Considering an Aurora, ? is 3.5 or 4.0?!

[icarus180]

I'm looking into buying an Aurora. I already have an Alero GLS, but I am wanting something a bit more 'nicer.' My main question is, should I get a 3.5 or a 4.0? My Alero has a 3.4 L. Should I just stick to the 3.5 Aurora? I'm not all that crazy about the horsepower involved. I just wanted to know what the main differences are besides better acceleration....for example (better ride) My main questions are:

if you drive a 3.5 - do you like it, is the MPG good?
if you drive a 4.0 - a better difference in ride, how bad is the MPG?

What main problems do you think these cars have? I've read a lot of these subjects in the forum, but I felt most were geared toward the ones that were 2000 and under. I'm in the market for the new body style, I do not like the looks of the older ones by any means. I'd rather keep my Alero if that was the case....LOL! No offense, anyone!

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[apostolakisl]

I've got a 2001 3.5. The acceleration is very nice and darn near the 4.0 (the 4.0 weighs more). Also the 4.0 has a smaller gas tank and worse mileage, so if you like to hit the highway for long spells, the 3.5 is better. I have two gripes with the car. The transmission isn't very smooth and it is almost impossible to properly balance the tires. Otherwise it is very nice.

[Marc_Aurora_2001]

On the other hand, the 4.0 has a lot of items as standard equipment that
are options on the 3.5....traction control, stability control, and automatic
wipers, just to name a few.


________________

GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!

[icarus180]

I wonder if all transmissions are like that on the 3.5's. I know my sister had an Eldorado, and her transmission shifted like silk. Of course, she had the Northstar engine, which people on here say is pretty much a 4.0 Aurora. Hmm...interesting. I'll have to get out and test drive one really soon. I felt that I might want to stick with the 3.5, since it was close to my 3.4. I was comfortable with that.

Though, one of you guys stated that 4.0's come standard with a lot of stuff that are just options on 3.5's. You had stated Automatic Wipers. Does your car have a rain sensor? I was just wondering. I know you had stated traction control...isn't that something that's standard in all Oldsmobile's? I know a lot of very plain Alero's have traction control too.

I just like the fact that all I have seen online on E-bay have memory seats and an actual security system, unlike my Alero. Maybe if I decide I want one, I can score a good deal on a neat 3.5.

Can you think of what kind of gas mileage your cars got off the top of your head? Thanks!!

[oldsdad]

I have a 96 (4.0 V8 was the only motor)and I get 18-19 (if you keep your foot out of it)in town and 28 to 32 on the highway depending on the terrian thats with the autobahn tranny. You can expect a little more without autobahn so I have been told but hard to beat either way.

[Riche_guy]

My mechanic said that the 3.5 he will repair, but not the 4.0 since everything is hard to get at on the engine. There is a notable difference in gas usage between 3.5 and 4.0. If you find a 3.5 that is fully loaded, you won't miss having a 4.0

[Autobanaurora]

If you want your doors blown by rice burners, go with the 3.5. The 4.0 is faster, mine averages 24MPG. If you maintain the motor, you will not need to rebuild. For the price of a rebuild on a 3.5, you can buy a crate 4.0. Why settle for a slug?

[serick04]

I have an '01 3.5 and my father has a '02 4.0. Ordinary driving around town the two engines are very difficult to tell the difference between them. The 3.5 is tuned for low RPM torque (hence the low 210 HP rating) and it nearly matchs the 4.0's numbers up to around 3000 rpm.

With the driving I do I get an average of about 23-24 mpg with the air conditioning on all the time. My fathers driving habits are similar and he gets 18-19 mpg average as computed by the onboard computer.

I'm all for having more horsepower but when it came to a purchase descision the better fuel economy, being able to buy lower grade fuel (the 4.0 requires premium), lower maintenance costs, and lower aquisition costs sold me on the 3.5. I'd rather put my extra money into my 9 second quarter mile motorcyle instead of an agonizingly slow 16 second quarter mile car.

They are both great cars though. You'll enjoy either one!

[Autobanaurora]

If yours is turning 16's, must be the V6 or a 7.0 light, I run 89 octane with no problems and I turn low 15's on the 89 and high 14's on 93+.

[serick04]

High 14's or low 15's in the 95 mph range are still painfully slow when compared to a 9.78 @ 158 on a street legal motorcycle. I'm almost back to the pits by the time you cross the finish line.

If you want something that is REALLY fast don't kid yourself into thinking an Oldsmobile will get you there. Drive your Aurora for what it was a meant to be, a sedan with attitude but don't ever forget that it will always be a sedan.

[rodtice]

Amen.

[Autobanaurora]

Interesting, just don't hit the payment, nice comment, wrong pugh.