If you want to buy a 2001 or 2002 Aurora, absolutely get the
4.0! I have owned one since December of 2000 (I bought it
new). I have had no trouble with it. Also, you get many
features as standard equipment on the 4.0 that are options
on the 3.5, such as traction control and stability control.
You also get a better transmission in the 4.0.
As for engine durability, remember the fact that the design
of the racing Aurora V-8 that won 5 straight Indy 500 races
is based directly on the consumer version of the Aurora V-8.

10 years without really nagging repairs is reallllly stretching it on a GM
product, especially the Aurora.

In article
<e1053c6337260f9d007c8f1bf6c746f3@localhost.talkaboutautos.com>,

Disclaimer: I own a 1998 (first-generation, a/k/a Classic) Aurora, and
am contemplating picking up an '02 or '03, as there's nothing else in
the GM lineup which interests me and I can afford (with the exception of
the new GTO, thought that's a completely different class of car).

Yes, the 2001-2003 Aurora V-8 engines are heavily reworked. They feature
coil-on-plug technology (no plug wires) and can run on regular unleaded
(though premium is recommended for best performance). The 3.5L V6
"Shortstar" is a derivitive of the V-8, used exclusively on the Intrigue
and Aurora 3.5.

First-generation Northstars had problems with the rear crankshaft seals
failing, forcing the engine to be dropped, split, and re-sealed. This is
an $1800 repair and it had to be done to my car. Thankfully I have an
extended warranty which picked up most of the tab. I haven't heard of
this problem with the newer generation of Northstars.

I hear reports/complaints of Northstars burning oil, but mine never does
(except when the engine block was leaking). Reasons why I think this is
the case is a) confusuon over the amount of oil - the first-gen Aurora's
dipstick sucks, have to just put in 7.5 quarts and you should be good,
and b) the aforementioned rear crankshaft seal leak.

No, this is a problem with the first-generation Aurora (the compressor
is a little underpowered for the car, the system gets a little low on
refrigerant, and poof! your AC compressor grenades). Had this problem
too, thank you again extended warranty. New generation does not have
this problem to my knowledge.

V8 cars come better equipped (more features are standard). If you will
regularly have more than 2 adults and/or a lot of luggage in the car,
I'd opt for the 4.0.

There is one ongoing issue that's been occuring on both the Intrigue and
Aurora 3.5 with the Shortstar - when the airpump kicks in, the
alternator can't keep up and the headlights and dash lights flicker.
There have been redesigned alternators which were supposed to fix this
problem, but don't. Since Olds is dead, GM would like to sweep this
under the rug. Personally would not buy a 3.5 car for this reason (have
heard of few issues with the 3.5 except for crankshaft position sensor).

One problem that affects at least 2001 Auroras (both engine sizes) and
several other GM midsize cars (Impala, Bonneville, et. al.) is the
Intermediate Steering Shaft. You may feel some vibration/hear some
clunking on it. Initial response was to replace the steering shaft, now
GM has come up with a lube kit. Worst-case scenario is that you have to
re-lube down the line - something you should be able to buy for under
$100 and do yourself, if you're technicall competent enough.

G-body cars are also sensitive to wheel balance vibration, particularly
at speed (65-73 mph is common). Need to have your tires road-force
balanced, where the shop uses a machine like the Hunter GSP 9700
(http://www.gsp9700.com) to apply a counter-force to the tire as it's
spinning (i.e. like the road) during balancing.

Some notes on model years; there are actually 2 versions of the 2001
(which they started building in early 2000 - note that there was no 2000
model Aurora in any bodystyle). You can tell the difference in that the
later version has the OnStar buttons on the mirror, whether or not the
car has OnStar or not. The suspension changes were significant enough
that I probably wouldn't buy a first-version 2001.

The 3.5 engine was discontinued with the Intrigue after the 2002 model
year, hence all 2003's are V-8's. GM decontented some things (one
example, the trunk license plate surround - two-piece on the 3.5's and
the 2003 V-8's), meaning the 2002 is probably the best model year to buy
(I'm still in the "stay away from the first

Strongly suggest you look at http://www.nhtsa.gov and look up the models
and years you are interested in, for TSB's and recalls. Also, if you
find the VIN of one you like, run a CarFax and then take it to a GM
dealer to have the service history pulled (did that on my car, saw just
a handful of issues, but thankfully bought the extended warranty just in
case).

That reminds me, warranty. Most 2002's and 2003's came with a 5 year/60k
mile warranty, which should be transferable (call 800-442-OLDS with the
VIN to make sure - they'll know the in-service date). You can always buy
a GM Major Guard warranty to extend past that time.

I don't care what car you buy, I think that's an unreasonable
expectation for a modern car. How much technology/how many parts are
there in today's cars? To expect everything to run for 10 years with no
issues is not realistic. This applies to Hondas and Toyotas, too.

Having said that, many of the first-gen Auroras (warts and all) seem to
reach 150k-200k miles no problem (and the oldest are 10 years old now).
Quality is improved with the second-gen (doesn't have nearly the same
number of chronic/recurring issues that the first-gen ones did). GM is
getting better but not there yet...

Then you should plan to invest in the shop manual for the car, as well  
as some diagnostic tools (multimeter, ODB-II code reader, et. al.) and
know how to use them. You can generally buy parts online for much
cheaper than the dealers charge.

Understood. I am considering buying an '02 or '03 V8 myself and, after
reading Aurora message boards at Edmunds (http://townhall.edmunds.com)
and Automotive Forums (http://www.automotiveforums.com), I don't see
very many issues with the new generation. Probably GM's nicest G-body,
and yet another example of GM getting the car right only to kill it (and
the division). Lots of good help/assistance from other owners on those
boards, particularly AutomotiveForums...

Hope this helps,

--Robert

I'm now two weeks into the ownership of my 3rd Aurora. It is
a 2001 3.5 model.  My others were a 1999 & before that a 1995.

The two older models were two of the best cars I've ever owned. Previously
owned a Range Rover 4.0 330,000 miles, a Mercedes diesel 360,000 miles, & 4
BMW's (total about 240,000 miles) dating back to 1971. I drive a lot & work
on the external things myself.  The Auroras had minimal (to me) problems.
Air conditioning once, shift solenoids once, & radiator twice.  My 1995
had over 170,000 & was running perfectly (still is a friend owns it now).
MY 1999 seemed even better than the 1995. Both were a pleasure to drive.
Quiet but responsive and able to cruise above 80 with minimal vibration.

The 3.5 is not even close to comparing with the older models.  The engine
revs higher, it is noisy - road noise, wind noise, and annoying
transmission shift points.  The seats are not as comfortable. The fuel
mileage is even worse than the 4.0 V8. Overall it seems to be just a cheap
car with 'classy?' name.  It should not have the Aurora name.  I think it
is comparable to the 'Catera' that Cadillac came out with. 'Good?' name,
but a clunker of a car. I'm already trying to trade it off for something
that will 'hopefully' recover most of the dollars that I have into it.  

I think the older Auroras are one of the best values in a used car.  But I
guess I was lucky to not have many expensive failures.  I also think the
older Infiniti I30's are a good value but they do have more engine & road
noise than the older Auroras.

I own a 2001 Aurora 3.5L which I purchased new. The later 2001s are better
and are recongized by the Onstar on the mirror controls. The 3.5L delivers
excellent Gas mileage which you should be able to obtain low 30 miles per
gallon on the Highway driving at 60 M/hr. The engine also is spec-ed for
regular fuel which is important with the current Gas crunch.

The Engine has nice characteristics, it revs higher than the GM 3.8L engine
and hence more fun to drive on the Hwy. Although a higher rev-ing engine it
is a 90 degree v6 and delivers lower end torgue. The engine is an all
alluminum block over head CAM V6 which is advanced in design unlike the 3.8L
cast iron push rod V6 ( I owned 3 new GM cars with the 3.8L engine and agree
it is a powerful and durable Engine). The 3.5L engine is very smooth but
transmission shift points are not perfect. The sound system is excellent,
the programming of car personality is also nice feature. The on board
computer gives all information required without having a gauge for all
functions. All in all the car has the most advanced features I could find
during the 2001 year. In 2001 I would state that the Aurora was feature rich
and ahead of other cars. If you buy the V6 try to obtain one which has
options upgraded as V8 - Stability track, water sensitive wipers, track
control (weather package), others options are a luxary package for the
passenger side and heated seats.

The V8 comes with a different transmisison which is heavier duty and would
recommend if you tow.

The handling and steering creates a very pleasurable drive - I am very
content with the design and comfort of this product. Quality has not been
favorable for the Auroras, Consumer reports black balled it. Auroras have
always been noted to have problems with the electrical systems. My car had a
lot of small problems which were annoying: Trunk Leak(s), climate control
unit being replaced, Two stuts required replacement, Lumbar  mechanism on
passenger side delivered from factory not working, paint on radio buttons
wore off ,Onstar system locked up, and CV joint boot replacement. Since the
car came with the 60K mile warranty the work was covered.

The maintanace is very good on the car. The tires and brakes lasted 65K
miles. I believe this not just contributed to the tire manufacture but also
the balance of suspension/stearing of the design not put wear on tires when
cornering. Just replace filters and oil changes.

Note both the V6 and V8 require more oil than must GM cars - 6 quarts V6 an
7 Quarts V8. When obtaining an oil change you must remind the technician or
you will be short a quart.

As for Drive train I like the product except for shift points. Features,
Comfort and fun to drive is a plus - Quality is another story!!