I asked probably about a year ago about buying 2nd generation Oldsmobile Auroras. I seem to recall posts that said stay away from the 2001 model year (first year). May I ask what problems the '01s had that was corrected for 2002? Also, how's the 3.5 Shortstar in the Aurora? Adequate enough? TIA!

I've never heard anything like that. Aurora 3.5s and Aurora 4.0s were A++ machines and are worth every penny...if you can find one. Owners love em, and they tend not to go for sale as much as other makes.

I haven't heard any problems out of them and I'm in the parts business. The probable words of caution are the normal "first year woes" that most people get/have whenever a new car comes out. Supposedly you don't want to ever buy from the first year because that's when you'll have all the bugs in it and they might come up and bite you in the ass.

Personally, if I were to buy an Aurora, I'd go all the way and get the V8. However, V8 second-gens can be a bitch to find.

2gen v8 auroras command big $$$ also.

a v6 version is a good buy IMHO

With gas prices, I'd go with the V6, but who am I to say that considering what I drive.

If I had the money and the availability, I'd go for the V8 Aurora, but he V6 is a reliable and sturdy car, I haven't heard complaint number one from the people that I know that drive them.

Heck, any wouldn't mind any Aurora for that matter...

Though 2001 may have been the first year for the configuration, it was the fourth year for the 3.5l/4spd and the platform was around for several years prior, too.

The only 'issue' with a 3.5l Aurora would be option availability and mileage. V6 Auroras were typically lighter-equipped than 4.0s, but keep in mind this is in relation to Auroras, so you'd likely have alloys instead of chrome, no sunroof, Delco instead of Bose, and potentially no heated seats, but all the other creature comforts. I even once saw a 3.5 with Bose, chrome, heated seats, sunroof, and the navigation system. An Aurora with a navigation system, by the way, is like finding the Holy Grail. I've yet to see one in person.

Many second-generation Auroras I've seen have had rather high mileage, mainly because they're damn fine highway cars. However, being both a luxury car and a fullsize domestic,you get a double-whammy of high maintenance levels, i.e. someone cared for it. Also, many of the highish mileage ones I've seen were mostly highway miles, which does little harm to the excellent Aurora drivetrains.

Classic or 2nd Gen, 3.5 or 4.0, all are excellent choices. Normal preventative maintenance will keep these babies running forever. Mine is up to 105,xxx and still strong as an ox. One gentleman on ACNA bought a 1995 brand-new and ran it for 306k miles with only normal wear-and-tear componants needing replacement. 2nd Gens are a bit more subdued and have had all the kinks worked out (coil-on-plug vs waste spark ignition, refined engine mounts, etc), but the Classics are far more exotic, IMO.

I've never heard anything like that.  Aurora 3.5s and Aurora 4.0s were A++ machines and are worth every penny...if you can find one.  Owners love em, and they tend not to go for sale as much as other makes.

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That's not the only reason why they're hard to find. Total Aurora sales from 2000-2006(current) is 65,441.

To put into perspective, Lucerne has only been on sale since the end of October/early November 2005 (a little over 8 months) and GM has sold 52,935.

An Aurora with a navigation system, by the way, is like finding the Holy Grail. I've yet to see one in person.

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Good luck trying to find a seperate unit to buy and install yourself, either. Pretty much impossible. I doubt the original manufacturer still makes them or has any leftovers.

what year did the 2nd gen start? I love the look of the 1st gen, but have heard numerous horror stories about the early ones. I might be interested in someday picking up a late 1st gen...

what year did the 2nd gen start?

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1st Gen - MY1995-MY1999

2nd Gen - MY2001-MY2003

2nd Gen Aurora debuted in early 2000 as a MY2001. There wasn't a MY2000 Aurora.

Anyone interested? One of the Final 500 Auroras for sale here in Seattle

You'll need to call for price... knowing Huling Bros (a BPG & Chrysler/Jeep dealer) they'll want the potential collector's value... NOW! These are the same people who had $3,000 Market-Adjustment dealer stickers on 2005 LeSabres. But, their service department and bodyshop are "The Best" around IMO.

I actually passed on one of the last Aleros (and ostensibly, the last Oldsmobiles), one of the last 250 to be exact...#412 or something. This was only earlier this year and the car already had 58k miles on it. The chromes were scuffed badly, light scratches all over, curb checked a few times, and the leather was torn in the backseat. For $14,000 used (could've talked them down), the collector's cache wasn't worth it.

what year did the 2nd gen start?  I love the look of the 1st gen, but have heard numerous horror stories about the early ones.  I might be interested in someday picking up a late 1st gen...

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Again, the Classics can be tempermental, but this is also due to owner neglect and abuse more than any flaw of the car itself. The 1995s obviously had the most problems - first year for the chassis and drivetrain, but by '97/'98 most of the kinks were worked out with extra engine mounts, stiffer suspension, etc. These are the major equipment changes...

'95 - new

'96 - DRLs

'97 - Parallel parking mirror/compass in rearview

'98 - OnStar, suspension/steering refinements

'99 - two additional hydraulic engine mounts.

As always, the lower the mileage, the better. Common problems I'm aware of or experienced are EGRs, fouled plugs and wires, coil packs, oxygen sensors, inop power antennas, and bad rear air shocks, all of which are rather affordable and surprisingly DIY. My car ran really poorly for about a month with a rough idle, hesitation, and crappy mileage (15-16mpg). Solution? $22 coil pack and 15 minutes of labor. Smooth as hell.

I guess my final word is a solid recommendation. As they're somewhat of a cult car, current owners maintain them well. They're generally quite reliable, though most things are shockingly easy to fix yourself. A very rewarding car to own.

Okay, I'll stop talking now.

Thanks for the replies so far. Like Camino and his occasional online search for 2-door Tahoes/Yukons, at least once a month I search AutoShopper.com, AutoTrader.com, and a few other sites for 2001+ Olds Auroras. It seems as the dealer I leased the Envoy from last summer has a 2001 Aurora 3.5 V6 with 29,905 miles for sale. It's as Fly described - no sunroof (which ins't a dealbreaker for me - I have a SKY!) and no chrome rims (I would have liked to have this option). I'd love a 4.0 V8 model, but with the cost of gas a V6 would be more economical. With it being 5 years old and having less than 30K, it has definitely caught my attention. I may have to check it out this weekend.

Here are some pics of it:

Again, anyone with info to share I greatly appreciate it!

By the way, is Marc still around here? I know he loves his 4.0 V8 2001 Aurora and would be the best person for me to speak with about them. Any other Aurora owners here currently? If yes, I'd like to hear from you too.

Now if GM were to offer a 0% deal again say very soon, I've had my eye on a 2006 Buick Lucerne CXL V6 at the local B-P-G dealership. My wife is eligible for GM Supplier pricing, but a great financing incentive on the Lucerne would make it possible for me to overlook a used Aurora and buy brand new. Don't get me wrong, I still love Auroras - but if I have the option to go new with a Lucerne, I would!

Btw Fly, on my recent serach there is a dealer in Philly advertising a 4.0 V8 Aurora with the Navigation System. I wonder if it's the factory unit?

Edited July 28, 200619 yr by GMTruckGuy74

Btw Fly, on my recent serach there is a dealer in Philly advertising a 4.0 V8 Aurora with the Navigation System.  I wonder if it's the factory unit?

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Yes. Yes it is. Awesome.

Speaking of which, I keep reading places that its theoretically possible for me to stick a GM navigation unit into my car and have it work. I really want to try...'casue it would be cool.

Yes. Yes it is. Awesome.

Speaking of which, I keep reading places that its theoretically possible for me to stick a GM navigation unit into my car and have it work. I really want to try...'casue it would be cool.

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I've never even seen a pic of that. Anyone have one?

I emailed Huling Bros regarding the 2003 "Final 500" Aurora. Asking price (negotiable) is $17,871.

That's actually not bad. I can forward the Dealer Rep info to anyone interested.

As some of you guys may recall, I briefly owned a used 2001 Aurora 4.0 that wasn't properly maintained, so I got rid of it. The car is a great, solid cruiser. The difference in power between the V6 and the V8 is probably not as much as you'd expect, one reason being the V8 model weighs about an extra 200 pounds.

The 2001 Aurora received an updated Northstar engine. In my research on the 2001 models, I found that running changes were made during the model year. Oil leaks are fairly common with Northstars, and later model years will be better in this regard as there were continual improvements.

I would be nervous about keeping a car with a Northstar or Shortstar for the long haul because they are expensive, complicated engines. Changing an oil pan gasket on a Northstar means taking the engine out.

I have a large interest in this topic becasue we just passed on a 2002 origional owner 70,000 mile white 4.0 @ $10,000. Reason becasue Im affraid of that N* engine. After reading this it seems maybe I passed on a great car.

Am I right or wrong in thinkin I heard the engine needs to be pulled and half tore apart just to change a water pump or starter ? I seem to think I read something to that effect a few years back.

One local aquantence has had a STS for a few years now and just this week I saw him to ask how that car had been. He said he's at 160,000 miles now with absolutely no problems.