I have had nothing but problems since I purchased a 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora in April of 2008. I test drove it before I bought it. I got home with it and before I pulled into the driveway I could hear a clicking noise when I turned the steering wheel. I took it back to the dealership and they said it was something in the steering and replaced a part that was made out of plastic, that should have been recalled but was because it wasn't considered a safety concern, with something metal. Oh did I mention when I took it back to be fixed at this time as soon as Pulled into the service area of the dealership the check engine light came on. At this time the car had around 58,000 miles on it. Found out the car needed two crank sensors and a catalytic converter. Picked the car up and still heard the clicking noise. My dad discovered it was coming from the struts. I took it back to the dealership found out it needed strut mounts. Why they didn't catch it before I will never understand. After getting the converter on the car I heard it making a revving noise and kept feeling like it was going to cut off which it eventually did a few weeks later. Took it back to the dealership it needed a intake boot. Why they didn't catch it when I complained about the problem the first time I don't know. They checked it and said they couldn't find anything at the time. And did I mention, it shakes around 60-65 miles per hour. The service department told me it was because it had flat spots in the tires from sitting. And that I may need to also rotate the tires. At first the dealership did fix the initial problems then I was stuck after that. I had to pay a deductible to get the boot on. I got the boot fixed on the car last tuesday now this friday a week later my back window on the car will not go up or stay up. I can pull it up by hand and when I push the switch it makes a popping/cracking noise. I called the dealership service department and they said it sounds like the window regulator and now I going to have to pay another deductible and it's only a week later. I'm very dissatified with my purchase. I thought I was going to a reputable car dealership. I could have went to one these side street dealerships for this and probably would have gotten a better car. The car looks very nice on the outside but it's sick on the inside. Nice smooth ride up to 59 mph. It's hard to believe that a car that could have cost as much as it did when it came out in 2003 can have this many problems in 2008. The car that I traded in, a 93 honda civic Ex, was better than this car. This car has discouraged me from ever wanting another American made car and I want to support me country but how can I when my country is not supporting me and giving me bad products. The dealership I bought the car from said they give their cars 150 point inspection. I don't see how my car could have even earned a point. I spoke with the salesman and he said he would talk to the general manager to see if they can trade the car out. I'm not holding out much hope but this is my second and my last American made car neither have been worth the money or the time. I hope this helps someone before they become a victim like me. But if you buy this car just know this "You must be rich". And you've been warned.

Aurora V8 engine, comfortable seats, cockpit feel inside, the musclar stance and curves.

Handling is a little soft, but it is a 4000 pound car. Run 40 psi in the tires, it makes a difference.

I have two Auroras, a 97 and an 03 Collectors Edition. After reading some of these posts, I had to join in. I have never had two better cars, and I have been driving 27 years. Yes, I have also driven foreign. The problems people mention on here as "disastrous" are common problems, with simple fixes if you just do your homework. The Aurora V8 is a world class engine that is as smooth as silk, with plenty of power. It's looks, especially the first generation, are unequalled, even in 2008.

Smooth ride.

Already mentioned.

Steering has a knock in it, this is a common problem that is well documented in the dealerships. The right rear window regulator that controls the glass going up and down broke after 36,000 miles. The car developed a leak in the driver's floor, and it appears to come from the rubber plugs located between the wipers and the hood. Had to air out the car to prevent mold from forming. So far, I would give this car a score of 2 on a scale of 1 to 5. Sorry America, but I just bought a Honda Civic, and not one problem! I will not be buying any more American cars. General Motors still has a long way to go before they can compete with the likes of Honda! And just think, the American Car Union employee works for around $70.00 and hour including all benefits, and the Honda employee works for around $40.00 and hour including benefits. Years ago, I felt that buying American was my patriotic duty, but no more! It will be Japanese cars from now on, simply put the quality of the product is clearly inferior! This Aurora was suppose to be the top of the line luxury vehicle for Oldsmobile, but clearly GM doesn't understand that you dont' build crap for a luxury automobile! If the CEO of GM wants to contact me I'll be glad to define for him how to build a better product!

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Huge amounts of power. Acceleration. Love the riccardo seats!!!

Body integrity. Car paint quality.

Awesome car!!! Fast and alot of power. Handles well in snow. Smooth transmition. Practical car, no major repairs EVER! All options worked, transmition shifted well and engine was still lively at 476,998 miles when the headgasket blew.

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northstar engine is the best. the seats are comfy and the car really sticks to the ground even in the winter, got awesome horsepower to play with. the transmission is very smooth. car handles well at high speeds and there is some wind noise at 90 mph. haven't spent anything other than oil changes for the last 20k miles.

the window motor doesn't work for the driver's side, don't like the cup holders or the lumbar support. had some problems with the fuel lines and the brakes had to be changed evry year.

the car drives as good as the day i brought it. absolutely no mechanical problems. the engine is great even at 220k miles. the power is still there and the gas mileage is ok. the car sure seems to be a better buy than a toyota or a honda for what i paid.

Great engine and drive train.
Top speed on this one is 150 mph
Cruise at 90 MPH at 3000 RPM and still have a response to 100+ within secs.
Smooth ride and handling.
Comfortable seats great on long trips.

Cup holders in a bad place.
Shifter in the way of the ash tray (if you smoke).
Wind noise from around windows.
More noise if window cracked and have wipers on.
Get wet if windows open a crack at slow speeds.

Ok I have read all the reviews on this car
from this site and can only say that since I purchased this car 3 years ago I
have not had any major mechanical problem
other than general maintenance.
I bought the car with only 19K miles on it and now have 68K. I rack up about 600 miles a week of both highway and city driving and only have praise for this car.
The ride is smooth and quit (under 80mph). At speeds over 80 get wind noise
from the front windows, probley need new door gaskets.
I live in the Northeast and the road conditions can be pretty bad at times but
this car has never let me down. If I keep the speed down can get 28-29 MPG on the
highway and average 21-22 around town.
Since I bought the car I have had the breaks done twice. The first set of brakes were standard replacements that only lasted me 8 months the second set were slotted and drilled rotors that I still have and on, last check had over 50%
of life on the pads.
I change the oil only when the computer says it is time and the motor does not burn or leak a drop.
Have put on a set of high performance Toyo tires and what a difference in handling and feel, well worth the price.
The only major problem I have had is with the front wheel bearings. I had to have them replaced but the cost was within the range as any other car. I also replaced the exhaust with a set of Flow Masters. What a difference in sound and performance.
The car is a lot quicker and seems to have much better response on the highway when you boot it. I have also noticed that when stuck in traffic the engine temp will now stay at 200 degrees all the time. I guess with the loss of back pressure the engine runs cooler.
The only electrical problems I have had came the first winter I had the car. The door locks would keep locking every 4 secs. I had to remove the fuse to the door locks but when the weather got warmer I put the fuse back in and have not had a problem since. I also had a problem with the security key, had to go back to a Caddy dealer to get a new set of keys made, for some reason the only key
I had seems to have changed the resistance
It once had.
This car replaced a Lincoln Town car that I was driving and I must say this car has more power and is more comfortable on a long trip. Also the gas mileage is a lot better even though I use high test fuel.
If you can find one of these in good condition I would snap it up in a min.
Also be sure you bring the car to a GM dealer to get the only call back replaced. You need to have the fuel rail replaced with a stanless steel one. This should be a free be from the dealer at least it was for me.

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I selected the 4.0 Engine after test driving the 6 cylinder 3.5. I have found it to be well worth the price for the smoother acceleration. Very low maintenance. Luxury abounds. Only 2300 rpm at 65 mph - not bad... Makes me proud to say it was made in the USA!!! Radio/CD/cassette players sound excellent via the premium Bose speakers. Many included options as compared with the much pricier imports. Like the heated seats, all leather interior, stability system, automatic moisture detection wiper system, embedded compass in the rear view mirror, dual climate controls, 17 inch alloy rims, 8 cylinder 250 hp engine (note this was one of the highest HP's in the 2001 model year for comparable sedans), in dash diagnostic computer (info such as low tire pressure, low coolant, change oil, ect... You know, things you don't typically think about that may need attention), battery under the back seat to prolong its life, and on and on.

Do not overstuff those unused napkins in the glove compartment. They'll certainly get sucked into the air vent and cause it to make a humming noise. At 72-75, the resonance of the air outside the vehicle is just right to hear a high pitched sound from the moon roof. Above 75mph, it stops.

This is by far the best car I have ever owned. It is fun to drive, low maintenance, powerful, and impressive to all that ride inside. I have owned my vehicle for 5 years, driven it 94K miles and have had few problems. I'm still on my original set of tires and brakes. I have religiously changed the oil every 3-4K miles. I see a lot of new cars that look great and appealing, but when I compare them to my 5 year old Aurora, they don't compete. GM has made a mistake in getting rid of this model with the retirement of the Oldsmobile line. I hope they reincarnate the model in a familiar form in another one of their car lines. Cadillac Aurora? Hmmmm.

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Power, comfort, roominess, Dependability, Technology.

Normal trans has a small hesitation problem. Aluminum engine.

This car is the best vehicle i've been in. I was at 105 mph and only at 4250 rpms in 3rd gear. This car has the rare autobahn package. Check the door sticker for v as the tire rating. When you push the pedal down all you can do is hold on. Very fast, more horsepower than an Iroc-Z, and 5.3 vortec chevy truck. Better handling than any mustang or camaro. Nice wide body, Smooth sexy lines. Amazing car. If you put ram induction on this and reduce the backpressure the cops, or cobra mustangs, or camaros, or trans am's will stand a chance. That's what i'm doing to mine. Very, great, classy vehicle. The women love it. Great roomy leather interior for the times when you don't have time to find a room. This car has the auto bahn package and has a top speed of 150 mph instead of 108 mph.

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1988 grand prix.

This car is so smooth , its classy , its menacing , and its fast . Very confortable , fit and finish is good. The first time someone irked me and i wanted to put some distance between us i floored it and it sort of reminded me of a jet when the afterburner kicks in , wow what a feeling !!!! oh, that toyota. sorry. As one person said in their review this car impresses people with its looks , it goes through the snow like its on a rail, we like that it has load leveling shocks also.

I cant realy think of any real weaknesses , maybe gas milage but that because my wife says i have a heavy foot. When we test drove this car i noticed that after you drive it and turn it off then resart it , it didnt want to start right away like it did when it was cold. I did some checking on the enternet and found out about the fuel rail recall , had the dealer fix it . About a month later it started running VERY rough hesitating , shuddering , took it too the dealer and found out that one of the plug wires somehow got pinched and was arking . The dealer said a new set would cost almost 200 plus installation. Had him order one wire , fixed that problem 60 dollars . getting a slight vibration above 65mph. think it might be the tire though . other than that this has been the best car we have ever owned.

My wife needed a car and i wanted something with heated seats so there...... haha , nah , theres more to the story then that. A few years before we purchased this car i had saw one at the local used car lot and took it for a spin , man was i impressed! my wife drove it and she liked it too. it was a dusty rose color and in good shape for a 1996 didnt have the money to buy at that time . So when i was looking for something for my wife six months ago i spoted this one in the car mart paper. We went to the dealer and took it for a test drive. The car was in excelent shape it had 34,000 miles on it and the car fax report said that it came from florida. I got the dealer down from 8500 to 7900 dollars , had them put four brand new goodyears on it and it was ours ,

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Gas mileage, utilizes regular fuel, sleek styling, responsive gas pedal, great road feel, beautiful and comfortable interior, comes standard with all neede options.

Occasional gas pedal hesitation, occasional hesitation going into gear, current low resale value.

The second Aurora I have ownwed, This vehicle is both luxuriuous and sporty. It is just plain fun to drive. It is a good size and very stylish. It is frugal way to own a sporty, well made vehicle. The small 8 cylinder is both responsive and good on gas (18 to 26 mpg). It can be purchaed relatively inexpensively.

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