'Bad' reviews on Edmunds and Cars.com

[kaytrox]

I reviewed my Aurora on both Edmunds and Cars. There were a lot of reviews stating that these things had all kinds of mechanical issues, and were unrealistically expensive to repair and maintain. Who ARE these people?! They must be car-ignorant fools who are being fleeced by their mechanics. I've had mine for almost 15 months, and have put 8000 miles on it. In that time, as far as keeping it running goes, I kicked out $60 for a crank sensor and a few bucks to make a new line for the rear brakes. That's it! This is not a nightmare... it's a wet dream! OK, so it was a bit of a ***** to drop the starter to get at the sensor, but it still only took us about an hour and a half. 

But the part that REALLY gets me, and that you just don't see with other cars, is that the people who slam them still give them 4 and 5 star ratings! Even the guy who said that he couldn't get rid of it fast enough gave it 4. On one site, there were 93 ratings, and although at least 10 of them were considerably negative,  not a single rating was less than 3 stars. Now THAT, is one fine automobile. 

I've decided that this is not only the best car I've ever owned, it is the best one I've ever driven.

[Toronado3800]

I am a bit more of a cynic. Reviews are based on people's perception or how the stealership treated the., Toyota's and Geo's are good examples of the same car having two different reputations.

That said, Auroras are interesting. The headgasket situation on the V8's is a joke for example. Then there are the cooling issues and where the alternator amd a/c compressor are

BUT, I love the way this 20 year old car drives. When I was out shopping I got an Aurora because it was enjoyable enough I'd care about keeping it running instead of just junking a Tercel when a pot metal wheel stud broke lol.

[Paulaurora]

Yes because not a lot of mechanics know this car and car work on it. So ofcause things go wrong much faster then they should cuz shops making it like that. Yes the car not perfect but they make it sound like its the cheapest chevy and its not . Well more for us Let them drive corollas or civics the plastic death traps (that dont brake) .

[RCA1186]

Also have to remember that a lot of people only leave reviews when they have a bad experience. Think of how many people drive Auroras and then think of how few bad reviews there were in comparison. Also it may be true that they don't know cars, or how to work on them, so something that might be a simple $75 repair for us might be a make or break problem for someone else. It really is all about perspective. We might see little problems as routine maintenance issues or something to expect from a car that's nearly 20 years old whereas someone else might see something breaking as the car being a lemon. I also think that a lot of us on here tend to take care of things before they become an issue or a bigger issue (i/e fluid changes, motor mounts, etc)

[Marc]

I gave my 2001 4.0 5 stars where ever & whenever I reviewed it. I bought it new in 2000 & have had very few problems with it.

[quixote]

Just from what I have read, reviews for cars 6-7+ years old are all about cost & frequency of repair. Anything related to powertrain on these cars, gives mechanics the Cadillac "red flag," & they bump their estimate up a bit.

If Aurora had the after-market that Camaro or Mustang have, it would probably rate just as highly as those cars.

Of course, those cars have been made for so many years that someone who loves the 1968 model can hate the 1983 model. But that is unlikely to show in a rating, because they like the early model so much, they either don't buy the later one, or don't bother to do the rating trashing the later one...

My father had 5-6 cars that were rated fair-poor. The reviewers usually had a fair point or two, but if those 1-2 points didn't really bother you, they were good cars.

My dad has a gift for finding dealer demo models, for the same price or lower than the new/newer car sitting out on the showroom floor. Similarly, most Auroras are basically a "loaded model." (Although I have not driven or ridden in on of the v6 models, so I can't speak to those.)

[aj]

For the very reason I am very lucky to go to our Oldsmobile car shows for the people that really appreciate them and get the support no matter what, people always love how my Olds models are in good shape cosmetically and mechanicaly sound. Our oldest Aurora model is already 23 years old now, and like what Rob said most people that drives our cars dont report anything if it has been good to them for the most part, only people report a problem if they had an bad experience or a major repair.

Plus many of us longtime members here have owned the Aurora for quite some time now, of course were bias but oh well. Anyways the Aurora was praised as an quality and safe car at the time compared to her rivals, so it did compete well and received many awards throughout its lifetime. Theres still quite a few of us Aurora owners who bought them new back in the day, and were still driving them and most of them are keepers to us.

Yeah there not cheap to maintain but it is an luxury car and all cars have there problems and shes getting older, but she gets an 5 star rating from me and in the quality department. So enjoy your Aurora while you can, let people buy other cheaper econo cars like the prius and save the fuel for our classic Oldsmobile Rockets!!!!!! Really this is what this forum is all about to help educate and to help members in need when they are experiencing problems with their cars, or join the Olds club and or join the Olds chapter of your state or region.

[lanceslambos]

You know, I think everyone here has made very valid points. Aftermarket availability, Cadillac stealerships, myth & misperception, love hate love owner relationships, I could go on and on. But at the end of the day, the cold hard fact is that this was the most expensive and sophisticated car that Oldsmobile ever produced in the history of the name. In its day, the car was so ahead of its time that it certainly would prove to have hiccups down the road. I hate the fact that many or most "mechanics" will not even change the oil on a Northstar. I don't think I mentioned this on a previous thread; but the "best" mechanic in town actually hung up on me last month when I called to set an appointment for a coolant flush. First refusing to even touch an Aurora, then I gave a sob story, but he didn't care. Seriously, for what it's worth, fiction beats fact. I'm the first one to agree that these cars can be complete nightmares; however when they are right, they are spot on. I've owned 5 or 6 mustangs since 1989, and I would still take an Aurora over the best of them. There's just something about being unique.I refuse to join the cookie cutter club!