1997 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 250HP
Summary:
Black Mamba
Faults:
First thing I noticed and later researched; the paint on my Aurora is black and has acquired a rather large faded spot on the roof from exposure to the sun. This appears to be common.
Whenever I use the cruise control, somehow the headlights get turned on.
I have to remove my entire backseat bench if I need to get anywhere near my battery.
The fuel gauge has never worked since I bought it; apparently the sensor went out a long time ago. I use the CPU in the dashboard to kept track of the gallons of gas I've put in to know when I'm about to run empty.
A few days ago, the fan blowers quit working. I began hearing a strange grinding noise like water was being forced through the ventilation every time I took a left turn, and then all of a sudden I heard a loud "pop" and now the A/C and heat will not work.
The leather seats are starting to crack and wear. I have to keep leather protector on them to preserve them.
It will die at random, usually if I have been keeping a fast pace for an extended time and then come to a stop. It will just die.
It power-houses through oil like no other. That NorthStar engine just about kills me. 8 quarts of oil really turns some heads when I take it in to Jiffy-Lube.
General Comments:
I really fell in love with this car. The interior design is fantastic.
It has a very sleek-looking body, and I adore the sunroof.
The engine is great and so silent. Simply a luxury car.
Overall a beautiful piece of work that is worth the effort I've had to put into it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th May, 2013
2nd Jun 2013, 22:35
Oh, I definitely understand. I just had no idea going into it that I had bought a beast. I was literally shocked when they came back in and informed me that I had a North Star engine. After owning a Cadillac for several years, I was a bit wary at first. But, all in all, I have no complaints about the engine or its oil capacity.
26th May 2026, 22:49
I’m sceptical about that, but even if true, who cares? How is that useful, and is it worth the expense?
If you want to brag at the bingo parlor, just lie. The salesman who told you that factoid did to you.
30th May 2026, 11:27
"who cares"--you answered your own question.
Not that many Auroras were still on the road even when that comment was posted 13 years ago. Now most of them have long since gone to junkyards and nobody cares about the crankcase capacity... except, maybe, the junkyard guy who has to drain the oil out of one before it gets carried to its final parking spot.
30th May 2013, 12:15
"8 quarts of oil really turns some heads when I take it in to Jiffy-Lube."
- I thought that you would like to know that there happens to be a very important reason for that huge oil capacity. That is because Auroras are designed to be able to run at or close to their top speeds for as long as there is gasoline in the tank.
To do that for long periods of time, you need a really big amount of oil in the pan.