To Autobahn or Not To Autobahn

[Roice]

So my dad's got a '99 black on tan Autobahn Aurora, and he won't part with it for anything...don't blame him, as the thing runs like a scalded dog. He's just begun to have transmission problems, though, with the TCC solenoid failing and causing some aggravating slippage.
Anyway, I'm looking at the exact same car he has, only one year earlier, and without the Autobahn package. It's a shame, but I can't find a car in better condition or with as few miles on it as this one, and I seriously doubt I will if I wait much longer.

Which of you have the package? If you have, and if you've driven a standard Aurora, is the higher axle ratio that much more significant? I can live with the lower speed limiter of the standard, as that's an easier (though still not cheap) issue to remedy.

I've got four days to think about it...it's a rather expensive investment for me, so I'd definitely like to hear some opinions. ;D

[omegaic]

Any Aurora is better than no Aurora at all. I have yet to hit the speed limiter on my autobahn, not that I would want to simply because I like being alive. Bottom line, take it for a test drive and see if you like it.

P.S. Where are you located? Perhaps we can find an autobahn Aurora for you to compare it with.

[JimW]

i have an Autobahn Aurora, and I have come very very close the the 140ish limiter, I have driven both and found the non-Autobahn equipped to be slightly quicker off the line (but it was probably just lousy driving) however, top end and higher revving cannot be beat. You wont notice much of a difference if you are not interested in the 108 vs 140 mph limits.

And you save money on the tires (h-rated) instead of the more expensive v-rated meats.

And I'm in the same boat as you, I simply cannot find a classic Aurora in good shape...bugs the hell out of me, if you have found one in good shape, I say go for it.

[dred98]

omegaic said:

Any Aurora is better than no Aurora at all.

Yeah, he's right. If you wait until you find the perfect Aurora with everything you want - you may have to wait until you're too old to drive it !
Go for it . . . .

[Letitroll98]

I bought mine with no idea that it had the Autobahn option. I saw S rated tires and assumed it didn't. Buy the car based on 1) Condition 2) Miles 3) Price. I've never driven a non-autobahn classic Aurora, but with the V-8 I don't think you'd see all that much difference with the small change in final drive ratio. Also the option list on Auroras is very short, so there's not much difference in how individual cars are equiped. i.e. you don't lose out on leather or climate control, etc. by not going Autobahn.

[Amanda]

I own a non-Autobahn and it’s still a phenomenal car it’s everything plus more that I could have wanted out of big V8. And I am going to have to agree with the others if you found one that was in good shape and low miles go for it! I am currently looking for an Aurora to replace my current one (do to a number of poor circumstances) anyway I’ve been searching the greater part of new england and have still come up with nothing.

What does your gut tell you? It’s important to like the car you drive. Good Luck in your decsion

[Rocketv8]

i too purchased my 97 Aurora without the knowledge that it has Autobahn package... one day i was looking at the tire specs inside the door and noticed it called for V rated tires....i could not understand why this car would need V rated tires as opposed to the H's that were on it (someone had replaced the V's before i bought it)... supposedly the Autobahn Auroras get a bit better 0-60 times and better top end speed but if you found a good car you should go for it regardless if it has Autobahn or not..if i had to do it all over i dont think it would make a difference in my decision to buy a nice , clean classic Aurora with many standard options other that that....GOOD LUCK

[Roice]

Guys, I really appreciate the input. In the end, the Autobahn package would be more for bragging rights, as there won't be many chances in the near-term for me to take advantage of it (most of my driving is on a crowded college campus, UNC). If I get it, I plan to have it for a while, so if it comes time one day for an overhaul I may consider a 4.6 Northstar and an STS trans, assuming they fit.
The real deal is, I've been in love with the Cadillac CTS for some time, but I need to, y'know, think realistically about what I can afford ...in addition, saving this much money will allow me to think about upgrades. The Corsa and Magnaflow exhausts I've seen some of you show off are nuts, as are some of Javidogg's aesthetic enhancements. So there's plenty more to think about than worrying about not having a "less awesome" transmission.

BTW, the one I'm looking at has a spoiler on it. If I get it, I'll be taking that off pretty quick. I'll put it up for grabs on here, for cheap. (it's black)

[JimW]

A spoiler?! no way!

Definitely not a stock option! how does it look?!

[Roice]

It's a nice looking spoiler, but I think it's a love or hate thing. Personally, I think it breaks the line of the car, though a lot of my friends think it complements it. Gimme a minute to figure out how to post pictures, and it'll be up.

[JimW]

Cool bean, make sure its hosted on the web and add URL addy of the picture here [/img]

And voila..pics, just be mindful of dial up members...no HUGE pics

[Roice]

shaZAM.

[JimW]

I must now change my pants ;D

THAT IS MINT! OMG!

Get it get get it!!

[Roice]

Yeah, from the front it doesn't even look like it has much bug/rock damage. Must've been some old blue-hair taking care of it. Works for me...
Any opinions on that spoiler?

[dred98]

That car looks beautiful - I love the chrome wheels, I really wish I had wheels like that.
Oh sorry, you asked about the spoiler
I like it - it looks like it was really designed for the car, not too showy. I don't want to upset any regulars but I've always thought the Razzi kit was too much for the car and I don't like the RSM Racing spoiler, it's too big.
This one, I like.
Up to now you've had everyone agreeing with one another - now you've asked about the spoiler the true colors will show . . .
(It's a pity about the big F*RD sign in the picture)

[erw38]

Car looks great! Spoiler on the car looks good. Howard, leave Ford alone. They make good trucks......and I wouldn't mind one of those 2005 Mustangs.

[Aurora40]

I think it depends on how much you need a car, how long you want to keep it, and how much you actually care. If you want to keep it a while, and really like the Autobahn possibility, I'd say keep looking. These cars aren't all that rare. The Autobahn was a ~$350 option on an almost $40,000 car. I doubt it's super rare.

I would try to find one just the way I wanted if it were me. Oh, and imo, I think the Aurora offers up way more car for the money than the CTS, especially the 3.2L CTS. I've looked at them a fair bit since I bought my car (it wasn't out when I ordered mine in late 2001), and mine is roomier, has more lux features for less money, and I'd smoke one from a stoplight. I find myself at stoplights daily, but rarely do I find myself on the Nurburgring...

[Roice]

Good points all, 40. In the end, this car is black on tan and chrome (awesome), with low mileage (awesomer), a clean title and is something I can confuse my dad with when it rolls down the driveway (icing on the cake). Though he'll have the autobahn package over me, I've never seen him take advantage of it, and in any case I can just remind him that I dropped a third as much cash as he did on his. if i buy it...

And yes, the 3.2 CTS blows. And the 3.6 is great, but I only wish the think tanks at Cadillac would've had the foresight to make the thing big enough for a Northstar. The LS6 CTS-V is nuts, but they had to shoehorn that thing in there. ...Bottom line, I can't afford it.

[omegaic]

I think that spoiler looks fine. (Although a little Taurusey...) I wouldn't worry about taking it off tho.

[Letitroll98]

I quite frankly love this car. That style of spoiler can be iffy with some colors, but it looks absolutly fabulous on black! Assuming you are correct on low miles and low price, I don't see how you could go wrong here. However you said you'd dump the spoiler and really wanted the Autobahn. I think you should not worry about either and buy the car and keep it as is, but Aurora40 makes a good argument if you insist these are important

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like getting an old lady car with low miles and perfect body/interior. However do run a carfax on it to check on past ownership. All in all I would go for it.

[kobalt]

The car looks mint! Im with everyone else on this one - GET IT!

[scottydl]

Roice said:

Good points all, 40. In the end, this car is black on tan and chrome (awesome), with low mileage (awesomer), a clean title ...Bottom line, I can't afford it.

For all those reasons you listed... make it yours! I still love black, and I think the spoiler looks pretty darn good for being aftermarket. Average Joe will probably think it's factory equipment, which (to me) means it enhances the look but still doesn't draw lots of attention. There's just something about black!

Autobahn would be nice, but I doubt you'll really miss it... and it would be a shame to pass on this car for that reason alone. I've got Autobahn, but didn't know for sure until the day I picked up my Aurora (I was going to buy it regardless). I had to buy H-rated for my new tires anyway, for price purposes.

I'll echo the phrase... Go for it! ;D

[Roice]

Thanks for the input, guys. I fired off an email to my dad last night, to see what he thinks about the purchase. I expect to be thrashed soundly here in a few hours. Don't think he would look highly on me taking on another expense.
Of course, I did my best to rationalize the purchase for him. I figure it'd be easier to have two Auroras when something went wrong, so if something happens on one car we can track the problem easily if it happens later on the other. It's my choice in the end, but it wouldn't hurt if he liked the idea.
C'mon, Dad...

[dred98]

I just noticed that this car is listed on ebay . . .

cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6404&item=2492415697&rd=1

[Letitroll98]

Yep, that looks like the car sir. However I think Roice's dad vetoed the purchase as we've seen no other posts from him and the car is still there. Good lookin' out though.

The exterior and the engine bay looked great, but the seats are a wreck. This would put big doubts in my mind about how well this car had been taken care of. This kind of damage comes from being "put away wet" as we say in the boating world. And why did an "old lady" have chrome wheels and a spoiler? Ah, first blush wanes.

[JimW]

dred98 said:

I just noticed that this car is listed on ebay . . .

cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6404&item=2492415697&rd=1

Theres a method to the madness...you just need to know the whole story behind this car

[Roice]

Well met, guys. I didn't want to say anything further about the car; I didn't care to start a war over it if someone else was interested.

So yeah, my second thought was why an old lady would have a spoiler...or splash shields on the wheels...
The condition of the seats is pretty sorry indeed, and there isn't a pic of the rear seats for comparison. Also notice the carpet in front of the seats; I can't tell if it's stained or just vacuum streaks. But the mileage is low, and save for the above the car is in great exterior shape. Enough to justify a purchase without personal inspection, right? Right?

I actually put down my bid on the car and won the auction, but the reserve price the dealer quoted me at wasn't matched, causing me to wonder if he was telling the truth. (And I bid way over the quoted reserve.) So he relisted it, and hasn't called me back on an offer I made. But then he said he'd be out of town till Wednesday, so we'll see where that goes. After a long discussion with my dad, he's allowing me to do my thing, but he'd much rather us get a look at the car beforehand. Don't blame him. But as it's in bleak northern NY and I'm in NC...that, um, may be a problem.

Now that the secret's out, should I pursue this thing or move on? I still have that pressing feeling that one this nice won't show up easily, and if it does, it'll have more miles on it than a shiny exterior can explain away.
Help a brother out--I'm certain you can tell I haven't done this very often.

Couple more details...Carfax title was clean. Dealer will allow me to cancel contract to buy if I come up and don't like what I see. I've asked him as many questions about its mechanical history as I can conceive of, since that's my main concern and I know what my dad's had to go through (one multifunction switch, TCC solenoid, and now he's looking at SES fault codes his Tech 2 can't seem to trace). I can restore a worn seat or shampoo a stained carpet. Paying twice the price I paid for the car just to keep it running, though, is a hidden expense I really can't take on.
Thoughts?

[scottydl]

Roice said:

I actually put down my bid on the car and won the auction, but the reserve price the dealer quoted me at wasn't matched, causing me to wonder if he was telling the truth... hasn't called me back on an offer I made... said he'd be out of town till Wednesday... it's in bleak northern NY and I'm in NC...

Now that the secret's out, should I pursue this thing or move on?

Hmm, knowing all that... I won't say "turn around and run!" but I will say be *very* careful with this sale. The dealer sounds a little shady, IMO. I think we've all agreed that it's probably not a car that belonged to some "little old lady" that only drove it to the grocery store and church. The low miles are great, but that won't supercede every other problem that might exist if it wasn't properly maintained.

I also didn't realize that the car was so far away from you. That would be an awefully long trip to take, to turn around and decide against the sale. I've bought several cars "remotely", and the situation came out well each time for me... but I just have a bad feeling about this one. If that dealer is telling the truth and *wants* to sell you that Aurora, he/she should be in constant contact with you about it (which doesn't sound like the case). Perhaps you should keep looking for something in your local area. Good luck!

[omegaic]

I can't imagine purchasing a car without seeing it first. A vehicle is usually the second largest investment the average American makes. If I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on something, the least I want to do is get my hands on it first. The time when you know if a car is right for you is the test drive.

If you're serious about purchasing this car, then you might as well head up there. If you want it, it will be cheaper than shipping it down to you. If you don't want it, cancel the contract and again it will be cheaper than shipping it to you and finding out that you don't like it after the fact. Just remember that any large investment has a little inherent risk, and hopefully a lot of reward!

[Aurora40]

If you would have to drive up there to pick it up anyway, why not forget eBay, drive up there with the money, and really check it out? If you like it, buy it. If not, drive home. If NY to NC is too far to check the car out first, then it's too far to be buying from.