles for about $5K. These cars are not for the casual driver with no mechanical knowledge and no wish to change their own oil, check their own engines and so on. I have found parts easy to obtain and install, and the overall Aurora series to be a brilliantly engineered piece of American automotive history. From my research I think that the first ones to come out had some normal manufacturing flaws and over the next few years those were refined and over-engineered to improve what was already a fantastic luxury car. The second generation was restyled to compete with other luxury imports and cars in the same price range (BMW, Lexus, etc) and some of the unique shaping that made the Aurora such a collectible was lost. IMHO.
Long winded opinion but my summary is that if you want a car that you can drive forever and never have to open the hood, then buy Japanese. But with a little knowledge and research you can own one of these amazing vehicles for a fraction of what they cost new and keep it in fine running condition well over 200,000 miles. The performance, comfort, style and sex-on-wheels driving thrill is well worth it.
Depends on what you want
The magic word - reliability. Ask anyone who owned a 1998-2002 VW Beetle or Jetta about reliability. Or someone whose gen2 Camry had the front suspension collapse. Or someone whose Honda Civic dropped an engine at 70K due to sludge.
Is the Aurora reliable? Some are. Some aren't. It depends on who owned it, how it was driven, and most importantly how it was maintained. Any car over 5 years old or 100K is a crap shoot for reliability. The gen 1 models, particularly '95-'98 suffer from some nagging electrical problems, and the Northstar engine has the same issues of it's big brother Cadillac - primarily head gaskets. Oldsmobile addressed the problem earlier than Cadillac did, and most N*s after 1998 were superb. Maintain the cooling system EXACTLY as prescribed by GM and these engines will run reliably for 250k+.
Auroras by their nature are challenging and expensive to repair, but if you get a good one, they won't need much repair. Best to buy from someone you know, or at least one that comes with a service history. As a mechanic once told me about Jaguars - it can be a dream come true, or your worst nightmare. If you're really worried about it, go lease a Meetoo from Hondota, and live a dull and carefree life.
The magic word - reliability. Ask anyone who owned a 1998-2002 VW Beetle or Jetta about reliability. Or someone whose gen2 Camry had the front suspension collapse. Or someone whose Honda Civic dropped an engine at 70K due to sludge.
Is the Aurora reliable? Some are. Some aren't. It depends on who owned it, how it was driven, and most importantly how it was maintained. Any car over 5 years old or 100K is a crap shoot for reliability. The gen 1 models, particularly '95-'98 suffer from some nagging electrical problems, and the Northstar engine has the same issues of it's big brother Cadillac - primarily head gaskets. Oldsmobile addressed the problem earlier than Cadillac did, and most N*s after 1998 were superb. Maintain the cooling system EXACTLY as prescribed by GM and these engines will run reliably for 250k+.
Auroras by their nature are challenging and expensive to repair, but if you get a good one, they won't need much repair. Best to buy from someone you know, or at least one that comes with a service history. As a mechanic once told me about Jaguars - it can be a dream come true, or your worst nightmare. If you're really worried about it, go lease a Meetoo from Hondota, and live a dull and carefree life.
erraserhead
New member
Very well written post....
Excellent post, my thoughts exactly. While not a "mechanic", per se I can and do have my service manuals and do most of my own repairs for my vehicles. My Aurora is a well maintained smooth running car that I hope to have for a long time....
Excellent post, my thoughts exactly. While not a "mechanic", per se I can and do have my service manuals and do most of my own repairs for my vehicles. My Aurora is a well maintained smooth running car that I hope to have for a long time....
lanceslambos
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i have a 97 classic aurora and i love this car. its very awesome. if i ever have to go back to other cars it just wont be the same b/c im spoiled now!
jarial
New member
Save yourself some heartache
Take a look at all of the other posts in this forum. If this is supposed to be such a fantastic car, doesn't it seem odd that this car has so many issues? I have a '95 and it is the most horrible car I have ever owned. I'm so far in debt for repairs on this car I can't afford to get rid of it. If you want something that will be reliable (which this car isn't) go buy yourself a Toyota or a Honda.
Take a look at all of the other posts in this forum. If this is supposed to be such a fantastic car, doesn't it seem odd that this car has so many issues? I have a '95 and it is the most horrible car I have ever owned. I'm so far in debt for repairs on this car I can't afford to get rid of it. If you want something that will be reliable (which this car isn't) go buy yourself a Toyota or a Honda.
My son bought a used Honda several years ago, and two days later spent $1,250 on a major fuel system repair. For the next year, his repair bill was double his car payment every month. Does that mean all Hondas suck? No.
People don't come to a site like this to post "my car is running fine." This is where people who have car problems gather to share information and hopefully resolve problems.
Your opinion counts, and thanks for sharing it. I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience with your Aurora, but many thousands of other owners are motoring happily along for 200 or 300k and don't even know this place exists.
JMulder79
New member
I'd just like to point out that most of the people complaining about reliability have owned the '95 model year of the Aurora. Keep in mind that this was the first year they were made, and problems are to be expected on the first model year of almost any car. Even Consumer Reports recommends staying away from new models for a few years, no matter if it's foreign or domestic. There were many changes that were made to the Aurora, even in the first generation. The '98 and '99 model years are the only years that didn't have any major changes. If anyone is interested in purchasing a 1st generation Aurora, I would recommend looking for a '98 or '99.
Mr Aurora95
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My 1995 has been very reliable for me over 14 years and still going strong, nothing has ever broke down on me just regular maintenance and what needs to be replaced, I bought it in October of 1994. I iwn 2 Aurora's by the way the other one is a 2001. I love Aurora's ver much the best cars ever.
So I have an '01 Aurora. Bought it from a dealership with 68k on it apparently a trade in from an elderly couple which from the condition of this vehicle sounds like the truth. The car is flaless in and out, and runs great!
I have now had the car for about five months, and still LOVE it!! I have noticed a couple of issues, the first being my gas guage will start going up and down significantly once its down past a 1/4 tank. My guess is its a sensor problem, but not the biggest deal in the world. Im in sales and drive a lot and although this thing has a V8 in it Im still getting 19-20 mpg in city conditions! I was shocked by this and the comfort and clean looks really are worth it. I picked it up for only 9K which is why I got it, plus my Dad had leased one back in 01 when they first got redesigned.
As far as peoples opinions on reliablility I have a 95 Jeep Grand Cherokee which people are constantly telling me how crappy those vehicles are, expensive to upkeep etc etc but mine has 228,000 miles on it and still runs good. Starts up every time, has some minor things here and there that are flat out wearing out but otherwise the thing is great! It was my first car and I'm holding onto it until its dead then I'll rebuild it into an off-road vehicle for fun and the learning experience of that. I take it to the mountain, LIGHT off-roading, snow whatever and hasnt cost me anything major in repairs (just reg. maintenence ie radiator, hoses, belts, plugs/wires etc which I do myself most times).
I'm really hoping with the same attention to the condition and servicing on my Aurora I will get the same results. I DO take a lot of pride in maintaining my vehicles and I look forward to owning this for a long time.
OH BTW, my Dad who is now in the market for a new car went and test drove an 08 Cadillac CTS and came back to say that he liked my 01 Aurora better. Even said he thought my Aurora had better power!! I was shocked, but I think he was a little biased haha.
Thanks for reading my .02
I have now had the car for about five months, and still LOVE it!! I have noticed a couple of issues, the first being my gas guage will start going up and down significantly once its down past a 1/4 tank. My guess is its a sensor problem, but not the biggest deal in the world. Im in sales and drive a lot and although this thing has a V8 in it Im still getting 19-20 mpg in city conditions! I was shocked by this and the comfort and clean looks really are worth it. I picked it up for only 9K which is why I got it, plus my Dad had leased one back in 01 when they first got redesigned.
As far as peoples opinions on reliablility I have a 95 Jeep Grand Cherokee which people are constantly telling me how crappy those vehicles are, expensive to upkeep etc etc but mine has 228,000 miles on it and still runs good. Starts up every time, has some minor things here and there that are flat out wearing out but otherwise the thing is great! It was my first car and I'm holding onto it until its dead then I'll rebuild it into an off-road vehicle for fun and the learning experience of that. I take it to the mountain, LIGHT off-roading, snow whatever and hasnt cost me anything major in repairs (just reg. maintenence ie radiator, hoses, belts, plugs/wires etc which I do myself most times).
I'm really hoping with the same attention to the condition and servicing on my Aurora I will get the same results. I DO take a lot of pride in maintaining my vehicles and I look forward to owning this for a long time.
OH BTW, my Dad who is now in the market for a new car went and test drove an 08 Cadillac CTS and came back to say that he liked my 01 Aurora better. Even said he thought my Aurora had better power!! I was shocked, but I think he was a little biased haha.
Thanks for reading my .02
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Oldsnut
Member
Speaks truth.