New Owner of Olds Aurora 3.5 - UPDATED with pics

[WhenenRome]

(Thead updated with photos... scroll down to 12th post.)

A week ago, if anyone told me that I was about to buy another car, I'd have said they're nuts.

But then a friend / former co-worker mentioned she was in the market for a new car, and had looked into trading in her 2001 Aurora 3.5. She found that she'd get a lot more for it selling to a private party. I happened to run into her and, well, that private party ended up being me. I first talked to her about it Wednesday (said that I ''might know someone who'd be interested!''), then on Thursday I confessed that someone was me, test-drove it, and decided to buy it for certain. Finally, I went to get the cashier's check and do the transfer on Friday.

Though I'd seen her often in the Aurora and knew how well she cared for it, you can just tell from one look that it's in excellent condition. This car had been kept immaculately, detailed at least twice a year, and consistently maintained. In just under 5 years, it had only 39K miles.

So far, it's been incredible. We've noticed our Bravada Final 500 has often been a head-turner, and in just a few days the Aurora seems even moreso. It's black (with a coat so shiny, it almost seems wet) with the gold kit (gold applied to the Aurora logos and all insignias), and the chromed stock rims. A custom walnut burlwood was added to fill-in the dashboard's center stack, so with the exception of the radio head unit, wood runs right up to every button and control - and matches so well, it's almost seemless.

The Aurora is ultimately replacing our Alero GLS, which we'll be selling soon. Its bluebook is valued at $8200 (for good condition category and 64K miles), and we'll probably sell it a little under that amount. So at the end of the day, we'll have net-paid a little over $2000 to "upgrade" to the Aurora.

We're just so impressed with this car. It has been a very happy first few days! And at least half by serendipity, I've now been an Oldsmobile owner three times over in 5 years.

[Mischief007]

Congrats. Always loved the Auroras. If I only they were rear wheel drive and came with a stick. I'd be all over one. One of the best looking and luxurious cars out there.

[F14CRAZY]

Nice ride, though I prefer the styling of the older Aurora

[asim]

Is this the "newer Aurora"? I love that style! When Olds was going out of business I was considering one since they were so cheap at the time.

[Xeper]

Yea, the last generation Auroras looks so great, had alot of european/saab influence in it. And the interior is great.

Watch out for the engine though, the 3.5 engines are great, but when it comes to repairing it.....

[DuSpinnst]

My father had that exact same model. The 2001 with the Shortstar is a beautiful car.

[WannabeRich]

Pics?

[jry]

almost bought one a few years back. nice looking car then and now. something was goofy with this cars ride, though.
how peppy is the v 6? what would this car have been like with AWD?

[paul8488]

Oh nice! I loved the original AND the second gen. Hope to own either one of those or a last-gen Riviera someday. Get some pics up!

[WhenenRome]

Congrats. .... One of the best looking and luxurious cars out there.

Thanks... and I can't disagree with you there!

Watch out for the engine though, the 3.5 engines are great, but when it comes to repairing it.....

I can't say I ever worry too much about future engine repair costs. Even though this is my first "pre-owned" car (unless you count my very first - a hand-me-down), I know it's been maintained very well.

Apart from that, I've had 6 new cars - and though there have been issues, engine was never one of them. I guess I tend to think that, with certain unfortunate exceptions, premature engine problems more often have to do with how a driver runs/maintains the car. That said, I hadn't really heard that the Shortstar has a bad rep.

something was goofy with this cars ride, though...
how peppy is the v 6? what would this car have been like with AWD?

Nothing goofy about the ride for me. It seems to be doing what I understand it's mission is. It feels tuned for handling - and at that it is very capable, but still compliant as far as absorbing bumps. It's not as quiet as our LaCrosse, and the LaCrosse diffuses road commotion better. But the Aurora corners and holds the road even better than the LaCrosse; it feels much more athletic...

The acceleration is great. Not as fast off the lines as the LaCrosse, but certainly more than you'd ever need. Again, very, very athletic feeling - like you'd expect of a sports sedan. For sake of comparison, my friend drives an '02 BMW 5-series that leaves an essentially similar impression on me.

And as for the question of what it would be like with AWD, I really don't know... I guess like my Bravada?

Oh nice! I loved the original AND the second gen. Hope to own either one of those or a last-gen Riviera someday. Get some pics up!

I love both generations, too. I remember how wowed I was when I first saw an Aurora at the LA Auto Show (wow, over a decade ago - how time flies!), and later on the road. I understand why some people didn't embrace the second gen, but I love it. Though it streamlined its styling a bit in contrast to the original, it still grabs attention. Just today, I caught this guy (an Acura TL driver) who was parked next to me looking in the windows and at the rear (of course when I approached, he said nothing and just headed toward the store I was coming out of)... The second gen is also an evolution as far as ride/handling, as well...

As for the pics, I'll work on those ASAP. We're putting our house on the market starting this weekend (barring any complications), so we're working our rears off trying to get everything sparkling here. But I'll get some pics taken and post them relatively soon.... and thanks everyone for all the sentiments!

[ChevroletRevived]

Get some pics up! I'm joking around. That's great. I like the Aurora!

[WhenenRome]

Okay.... but only because you asked so nicely!











And one thing to add... the car is actually kind of dirty in these pics!

[WhenenRome]

Oh, and that's the house (and the Alero) I mentioned there in the background... just in case anyone was wondering!

[1969CamaroSS350]

I usually don't like the aftermarket wood kits but that actually looks nice. Congrats on the new car.

[ChevroletRevived]

Wow, that's really nice! I like it!