Post by jose on Sept 5, 2007 16:29:40 GMT -6
I bought a black 95 autobahn last month and I just returned from a long roadtrip. When I bought the car she had 198,xxx kilometers and now its at 207,xxx from three weeks of driving.
When I first got the car it had a cracked radiator and a dead battery. I was scared that the cracked radiator meant the engine would have overheated on the previous owner and that it would need a new headgasket. Bought a compression gauge and all the cylinders read pretty close to 150psi so I was relieved.
I installed a new front brake line, new radiator and lower hose (noone in town had the upper hose), flushed and filled with new coolant, and put in a new battery before heading out. I started from Alberta Canada, and drove through the Rocky Mountains to British Columbia. From there I headed to Seattle, then down the 101 to California, stopping at Portland, San Fran, LA, and Anaheim. Then I headed north through Las Vegas, passed through Salt Lake City, and crossed the border again back into Alberta.
I had a blast and the Aurora did pretty well. In Portland the upper radiator hose split on the I5 in 105 degree heat. I quickly pulled over and shut off the engine, called for a tow. Unfortunately that repair set me back $100, when it could have been a $15 repair at home if I could only source the part! The temps were fine for the rest of the trip even through 100+ weather. The only other problem was the car had a hard time starting when cold, needed 2-3 cranks to fire. In Butte Montana, after stopping for gas and lunch it wouldn't even turn the engine over. I twisted the key and held it there, and slowly the motor groaned to life. It's been just barely getting the engine started since then, so I'm due for a replacement before winter hits.
All in all, I am happy with my purchase. Me and my friend slept in the car when it was cool enough outside and I spent around 8 hours a day in the drivers seat. Aside from the mediocre gas milage(20/24 city/highway) I have no complaints about the car. I'll post pictures as soon as my friend gets them uploaded from the camera.
When I first got the car it had a cracked radiator and a dead battery. I was scared that the cracked radiator meant the engine would have overheated on the previous owner and that it would need a new headgasket. Bought a compression gauge and all the cylinders read pretty close to 150psi so I was relieved.
I installed a new front brake line, new radiator and lower hose (noone in town had the upper hose), flushed and filled with new coolant, and put in a new battery before heading out. I started from Alberta Canada, and drove through the Rocky Mountains to British Columbia. From there I headed to Seattle, then down the 101 to California, stopping at Portland, San Fran, LA, and Anaheim. Then I headed north through Las Vegas, passed through Salt Lake City, and crossed the border again back into Alberta.
I had a blast and the Aurora did pretty well. In Portland the upper radiator hose split on the I5 in 105 degree heat. I quickly pulled over and shut off the engine, called for a tow. Unfortunately that repair set me back $100, when it could have been a $15 repair at home if I could only source the part! The temps were fine for the rest of the trip even through 100+ weather. The only other problem was the car had a hard time starting when cold, needed 2-3 cranks to fire. In Butte Montana, after stopping for gas and lunch it wouldn't even turn the engine over. I twisted the key and held it there, and slowly the motor groaned to life. It's been just barely getting the engine started since then, so I'm due for a replacement before winter hits.
All in all, I am happy with my purchase. Me and my friend slept in the car when it was cool enough outside and I spent around 8 hours a day in the drivers seat. Aside from the mediocre gas milage(20/24 city/highway) I have no complaints about the car. I'll post pictures as soon as my friend gets them uploaded from the camera.
