1998 & 1999 Auroras

[papasmith]

I had a 1995 Aurora but after reading all the problems with this car and especially this model I decided to get rid of it after only putting about 3,000 miles on it. I really liked the car, the way it rode and the styling. I would like to know if what people's experience has been with the newer Auroras with the old body style. Any mechanical nightmares?

[gbarn]

labor on the alt was 300.00

[oldsdad]

I bought my 96 Black on Black a little over a year ago for $5000.00 have 105k miles replaced the plugs , wires , FPR and just bought an DIC AC controller on ebay for 28.06 (Hell Ya) looks brand new , had the fuel rail replaced on recall and had to replace the serpentine belt 24.95 for gatorback , oil and filters. Wouldnt trade it for anything love the ride and style with seating for 5. Bought the DIC AC controller as the fan switch on mine is on high all the time but everything else works great.

[papasmith]

Originally Posted by oldsdad

I bought my 96 Black on Black a little over a year ago for $5000.00 have 105k miles replaced the plugs , wires , FPR and just bought an DIC AC controller on ebay for 28.06 (Hell Ya) looks brand new , had the fuel rail replaced on recall and had to replace the serpentine belt 24.95 for gatorback , oil and filters. Wouldnt trade it for anything love the ride and style with seating for 5. Bought the DIC AC controller as the fan switch on mine is on high all the time but everything else works great.

How many miles have you put on it? My experience is buying a 1995, around July of last year with only 28,000 miles on the clock for $6,600 bucks plus a plane trip to Alabama to pick it up. Looked almost perfect. I loved it from the get go. Later, I bought my wife another one and she drove it once and hit a deer. Wasn't nearly so nice as the one I got. Her Aurora started manefesting all sorts of problems after hitting the deer. Transmisson, electrical, you name it. Most of the problems I have diagnosed from this forum, and could cost well over $2000.00 to fix. On top of that, within the first 500 miles, I had to replace the AC compressor. As I write, the car is sitting in the driveway. I don't know what the hell to do with it. It only has 69,000 miles on it and, as far as I can see, a candidate for the junk yard. I was so discouraged with what happened, I sold my Aurora. Just couldn't trust it.

[oldsdad]

I have put right at 35K on the car this year Alabama 6 times Fla 4 times, South Carolina once.
Sorry to hear about the deer any of todays autos dont fair well with large animail intercepts.

[zebrastud57]

to papasmith, i think it was you that wrote you have a 1995 with 69k on it and you said you wanted to take it to a salvage? if you are seriously thinking of that all make you a better offer.

[Autobanaurora]

98 with 98,000, no major problems, car is quiet and fast. No leaks, no oil burn, etc... Car has seen heavy traffic, wide open quarter mile blasts and a few turbo Volvo's and nitrious Hondas on top end. Best buy for my buck, wouldn't trade it for any golden rice...

[jstkrsn]

bought alternator for $155, put it in myself. It was a lot of work. Took me a couple days, but saved a lot. Had to buy a set of medium deep metric sockets. The batteries are GM only. Even Sears didn't have one for it. Prices vary at dealerships. You need to call around. Cheapest I found was $125. Highest was $155 for the same Delco battery. Had the AC compressor replaced, two gas tank sensors, and one oil pressure sender replaced under warranty. That's the total in 78,500 miles.

[kayaman420]

I have been a die hard Aurorian since buying my 95 in 2001. I have read way too much info on these cars for one human beings lifetime.

I can say that 95-99 you have just as good a chance finding a 95 lemon as a 99 lemon. 95's do seem to have more problems slightly. BUT you have to think a 95 is 4 years older than a 99 so is the slight difference just because the 95's are older hence they naturally would be having more problems?

One thing that I have figured out with these cars is that the REAL PROBLEM ones will always be problems. Weather its a 95 or a 99. The problems seem to start early in life. And they persist throughout the entire life of the car.

So if you can find any Aurora . Even a 95 that has had a fairly clean history odds are it will be ok for you also. I dont think there is as much disparity between 95's -99's as most people think. The only differece is a 99 is NEWER and probably has less miles. So natually it should have less problems.

My 95 has been pretty good to me. I know people with 98-99's that have had way worse problems than me.

[papasmith]

Originally Posted by zebrastud57

to papasmith, i think it was you that wrote you have a 1995 with 69k on it and you said you wanted to take it to a salvage? if you are seriously thinking of that all make you a better offer.

I got pictures and a description of my Aurora at this Website. Let me know if you are interested. I have decided not to spend any money fixing it. It sounds like I might have bad shift selonoids. I might have a bad transmission mount as well. However, I have discovered another car's mounts will fit the Aurora for a lot less. The engine runs great.

http://home.earthlink.net/~dnsmithnc/aurora/17Acres.htm

[shadytree]

I bought my 99 Aurora new - I have ~45K miles on it. I have had a coolant leak around engine occur in the 5 year ownership, other than that, I have been pleased. There are several service bulletins on coolant leaks, so GM payed the bill.

[jagchick]

I have a 98 and at about 105,000 miles, and less than a year ownership, I had to spend $3,400 to fix an oil leak. Turned into a major problem, but wouldn't have expected it the way it drove nice. They said it was leaking inside the engine and had almost flooded the starter. Good thing I caught it in time. Now I have some little leaks on the radiator, but I'm looking to fix it. Love the car, but like all these guys say, there is always going to be a price to pay in repairs. It's always hard to say if you'll be better off with something else. I personally get uptight thinking about getting rid of a car I've already fixed everything on. : /

[papasmith]

Originally Posted by jagchick

I have a 98 and at about 105,000 miles, and less than a year ownership, I had to spend $3,400 to fix an oil leak. Turned into a major problem, but wouldn't have expected it the way it drove nice. They said it was leaking inside the engine and had almost flooded the starter. Good thing I caught it in time. Now I have some little leaks on the radiator, but I'm looking to fix it. Love the car, but like all these guys say, there is always going to be a price to pay in repairs. It's always hard to say if you'll be better off with something else. I personally get uptight thinking about getting rid of a car I've already fixed everything on. : /

How much did you pay for the car?

[jagchick]

Originally Posted by papasmith

How much did you pay for the car?

I paid about $9,000 with a $3,000 trade-in. Too much you think? Well I have a lot invested, not getting rid of it now!