The 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora Base is a Front-wheel drive Sedan. It can accommodate up to 5 passengers. It has 4 Doors and is powered by a 4.0L V8 DOHC 24 valves engine which outputs 250 hp @
5600 rpm and is paired with 4 speed automatic gearbox. The 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora Base has cargo capacity of 456 Liters and the vehicle weighs 1800 kg. In terms of ride assists, the 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora Base has stability control and traction control in addition to anti-lock brake system (ABS). The vehicle has an optional engine as well It offers and. Safety features also include None and None. The front suspension is while the rear suspension is. The car also features a It has as standard. Electronic features include Cruise Control. For convenience, the car has Power windows and Power door locks. There is also a remote keyless entry feature. Moreover, the car has. The steering wheel has audio control buttons. In terms of performance, the car has 273 N.m of torque and a top speed of 231 km/h. The 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora Base accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds and hits quarter mile at 15.6 seconds. Fuel consumption is 13.6 L/100km in the city and 8.4 L/100km in the highway. The car price starts at $ 46,045
Estimates based on a driving average of 12,000 miles per year
Used Condition
Trade In Price
Private Party Price
Dealer Retail Price
Outstanding
$ 1,752
$ 2,494
$ 2,901
Clean
$ 1,542
$ 2,201
$ 2,561
Average
$ 1,122
$ 1,616
$ 1,882
Rough
$ 701
$ 1,030
$ 1,203
We really want to like the Aurora. On paper, it seems to have everything in place to whip the competition. Strong performance, a Northstar-derived V8 engine, standard antilock brakes and traction control, svelte sheetmetal, and prices that top out just over $ 40,000 fully loaded. Sounds tasty, doesn't it?
While slick overall, it looks like a 1995 Saturn SL that underwent minor reconstructive surgery. It weighs two tons. The wheels look like Aunt Polly's holiday condiment dishes. It barely avoids the dreaded gas-guzzler tax.
We can't argue that the Aurora hasn't proven to be an image-maker for Oldsmobile. We also can't argue that the Aurora hasn't been selling to expectations, despite continuous improvement with each model year. From a design and engineering standpoint, the Aurora is lighting the way toward a new kind of Oldsmobile. From a sales standpoint, it is becoming obvious that luxury car buyers do not look to Oldsmobile to meet their needs
For 1997, Aurora gains few changes. The right exterior mirror now dips down while reversing to help the driver see the curb or other obstructions to the rear of the car. The rearview mirror gains an integrated compass, while larger front brakes help bring the car to a stop more assuredly. A 3-channel garage door opener is added, and outside door handles have improved operation this year. Seatbelts feature end release buckles for easier detachment, and the Bose sound system gains an in-dash CD player. Newly optional is a 12-disc changer, but only if you avoid the Bose stereo.
So, what is the competition for the Aurora? The Buick Park Avenue Ultra and Pontiac Bonneville SSE are worthy alternatives, but aren't as coolly sophisticated. Acura's 3.2TL hovers around the Aurora price tag, as do the Infiniti J30 and Lexus ES300, but these Japanese near luxury sedans aren't nearly as stylish as the Aurora. Chrysler's LHS is nice, but lacking oomph under the hood. Lincoln's Continental offers a wonderful V8 powertrain, but dull styling and too many electronic gizmos. The Audi A6 could be worth consideration, but is severely underpowered. The Mercedes E320 and BMW 528i are substantially more expensive than the Aurora when comparably equipped, and lack V8 power.
Yes, it would seem that the Aurora blends the perfect mix of luxury and performance into a highly styled, competitively priced near-luxury sedan. We just can't shake the feeling that this good package could have been much better, particularly in comparison to the slightly more expensive and absolutely stellar BMW 528i.
As its name suggests, the Aurora had indeed a glow about it thanks to excellent quality build, performance and surprisingly high safety ratings.
Just like the name says, this brand is one of the oldest in America, being founded in 1897 by Ransom E. Olds. Sadly, today the car company is no more as it was shut down in 2004 by GM, the owner of the brand for most of its 107 years of history.
It actually started out as Olds Motor Company in Detroit where in 1901 the first assembly line was set up, consisting of 75 workers who struggled to make “horseless carriages” as they were called at the time. The first model was called the Curved Dash and after a little media exposure, sales started picking up.
A new plant was built in Lansing, Michigan and production shot up from 425 models in 1901 to 4000 in 1903. The name Oldsmobile never came officially, as the manufacturer referred to them as “Olds automobiles” but people called them Oldsmobiles.
The next model was the 1910 Limited Touring, a somewhat more luxurious car, with a price tag that could rival a home back then. Still, Oldsmobile managed to sell a couple of hundred models, probably also due to the car's exposure in the event in which it won a race against a train.
The next big step for Oldsmobile came in 1937 when the four-speed semi-automatic transmission was introduced under the name “Automatic Safety Transmission”. A new, improved version, was introduced in 1940, one that was fully automatic. Then the war came and car production was replaced by arms production which even included big caliber guns and shells.
Postwar production would resume with the introduction of a new type of engine which they called “the Rocket”, a straight 8 flathead that offered a lot of power, thus making it a favorite of the racers and hot rod enthusiasts. In order to keep with their new “sporty” image, Oldsmobiles changed their design, now having a big grille in the front, reminiscent of jet fighters, also their taillights seemed to keep in with the Rocket theme.
The 60s would bring with them such noted models as the Cutlass and Toronado which would remain in production well into the 90s. These models, in addition to many others managed to bring up Oldsmobile sales during the 70s and 80s, despite the other American manufacturers having issues. The way that Oldsmobile managed to stay on top was to build car that were reliable and were regarded as having decent quality for the money.
As well as the brand sold in the 80s, when the 90s came around, Oldsmobile found itself in trouble. As other divisions of GM prospered, Oldsmobile lost its place on the market, lost its dsign and was forced to sell rebadged versions of other GM cars, such as Pontiac or Chevrolet. As time went by, Oldsmobile became a bastion for testing new concepts for GM.
The one car that was able to turn things around for the manufacturer was the Oldsmobile Aurora. This car would mark a new turn in design, but in order to achieve the whole new look, all the older models were shelved one by one and replaced with sleeker, more aerodynamic ones (Achieva, Bravada, Eighty-Eight and Silhouette).
Despite all their best efforts, Oldsmobile's demise would finally come also due to its affiliation with GM. A loss in profit for the automotive giant meant that the Detroit brand would be quietly be laid to rest. this after their last model, an SUV called Bravada, was becoming a hit on the American market.
1997 Oldsmobile Aurora Consumer Reviews
uncheckedseasoned, 08/08/2011
Love the Nana car
I bought my Aurora a year ago at an auction, I am only the second owner and it had 90,000 miles on it when I bought it. We were not in Modesto on preview day, so did not even know if it ran, but it was in such pristine condition and had such low mileage I took a chance. I paid $ 3000 for her, and she started right up and i have been in love ever since. This car looks as good as it did the day it left the showroom and while the in-town mileage is not very high, on the highway she gets between 27-34 mpg.
My son the mechanic says with the low mileage I put on it and timely maintenance it should last me many years.
factorvolvox, 08/16/2009
I Love Her
I do love my car. She drives like a dream, she has all the little extras I wanted. I am 2nd owner & have had for nearly 10 yrs. Yes I have had to have some repairs and they were costly but to me worth it. ^The only problem Ive had is the radio/cd/cassette. I have purchased 2 new ones and both times the cassette has went out. And ever since I've had my girl she about every 3 to 4 wks I have to put 2 qts. of oil in. She doesn't leak oil or smoke. But it goes somewhere. Also the paint has flaked off really bad and I have noticed this in oter same year model Aurora's. She gets average gas mileage. I think I'll keep her. She's paid for and she has been good to me. Again I love my car.
casuallythinning, 08/04/2008
Best Car I Ever Owned
I absolutely love this car. I was very disappointed when it was discontinued. When I look at its styling, it still outshines today's newer cars. Yes it is more expensive to maintain; but cheaper then buying a new car.
radiatorspiffy, 10/09/2010
I miss my Aurora!
I love this car however I don't have it anymore,but given the chance again I would go back to a V8 Aurora any given day. This car had every thing and It satisfied my need for 'power' and speed' performance was good enough for me.The 250 hp is great I have raced other cars who just thought this was an ole man car? oh man they were surprised. this is the only V8 car that I would purchase used again and again. pure American horsepower. i'm going to get another one really soon.
Find the best Oldsmobile Aurora for sale near you. Every used car for sale comes with a free CARFAX Report. We have 4 Oldsmobile Aurora vehicles for sale that are reported accident free, 1 1-Owner cars, and 8 personal use cars.
Find Oldsmobile Aurora Cars for Sale by Year. Used 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora For Sale. 2 for sale starting at $ 8,000. Used 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora For Sale. 2 for sale starting at $ 2,500. Used 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora For Sale. 4 for sale starting at $ 999. Used 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora For Sale.
In 1994, the full-size Olds Aurora sedan rolled out, which eventually replaced both the Eighty Eight and Ninety Eight. For its midsize sedan offering, the Olds Intrigue debuted in 1997 and stayed around just ahead of the brand’s cancellation. For its final year in 2004, Oldsmobile offered the Bravada and Silhouette, along with the Olds Alero.
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M harry1 year ago
I have owned and still have a 2009 Kia amanti it is now 2024 I have 51000 miles on this car excellent handling in all weather except ice and deep snow very fast in traffic I think the handling is tight and responsive. My spouse has driven this on the interstate frequently and the first thing he did was get it up to 220 mph at this speed is floaty but under 80 mph just a pleasure to drive *****
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