1996 Oldsmobile Aurora Gold Edition review from North America

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.

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.