1996 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8

Summary:

Amazing I wish they were still made

Faults:

My alternator went, but it was my fault; tpo big of stereo system.

My oil pan went because I went over a bump too hard, but I shut the engine down in time.

General Comments:

Amazing power. Bullet proof engine. Tranny no problems yet. Looks good.

Only lost twice at the drag strip.

At high miles if taken care of, it's one of the best cars I've seen. I don't get how people have so many problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th December, 2009

18th Dec 2009, 14:31

"Amazing I wish they were still made"

- Tell that to the Big Dummies at GM!!!

30th Jan 2010, 04:01

Hello, I'm buying a 1995 Aurora, and the person said that there is a PIN HOLE in the oil pan. Do you think it is worth it to buy it, or should I pass? Please, I would love to hear about what you have to say. The car is in great shape, it only has 179,000km on it.

30th Jan 2010, 18:17

A "pin hole" in the oil pan? Even a "pin hole" can let out a lot of oil. It also sounds very unlikely to me that it would be the oil pan itself that was leaking. Perhaps the oil pan gasket is the issue. Still I wouldn't recommend it if it's leaking oil. That can start to get expensive if you can't find the problem. It could be the oil pan gasket, head gasket, rear main seal, front main seal, any of them.

1996 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0L V8

Summary:

It's got speed on the road, and speed at the mechanics

Faults:

Oil pressure sensor, 75k.

Shocks, 85k.

Starter 90k.

Core 100k.

Actuators 115k.

Master cylinder leak 120k.

There was a lot of stuff wrong in between 120k and 240k.

Battery 240k.

Oil pan busted 249k.

General Comments:

I give up, I've had this car since 96 and 249k miles, and now with the oil pan busted I'm finished with it, time for a Toyota! What a relief. otherwise:

This car has got some weight on it, but it hauls serious @55. The gas mileage is actually pretty good, with my daily F1 driving averaging around 21.

I dropped some 19s on it, and had it shaved, and it handled like no other for quite a lot of miles.

I would say, it's an awesome car with a not so awesome mechanic's bill.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th October, 2008

1996 Oldsmobile Aurora Gold Edition 4.0 Northstar V8

Summary:

I love my Aurora!

Faults:

Fuel Rail had to be replaced @ 100,000 miles - this was a factory recall which was free to repair.

Battery replaced @ 102,000 miles- $100+

Had a problem with low oil pressure, which caused chimes to sound constantly while driving- $300.

Traction control stopped working @ about 105,000 miles- haven't had this fixed as I'm sure it will be expensive.

Service engine soon light goes on and off randomly, has never stayed on for more than a few days.

Brakes replaced at 119,000 miles- $400.

Rear-view mirror fell down at 126,000 miles- $15.

Front passenger tire blew out at 127,000 miles because of improper alignment. Was driving 45 MPH at time of blowout and the car handled fine for 3/4 of a mile driving on rim to get to safety. Tires are large and quite expensive.- $400.

The engine coolant system is leaking antifreeze @ 127,000 miles, still haven't got this looked at yet.

General Comments:

I fell in love with this car the first time I saw her. I was 20 when I got the car and had test driven a Cadillac STS, Lexus ES, and BMW 5 series ranging in model years from 1995-1998. The Aurora blew all of them away in terms of handling, power, and luxury amenities. I was disappointed to find out the car was an Oldsmobile (I associated that brand with older people, and thought all the other Oldsmobiles were ugly). However the interior had every imaginable option, I loved the sexy yet muscular curves of the car, and of course the V-8 power. The leather was excellent quality and the car has held up very well for being 10 years old. Overall I love to drive this car, my friends are jealous of it, and everyone asks what kind of car it is.

The down side of this car is the costs associated with maintaining and repairing it expecially at high mileage. The fuel economy isn't that great, but the power was more important to me (before gas went up by $1 a gallon). I will definitely drive this car until she is totaled. I don't know what car I will get next, I can't imagine anything that compares to the Aurora for the price. I have definitely been very spoiled by the luxury amenities, power, and excellent handling of this car. By the way it changed my opinion of Oldsmobile completely.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th June, 2006