I know I've been asking a lot about different Olds lately (searching for a new everydar-er) but I wanted to know opinions/longterm ownership on 2001 3.5L Auroras - looking at one now with low miles.

Thanks in advance.

 

run away fast!! 3.5 4.0 Olds and 4.6 Cadillac are all the same family and have major engine issues(head bolts mainly) Cars are beautiful but engines are trouble!

 

Guess its all about who you talk to. The starter is under the intake manifold and on my wifes SRX all wheel drive an axle is thru the oil pan. She got in new in 05 and has had nothing major go wrong with the engine after 150,000 miles.

 

My mom had one back in the day and loved it but she had a lot of problems with it. I don't remember exactly what the issue were but it was in the shop a lot and it was only a couple years old at the time. The one thing I remember about it was the battery was under the back seat.

 

I talked to a friend who has worked for GMPP warrenty for over 10 years and he said that the 4.0L are the problem one and usually never gets claims for the 3.5L.... Oh well, I guess I will see soon enough...just bought one..... 58,000 miles... clean as hell. I just hope from sitting so long with short to almost no driving obviously, stuff does't start braking from regular use....I'm betting waterpump is first to go :/ The deal was pretty good though, I think.

Still keep the info coming as I'm sure I'll get all sorts of answers, experiences and stories

 

I love mine and have owned 2 of the 2nd Gens with the 4.0. Yes they have issues, but what car doesn't?

 

I have a 3.5 in my 02 Intrigue.... 53K miles and no issues yet.... I have heard of more issues for the 4.6 even over the 4.0....

 

I owned an 02 Aurora and while I did like it there are some problem areas to think about. Alternator went out around 110k. I did not take it to a shop, it was a difficult R&R. Also went through a couple of rear window lifts. Seems they are also a problem. The car seemed to always nickle and dime me. The transmission was also starting to slip. I unloaded it before it became a problem. I liked the car, but it was not a representative of Oldsmobile quality.

 

Oh yeah, if you decide to pull the trigger be careful about dexcool.

 

So, I LOVE the Aurora...looks great, rides like a dream, but man I have been chasing quality control issues since I got it a month ago.... I was expecting a few things as the car sat for years with almost no miles put on it (elderly owned) but wow, trim pieces loose, trunk seal glue reseal, fuel level sender issue, window regulator, steering shaft... shocks, yikes...LOL

Still, I like it and when I get all the "little" issues resolved, I'm sure I'll be even happier.

All this got me thinking, the Pontiac Bonneville is the same chassis as the 2nd gen Aurora.... wondering how a 3800 SC would be in an Aurora

 

Man, good luck with that thing. We had one and what a pile it was. both rear window regulators, front wheel bearings, leaky sunroof, passenger side seatbelt, power door locks failed and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting. All of that in under 50k miles on car. Easily the worst car I've ever owned.


I couldn't understand the rear window regulators going bad so soon (right around 25k miles) we didn't have kids at the time and rarely had passengers in the back, they were never used but on one of the rare instances that they were, they failed.


It was a relief the day we traded that thing off. Good Luck

 

i have had my aurora 3.5 since 2002. at 223K miles...pulled the entire drivetrain motor and transmission --- using quite a bit of oil and the trans was giving me fits.... 318K on it now and plan to drive it till she dies. i can say that i have changed out wheel bearing units 3 times now.... and this is the 4th set of tires.... seriously will miss it when its time to go. it actually has been a pretty good car.