hi everyone. im going to take a look at one of these auroras in about 2 weeks. a 2001 3.5.these cars are hot. and go for reasonable prices. now my question is , is it worth it? is it gonna be in the shop every 2 months like mypresent audi(over 5k spent over the last year..and counting...its in the shop again as i write this).what should i look/listen for when test driving it?


everyone is telling me to go back to American cars since parts are easy to find/cheaper...and more reliable


please give me some feedback.


Thanks


-Edward

I HAVE TO AGREE THAT AUDI AND MERCEDES AND VOLVO COST MORE TO REPAIR THAN MOST AMERICAN CARS. I RECENTLY STARTED TO BUY A BMW ON EBAY AND THE SELLER SAID THAT THE A/C DIDNT WORK. I SHOPPED THE A/C COMPRESSOR AND EVAPORATOR AND THE ONLY PLACE I COULT FIND IT WAS BMW. $ 1500.00 LOOKED LIKE WHAT IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE. I REPLACED THE A/C ON MY JIMMY AND MY F150 FOR $350 PARTS AND LABOR INCLUDED. I CURRENTLY HAVE A 1995 AURORA AND IT IS VERY PLEASURABLE TO DRIVE, OTHER THAN A NEW RADIATOR AND BRAKES IT HAS GIVEN NO PROBLEMS. THE RADIATOR I BLAME ON AGE AS THEY ARE PLASTIC. IT HAS GREAT POWER AND ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES. THE MOST COMFORTABLE AUTO I HAVE HAD IN THE PAST YEAR WAS A CADILLAC. THE MOST FUN WAS A CORVETTE. YEAH... BUY AMERICAN AND FIX IT YOURSELF.....AND BUY PARTS AT NAPA AND CARQUEST..

hi, thanks so much for the reply...you know exactly my concern..i mean 250$ for a little brake hose is just ridiculous..not to mention only few mechanics will even look at these cars...whereas an american car can brought almost anywhere.


so the aurora is a good idea i take it? lol


lastly..what should i check when viewing/test driving the car. dont wanna bring home a lemon or covered up problems


thanks for the input

SOME OF THE THINGS I LOOK FOR IF I DONT USE A VEHICLE INSPECTOR ARE, SCRATCHES , COVERED UP DENTS, FRESH PAINT , ENGINE OIL CONDITION ( BLACK OR GUMMY ) TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT IS DISCOLORED OR SMELLS BURNT, WORN TIRES , CARPET THAT IS EXCESSIVELY STAINED , OIL LEAKS ( BEND OVER AND GET UNDER IT, ITS YOUR MONEY, THE DIRT ON YOUR PANTS KNEE WILL WASH OUT ) WATER FLUID LOW OR RESERVOIR TANK THAT HAS OIL RESIDUE INSIDE, CHECK ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO BE SURE THEY WORK. IF YOU WILL BE SPENDING BIG BUCKS GET A CARFAX OR BETTER YET DEAL WITH A DEALER THAT GIVES ONE FREE. MY BIGGEST TOOL THAT I USE IS IF I WALK UP TO A CAR AND I GET A SUSPICIOUS FEELING, DONT WALK---RUN TO THE NEXT CAR. THEY MAKE THEM EVERY DAY AND YOU DONT HAVE TO BUY THIS ONE. LAST- IF THE DEALER LOOKS SHADY OR THE LOT IS COVERED WITH JUNK, RUN RUN RUN . REPUTABLE DEALERS DONT KEEP JUNK ON THE LOT...GOOD LUCK..

Hi thanks for the advice again...ill kep you posted on how it goes. im gonna take a look at a high meilage one this weekend since its going for pretty cheap. (these cars still go for up to 25k for a '02) in my area.





thanks again

If these cars go for 25k in your area, look for one outside of your area. Aurara's with less than 50k miles from 2001 til extintion are found alot cheaper! I purchased an 2001 two years ago with 42,000 mi for 14.2.. Check em out on line. You might have to travel a little..

I have a 2001 I love (d), however, it loves theGM garage better than it's own. Had it for one year- in the shop a total of 9 times so far. Car doesn't want to start. Battery is fine- turn the key and only see a check engine light. Dealership has replaced the starter, the ignition, the relay box, found a short, etc., and last Friday it wouldn't start again. One good thing, mileage stays low due to time spent in garage. Thank heavenfor extended GM warranty- even though it apparently doesn't cover some of the repairs....... Check the engine gasket-they are well known for leaking on this car. Oil leaks other places are also common. Check posts to see where the most common are- I checked before I bought this car, and the dealership replaced the gasket and repaired other leaks after I took the car to my mechanic to check it out prior to buying.Welll worth the trip to my mechanic- he even showed my where the 3 leaks were.Edited by: Jelardo

Love my Aurora, but they are far from perfect. Through my research I've found that there are more problems with the 3.5 (6), than with the 4.0 (V8), that's been in the aurora since it arived..

CONCERNING THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU HAVE TAKEN THE AURORA BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO TALK TO PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NEIGHBORHOOD ABOUT WHICH TECHNICIAN THEY WOULD PREFER TO WORK ON THEIR CAR. I HAVE FOUND THAT DEALERSHIPS HAVE A LOT OF TURNOVER OF MECHANICS, MOST OF WHICH DONT GIVE A RIP ABOUT YOUR CAR THEY JUST WANT TO GET TO FRIDAY AND A PAYCHECK. FIND WHICH MECHANIC HAS BEEN THERE THE LONGEST AND HAS A LOYAL FOLLOWING AND INSIST THAT HE BE THE ONE TO CHECK YOUR OLDS. I HAVE ONLY HAD 1 AURORA BUT I FIND IT IS A VERY LUXURIOUS AUTO. BOTTOM LINE IS PICK YOUR MECHANIC AND INSIST HE REPAIR IT. ( ITS YOUR MONEY )

i had my 03 4.0 aurora for a day now and it didnt visit the shop yet i wasnt sure i was going to like it but i love it btw it was between aurora or 01 mustang gt

i lied i took my aurora in on wednesday for a transmission leak 5 days after i got it

Webought a used 2002 3.5 Aurora 10/05 with 35k for about $12k. We were looking at new cars, but after a couple days of looking we saw the Aurora. We liked the styling, handling and the price much better than anything we looked at. I have averaged over 22 mpg since purchased. Highway w/o a/c on is around 33 mpg. I have heard the 4.0 is better, but we love this car. We have had to replace the brake pads and a couple of light bulbs, and now we have67k. I will need to replace fluids and the battery, but I have no idea where the battery is located. Any help?

Battery is located under the rear seat. Pull the seat up and out from the prongs in the middle.

I when to a chevy dealer, and the parts person told me that it takes a special delco battery that I would have to order. Is the size special or is sealed special for its location under the seat?

FIRST ; WHY ARE YOU REPLACING BATTERY ( just curious ) AND ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SAID $98 . IN MY HOME TOWN.

It is my wife's car, and she works in a area of town that you do not want car problems. I believe the delco battery is a 75 month type. So I would rather replace it after 5 years before its time at my convenience than wait for the voltage to get too low. I will only use a delco as a replacement, because I have had only the best experience with them not leaking and lasting a long time without defects.

IT'S YOUR MONEY BUT GENERAL MOTORS DOES NOT MANUFACTURE BATTERIES , ( never heard of general motors battery plant ) THE BATTERIES AT PARTS HOUSES HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN SPECIFICATIONS OR THEY CAN NOT BE SOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ( TOO MANY LAWYERS LOOKING FOR A CASE TO SETTLE OUT OF COURT ). FIVE YEARS IS LONG ENOUGH FOR A BATTERY TO LAST . YOUR IDEA TO REPLACE IT IS 100 PERCENT ON TARGET .

Thank you for your imput. I guess that sticking to a brand (delco)that I have foundhas an excellent product is just a personal thing. For a more objective look at car batteries, check out Oct 2006 issue of consumer reports. Ihave noticed that a lot of ac delco products including batteries are made overseas. So you are correct about outsourcing of gm parts.