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Wonderful skyline though, and some very nice people. The city is gearing up for the Superbowl, so some of it is hard to navigate, but no problem if you've ever driven through Detroit.
My brother and I drove my Dad's car straight through in about 23 hours, and I only saw 2 Auroras on the way down, both classics. I was in Houston for 5 days and only saw 2 more, one classic and one 2003. That's crazy considering that I see that many on my 4 mile communte every day back home.
Had a good time. Stopped by too many bars, and way too many reasturaunts, and am looking forward to going back...maybe around Superbowl time.
BTW....4500th post!! :-)
I am thinking of buying a 96 Aurora with 83000 miles and would like to know your opinions on the car. They are asking 5700 for it and are in the process of replacing the ac hoses and compressor. It is suppose to run good though. Let me know what you think.
My recommendation would be to check the service records. If there are none w/ the car, go to an Olds dealer w/ the vin number and have a service writer run the service history. They should do it no charge.
These cars are phenomenal, but with any high performance car with higher miles and all the toys the Aurora has, repairs can be expensive and preventive maintenance IS THE KEY.
Look for regular service/flushes of the trans, regular oil changes, among other things. Things that commonly go wrong with aurora's near that mileage include the A/C (which you're getting replaced), water pump (about $250-350 depending on who does it), fuel pressure regulator (about $150 at the dealer). Also, CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS. These Northstar engines are basically bullet proof, but they do leak oil and some leaks can be very expensive to fix.
Finally, you might want to browse the Aurora Owners Problems & Solutions discussion on this board.
There are people on these boards a lot more knowledgeable than I am, but that's my 2cents. GOOD LUCK!
To that list, I would add:
a) rear crankshaft oil seals - my dealer does 1-2 of these per week. Mine was done in March. A very expensive repair, as it requires dropping the engine and splitting and re-sealing the block. This may be the reason why people complain of Northstar engines "burning" oil - mine never did until last December, and the crankshaft seal leak was discovered by the dealer in early March. Have reputable mechanic check for this
b) multifunction stalk switch - you hear a clicking under the dash, and your headlights may be flashing. This might be due to too much grease on one of the rotary dials on the dash - some folks have resolved the issue simply by cleaning it - but otherwise, the whole left stalk needs replacement. I had this repair last September (lights flashing killed my battery, which was 5+ years old anyway).
c) if your traction control or ABS lights come on, it may be a wheel speed sensor, or possibly a wheel bearing.
d) plugs and plug wires - only use AC Delco. These start to become an issue for most between 70k to 80k miles.
e) transmission issues - usually a shift solenoid. May as well replace both of them while they're in there.
f) the fuel pressure regulator is a recurring repair item. Sometimes folks have had to replace the fuel rail as well. Drivability will be an issue (stalling/surging), as will smelling gas.
g) if you have problems with the buttons on the doors not working, it's due to the (too-thin) gauge of wires in the door hinge area - too much flexing causes them to short/break. Not that difficult to re-wire, actually...
Anything else I've forgotten? Really should put together a "master list" and post it over in Problems & Solutions...
Don't let this list frighten you - the big expenditures are the AC compressor (which is being fixed on your prospective car), followed by the crankshaft seals and the tranny shift solenoids. It's always a good idea to run the VIN past the service department of a GM dealer, to see what warranty work has been done on the car. CarFax isn't a bad idea either (to see ownership, mileage, vehicle inspection and accident history)...
Hope this helps,
--Robert
I highly recommend anyone with an oil leak to go to caddyinfo.com and get the real lowdown before shelling out big bucks.
There is a diamond-white Riviera that parks in the same garage as I do at work. The more I look at it, the more I see the same styling cues, but notice how much better they work on the Aurora. The shorter trunk and long hood, the cut of the rear side windows. The Riv looks cool, but the style fits the Aurora so much better. Even the new trunk is similar to the Riv's back-end.
I also keep looking at Taurus rears. They have generally the same shape, but man is there a difference in the details. For one, the ridge along the top of the trunk carries into the light housing on the Aurora. It doesn't on the Taurus. And the reflectors have a more attractive appearance on the 'Roara and the housing itself looks nicer. In part because of the red, white, and yellow sections. Also, the trunk seems to have nicer curves, and the trunk works with the bumper more. The lights also sweep up on the sides and you can see bodywork. The channel in the bumper and the foglights all just give it a nicer, more quality look. This is also noticeable in the fact that the more upscale Tauri need a trunk spoiler to give it a nicer appearance. The Aurora's end looks very finished and complete without the need for a spoiler.
The local Ferrari/Maserati dealer got a Shelby Series 1 in and I just had to stop by and see it. What a nice car. It's funny how much of it is Aurora-like. The doorhandles, the side mirrors, The gauges have a very "Aurora" feel to them. As does the console-mounted ignition. It's like a racing Aurora. I'll have to go back and snap some picts and see if I can open the engine bay up. I'd like to hear it running. It has a Borla exhaust, but I bet it would sound sweeter through some Corsa's...
--Robert
who really, really loves his Classic Aurora (getting her buffed out on Friday :-)
I just became the proud owner of a convertible Riveira. I wanted the Toro convertible version, but the two I saw the folks wanted too much money for them. I must admit that I am glad I got the Riviera version of the car. The Riv and the caddie both have shoulder strap seat belts and the Toro does not.
The car is very smooth on the road and I have a GM convertible with power without the caddie Allante price.
For those of you not in the know, GM built the eldorado/toronando/riveira convertible from 1982 to 1985. The caddie had the 4100 motor and the riv andd olds shared the OLds 307 5.0 v8 engine.
The only bad thing is I get a gas guzzler just as prices are going through the roof for gass. I have seen $2.05 for priemum on Mobile gas. Thats over $36.00 to fill the Aurora's tank!
I dont know how to post pictures on this thing but I think this link to the ebay posting for the car is still active. Your opinions are welcome.
Henri
P.S. I already told aROARa there is no reason for her to be jealous, she is stil my baby.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item- =2427714758&category=6142
-Brian
PS...new AC compressor going in tomorrow. Should be a full day!
I personally like the 5 spoke, I even thought about changing them at one point to the 5 spoke for my Aurora.
Peace.
Http://www.cardomain.com/id/javidogg
If we want to get picky, my car was built well before the "Platinum fad" hit, and was sent off the line with regular old (copper?) plugs. It just hit me as strange that the only plug from Delco I could get was Platinum....that being said, I will be getting the Delcos for sure, I wouldn't get anything else....but where did my Rapidfires go?
-Brian
Since day one (2 1/2 years ago) I have been losing coolant but couldn't find out where. Well I finally found a puddle in the garage in the front left side of the engine area.
Took the car to the dealer (Buick since the Olds dealer caved and left us stranded) and they found a leak at the thermostat. The RO (repair order) indicated a bulletin that spoke to a bad gasket set at the thermostat. They had to order the parts overnight and when they worked on it the second day, it leaked again. They ordered parts again overnight and the second time they claim it's fixed - after three days.
All it speaks to is replacing gaskets, not parts.
I have no idea if this happens on the earlier 4.0s or not.
So my 22,000 mile car has had some weird issues. I had to replace both outer tie rod ends at 15,000 miles and now this gasket. It doesn't bother me much because I'm not paying for the repairs or losing a car for the day (my wife uses the car). She's starting to get annoyed which is a good thing. One or two more of these odd ball things and she'll relinquish the car to me. I win!
RPO Codes - Oldsmobile Aurora
Option Code Description
A45 Memory Package
A51 Seats, front leather seating surfaces contoured bucket
AG2 Seat adjuster, power, front passenger 6-way
AJ7 Air bags, frontal and side-impact, driver and right front passenger
AP9 Cargo convenience net
AT9 Seat adjuster, power, lumbar, front passenger 8-way
AU0 Keyless entry, remote
B34 Floormats, carpeted, front
B35 Floormats, carpeted, rear
BA5 Gold Package
C68 Air conditioning, front electronic
C79 Lighting, interior
CE1 Wipers, intermittent, front
CF5 Sunroof, power
CJ2 Air conditioning, dual-zone, automatic
DA1 Armrest, center, rear
DD7 Mirror, inside rearview, electrochromic with compass display
DD8 Mirror, inside rearview, electrochromic
DH6 Visors, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver and front passenger
DR5 Mirrors, outside rearview, power, heated, body-color
E28 Assist handles
FE3 Suspension, 4-wheel independent, touring
FE9 Emissions, Federal requirements
FV4 Axle, 3.71 ratio
JL4 Precision Control System
JL9 Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc
K05 Engine block heater
K34 Cruise control
KA1 Seats, heated, driver and front passenger
L47 Engine, 4.0L DOHC V8 SFI
MX0 Transmission, 4-speed automatic
N93 Wheels, 17" (43.2 cm) aluminum, painted
N94 Wheels, 17" (43.2 cm) aluminum, chrome
NB8 Emissions override, California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York or Vermont
NC7 Emissions override, Federal
NE1 Emissions, Maine or Massachusetts state requirements
NG1 Emissions, New York or Vermont state requirements
NP5 Steering wheel, leather-wrapped rim
NV7 Steering, power, Magnasteer
NW9 Traction control
QCH Tires, P235/55R17, H-rated, blackwall
R1K Collector's Edition Package
T1U Passenger Comfort Package
T2U Convenience Package
U1F Sound system, ETR AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD player
U1Q Sound system, ETR AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD player
U1S Sound system, 12-disc CD changer
U40 Driver Information Center
U77 Headlamps, halogen
U80 Sound system feature, Bose
UE1 OnStar
UG1 Universal Transmitter
UH8 Instrumentation, analog
UM8 Navigation radio, onboard
UV7 Antenna, integral, front
UW6 Sound system feature, 6-speakers
VK4 License plate cover, front
YF5 Emissions, California state requirements
Apparently Edmunds didn't like my (table)(/table) with <> for ()...
I don't understand the question.
discussion title ..........last post..........total......new
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aurora_______________9/5____________4532
But now it seems to be fixed!
And now back to our regularly scheduled topic ...
There is no such thing on Edmunds!
The Riviera only stoped production 2 years ago and its already just a memory. Will 2005 mark the end of the Aurora boards???
Will Pat be out of a job????
Henri
I agree that there hasn't been a whole lot of interest in that vehicle in the Town Hall, but feel free to make that change. ;->
One way to find Riviera topics is to use the keyword search. Most were created prior to the categorization system we use now, so the Make/Model search won't find them.
And yes, there is something wrong with the last post date in this discussion. Finally it sinks in. Let me see what I can find out.
Thanks.
a) Rear fog lamps burned out early - replaced under warranty with longer life bulbs, no charge. I no longer run with the fog lamps on, except when weather requires it.
b) Console compartment lid hinge broke early - replaced under warranty (I think this is a design flaw, as I know of two other console lids with broken hinges), no charge.
c) Steering wheel buttons back lights for radio and AC burned out early - replaced under warranty, no charge.
d) Heated seat buttons back lights burned out early - replaced entire console walnut burl surface along with lights since they don't come separately, no charge. (The second piece of burl was actually a little nicer looking than the original.) (Well, actually it was the third piece of burl, since the technician chipped the new second piece installing it. So, a third piece was ordered and installed.)
e) Steering wheel minor grabbing or rubbing problem - lubricated the intermediate steering shaft once, replaced the steering gear once, both under warranty, no charge.
f) Car stalled twice at very low speed (~10 mph)-replaced malfunctioning crankshaft position sensor under warranty, no charge.
g) Very rarely (maybe 5 or 6 times in 55,000 miles, for 5 to 15 minutes at a time) the transmission shift points are not where they should be. The computer has not set a trouble code yet, and neither the dealers nor I have been able to duplicate the high-reving, funny shifting conditions on demand. On one occasion, driving away from a dealer oil change, I turned around, got the technicians in the car to show them, and it disappeared. (So, it's not always baloney when the dealer tells you, "We couldn't duplicate the problem.") In my case, the shifting was not so far off that I felt any danger or reduction in control of the car.
h) Both vanity mirror covers flop down because the friction hinge has weakened in two years. To be fixed under warranty. I noticed on the repair order from the dealer that the visor mirror cover was noted as "On national back order". So, my conclusion is that this is another very minor design flaw in the interior trim.
i) An instrument cluster dash light burned out early - replaced under warranty by the technician doing the intermediate steering shaft lube. I didn't even notice this one. No charge.
j) Overhead console lights not functioning. This problem has just appeared, and I haven't been to the dealer yet to repair this. I expect to have this addressed under warranty at no charge.
k) Occasionally replace one of the several push-in fasteners that hold the front air dam in place. I wouldn't have this problem if I didn't keep running up on curbs. The nylon(?) fasteners cost $3 each at my dealership and they don't stock them, but I have also used standard metal hardware from a Lowe's or similar home improvement store.
To some people this might seem like a long and irritating list. But, I'm still smiling. I can't wait to get in it - it's a pleasure to drive. "Love covers a multitude of sins", might be an appropriate motto for most of the Aurora owners you'll see here.
Ken
Can someone comment on what sort of MPG you get with these cars?
My mileage is on a 2002 V8, 23K. I think RJS gets a little better mileage.
Thanks,
Steve
Does that mean we are finally over the car has "issues" hump??
Henri
Has anyone else noticed this on their cars? You can only see the scrathes in the "right light."
Henri