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Oldsmobile Aurora Prices Paid and Buying Experience - READ ONLY

148 messages,  Last post on Aug 18, 2008 at 11:31 AM

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What is this discussion about? Oldsmobile Aurora, Sedan

Messages Page 16 of 16

#145 of 148 Re: '02 Aurora 4.0L Gold Edition [oldwino] by pscheid

Jul 31, 2008 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: oldwino (Jun 29, 2008 9:07 pm)
I hope others chime in here on the subject of fuel mileage on their Auroras, now that fuel prices have smashed us in the face and wallet.
 
Your highway mileage on an 2002 4.0 ltr V8 with the 3.71 ratio sounds a tad low, even with 100 pounds of luggage 70-73 mph and 2 adults. Your 2002 is I believe around 150 pounds lighter than the 95-99 Aurora at 3950 pounds. My rpm is about the same as yours, just under 2,000 rpm 60 mph. I believe my window sticker had an EPA 18/26 fuel mileage rating. The 1998 Aurora was purchased 7/98 used, dealer manager's car, with 11,500 miles for $28,300 versus the $38,310 sticker (no Bose) . We opted for the GM Major Guard factory warranty extension from the balance of the included 4yr./50,000 miles to 6 yr./75,000 miles. Extended warranty cost 10 years ago was $1,250 with the $100 deductible.
 
Using national brand fuel (Shell, Mobil, Sunoco, Citgo, Exxon, Hess, etc), on a recent 120 mile trip May), my 98 Autobahn with the 3.71 ratio, 87 octane, 97,000 miles, totally original ignition (never tuned up) got 24.6 with 4 adults (810 lbs +/- 20 lbs. yup!) and 120 pounds of luggage (I weighed it) at 65 mph on cruise. On another trip of 1,200 miles on cruise we got 27.1 mpg with 2 adults (310 pounds) and luggage (90 pounds) with 89 octane at an average speed of 68 mph. Both of these trips with the windows up and the a/c on.
 
I run 35 psi in the tires and swap out air filters with regularity. I don't see a highway mileage difference between octanes when driving longer stretches with the cruise on.
 
I have read that the automobile fuel mileage reduction, with increasing speeds, drops geometrically (faster) rather than arithmetically (straight line). The wind resistance is the reason. Speed kills highway fuel mileage. I have also read that altitude, humidity, and ambient temperature can impact fuel mileage as well. I make a 120 mile round trip highway drive on Sundays where I get 1-2 mpg lower mileage going than returning, which I chalk up to wind direction more than anything else since there are no elevation changes of any import.
 
What I see most are the reductions in highway mileage due to speed interruptions, such as tolls and traffic. Or potty stops for the wife, especially when she wants me to sit there idling with the a/c going. And those spurts to 115 mph with the happy foot (no speed limiter on the Autobahn).
 
Purely around town I expect 18 mpg max. Mixed 21-23 mpg. And this with a feather touch on the accelerator and driving the traffic lights. Add in a heavy right foot and the mileage plummets.
 
If you ask me, the 73 mph and the interruptions are the culprit, though you may want to try a bump in tire pressure, a new air filter, and check the trunk for useless junk that adds unnecessary weight.
 
On the topic of extended warranties on American cars, I am 57 and have never failed to at least break even with them. We buy low mileage 1-3 year old used and drive the car to year 10-11, phasing out the oldest car in the fleet. And the Aurora set-up under the hood makes the simplest of repair tasks labor intensive ones (expensivo). One trans and the warranty has paid for itself. One a/c job and you've got almost half your money back. Your choice, risk versus peace of mind.
 
Jack

#146 of 148 Re: '02 Aurora 4.0L Gold Edition [pscheid] by oldwino

Aug 10, 2008 (9:06 pm)

Replying to: pscheid (Jul 31, 2008 12:05 pm)
Jack
 
Thanks for the reply. When I purchased I wasn't aware of the final ratio and figured that the mileage wouldn't be much different from my 98 Intrique with the 3.8L. 2K RPM on the Intrique gets me about 70mph. The trip to Florida was about 2 weeks after I bought it. Hadn't done any expressway running til that trip and I like to go when traveling. Since I got the car from the dealer where my uncle works, I didn't do a real extensive test drive and wasn't worried about getting a . I am very happy about it's highway performance(other than mileage).
 
Since my initial post, I've done some research in this forum and there's a couple of things I plan to do. First I've got to clean the throttle body and egr valve, which are pretty dirty and replace the fuel filter which has about 30k on it. Bought a K&N filter and plan to put that in after the cleaning. I'm hoping it'll improve the mileage a couple mpg. Right now the idle is a little rough, when first started cold. Isn't bad once it's warmed up.
 
As for gas, I've started using Shell. They have a Shell Platinum Mastercard that has 5% rebate on the purchase of their gas. Found it on the Shell website. I have seen a little improvement in mileage just around town. I don't drive the car everyday, but try to take it for a spin at least once a week. Got a little KIA to go to work.The real test will be next month when we take a trip to South Carolina. I hope to get the maintenace done before the trip.
 
I'm 50 and have owned GM mostly Olds and Buick all my life(KIA mainly for work and the price was right) and all from the same dealer. Never had any major issues with any of them(knock on wood) except the turn signal/wiper switch unit in the steering column on the Intrique(warranted) and an AC compressor on a 91 Ciera(not). The Ciera had about 160K miles on it when sold and my son has the Intrique and it's got 150K on it. The cruise quit working on it recently. Found a used set of service manuals for the Aurora on ebay for $65 and I've got them now. So I'm still debating the $2500 warranty.
 
Will let you know how things go with the maintenance and the trip. By the way, great name.
 
Jack

#147 of 148 Re: '02 Aurora 4.0L Gold Edition [oldwino] by kyfdx HOST

Aug 11, 2008 (5:43 am)

Replying to: oldwino (Aug 10, 2008 9:06 pm)
They have a Shell Platinum Mastercard that has 5% rebate on the purchase of their gas.
 
That's the best deal going.... You also get a 1% rebate on everything else you purchase.. The rebate comes off your gas purchases, the very next month..
 
I've saved around $1000, over the last three years...
 
regards,
kyfdx
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#148 of 148 Re: '02 Aurora 4.0L Gold Edition [oldwino] by bryan

Aug 18, 2008 (11:31 am)

Replying to: oldwino (Aug 10, 2008 9:06 pm)
Hey, Congrats on your "new" Aurora. I've got an '03 Gold Edition (red bordeaux metallic over tan leather). Purchased new; car was on the lot one day. Car was spec ordered by the dealer, and has most every option, including the BOSE stereo. I'm in the last year of my 6 year warranty (I'm at 43K miles), so I'll get to the 72 months before the 60K miles.
 
I've used the warranty--sunroof rattles, yes, rattles, replaced two of the stereo speakers (rear shelf defective when delivered and driver door speaker went haywire, so they replaced it), plus a couple of DIC sensor replacements. One "mechanical" issue; replaced a CAM sensor??? I believe it was due to hard shifts. Best climate control system I've ever had on any car.
 
I drive the car back and forth most weeks from Northern VA to the Delaware coast and usually get 27 mpg (did max at 28.5 one trip according to the DIC); around town--16 to 20 mpg, depending upon traffic.
 
A couple of rear bumper parking rashes to report, otherwise, looks as good today as when I drove it off the lot new. I've had the same Olds mechanic at my GM dealer work on the car since delivery; he wants the car when I'm done. Who knows, maybe a new Buick Allure in the next couple of years?
 
Anyway, enjoy your ride!

Messages Page 16 of 16

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