1995 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8
Summary:
I would not buy another one!
Faults:
Power steering fluid leaks.
Transmission fluid leaks.
The radiator has been replaced and still leaks.
The power antenna does not work.
The CD player eats CD's and does not work.
This car gets bad gas mileage.
Doesn't start well in cold weather.
Very expensive to fix, and very difficult to find mechanics to work on the car.
The air conditioning pump is shot and needs to be replaced. Costing over $1000 I think I will have to live without it!
General Comments:
I bought this car in January and within the first week it wouldn't start. It turns out even though it has such a big battery it still isn't enough to turn the engine over in -20 degree weather, and with no block heater there was nothing I could do about it.
Half of the time it feels like the car is floating when I'm driving it, like I have no control over the car. I have absolutely no control in snow, it buries itself and will not move.
Now the car is spitting and sputtering and I can't find anyone to fix it, nor do I have the money to fix it. The engine is too big for the space that it is in making it difficult to get to anything that needs fixed.
The latest problem is after driving it for 5 miles the engine starts to steam and smoke. The radiator has a leak somewhere, but no one can seem to find exactly where it is coming from to fix it. I usually put in a gallon of antifreeze every two weeks.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 15th May, 2005
4th Dec 2008, 22:35
I just bought a 1995 model. It has 149,000 on the odometer.
It needed a starter which was replaced in about 15 minutes by me. Gee whiz, the factory delco starter only lasted 14 years.
It also needs a power steering line. That's regular upkeep in my book.
The radiator has a small leak. Go figure, it's been in Nebraska for 14 years. That's 56 different seasons.
My radio acts up at times, but some of the buttons are sticky. That is to be expected when buying a new car.
The motor is in need of a tune up, i.e. plugs, wires, air filter, PCV valve, oil change, transmission service, etc. Once again it is a used car, and the factory plugs and wires are the most likely suspect for the 8.2mpg I have averaged over the last 3 days.
The rear air shocks need to be replaced too. 149,000 miles on them and the previous owner was a salesman, so I know there were heavy loads in the trunk.
The fuel door solenoid is not functional on my car as well. But how many times has the gas tank been filled in the last 14 years?
My oil pan gasket leaks a little. I know what is required to replace both of the gaskets. I'm not worried about it because it doesn't drip on the ground.
The only thing that makes me uneasy is that my data center says I have a consistent 15.5 volts in the charging system. It is a little high, but not drastic.
Enough of my rant though. I was informed of what repairs need to be made on my car before I even considered buying it, and I was given a substantial reduction from book value on it.
I'll finish by saying that I rather enjoy my Aurora, and that I look forward to many happy motoring miles, and if it's 20 below zero I'm staying home!
17th Apr 2009, 23:14
"IT TOOK 15 MINUTES TO REPLACE THE STARTER!"
You have to remove the intake manifold to get to it! So unless you are the "million dollar man", you really need to research before you just start spouting stuff on here!
18th Apr 2009, 10:36
15 minutes to replace the starter? You must be the world's greatest magician!
16th May 2005, 12:20
Gee, did it never occur to you that buying a high-mileage 10 year old car that is loaded with all kind of electronic gadgets might not be the smartest choice?
But no, instead you blame the manufacturer for your own lack of foresight...