1995 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 liter V8

Summary:

Seductive luxury sports sedan that needs constant attention and care

Faults:

Spark plugs/wires when I first got the car @ 77,000 miles (about $400)

Fuel rail recall (no big deal, free)

Rear shocks @ 78k miles ($380)

GM steering rack @ 78k miles also ($1100), seems like I'm in the shop every month.

Battery @ 78,800 miles ($120)

Oil leaks a lot, not only on the floor, but it also blows out onto the block when driving (= gooey mess around the whole back of the engine). Lower main seal, oil pan, oil pan gasket all leak a few drops of oil. We completely ruined the driveway and garage floor with this.

Radiator went at around 79,000 miles. Another $400 repair.

At 80,900 the water pump blew ($330)

EGR valve @ 84,000 miles ($350)

Oxygen sensors @ 87000 (voluntary...but GAINED 100+ miles per tank. I knew something wasnt right)

Entire coil pack set and complete plug wires set again @ 94,000 miles ($650)

..there are more repairs, but it has gotten to the point where I can't keep track of them all anymore. I have figured it to be over $5000 I have spent in just under 17,000 miles of driving. Pretty sad really, but like I said this car will be a classic someday and I'd much rather repair this thing than drive an import. Everybody drives hondas and whatnot, nobody has the Aurora with body kit around here like me.

General Comments:

I LOVE this car! I managed to get one with a great interior (other seats were never used). This car looks unlike any other on the road and I get heads turning all the time looking at it.

First of all, all 1995 Auroras are huge money pits. But that doesn't stop a lot of people (myself included) from maintaining them! In fact despite all the negative repairs I made, I still managed to spend $3500 in upgrades for the car.

So far I put in the following:

Razzi Body Kit

Repainted bumpers and painted the body kit ($1700)

$2000 stereo

Dynomax exhaust

$400 security system

New style V8 Northstar badges on the sides.

This car looks so seductive, that there is an emotional attachment that comes along with it. I've spent all my money on the car, and continue to make the pit deeper all the time with repairs. What a great car for a 17 year old... if you make a lot of money. I'd rather push this car down the road than drive a Honda or similar car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th April, 2006

29th Jun 2013, 01:45

That's what I'm saying, but where did you find all the body kits for the Aurora, and the exhaust? What is a good URL to search for things that will fit my Aurora? It's a 95 Aurora.

1995 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.2 unleaded

Summary:

Keeps you broke!

Faults:

The day after I bought my Aurora the transmission went. After much hassle the dealer finally agreed to fix it with me paying half-300.00. Then I needed the oil seal gasket done, another 200.00. After that brakes and rotors. It also has a bad power steering pump which I had fixed, but the part was faulty and of course I have to pay labor again. Since owning this car I discovered the rear defogger doesn't work, some of the power doors don't unlock and other petty items.

General Comments:

The car has power beyond my needs. I was drawn in by its luxury, leather seats, Cd player etc. However my main complaint is the amount of gas it uses. My credit cards are maxed out.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th March, 2006

18th Mar 2006, 08:56

"However my main complaint is the amount of gas it uses. My credit cards are maxed out."

- What gas mileage is it getting? Most V-8 Auroras get about 15 in town and at least 25 on the road.

26th Mar 2006, 10:15

My 95 takes 13.8-14.2 in city with 87 gas and 22-23 on highway. Higher gas even worse. Bad car.

17th Sep 2006, 06:59

Question please: We are considering buying a Used Aurora for our son, the price is decent, but the owner says it has a "blow out" in the exhaust and feels it may be an easy fix. Has anyone had this issue with the car and what was it?

Thanks.

3rd Oct 2006, 19:59

If you have money to burn, then buy the Aurora for your son. It kept me broke; however, I believe it saved my life in a recent car accident. See my review. Good luck!!

14th Feb 2007, 20:59

I finally got to drive one of these cars the other day. A distant family member has a '95 that had been sitting in their yard for quite some time that I got going for them. The battery was completely shot. When I finally got the engine to start, everything else suddenly quit working until I started driving it and stuff suddenly came alive everywhere! The car is a blast to drive and it is built WAY better than almost any American car I've been in.

Overall, the Aurora seems to be well-designed, but I can definitely see where repairs could be intimidating as the car is complex and most things are in somewhat odd places. This car is one year newer than my BMW, almost as well-built, and has way more equipment and power, yet it is worth over $1,000 less! Seems like a bargain to me, even if it does cost more than average to own!