1997 Oldsmobile Aurora from North America

Summary:

Its wins the Lemon of the Century Award hands down

Faults:

They probably should have named this car the Gremlin, except that name was already taken.

We have fought electrical problems with this car every since we bought it.. First the lights would come on and off when the car was turned off and run down the battery. We managed to clean the light switch with some contact cleaner to wash out all the extra grease and finally that problem is solved.

The other huge problem with this car is that everything you will most likley to have to work on is extremely inaccessible. The starter is under the intake manifold! The water-pump is on the back end (drivers side) of the engine along with the waterpump belt which is driven off of one of the camshafts. Its probably the poorest designed engine I have ever seen for ease of maintenance. There is no ease of maintenance. I have no clue what the engineers were trying to achieve here. No wonder Oldsmobile had to shut down.

General Comments:

I can't wait to get rid of this car. My conscience will bother me for a while after I sell it to some poor unsuspecting soul. Although a brand new car will probably serve as a consolation prize to make me feel better. I would sell this car to my worst enemy if I could get them to buy it! The Oldsmobile Aurora drives great, but gets the Lemon Award for lack of reliability. After owning a great totally reliable Park Avenue Ultra this car is a total let down. Sigh.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th September, 2006

15th Sep 2006, 14:18

Unfortunately, you bought this Aurora as a used car. I am not at all surprised to read about its electrical problems... almost all used cars are junk.

As for the accessibility problems, be aware the the Cadillac Northstar V-8 has these also. Except for the cylinder bore, the Aurora & Northstar engines are identical.

1997 Oldsmobile Aurora from North America

Summary:

Decent

General Comments:

Even though I have had quite a few problems with my Aurora, I still generally like the car. Those of you of there saying we should by Toyota and Honda... Are you kidding me? As much as Gm and other American owned companies are at a low right now. We need to support our people and stop buying foreign vehicles. Why let our American economy suffer because of this? There are plenty of good American vehicles out there. IT makes me sick you people with your oh Honda this and Toyota that. What is this country coming too?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th May, 2006

14th May 2006, 14:45

"What is this country coming too?"

- Sometimes I think the end of the line!

4th Jan 2010, 04:25

I think that we should buy American cars and trucks.

I also think that when the cash for clunkers program was around. Well it kinda bummed me out that I saw a lot, I mean a lot, of pretty decent looking vehicles turned in as scrap.

I feel that there should have been a program that would restore American only vehicles that were not too far behind the curve. American car company's could have kept some plants open to make parts again; fenders, engines etc. and you all know they could have made the engines burn less fuel. And safe also.

America has made a lot of cool cars and trucks. Heck I would not mind picking up a 2010 1985 Chevy Blazer totally rebuild by an American factory. But that is just my opinion.

Why should we keep Americans employed; just out source it.

1997 Oldsmobile Aurora from North America

Summary:

I wanted a fast car, I got a missile.

Faults:

Before I got that car the previous owner replaced the top of the engine from the pistons up. One of the pistons heads was warped and let coolant into the engine and the exhaust systems.

Security system light illuminates regularly, and I get a wait 3 minutes warning at the most inopportune times on start up.

Have once or twice had the traction control light come on, but the traction control still seems to work.

General Comments:

What a serious ride. Awesome power, awesome handling and for the few quirks it has will be my main ride till the day she dies.

Mileage is great on the highway, but very week in the city. I keep reminding myself I bought this car for its looks and power not for the fuel economy.

Have been having a recent rubbing noise in the rear end, the car was has just passed a safety and the brakes were fine I just hope it is not the bearings. It only does it once is a while with 1000 km between occurences.

I did have to replace the bearings on the front right tire to the tune of $700.00.

Two weeks after I got it one the road the heater motor blew. Another $400.00. I must admit parts and repairs are expensive, but for the money the car is a wonderful ride.

Overall I love my new ride and the speed that this huge engine produces.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th December, 2005