Pity poor Oldsmobile. They went from having the number-one-selling model in 1977 to nonexistence in 2004. And it’s not like they didn’t try. Change came in 1995 with the new Aurora sedan – Oldsmobile didn’t even want to call it an Oldsmobile! But by the time this 2001 model was released, the handwriting was on the wall; something had to give, and by 2004 it did: Oldsmobile was defunct. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself, so let’s give this sedan its due. Found in Milwaukie, Oregon, by Curvette, this second-gen Aurora is listed here on craigslist for $2,950.
The Aurora was supposed to reinvent Oldsmobile and replace the brand’s image, which had become strictly associated with an older generation. Introduced in 1995, the Aurora’s first gen ran through 1999, then was replaced by the second gen (2001-2003). Sales started off reasonably well, with 46K units being assembled in its inaugural year, but by the time 2001 rolled around, the volume had dropped to 28K copies. The seller states, “This is a rare GM sedan and well known; it does have a few 25-year-old normal wear and tear but overall above average condition for the age…,” and from what can be seen, it still presents well despite its 100K miles of use. I particularly noticed the wheels, which don’t show evidence of brake dust corrosion – a problem that seems to afflict GM chrome-plated alloys from this era. The finish is still deep, and the soft bumpers appear to be free of the foibles caused by parking by ear. As for styling, well, as I always say, it’s subjective, and I’ll leave it at that.
The seller proclaims, “they ride and drive very, very well while still getting very good mpg, even with the North Star 4.0 V8 that was also used in the Shelby series 1…” Well, not exactly; this version of the Northstar 4.0-liter V8 generates 250 net HP; the limited-production Shelby unit was in excess of 300. A four-speed automatic transaxle puts momentum to the front wheels.
The leather upholstery is in surprisingly good nick! I say that because leather, by the time it has accumulated the age and mileage of this car, usually shows creases and cracks, but I’m not seeing any significant problem of that nature. The features include those that you would expect to find in a sedan of this bearing, including a Bose sound system and a power sunroof. I’d say the interior volume is quite sound and needs no attention.
The seller suggests, “These cars were built as a sports sedan to keep up with BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class!” If that’s the case, I’d offer that Oldsmobile missed the mark. It’s not a snarky comment, just the reality of what happened in the marketplace. The seller concludes with, “Come grab it and own a piece of Oldsmobile GM History.” OK, fair enough, any takers out there?
I owned 2 2001 Auroras and both had the same problems. The power steering lines wore out leaving arterial spray on the street. Also the windows wouldn’t go up. Next time I will buy the 3.8. they don’t have as many issues.