New Aurora yearly differences

[Aurora40]

I wanted to get a list going to keep track of the various changes to the Aurora year-by-year. There are lots of changes from 1999 to 2001, but I wanted to focus mainly on 2001-2003.

If you have more info, post it up or message me and I'll just keep editing this post with the new info. Maybe we can make it a sticky if anyone else thinks it's useful.

So here are ones I am aware of. I thought production started in March of 2001, as that is what magazines said, but GM releases seem to indicate they started in January or February. Also, parts production may have started earlier than that. The V6 cars were the first ones to start, so maybe V8 production started in March?

2001 Model Year

- Dec 1999 to Feb 2000: Aurora's may experience glass etching and haze of headlamps due to sealant used. It was replaced by a cured sealant.

- February 21, 2000: "Aurora models built after February 21, 2000 use a new caster trail suspension, with new components such as lower control arms and spindles, that lessens the degree of caster on the car from six d e g rees to five degrees. This p rovides better handling without any adverse effects to the ride. There are differences in the alignment specifications between the models with the new suspension and earlier models." (quote taken from: service.gm.com/gmtechlink/arcv_pdf/5_00_e.pdf )

- July 17, 2000: Addition of OnStar components.

- Total production: 53,640

2002 Model Year

- New paint colors include Granite, Marine Blue. Dropped colors include Silvered Sage, Chestnut, Sapphire, Bronze Mist

- Interior colors dropped include Mint Parfait, and I thought there was a Sage color dropped?

- Chromed exhaust tips

- Navigation radio available

- 3.5L EPA rating decreases from 19/28 to 18/27

- 4.0L EPA rating increases from 17/25 to 18/26

- Total production: 10,865 (2,289 V8's)

2003 Model Year

- New paint colors include Steel Blue, Bordeaux Red. Dropped colors include Cherry Metallic. Collector's Edition offered in Dark Cherry Metallic.

- 3.5L V6 version dropped

- 4.0 gets steel trunklid with insert (the V6 trunk). It is noticeably heavier, but feels more solid when you close it. This trunk style was the original style for the Aurora. The aluminum trunk on the 4.0 was to get closer to the weight goal

- 4.0 gets polymer coated pistons and forged steel crankshaft

- 4T80-E gets calibration improvements for garage shifting: www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=6&q=http://media.gm.com/division/powertrain/products/transmission/2003/auto_benefits/mh1.doc&e=7207

- New navigation radio offered, can be had in combination with Bose stereo

- Collector's Edition available. 500 produced. Included unique paint color, unique 17" wheels (from the STS), and badging on engine, door sills, front fender and rear deck. Embroidered logo on front seatbacks and floormats

- Total production: ~7,900

[Marc]

About the exact date that the Onstar was made stand-
ard equipment: that was July 17, 2000. A price increase
of $335 was made for that.

______________

GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!

[Newbie]

I am looking at an Aurora. It is a 2001. A friend told me that I should stay away as they are having electrical problems. Any feedback? I really like the car and I am getting a very good price ( I think). What does the group think I should pay for a 2001 with 28,000 ( in mint condition as it is a Florida car)

[Marc]

I have a 2001 4.0. I have had no electrical trouble so far.
I bought it new.

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GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!

[Aurora40]

Maybe we could continue this in a different thread? But I think the classics tend to have more electrical issues than the new cars. My dad has a 2001 that hasn't had any issues, and my 2002 only had an issue with the memory mirrors not moving based on the fob (but they would based on the door button). IIRC, the classic didn't have this feature, so it stands to reason the classic wouldn't have this problem.

[dred98]

Aurora40 said:

Maybe we could continue this in a different thread? But I think the classics tend to have more electrical issues than the new cars. My dad has a 2001 that hasn't had any issues, and my 2002 only had an issue with the memory mirrors not moving based on the fob (but they would based on the door button). IIRC, the classic didn't have this feature, so it stands to reason the classic wouldn't have this problem.

My 98 has a memory function for the mirror, 2 positions depending on which key fob is used. It adjusts the seat and the mirror.

[omegaic]

Ditto

[JimW]

I guess that works for both gens cuz its the same in mine as well.

Thats why you get that memory BEEP, when you unlock the doors with the key FOB

[erw38]

What the heck is a FOB??

[Marc]

The Fob is the little remote control that unlocks & locks
the doors, etc. I don't know why it's called a fob.


________________

GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!

[erw38]

Thanks Marc.......I feel like an idiot. This whole time I have been calling it a remote! ;D

[Aurora40]

I knew the classic had memory, that's cool it works off the fob too. Does the radio change from one driver to another? I like that also, as my wife always uses the radio and has it very loud. But one click of my remote and it's back the way I left it (off).

[dred98]

Aurora40 said:

I knew the classic had memory, that's cool it works off the fob too. Does the radio change from one driver to another? I like that also, as my wife always uses the radio and has it very loud. But one click of my remote and it's back the way I left it (off).

The Classic just does the driver's seat and the mirrors.
Hey, they had to leave something for the new models.

[onehunglow]

re 2001 Aurora issues/problems

This is an outstanding car. I first leased it since I knew that Olds would faze it out and I would get into something else. At the end of the lease, I just could not part with it and bought it from GMAC.

The only problems I had were a strange "Check Engine" light which turned out to be an emission sensor and a front wheel bearing, all fixed under warranty.

It does seem to burn out interior lights (like the lights for the seat heaters, door locks, etc) but that's minor.

I have driven many cars over the years and see lots of them come and go - I have to say that it is truly disappointing that GM would finally get a luxury car right and then drop it.

In any case, I am very happy with my decision to keep my car and I believe with good maintenance and care, it will last many years to come.

So if you can get a 2001 with 28,000 miles on it and get a good price for it - go for it....or let me know and I might pick it up myself.

[JimW]

There is a 2003 Final 500 for sale listed in Marketplace, its a link to an Autotrader page

[Marc]

onehunglow said:

re 2001 Aurora issues/problems

This is an outstanding car.

I have driven many cars over the years and see lots of them come and go - I have to say that it is truly disappointing that GM would finally get a luxury car right and then drop it.

100% agreed.....I have been driving for 45 years, and
in all that time, the Aurora is the best luxury sports
sedan I've ever seen.
GM didn't know a good thing when it saw it!!!


_______________

GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!

[R4D30N]

i want to see the pics of the final 500. anyone got any?

[scottydl]

R4D30N said:

i want to see the pics of the final 500. anyone got any?

Here is one on Autotrader that Amanda found awhile ago... what a beaut!

[kobalt]

Aurora40: a comprehensive list - much appreciated

[rocketman]

Here's a picture of my 500. I don't have a picture of it with it's brother, my '01 4.0.

Let me know if you want more........

[scottydl]

Wha !!!? We actually have a member with a Final 500!? Of course we want more pictures, what a silly question! ;D You could post a whole album in the "My Aurora" section of the forum. I'm looking forward to it!

[rocketman]

Will do when I get home and post it in the area you suggested.

John

[srisher]

I have a 2001 with the V6. How can I tell the build date? It has On Star but no compass on the mirror.

Thanks!

[Aurora40]

Look on the edge of the drivers side door. There's a sticker there that says the build date.

[kbpickle]

Another difference - The 2001 V6 has a keyhole in the passenger door handle. The 2003 V8 does not.

[Aurora40]

kbpickle said:

Another difference - The 2001 V6 has a keyhole in the passenger door handle. The 2003 V8 does not.

Really? Weird. I don't believe any year of the new V8 has a keyhole on the passenger side. I didn't know the V6 did.

[Marc]

srisher said:

I have a 2001 with the V6. How can I tell the build date? It has On Star but no compass on the mirror.

Thanks!

The mirror with the compass was part of what was
called the Convenience Package. In the 2001 model
year, this was standard on the 4.0, and optional on
the 3.5.

________________

GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!

[Aurora40]

Oh, I just remembered one more thing. In 2003, the Aurora V8 and Northstar motors got a polymer coated forged piston that allowed for tighter tolerances in the bore. I believe the main benefit was reduced noise. The info used to be on the GM Powertrain site, but I'll try to dig it up with the specifics.

[rocketman]

40,

Wasn't the crank forged for 2003 also? If not, there was some other change in the crank I'm quite sure.

[Aurora40]

Could have been. The changes were mainly adopted from the RWD Northstar which had polymer coated pistons and a forged crank. In fact, that's probably what the 2003 changes were. Thanks!