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Post by oldsrocketaurora on Jun 9, 2015 21:21:13 GMT -6
1st of all, Let me say I am an Oldsmobile owner since before I've even had a license (30 yrs) and I know ALL cars have their issues. I've worked in the dealer and car repair biz for 20 yrs and do MOST of my own work (back pain permitting).
I love Love LOVE my 2001 3.5 Aurora. The style is, IMO, timeless and I love that it is like a luxury touring car (well, I guess it is).
I bought it to replace my aging 1995 LSS as my everyday driver, because I found that it started to nickel and dime me with issues, and It still needs exhaust work, new windshield, A/C compressor, power antenna, and valve cover gaskets among other things. Exterior looks great but the underside is rusting away. Sooooo, since my commute to work is close to 100 miles a day, I picked up the Aurora, 2001 58,500 original miles...very clean, plus had brand new rotors and pads all around.
Had a friend who works for GMAC's old ext warranty division do a VIN check and carfax ... all came back good. Regular dealer maint, minimal repairs. The miles showed that it was barely used the last 4 years though! Figuring it was an old-timers and they probably passed away. Then car sat around in a garage until traded in or sold at a Carmax since it came from their auction. They do not re-sell cars older than 7 or 8 yrs old despite miles.
Grandpa must have curbed the front as the wind deflector was missing. So, of course I must have that. Done. 
It has the fuel gauge/level sensor issue and steering shaft noise. Ordered those parts along with new KYB rear shocks, waiting for the time to install.
I replaced the rear drivers window regulator the first week owned. 
I had added only a quart or so of coolant right after i bought it and level has maintained. No visible leaks running or off and not mixing with other fluids or somke from the tail pipe...but I smell coolant after I park at work and home. I'd like to replace all the coolant but I know as soon as I do that the water pump or crossover gaskets will leak and I'll have to do it again. 
Been using the a/c regularly for the past week and I noticed it is taking longer to cool and it could probably be a bit colder... condenser has signs of PAG oil residue along the top edge of the core.. 
I noticed some moisture in the spare tire well... going to check the tail light and trunk seal areas as soon as I can find someone to lock me in the trunk. 
So, I expected to put $1000 into it to get it up to par, IE tires and fluids and maybe a few parts... and that is with me doing the labor. I'm already at $500 and I haven't even bought the tires yet! That includes a few odds and ends picked up at the local junk yard to improve fit and finish of interior trim and a few little extra things to experiment with like steering wheel control buttons to modify with LEDs and rear side marker reflectors to make functional...etc (only spent $49 there including a new door panel)
Am I in for a long, money pit ride? Or is it possible that all the original "problem parts" will be replaced with new, updated parts (like the steering shaft and fuel pump/level sensor) and it should give me many more worry free miles and years like my reliable 3800 LSS...Please say yes...cus this car looks so good....  |
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Post by oldsrocketaurora on Jun 9, 2015 21:43:57 GMT -6
...I mean... look how sharp he is... LOL  so happy next to his older sibling and Father....  |
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Post by oldsrocketaurora on Jun 10, 2015 18:39:46 GMT -6
No one has anything to say about this?
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jun 10, 2015 22:52:38 GMT -6
Haha, yeah, traffic has been a little slow lately. Patience, opinions will come.
I wouldn't exactly call the Aurora a "money pit" but, yes, there will be failures. You being able to do most of the work yourself will help cut costs immensely.
You're on the right track... Get her squared away and maintain. You'll be fine.
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jun 11, 2015 7:06:13 GMT -6
All the issues u said is common issues esp if people before you didn't take care of the car much. check valve cover gaskets this very common issue with the 3.5 and can burn oil if u don't change oil in 3k or so .
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XJSman89
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Post by XJSman89 on Jun 12, 2015 10:35:54 GMT -6
I got my car with 37K on it (from my grandmother, no less!) and now have 129K. I have had to put some parts into it, some more costly than others. I have gotten to the point (knock on wood) that it has gone a good year and a half without any major issues. If you put some money into it and get the car fixed back up again, it will run just fine. It sounds like you have a mechanic's ear, and that is good to have with any car but especially for ours. I have caught things early that could have turned into larger problems left unchecked. My car has never left me stranded, mostly because I'm able to interpret noises to some degree and recognize developing problems.
Low mileage does not necessarily mean it should be without any issues. If anything, someone who barely drives it might not notice when it has an issue, and might fall behind on maintenance issues that would otherwise be taken care of if it was driven regularly or by a different type of driver.
Congrats on the purchase, I hope it works out well for you. Thanks for the pictures!
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Post by ljhermsen on Jun 12, 2015 10:41:28 GMT -6
I sometimes think the same thing you're thinking when I purchased a different Aurora. I've had (2) 2001's and now a 2003 Final 500. Between them all I've done the level sensor, steering wheel issue and a couple window regulators, etc.. There's good and bad with a car sitting a few years from a deceased owner or whatever the reason. You end up with a vehicle with fewer miles, but sitting is actually not real good for a vehicle. Your Aurora looks very nice and should have a lot of miles left in it. Unless the rear shocks are leaking air, I wouldn't think you'd need shocks yet, but that's just my opinion. My last several set's of Michelin tires have been new 'take offs' that bought off eBay. I purchase the original Michelin tires and have always gotten them for $400-$500 delivered to my door and they're brand new. Getting them mounted and balanced is usually not an issue. Another thing I want to mention is I look at it as having a car that has every option today's $40K, $50K, and $60K cars have at a fraction of the cost. Aurora's are so fun to drive. They're without a doubt one of the nicest driving cars on the road. Once you get those few things fixed and you're pleased with the car, you can easily put 100,000 miles on that car and sell it for a fair price. Once you do that and look back, these costs were still much less than the deprecation on most new cars. That 3.5 should get around 27 mpg on the highway. My 4.0 usually get 25-26 mpg. I will say that the Aurora is probably not going to be as reasonable to own as that LSS. Those were awesome vehicles. Most Oldsmobile's were awesome vehicle. GM plain out made a mistake in my book cancelling Olds We welcome you to the club and any of us will try to answer any questions you have. |
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Post by oldsrocketaurora on Jun 12, 2015 21:39:59 GMT -6
Thanks for the support everyone. I really just needed to hear from happy owners telling me what in the back of my mind, I knew... sometimes you just need a pep talk  |
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buck91
Aurora Watcher
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Post by buck91 on Jun 14, 2015 19:20:30 GMT -6
Haha, yeah, traffic has been a little slow lately. Patience, opinions will come. I wouldn't exactly call the Aurora a "money pit" but, yes, there will be failures. You being able to do most of the work yourself will help cut costs immensely. You're on the right track... Get her squared away and maintain. You'll be fine. Its only a mistake if you think it is. If you like the car and its worth it to you, then great! Our 'rora IS a money pit >.< but the price was right and its a decent ride. Just wish things would stop breaking... Though 150,000 miles what do you expect. $0.05 & $0.10... |
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Post by oldsrocketaurora on Jun 14, 2015 22:38:52 GMT -6
Ok, so now there is a grinding, groaning noise from the front during hard braking when the nose dips...I haven't had time to look at it yet... Brakes are new and there is nothing rubbing, ie liners or shields..... I would like a week without an issue... |
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Post by oldsrocketaurora on Jun 22, 2015 17:58:09 GMT -6
Any thoughts about the above? I looked it over and thinking it may be the front struts...
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buck91
Aurora Watcher
Posts: 98
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Post by buck91 on Jun 22, 2015 19:09:37 GMT -6
Is it reproducible by manually pushing the front suspension down or when driving over bumps?
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Post by Toronado3800 on Jun 22, 2015 21:07:30 GMT -6
Cars have rubber that can dry out amd metal that rusts so sitting is not very good for them.
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Post by Toronado3800 on Jun 22, 2015 21:11:33 GMT -6
Far as the groaning, I would spray stuff with penetrating oil and see of the noise changes.
To make you feel better....
The U.S.'s cheapest car is what, $150 a month with a $3000 down payment on a lease. That's about $225 a month not to mention the property tax and insurance penalty for owning a new car. Than you can only drive it 10,000 miles a year.
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jun 23, 2015 16:09:13 GMT -6
^ agree fixing used car like aurora is worth it. If you want kinda same ride as aurora it be 350-450 a month for new car etc. If you dont care how car drives then you can get a used corolla and fix it once in a while since there not much electronics etc. and cheaper.  |
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Post by oldsrocketaurora on Jun 23, 2015 20:35:44 GMT -6
Buck91... no it is quiet over bumps and when pushing down on front end. At first I thought the ABS pump was engaging.... but you do not feel anything in the brake pedal... just noise... This is a very strange thing indeed.
I LOVE the car....just surprised on the quantity of little issues this model is plagued with.... definitely not to Oldsmobile quality standards of years prior, but I guess by 2001 GM could care less about Olds.....Frankly I was hoping GM would fold back in 2008 ...you know, Karma and all... LOL
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Post by gdouaire on Jul 1, 2015 9:26:39 GMT -6
My 2003 Aurora has had zero major issues. I am mainly spending money on it as preventive maintenance, and because I like to play with mechanical stuff.
Issues in my 2003 (so far) owned between 100,000 to 110,000 miles:
*rear window regulator broken
*transmission oil cooler slow leak
*heater fan not working
*rear air shock absorbers slow leaking
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buck91
Aurora Watcher
Posts: 98
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Post by buck91 on Jul 2, 2015 20:29:17 GMT -6
When you say new brakes, are you talking front and rear, pads and rotors? Did you replace the bracket clips, lube the pins and flush&bleed the system? Are your tires inflated properly? Any wheelwell liners hanging?
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bufo
Aurora Owner
Beautiful North Carolina
Posts: 555
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Post by bufo on Jul 10, 2015 13:12:42 GMT -6
We have owned a 4.0 for 9 years, and over the past 4 years, we have spent many thousands of dollars in repairs for our 4.0: Transmission solenoid, coil pack, AC compressor, steering rack, axle, engine mounts, catalytic convertor. This does not include maintenance and wear items like tires, struts, shocks, brakes.
Expensive to maintain? Yes. Money pit? Depends on your perspective.
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jul 10, 2015 13:45:04 GMT -6
I dont think its expansive . If you compare how much it cost to fix same parts on Volov BMW benz ETC Aurora will be super cheap to fix.
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Post by oldsrocketaurora on Jul 11, 2015 19:33:38 GMT -6
When you say new brakes, are you talking front and rear, pads and rotors? Did you replace the bracket clips, lube the pins and flush&bleed the system? Are your tires inflated properly? Any wheelwell liners hanging? The Brakes were brand new when I bought it, so I'm unsure of the status of the clips or pins. As for what parts were new...all 4 corners, Pads and rotors. No loose liners, Tires inflated properly just worn. It sounds like an abs pump engaging but you do not feel the feedback in the pedal... you have to brake HARD too, getting the nose to dip. That's why I thought it may be struts or strut mounts...
I'm starting a new approach...I'm not being so picky about every noise I hear and obsessed with the car being perfect...you know, just like the average dumb ass driver.... and not a car guy... LOL
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Post by Toronado3800 on Jul 12, 2015 8:36:54 GMT -6
When you say new brakes, are you talking front and rear, pads and rotors? Did you replace the bracket clips, lube the pins and flush&bleed the system? Are your tires inflated properly? Any wheelwell liners hanging? The Brakes were brand new when I bought it, so I'm unsure of the status of the clips or pins. As for what parts were new...all 4 corners, Pads and rotors. No loose liners, Tires inflated properly just worn. It sounds like an abs pump engaging but you do not feel the feedback in the pedal... you have to brake HARD too, getting the nose to dip. That's why I thought it may be struts or strut mounts...
I'm starting a new approach...I'm not being so picky about every noise I hear and obsessed with the car being perfect...you know, just like the average dumb butt driver.... and not a car guy... LOL
There is a skill to knowing what you can live with and what you can't. My MarkVIII's suspension just feels dead anymore. I can live with that I suppose but when the front end was making clicking noises it was time to change control arms. |
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